Dear Junior High Band Parents,

The Ram Band is off to a great start again this year!  Here are some tips to help your child succeed in band.

* Student musicians should practice outside of class approximately five days a week.

* Each practice session should be approximately 20 minutes.  This is a proven way for student musicians to improve their playing abilities.

* All band members have practice cards to complete and return each week.  This is a weekly grade, and it amounts to about one-fourth of the total grade.  Students write in the # of minutes practiced each session, then a parent signs the card.  Practice cards are due each Thursday.

* If a practice card is lost, just download and print a new one.  See http://www.shlutheran.org/School/Classes/BandDougUrban/Downloads/tabid/2553/language/en-US/Default.aspx .

* All band members have folders.  Folders are to hold the music books, fingering charts, pencils, and practice cards, and should be brought to band each Monday through Thursday.  Folders may be stored with the instruments in the storage room in the library.

* Questions?  Contact me at any time for answers to your questions.

Thank you for helping your child have a great year in the band!

Doug Urban
Band Director
210-614-3741
durban@shlutheran.org

Congratulations are in order!

The following students have been selected as members in the first
Shepherd of the Hills Honor Band.

Flute - Ian
Violin - Robin
Clarinet - Santos, Angel
Saxophone - Mike, Patrick
Trumpet - Vincent, Carter
Trombone - Jacob, Jeremy
Percussion - Matt, Joey

In order to be selected as an Honor Band member, students must regularly:

• Show leadership in the section and in the band;
• Practice and complete the practice card;
• Advance and improve their musical skills;
•  "Raise the bar";
•  "Act responsibly"; and,
•  "Make it music".

Nice work, musicians!

The Honor Band will be performing selections for the May 17, 2010 concert.

We will have auditions during the first week of school in order to place students in the band that will give them the most enjoyment and the best chance for learning.  The music we will use for the auditions is below.  Click on the instrument for your child to view and print the music.

• Who needs to audition?  Sixth through eighth grade students who want to be in band will all need to audition this August. 
• Fifth grade students will be placed in the Blue Band.
• Why do we have two bands?  Check the Performing Arts in 2010-2011 tab on this page for a brief explanation.  If you have further questions, contact Doug Urban at durban@shlutheran.org.
• Students who have played for three years will probably have little trouble with this audition music.  Students who have played for one year will probably have questions about some of it.  Don't worry.  Your child won't need to play the complete piece perfectly in order to make the White Band.  I'll be looking for students who do their best and have a working knowledge of the instrument they play. 
• If a student has changed instruments or not been in the band before, he should be taking private lessons during the summer to catch up to the other students and to improve his chances of earning a chair in the White Band.

Sixth to Eighth Grade Band Students:  Click to view and download the audition music for your instrument.

• Flute
• Violin
• Oboe
• Clarinet
• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Horn
• Trombone/Baritone
• Tuba
• Drums  Students who want to play the drums should also be prepared to perform the Bells music.
• Bells  Students who want to play the bells should also be prepared to perform the Drums music.

This is going to be an exciting year for the music program at Shepherd of the Hills!  One of the improvements to the program is that we will have two bands for students in grades six through eight.  Another is that we'll be able to practice five days a week.  Read on for more details.

To download the audition music, click on the Audition Music Downloads tab on this page.

• There will be two bands – a Beginner Band and an Advanced Band.
• The Advanced Band is for students in Grades Six through Eight who have previous band experience.
• The Beginner Band is for students in Grades Five through Eight who do not have previous band experience. Students in this band will learn to read music and perform as a member of an ensemble.
• The School Choir will be made up of students in Grades Five through Eight. Students in choir will learn to read music and perform as a member of an ensemble.
• The School Choir will also serve as the Chapel Choir this year. 
• The Chapel Praise Band (percussion, guitars) will rehearse Tuesday after school.
• The Advanced Band, the Beginner Band, and the School Choir will meet five days a week for class/rehearsal.