Sessoms' Sounds

6th Grade Band Members Doing Well

The 6th grade band members have finished their 3rd week of playing and are doing very well. I am quite pleased with the progress being made. I would like to remind all of the students to practice the assignments using the routine we have been using at school. It is also extremely important that the students use the correct posture, hand/finger position, correct embouchure, and proper air when practicing at home. Nothing slows progress more than incorrect practice. On second thought, no practice probably slows progress more.

Remember that practice logs count 10% of the overall grade. We had several students that did not turn in a practice log for this midterm grade report. Morning practice at school and private lessons should also be counted on practice logs.

We still have a several students that have not gotten band books which are needed every day. Also, music theory books are needed every Thursday. The students have a homework assignment in their theory book each week. Theory book assignments are made one week in advance. The lessons are short and should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete.

Reminder #1: 15-20 minutes of daily practice is much better than 60-90 minutes crammed into a Sunday afternoon. Students trying to get all of their practice done on Saturday or Sunday usually cause more frustration and harm than anything else.

Reminder #2: Band shirt orders must be turned in as soon as possible. We have extended the deadline to allow all students to place their orders. We will begin making phone calls this week to remind parents about shirt orders.

Have a GREAT week!!!

7th & 8th Grade Band

The 7th and 8th grade band classes have had a very encouraging start to the school year.  We spent the first couple of weeks reviewing concepts from last year to get them back into shape and refresh the their memories.  Hopefully the students will soon have their new band books so that we can begin moving on to more advanced concepts and work on improving their playing technique.

I know many of you have been unsuccessful in trying to locate the new books we are using this year.  Contrary to what you may have been told by employees at a couple of our local music stores, I did contact each music store in the Marietta and Kennesaw area reguarding the books our students would be using.

Please continue your search for the books. I am told that several band programs in addition to ours are also using this book. You may want to call around before making a trip to the store. 

Continue to encourage the students to practice a little each day. 15-20 minutes of daily practice is much more beneficial than cramming an hour or more on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

There are several upcoming events and deadlines to be aware of. September 5 is the deadline to register for Solo & Ensemble. September 7 is the deadline to register for All-State/District Honor Band Auditions.  Also, September 7 is 8th Grade Band Night at the North Cobb High School game. Miss Johnson and I will be walking the students who have turned in a permission slip to NCHS Friday after school.  The NCHS Band Boosters will be feeding the students and all 8th grade band members attending will be admitted to the game free.  We encourage parents to attend as well but you will have to pay the regular ticket price.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions. The school phone is (770)975-6615. Our e-mail addresses are michael.sessoms@cobbk12.org and elizabeth.johnson@cobbk12.org.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!      

6th Grade Band Off and Running

We have finished our first week playing our instruments and the brass and percussion students have gotten off to a great start.  The level of cooperation and the quality of behavior has been very positive.  I am sure the students would like the pace of class to be a bit quicker but it is necessary that we make sure the fundamentals are in place for every student.  Things will begin to pick up very shortly.  Some of the elements of playing a band instrument are mastered much more quickly than others but they are none the less equally as important.  This past week the students learned proper posture, hand and instrument position, note recognition, and whole note/whole rest rhythm reading.  We also began working on the most important concept of all which is tone production. 

I know the afternoons and evenings can get very busy with football, softball, cheerleading, homework, church, etc.  A number of our students practice at home in the morning before they catch the bus to school. Please encourage the children to practice 15-20 minutes each day and log the number of minutes on their practice log.  Practicing their instrument should be considered part of their homework.  During their home practice each student should review the exercises worked on in class that day as well as practice the next 3-4 exercises in the book.  Also encourage the children to practice along with the CDs that came in their band book.  It is a great way for them to hear characteristic tone and get immediate feedback as to how they are performing.

Many students still have not turned in their green information sheets or order forms and money for band shirts which are both due this Friday, September 7.

The Band Handbook is the best source of information for questions you may have reguarding the band program at Awtrey.  If you have a question that is not answered in the handbook please call (770)975-6615 or e-mail michael.sessoms@cobbk12.org.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!