Sallas’ Music Notes

Private Lessons gives your student the advantage.   Private lessons will enable your child to excel on their instrument at a faster rate and also keep your student working at the level they need to be working.  We strive to give as much individual attention as possible to each and every student in the band program.  Due to time constraints and the large number of students in the band program, unfortunately each individual cannot get the attention needed to excel without private instruction.

We have all the private instructors we use here at McClure listed in the Concert programs.  Private instruction is also available at your local music stores.

Please contact us if you have questions or concerns.

     Smart Music would make a great gift for all students.   Smart Music is a software program that allows students the opportunity to practice their music with professional accompaniment tracks.    Both our Concert Music and the Method Books that we use to teach our students are on Smart Music.    Students can use the program to practice their parts in the concert music so that they can play them accurately and easily.    This means less time in class drilling individual parts and more time spent on putting the music together (which is the fun part of rehearsal!). 

     Smart Music evaluates the student’s performance giving instant feedback.   The program scores the student’s performance and sends the score directly to us.    All of the tests from the Essential Elements Method Book will be conducted on the Smart Music program next semester.

     Why have the program at home?   Students with the program on their home computer will have more opportunities to take their tests.   With the large number of students in our classes, it currently takes 2-3 weeks to test everyone on  just one line from the book.    That means students only get one shot.    Students who have the program at home can practice the test as many times as they need to and only submit to us their highest score.

     Smart Music motivates students to practice.    It is more fun to practice with professional accompaniments, than to play by yourself.   It is like a game, where students want to keep trying on an assignment until they score a 100.    Along the way, students develop greater skill.    The kids get better on their instrument and they will want to practice more often and for longer periods of time.   And the more they practice, the better they sound.  And the better they sound, the more fun it is to play!

     To purchase a subscription, go to smartmusic.com.    Because we are a member of the Cobb County School System, students receive a discount of almost 40% – $18.50 for a one year subscription instead of $30.   More than one student can use the subscription, so if you have two students in Band, they can both use the program.     All three of our High Schools use the program.      

     The 7^th grade 1^st hour Band and the 8^th Grade 2^nd hour Band will be performing together on the December Concert.   We have a really entertaining program planned.   There will be some New Orleans style Jazz, some classical favorites with a surprise twist, and some holiday favorites as well.   The two classes need an opportunity to rehearse together so that we can perform at our very best!!!!!!!!

Rehearsals will be:

• Thursday afternoon, December 10 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.   Parents please plan on picking your child up at 5:30.
• Monday morning, December 14 at 8:00 a.m.

Thanks so much for your support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Students will receive an order form in class on Wednesday, December 2.  The price of the shirt is as follows:

• $15 for Black Polo with McClure Band and Maverick embroidered on the front
• #21 for Black Polo with the student’s first name and instrument also embroidered on the front

The deadline to place an order is Friday, December 11.   Please place the order form in the wall pocket in the Band room.   All money must be placed in a white school envelope and dropped in one of the black boxes in the building.    Please write Band Polo Shirt on the envelope before dropping into the black box. 

Just a reminder, Disney payment #4 is due this Friday, December 4.