The DGN Marching Band has been selected (one of a small percentage of parade participants) to perform in the massed-band 'Grand Finale' at the end of the parade. This will give our students additional television exposure, and an opportunity to partner with several other very talented college and high school bands from the United States as the parade is drawn to a close.
This is a big honor for our band to be included in the Grand Finale, but with the invitation comes the added responsibility of learning - and MEMORIZING - three additional pieces of music:
- Patriotic Medley (this is the longest and most challenging of the three pieces)
- Les Miserables ("At The End of the Day")
- Land of Hope and Glory ("Pomp and Circumstance")
We will have VERY limited time to learn this music together in rehearsals. We will not be using instructional time during class periods to rehearse the music because it is not music that every student is playing. For this reason, we need your extra help!
Students: Please click on the links above for each selection, and download the MP3 audio files of each to your home computer/iPod/Zune, etc. Given our very limited rehearsal time to prepare and memorize this music, it will be very important that you listen to each of these files, and once you feel comfortable executing your own part, playing along with these recordings.
Parents: Please help us set clear expectations with your students about their responsibility to practice and memorize these parts at home. Your student should be working on this music at least 4 times each week (we would suggest three school nights, and one weekend day), and spending no less than 30 minutes in each of these practice sessions. This means that - for many of our students - the instrument (or at least this specific sheet music) will need to head home with increased frequency. Percussionists can use their sticks/mallets at home to work on this music without needing to take their marching drum home. Cymbal players can clap through parts. Marching Baritone parts can be practiced on a traditional concert baritone if that makes transport of the instrument easier. Mellophone parts can be practiced on a concert French horn. Etc.
Parents, please help monitor your child's work in this regard, and do not hesitate to let us know if your student needs support on our end to address any challenges they may have with the music. We would encourage you to go over the following tips with your student to help set expectations for practicing this music ...
Helpful Practice Tips!
- Find a quiet area of your house that will be free from interruptions.
- Turn off the cell-phone and/or leave it out of the room. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by technology that is not pertinent to your practice session.
- In the beginning stages of learning new music, start slowly, and gradually build up to the indicated tempo over time. It's better to learn it RIGHT at a slower tempo, as opposed to 'plowing through it' too fast.
- Use your metronome to help keep a steady pulse.
- Don't always practice the entire piece (or set of pieces) at each practice session. Divide the music into manageable chunks, and concentrate on making something better with each session.
- Don't always think you have to start at the beginning of a piece. Sometimes it's helpful to practice the last section first, and then move backward through each major phrase. Mix it up!
- After you can play every note and rhythm perfectly, begin to memorize the piece. Again, work in small chunks, and then begin to string them together over time.
- Play along with a recording.
- When you run into trouble, write down your questions in your planner/assignment book, and then ask Mr. Teague or Mr. Miller at school for help!
