How to finish the Band Year

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!