Grainger Band Rehearsals

Next week, Year 4 Grainger Beginning Band rehearsals will begin before school on Wednesdays 7.15am - 8.30am. This will commence 19 March 7.15am in the music room. Group in-class lessons will be on as usual. The program is an ensemble-based program and band is a very important part of ensuring success on instruments. Band will be held every week of every school term (so please always assume band is on, unless notified via email otherwise). 

Year 4 Grainger Band Soiree Information Evening

The Year 4 Grainger Beginner Band Soiree will be held on Wednesday 26 March 6.00pm - 7.00pm, in the Robertson Music Room.

Please meet Mrs Thomas in the music room from 5.45pm for a 6pm start. Parents may wait in the music foyer (near Helping Hands) until doors open at 6 pm. All Grainger students will need to bring their instruments, music, black vinyl band folder and accessories.  Students must wear full formal band uniform including music socks, which are available from the uniform shop. 

All our Band Groups are working hard in preparation for our performances in Term 2.  The Grainger Band Soiree is important for this preparation. Information will also be given about workshop and excursion opportunities for Grainger Band, as well as information about homework and formative assessment and supporting iPad Apps. 

Practice

Students are expected to take responsibility for regular home practice. 4 x 20-30min practices per week for Year 5 & 6 students, and 5 x 10min practices per week for Grainger beginners is a good amount for steady progress and enjoyment.

The more you play, the better you get! 

Communications and Apps

Information will be sent mostly via email, so please check your email address is up to date with the school office. We will also put weekly information into the News, Dates and Deadlines Newsletter as well as the School Newsletter. Your child will be using the Seesaw App, to assist with home practice and goal setting progress, so please ensure you have downloaded Seesaw on your child’s iPad. The tutor book has an accompanying app, Essential Elements Interactive App, which greatly assists with home practice, details can be found on the tutor book cover. Bandmate Chromatic tuner (free) or Tonal Energy tuner (paid) apps are also extremely useful. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email.

Vivienne Thomas

Band Instrumental Music Teacher

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Year 3 Beginner String Parent Information Night 

For students who are new to their String Instruments this year, there will be a Parent Information night on Monday 24 March at 6.00pm - 7.00pm in the Music Room (Mrs Francis' Room)

Please ensure that your child brings their instrument, folding music stand, Tricky Fingers Book 1 and all other requirements such as rosin, shoulder rests, bow hold buddies, cellophants etc.   

Students should wear their full music performance uniform (including music socks) and bring their Robertson State School Black Music folders. 

Please ensure that you are now connected to your child’s Seesaw Account and are checking it regularly as their assessments and parent communication is now being sent via Seesaw.  If you are not connected to their Seesaw account please email me so I can send you the invitation to join.   

Please ensure your child is practising every single day, even 10 minutes a day is better for their brains and muscle memory than practising in one big chunk on the weekend.  

Robyn Gray

Strings Instrumental Music Teacher