Ms. Donahue's Woodwind Blog

Jr. District Auditions

2012-01-28T11:11:00.000-08:00

Good luck to all of our MSMS vocal and instrumental students who are auditioning today for Massachusetts Northeast Junior Districts!

Congratulations, Concert Band!

2012-01-28T11:01:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all of our MSMS Concert Band Members, and thank you for all of your hard work! It was so exciting to be able to perform with you all, after all of our rehearsing. I am looking forward to All-Town in March!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T13:55:00.001-08:00

Happy 2012 to all of our MSMS music students and their families! I am looking forward to seeing everyone in lessons- please remember your music and instruments tomorrow!!

For Concert Band students: Our concert is coming up very soon! Please be sure that you have mastered all of the notes and rhythms for The Beatles, Japanese Folk Trilogy, and Clarinet Cookin'. Also, our March concert is around the corner, so please make sure you start to look at your other band music more!

Concert Band updates

2011-12-06T09:59:00.001-08:00

By now, all students from concert band should have parts for PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, HEDWIG, CLARINET COOKIN', ARMED FORCES SOLUTE, THE BEATLES: 1964!, CELTIC AIR AND DANCE NO. 2, and JAPANESE FOLK TRILOGY.

We will also be getting one or two more pieces in the next week or so. Students who are in chorus and band MUST have a friend get them music passed out on days they are not in our rehearsal! There have been too many students forgetting to come and get what they missed, so hopefully this new arrangement will help keep people from getting behind and feeling overwhelmed.

Thanks!

Ms. Donahue's new email

2011-11-23T06:47:00.003-08:00

Please note that my new MSMS email address is: mdonahue@bpsk12.org

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T06:46:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to the concert band for a job well done at yesterday's assembly and a happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Listening to Band recordings

2011-11-15T09:56:00.000-08:00

The MSMS music site has recordings of Concert, Symphonic, and Stage Band pieces for students to listen to, as well as copies of the warm up sheets (First Place Band Etudes). These can be downloaded in the "Band Media Downloads" link.

Instrument Care

2011-11-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

Please remember that in addition to swabbing out your clarinet, sax, or flute after each time you play, it is important to keep your instrument away from temperature extremes. This means not keeping your instrument near a heater or in a cold car.

I have noticed a lot of students (flute players in particular) doing strange things with their instruments, like balancing them on stands, leaning on them like stands, bouncing them off of their shoes, or swinging them up behind their necks while stretching. These are all bad ideas! The same students I see doing this are the same ones who have been having bent/broken instruments!

Thanksgiving Assembly

2011-11-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

The Concert Band will be performing on Tuesday morning at the school's Thanksgiving Assembly. Concert Band students should PLEASE remember to bring their instruments and their binders. We are playing AMERICA in front of the whole school. Also, please wear something red, white, or blue (or a combination thereof). We will be having a brief rehearsal around 9:30 AM (students will be called down) and then the performance will be at approximately 10:00 AM.

Reeds!!

2011-10-25T09:37:00.000-07:00

This year students can buy reeds directly from Mr. Bolduc or me at school. We shopped around and found a vendor with the best prices for Vandoren reeds, which is what all of the MSMS reed players should be using....they have a nicer sound and play better in tune that what students may have started out with. The prices are as follows. Students can bring cash in and get reeds right away.

Clarinet: $19 (box of 10)

Alto Sax: $24 (box of 10)

Bass Clarinet: $18 (box of 5)

Tenor Sax: $18 (box of 5)

Bari Sax: $34 (box of 5)

What should I expect as a sixth grader?

2011-08-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to MSMS band, sixth grade instrumentalists! For those of you who have questions about how lessons and band will be different from your elementary school, don't worry! Just download the music from the MSMS music site (see the post right below), and start working on it as best you can. We will play through some things in band before your official audition.

Our music is a little harder than what you might be used to, but you will get it, as long as you practice regularly and come to lessons. It might seem hard at first, but pretty soon, it won't!

Auditions

2011-08-30T07:57:00.000-07:00

All materials for the fall band auditions (Concert Band and Symphonic Band) are now posted! You can download the sheet music on our msmsmusic.wordpress.com site. Thanks, Mr. B!

Getting Ready for the Fall

2011-08-17T09:18:00.001-07:00

Hello MSMS music students and families! Amazingly, the start of school is just around the corner. For those of you who are wondering about audition info, please keep checking our MSMS page (msmsmusic.wordpress.com) for the actual audition materials. In addition, it is a good idea to start dusting off those lesson books and playing through any scales you know to get back in shape if you have not been taking summer lessons or practicing much lately.

This is also a good time to make sure you have enough reeds for the start of school- Vandoren sax or clarinet reeds are available for good prices at wwbw.com and from Albert Alphin: 781-449-4197. I would recommend buying a box of whatever size you are used to using. Buying only a few reeds at a time is not generally very time or cost effective and we are going to be doing a lot of great music this year, so they will be getting used up fast!

I am really looking forward to meeting all of our sixth graders and to starting my first year as the Concert Band conductor. It is going to be a really exiting year with lots of great music in all of our bands! I know Mr. B can't wait to start, either!

Happy Summer!

2011-06-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the students and families for your hard work this year. Have an awesome summer!

Looking forward to September

2011-06-21T06:55:00.001-07:00

Looking to September, it's a great idea to use the summer as a chance to take inventory. Does your instrument need any repairs? Do you have enough reeds? Is your binder cleaned out and organized? Please make sure you address these issues before band auditions!!!!

Summer Practicing

2011-06-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

Summer is a great time to work on things that fall by the wayside during the busy school year and concert preparation: scales, long tones and warm-up exercises. These fundamentals are key to producing a good tone and building stamina for playing long phrases. Don't forget to check out the warm-up sheets on the msmsmusic.wordpress.com page if you don't already have them printed out.

Band Awards

2011-05-10T07:39:00.001-07:00

Students and their families are invited to join us tonight, Tuesday, May 10 for the annual Band Awards/Ice Cream Social at MSMS. The festivities will kick off at 6:30 PM with sundaes, followed by a performance by the MSMS stage band and awards.

Blog recordings

2011-03-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Please remember to check out the recordings on the MSMS music blog! There are recordings of the music for concert, symphonic, and stage band, as well as of the Spring Assessment Etudes.

Spring Assessments

2011-03-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

This week and next week, we will be finishing up Spring Assessments in lessons. Wind students are playing their assigned etude, as well as the chromatic scale. I will have the assessment sheets back once everyone has played.

Progress Reports

2011-02-01T08:41:00.000-08:00

In the coming weeks, students will be given progress reports in lessons. Please look them over together and think about how necessary changes in practice habits can be accomplished. Parents should sign the progress reports and students should return them in lessons or at band by Thursday, February 17. Thank you for your help with this!

Jr. District

2011-02-01T08:40:00.001-08:00

Congrats to all of our students who auditioned for the Jr. District festival last week! You should all be very proud!

Instrument Care and Repairs

2011-02-01T08:35:00.000-08:00

Please remember (especially in this cold weather!) to be careful where you store your instrument. Keep cases away from heaters and cold sources. Do not leave them in the car, even for a short while. It is bad for the pads and can cause leaks, which equal repairs (which equal expense!).

Students should also be careful not to leave things like sheet music in their cases. It can bend the keys and cause more repair costs.

If your clarinet, sax, or flute is not functioning properly, have it repaired right away! I would suggest an woodwind repair specialist, like Albert Alphin. He can be reached at (781) 449-4197. For those of you who are still renting your instrument, contact Rayburn and they can pick up the instrument at school and provide you a loaner instrument in the interim.

It is very frustrating for students to have broken instruments and can make playing NOT fun!

Spring Assessments

2011-01-13T07:41:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again: Spring Assessment time! Pieces will be handed out to students based on their grade level and should be prepared at home during practice time. We will also work on them in lessons when there is time. The MSMS music site has recordings of Mr. B and me playing various parts so students can listen and hear how their respective pieces should go. As with any music handed out, we expect correct notes and rhythms as an automatic and are looking for subtlety in articulation, dynamics, and tone.

Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-31T08:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you all! As vacation starts to come to a close, please remember to be sure you've listened to all of your band music on the blog and have enough reeds, etc. for the next month- and don't forget our concert is just around the corner!!!

Listening

2010-11-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

Please remember to go to the msms.wordpress.com blog and click on 'Media Downloads' to listen to recordings of our current band music. It's important to listen a few times while following along with your band part to make sure you know how the piece is supposed to go.

Cleaning Instruments and Mouthpieces

2010-11-08T16:57:00.000-08:00

Clarinet and sax students should clean their mouthpieces every week or two by soaking the mouthpiece in a solution of half white vinegar/half warm water OR in a cup of sudsy warm water and dish soap (hand-washing dish soap, not dishwasher detergent).

Flute students should use a handkerchief on the end of a cleaning rod to swab out their instruments after each time they play in order to prevent deterioration of pads (leading to costly repairs!). Plus it's sort of gross to just leave your spit in the flute...

Sax and clarinet students: you should have swabs to clean out your instrument after each time you play, for the same reasons as the flute paragraph above. See the archive info below for suggestions (clarinetists- NOT the small felt on a brown cord, saxophonists- NOT the big fuzzy sticks!).

It's also a great idea to try to brush your teeth and wash your hands before playing. Even just swishing your mouth out with water is a good idea. This will help minimize build-up in the instrument and stave off bad smells from coming from your mouthpiece.

Reeds

2010-11-04T04:43:00.000-07:00

Reeds and mouthpieces are a big factor in the tone quality of a student's playing (whether it sounds bright and nasally or rich and warm). Please take a moment to check out the post about mouthpieces for sax and clarinet players from last fall in the archives... also, VANDOREN reeds are preferable to Rico reeds- they sound much better.

Practicing

2010-11-04T04:41:00.000-07:00

During this busy time of year, it is easy to forget to practice. Students should aim for a goal of practicing every day. If there is not enough time in a particular day to fit in a full 30 minute practice session, playing through a few scales or warm-up exercises and the trickier parts of band music is still a good idea!

Woodwind Assessments

2010-11-04T04:39:00.000-07:00

Next Week during lessons will be our woodwind assessments. Flute, Clarinet, and Sax tudents will play ETUDE #1 from the fall audition sheet and will be expected to know and play scales which have been assigned to them based on grade level. I am excited to hear everyone!

Activity Block Begins Today!

2010-09-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

Beginning today, students should report to band during activity block. We will start our audition process for Concert and Symphonic bands next week, so please be sure to practice the audition materials over the weekend! Please be sure you have your instrument, music, a pencil, and several non-chipped reeds (for sax and clarinet players) with you every Tuesday and Thursday, as well as on your lesson day when you are assigned it.

Students interested in auditioning for stage band should download the materials from Mr. B's blog: www.mrbolduc.wordpress.com. Students should check the MSMS site as well as this site for band/woodwind updates at least once a week. The MSMS music site is: www.msmsmusic.wordpress.com.

Welcome Back!

2010-09-01T05:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to school! It is great to see so many familiar faces in the hallways again and we in the music department are looking forward to an exciting year with with new and returning students. The audition material for band is available on the MSMS website and over the next couple of weeks we will begin to hear students and place them in lessons and ensembles. Please remember to practice! For sax and clarinet players, this is a good time to take inventory and see what you have for reeds and try to buy what you need as soon as possible. Flute and reed players alike should take this opportunity to be sure they have at least one working pencil and the appropriate swab in their cases.

Check out the MSMS Music blog at www.msmsmusic.wordpress.com.

Spring Fever

2010-03-25T07:09:00.001-07:00

Now that the weather is getting warmer and the daylight is lasting longer, it's really common for students to start new sports or want to be outside more. This is so common and understandable, but is even more reason to pay attention to how much practicing is taking place. More than ever, it's a good idea to try and practice at the same time every day or to develop some type of practice routine that really works for you, so that you can still continue to improve.

Check the side bar for more practice tips!

All-Town Band Concert

2010-03-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

Congrats to all our the wonderful musicians who played in the All-Town concert at BHS last week! It was a wonderful performance.

Spring Assessments

2010-03-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

During the next two weeks, students will be recording their assigned spring assessment pieces. Each grade level has been assigned a specific piece (all three are available for listening on the msmsmusic site in the band media download section). For seventh graders who have MCAS next week: please remember to try and work on your band music and keep your assessment piece polished and ready to go, as you will most likely miss lessons next week and it's up to you to keep your music prepared!

Welcome Back

2010-02-23T04:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a restful vacation. In the next few weeks, we'll be focusing our attention on fine-tuning the spring assessment pieces and music for the March concert. Please make sure you have all of your notes and rhythms worked out (and star or make notes of ones that you find especially tricky for lesson) so that we can focus on dynamics, articulations, and other musical details.

Concert Preparation

2010-01-26T04:44:00.000-08:00

This week is our MSMS concert, which is very exciting. For some students, this can cause a bit of anxiety. When nervousness sets in, I try to prepare myself by getting plenty of sleep in the nights before a concert, keeping well hydrated (this includes limiting caffeine), and making sure that I know my music inside and out. This includes listening to the piece of music as well as practicing it (when possible). Much of our band music is posted on the MSMS music blog for students to hear.

Many people also think that tricks like eating a banana a couple of hours before a performance can help combat the jitters. It is also helpful to plan ahead when going to a concert in which you are playing and leave plenty of time for unexpected travel delays. The stress of being or maybe being late can really put some people into a fluster and take the focus off of the concert. Most importantly, though, is to remember that playing music is for enjoyment and if you focus on how great you will feel after the concert, it can really calm you down.

Working on Air Support

2010-01-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

Wind players of any age or level are always wishing that they could play for longer periods of time before having to breathe. This is especially true for flute students, but very much applies to sax and clarinet players as well. There are a number of devices on the market that are meant to help improve breathing for the wind musician but I find that there are two things that help me most and neither require spending any additional money. The first thing to do is practice. Regular practice is required to improve any part of a player's ability and air support and stamina are no exception. Practice playing a long phrase and try to go one or two notes further each time without breathing, or just play one note and time how many seconds you can hold the note. Try to go a bit longer each day. The second and equally important way to help your breathing is to exercise. I try to run at least three days a week, usually for about an hour, and when I have a chance I swim laps. Another thing I find helps my playing is pilates (or even just crunches). Working on stomach muscles helps you control your breath because you're strengthening the muscles you use to push your air, but almost more importantly it helps your posture. Good posture is a must for optimal sound and breath support and it's also crucial for avoiding injuries (that's why we have to stand in our lessons, flute players!).

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-23T06:06:00.000-08:00

Happy and Safe Holidays to everyone! Please remember to work on your band music in your regular practicing during vacation! The MSMS band concert is on January 28. Once we get back from vacation, it will be just around the corner.

Please read the information below about mouthpieces purchasing. Also, in the October archive is information about suggested swabs for clarinets and in the November archive is information for saxophonists (below).

Mouthpieces for Clarinets and Saxophones

2009-12-15T09:17:00.000-08:00

Middle school is the time to think about investing in a quality mouthpiece (especially for students wanting to audition for district!). The mouthpieces that come with beginning instruments are made from hard plastic and do not resonate well. They make it difficult to produce a nice, warm tone. Better mouthpieces can be found made from several materials, but the most common is the hard rubber/plastic combination. I'd stay away from crystal or metal at the middle school level.

The ideal process for selecting a mouthpiece would be to make an appointment with Albert Alphin in Needham (781)449-4197 or J. Michael Leonard (508)653-2189 in Wayland, go to their shops, play several mouthpieces, and then choose one that the student can produce the best sound with and that feels most comfortable.

If this is not possible because of time/transportation difficulty, you can order a mouthpiece from Albert Alphin, Michael Leonard, or on www.wwbw.com and then hope it plays well for the person who will be using it. No two mouthpieces will play exactly the same way- even if they're the same brand and model. Most places will allow you to return/exchange mouthpieces within a certain time period; you can check this when you order.

The mouthpieces I would recommend for CLARINET are:

Vandoren M13 or Vandoren 5RVLyre13. Almost all of the Vandoren mouthpieces are good, though, and just require some tweaking in the size of reed you use (These mouthpieces range $60-$70).

For clarinet, I'd call Albert Alphin and explain that you are/your child is a middle school player and is looking for a good Vandoren mouthpiece to try. He can send you one of the mouthpieces I've listed above or recommend something else. He fits hundreds of students I have always gone to him for my own mouthpiece recommendations.

* Note on ligatures: The Vandoren Optimum is a great ligature for students wishing to also upgrade ligatures when they get better mouthpieces, although given a choice between one or the other, the mouthpiece is more important.

If you are a beginning clarinetist and want to purchase a better mouthpiece that what came with your clarinet at a low cost, the Clark Fobes (available on www.wwbw.com) Debut Student mouthpiece ($29.95) produces a nice sound, although does not play loudly enough for more advanced students (on the one hand, it's a good replacement for those who maybe chip or drop their beginner mouthpiece but don't want to buy a Vandoren just yet. On the other hand, if you're going to spend $30, maybe just spend $60 and be done with it forever!). If you are in Symphonic Band, you are probably ready for a really good mouthpiece, not the Fobes!

Good, versatile ALTO SAX mouthpieces are:

Vandoren Optimum

or maybe the Selmer C-star if you have bad luck with a Vandoren.

TENOR SAX- I play a Vandoren S90, but you could ask Mr. Leonard or Mr. Alphin for suggestions.

*For jazz, many students could be tempted to try a metal mouthpiece, but the metal mouthpieces can be difficult to control. You could try a Meyer mouthpiece if you wanted a separate one for playing on in jazz/stage band. Vandoren JAVA reeds are also made to have more of a jazz sound than regular Vandoren reeds. The sizing on JAVA's is comparable to the regular reeds.

For having a good sound, the order of importance is: practice, reeds, mouthpiece, ligature (and then of course there is always upgrading to a better instrument...)

If you have any questions about mouthpieces, please feel free to email me:

kerley@burlington.mec.edu

Family concerts

2009-11-19T05:54:00.000-08:00

With the holidays just around the corner it is a great time to think about having a family concert. Any student who would like to bring in a holiday/seasonal or other song that they think is fun is more than welcome to share their selection during lessons. It is a great idea to find songs to play at a family gathering or for visiting friends or family; this type of concert is also a great opportunity to try to perform with other family members who sing or play instruments. A song book to help facilitate this type of concert (or just to have for fun) is a terrific gift idea. There are many books to choose from (Disney soundtracks, pop and rock compilations, HARRY POTTER, patriotic anthems, etc) and they can often make practicing a bit more enticing.

Student Assessments

2009-11-19T05:45:00.000-08:00

Student Assessments are taking place this week and next. Each student is audio recorded playing his or her assigned piece of music alone (pieces are assigned based on grade level). Mrs. Kerley will listen to the woodwind players' recordings and Mr. B will listen to brass and percussion. A feedback form will be given to students after Thanksgiving break with comments and suggestions on their performance and will help students to set goals for the next few months of lessons. Assessments are a great opportunity for young musicians to experience an audition-like setting, where they are assigned a piece and have to prepare it themselves by a certain date. This process is especially helpful for players who will audition for Jr. Districts.

Saxophone Recommendations

2009-11-03T08:02:00.000-08:00

Saxophone students should make sure they have a good swab in their case at all times. GEM makes a sturdy, effective and inexpensive swab which you can order from this link:
http://www.wwbw.com/GEM-Swabs-Silk-Saxophone-Swabs-472270-i1427904.wwbw

National Music or Albert Alphin (see phone numbers below in clarinet recommendations) can probably order this for you.

This type of swab is MUCH better than the 'fuzzy stick' type because the fuzzy one will leave behind lint in your saxophone and case, which will eventually lead to the need for repairs (the lint clogs up the mechanisms and tone holes). These swabs are also ineffective because they do not clean the neck of the instrument, which is where most of the moisture (and germs) collects.
The GEM swab is also preferable to many other swabs, as it is less likely to get stuck in the neck.

Clarinet Recommendations

2009-10-27T09:51:00.001-07:00

Clarinet students looking for a sturdy and effective clarinet swab might try the Vandoren Microfiber swab. It runs about $14.95 and should last as long as the student plays the clarinet. A good site to order this swab online is: http://www.wwbw.com/Vandoren-Microfiber-Clarinet-Swabs-470565-i1414806.wwbw

National Music in Woburn (781)933-6300 can also order the swab for you if you don't want to pay shipping,

or you can order one from Albert Alphin at (781)449-4197.

At home concerts and cold weather care

2009-10-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

Now that cold weather is settling in, please remember not to leave instruments in cars or in any place that is cold. Similarly, please do not leave instruments close to heaters. Fluctuations in temperature can affect the pads on the instruments and cause leaks, which lead to costly repairs and frustration during practice and rehearsal time. It can also cause wooden instruments to crack.

Practice tip for the week: try adding a few five-minute practice sessions into your week and maybe make one into a brief at-home concert for family or friends.

Lessons, Instrument Hygiene, and Practicing

2009-09-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

Please remember to be practicing your scales and band music at home! If everyone works on their playing at home, lessons will be more productive and therefore more rewarding and fun. Try to practice a little bit every day. Even a few minutes here and there can make a big difference in how you and your band sound.

Another reminder: Please don't forget to swab out your instrument after each time you play, especially as we come into cold and flu season. Clarinet and sax players: remember to soak your mouthpieces in a solution of warm water and white vinegar or in warm soapy water once a week! (Use the soap you'd use to hand wash dishes).

Any MSMS wind player who is interested in finding a private lesson teacher to help further their abilities and opportunities, please feel free to email me: kerley@burlington.mec.edu

Finding a good private teacher is a great idea for players who want to audition for groups like Jr. District.

Back-to-school Auditions and Blog Links

2009-09-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

Auditions for both bands are underway this week at MSMS. Miss Potts and Mrs. Kerley have been excited to hear all the wind players preparing for the great year ahead. We are looking forward to starting lessons/sectionals and band. MSMS students should remember to keep practicing their audition music that was given out last week.

Parents and Students: Please check out the links for your specific instrument. There are some great tips for instrument care and assembly. Also, now that band is started up, please take a minute to inventory your instrument. Sax and clarinet players should have several (non-chipped) working reeds and clean handkerchief-style swabs. Flute players should make sure they have clean handkerchiefs and sticks for cleaning their instruments.

Don't forget: Swab your instrument and put away your reeds after every time you play!