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9/11/2008

Practice Time

Well, back to school nights are done and I've pretty well shown you all why I'm not a public speaker.  I think I'm starting to enjoy the taste of shoe leather though.  Being a "Jack of All Trades" I tend to be a bit self deprecating.  That and a tendency to think out loud means public office is probably not in my future.  That said, I did one bit of "out loud thinking" that I definitely want to go forward with.  While practically telling everyone that I know nothing about music and should probably have become a tilapia farmer, I mentioned something to Highlands parents about practicing two hours per week instead of one since I only see the kids there every other day.  The "light bulb" moment came when I looked at peoples faces after I said it..... no one flinched.... you didn't even gasp.  In fact folks looked more like, “Well, duh, you only see them twice a week."  That said, I'm going to be letting Highlands kids know they need two hours per week of practice.  That doesn't mean 3H kids can just sit around watching Gilligan’s Island reruns though.  We all need the extra practice.... In fact, I hear my fiddle calling me now!

 

Have a great weekend, PK

Posted at 5:50 AM by Perry Kelly | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

9/5/2008

Still Beginning
Two weeks have passed so quickly... did I just hear jingle bells?  LOL   Most of our students have their instruments now although a few stores have run out of books so I suggest calling before you make the trip to ABCDs, Ted Brown, Barnes and Noble, Music Unlimited, Strings and Things, or any other store that you may be planning on getting your childs book from, just to make sure they have the book you need.  Thanks for working out budgets and schedules to help get your child his/her equipment as soon as possible.  I know what it's like to have to add school supplies/instruments in to the normal monthly budget.  We have had some school instruments available for students.  I'll be getting the contracts out to kids with school instruments next week now that I've figured out who needs what.  School instrument rentals are usually available for the larger instruments such as Baritones, Cellos, Basses, Tubas, Bari Saxes, etc... that are not normally rented or sold by Music Stores.  If a family simply can't afford an instrument at this time please make sure to contact myself, Mrs. Panther, Mrs. Ostby, or any of our fine administrators and counselors.  We should be able to come up with some alternatives even if it takes  a day or to to figure things out.  Music is so important in a childs life that we'd never turn someone away, we just make ourselves think creatively.  I also need to let you know that the 8th graders WILL be using the "Essential Techniques - 2000 bk 3 this year and need to get one as soon as possible for their instrument in both Orchestra and Band.  This has been a long one so I'd better go.  See you next week at Open house!
 
Mr. K
Posted at 6:56 AM by Perry Kelly | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/28/2008

Keep up the great work!
Hello!  I can't tell you how happy I am with the kids.  I've enjoyed every day this week and know we'll continue to improve.  I think I need to let everyone understand that as the school year begins we always have things to sort out.  If your child doesn't have his/her instrument yet.  Don't panic.  We'll be fine.  Just keep working to get it.  I'd like to have everyone with their instrument by next week so we can all get down to business.  For those of you who do have an instrument, you should start to hear your little cherubs practice soon.  Don't worry if it doesn't sound perfect, just encourage them.  If a student can't remember a fingering then have them look in the back of the book.  I actually make the effort NOT to tell them the fingerings but to show them how to find them in the book.  When the kids learn where to look and how to interpret the charts, they begin to look for themselves and mature better as musicians.  Sometimes that means they have to put more effort in than just yelling "Mr. Kelly, I don't know this fingering!" but in the long run they'll be able work on their own better.  Well, time to do clean the shop!  Have a great weekend.
 
PK
Posted at 7:49 PM by Perry Kelly | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/23/2008

Hi and Welcome to Music.
Thank you all for such a warm welcome this year.  I can honestly say that expectations are high and I'm excited to get things moving.  This year I plan on keeping Highlands and Horse Heaven Hills concerts separate in order to keep them from becoming too long.  I also plan on having separate Orchestra/Band concerts, however, since we do have some families with kids in both I'll keep an open mind on the issue.  The main thing I've realized over the years is that although it's less convenient for me personally to have two or three concert nights per quarter, students and parents seem to appreciate not having to sit through 2 hour concerts.  I'll keep that in mind. 
 
Your child will need a music book right away if he/she is in a 6th or 7th grade ensemble.  I'll use Essential Ellements 2000 this year but am open to ideas if you come across a better book for next year.  The 8th graders will help me look through some different books and we'll see what works best for their level of playing.
 
We will be taking 8th grade ensembles to festival this year.  Solo/Ensemble festival is in February so kids will need to have solos right after the Fall concert.  If your child has a private teacher let that teacher know about Solo/Ensemble festival so that they can be a part of the process.
 
A note will be coming home with each student and a parent slip should be with it.  Please make sure to sign it and have your child bring it back.
 
Well,,,,, time to go mow the lawn,
 
Perry
Posted at 1:53 PM by Perry Kelly | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

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