Music at NDC Fine Arts

The Musicker Blog

  • Home
  • Programs
    • NDCFineArts.ca
    • Hall of Fame >
      • Arts Ambassadorship Award
    • Instrument Rentals >
      • 2020 Instrument Rental Night Video
      • Long & McQuade Instrument Rentals
      • NDC Instrument Rental Requests
  • Assessments
    • MusicFirst
    • Recorded Assessments for 2020-2021
    • Breezin' Thru
  • The Musicker - Blog
  • TV

6/8/2018

How to finish the Band Year

0 Comments

Read Now
 

It's the end of the Band Year as we know it, I feel fine.

More than fine, actually.  We had a wonderful year.  But as all good things must come to an end, here is what you need to know to wrap this year up for music for your student.

They still need their instruments.

They will need their instruments throughout this coming week, but will not need it any further after June 19.  Grade 7s are playing through a few simple assignments, and older students need to complete their List A, B and C pieces if they haven't already.  If they have not submitted these playing tests, please help your student complete them this coming week.  It's their last chance.

You are responsible for rented instruments.

If you've rented an instrument through Long & McQuade or St. John's Music, you have two options available to you.  If your student is continuing on in music, do not return the instrument.  It will affect the rent-to-own program you are likely on (exceptions may exist, but very few of them).  Instead, have the instrument maintained.  You can make those arrangements in their store or by calling them.  If your student is not continuing on in music, you must make arrangements with the store to get it returned.  Mr. Windsor will not be returning any instruments on your behalf this year.
If you've rented an instrument through Notre Dame Collegiate, your instrument needs to be returned to the school in the same condition it was in when you got it.  This return date will be during school hours on either June 18 or 19, depending on which is your student's last band day.  Please ensure your instrument is at the school that day.

Should I upgrade my student's instrument?

If your student is passionate about their instrument and they are moving into Grade 9 or higher, the answer is an absolute "yes" if it can be managed by your family.  Open tone-hole flutes are the best thing to upgrade for flutes.  For clarinets and saxophones, a full instrument upgrade isn't always necessary, the mouthpiece is the recommended component to upgrade (the rest of the instrument is usually fine).  For brass instruments, upgrades tend to be less necessary when money could be better spent on maintenance supplies, but trombones with an F-attachment can be a very useful upgrade.  For percussionists, having a set of instruments at home is always ideal, but more importantly percussionists should have their own drumsticks, yarn mallets, hard plastic mallets and timpani mallets in their own mallet bags, especially in Grade 9 and higher.  For other instruments, please feel free to send me an email to discuss.

Music and Photos

All sheet music lent to the students must be returned to Mr. Windsor.  If students want a copy, they can request it of Mr. Windsor.

If you noticed photos of your student at the Year-End Concert that you'd like a copy of, please send me a request at jwindsor@redeemer.ab.ca.

Students still have more work to do. Classes aren't over, and there are still some final assignments to complete.

Ask your Grade 8-12 student how their progress is on each of the following items;
  • List A, B and C pieces (some performed at Festival, and therefore have already completed some of these).
  • Breezin' Thru Theory
  • Breezin' Thru Composing
  • The Proteus Saxophone Quartet responding assignment in Google Classroom
  • Any bonus work they wanted to submit
Also, students will be completing a final written component of the class focussing on listening, theory and history.  This will take place on June 18 or 19 depending on which day they have band, and we are working towards those tasks now.  Please understand that even though the final concert is complete, the beat goes on!

Once again, thank you for a wonderful year.

Music is such an important part of our lives, and it is such a significant component of your children's identities.  Your support is invaluable, and I thank you for encouraging them to explore this part of their being, and allowing me to be a part of that learning and development.  You have wonderful kids, and I'm privileged to be a part of their lives!

Share

0 Comments

6/4/2018

Year-End Concert on Wednesday!

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Our Year-End Concert is on Wednesday, and it promises to be a really fun show!  We also introduce our Hall of Fame that evening, so bring your cameras!
Picture
What parents need to know
  • Grade 7 students will be wearing the NDC jackets, so uniforms include light solid-white undershirts, black dress pants and shoes.
  • Grades 8 through 12 will be wearing white dress shirts (buttoned up and tucked in) with black dress pants and shoes.
  • Every band is performing.
  • The show starts at 6:30 PM.  Every student has been given one complimentary ticket, but extra tickets are available at the school in advance or at the door.
  • There are only 220 seats in addition to the complimentary seats.  After that, it's bleacher seats and standing room to a maximum of 340 audience members (students are not included in that number).
  • Complimentary seats will have a great angle for taking photos from.
  • Doors will close at 7:30 PM.
  • There will be snacks made available by the Fine Arts Parents Association, however please make sure you eat dinner before you arrive.

See you there!

Share

0 Comments

6/3/2018

Dear Grade 6 Families

12 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture

UPDATED - JUNE 11, 2018
​POSTPONED INSTRUMENT RENTAL NIGHT

Due to an unidentifiable communication problem, we have decided to delay our Instrument Rental Night for HSA families until June 19 at 6:30 PM.  We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we want every student to have the best opportunity to get the instrument they desire.

​If you have seen this message, the communication problem has been resolved.  To help us know that the communication problem has been solved, please fill out the Grade 6 Enrollment Survey below.

Picture
Dear Grade 6 Families,
   It is my pleasure to be a part of welcoming your family to Notre Dame Collegiate, and helping your students be prepared for the transition!  Transitioning to Grade 7 is relatively straightforward, and there are very few things that we need your input on to get your student completely ready for NDC.
   First, all students will need to decide their involvement in Band at NDC.  I encourage every student to study music, as there is plenty of research showing music as the only field of study that helps students systematically develop connections between every area of the brain, develop their own character and express their own personalities, and develop the 21st century skills of collaboration and creativity all within that same area of study.  That, and it is a huge amount of fun!

Picture
On Grade 6 Orientation day, your students tried out four instrument-types; Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet and Trombone.  These are not the only instruments available, but they gave students an idea of what those types of instruments feel like.  Other instruments that are encouraged in Grade 7 Concert Band (a class offered inside the schedule) include Oboe, French Horn, Baritone and Tuba.  Saxophone is not included in this list of recommended instruments (frankly because Saxophone in Concert Band is boring), however students keen on the saxophone are encouraged to play Clarinet in Concert Band to develop skills in an interesting and fun way, and to play Saxophone in the after-school Jazz Band where the Saxophone parts are more fun.  The after-school Jazz Band and Steel Pans are other opportunities for drumset, bass guitar and piano as well.

Picture
Picture
Picture
The alternative to the Band music class is known as "Academic Enrichment", a course that focusses on foundational skills including typing, learning how to hand write, specific study skills, organization, review of core course concepts, and then they do have the opportunity to complete homework as well.  It is designed specifically for those students who need to focus on those types of skills and activities.
Picture
With this information, I ask that you fill out this Grade 6 Enrollment Survey.  This survey will help us ensure your student is in the best course for them.  It will let us know about their desired involvement in Band (including what instrument they prefer), Academic Enrichment, French, after-school music classes, and a bit more to make the transition to NDC far smoother.

Picture
Please fill out this form by the end of this week.  Then keep checking your emails this coming weekend, as we will be conversing by email to ensure the right classes and instruments are assigned to your student.  On June 19 (postponed from June 12), I invite you to the Instrument Rental Night Notre Dame Collegiate to rent your student's instrument.  Your instrument will be delivered before the end of the school year, so that they can start playing over the summer months, and get used to making their first sounds.

I really am looking forward to next year of beginning band with your students!  It promises to be an exciting adventure together!
Contrapuntally yours,
Joel Windsor

Share

12 Comments
Details

    Mr. Windsor

    Mr. Windsor will provide you with some interesting hints, help, advice, and resources on this page.

    Archives

    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    September 2015

    Categories

    All
    Gift Of Music
    High River
    Musicking
    Notre Dame Collegiate
    Steel Band
    Steel Pans
    United Church

    RSS Feed

Home

Fundraising

Hall of Fame

The Musicker - Blog

Copyright © 2020 NDCFineArts.ca.
  • Home
  • Programs
    • NDCFineArts.ca
    • Hall of Fame >
      • Arts Ambassadorship Award
    • Instrument Rentals >
      • 2020 Instrument Rental Night Video
      • Long & McQuade Instrument Rentals
      • NDC Instrument Rental Requests
  • Assessments
    • MusicFirst
    • Recorded Assessments for 2020-2021
    • Breezin' Thru
  • The Musicker - Blog
  • TV