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	main concepts for success Train, don't just try - you must practice consistently and always build on what you achieved yesterday. What is practice? - taking something you can't do and working on it until you can do it. Practice makes permanent - so always practice correctly and form good habits Learn new skills in class, master those skills at home - this is how we run our classes, and how we want our students to think about taking ownership of their own learning and development as performers. How much practice is enough? Until you get it learned - It may be 5 minutes, it may be 45, but when you can play everything you need to play 10 times out of 10 correctly, then you know it is enough. core values We want our students to value performing and conducting themselves with excellence. We want our students to be dedicated to becoming an excellent player and contributing to the band program. We want our students to be committed to the band, and the other students with whom they perform. We want our students to stay in the band program through high-school, and continue to enjoy music for a lifetime. We want our students to be respectful and behave appropriately during all performances. We want our students to enjoy all of the time they spend learning and playing their instruments - in class and at home.  Even when they work on less interesting aspects of playing, we want them to move to a place of maturity where they can enjoy the possibility of future success. our mission statement - every word chosen with purpose To lead our students on a journey - We lead them, but we do not carry them, on the first three years of what we hope will be a life-long expedition of achieving the goals in the rest of the statement. where they become the best musicians and performers - We want them to not only be able to perform on their instruments with excellence to succeed at all performances, concerts and contests, but we want them to become musicians who can enjoy performing and listening to classical style music because they understand it. We want them to become independent in their musical endeavors. that they can be, - We want every student to achieve everything that they are capable of, regardless of innate talents.  We want them to strive for the highest level of excellence that is inside of them. both as individuals and in a group, - Both aspects are equally important to a student's development as a musician and performer. and where they learn the value of - We hope not to end their education at music, but hope to include preparation for life. EXCELLENCE - settling only for your personal best, whatever that might be DEDICATION - making the choice to improve when other choices are also available and COMMITMENT - putting the needs and requirements of the team above your personal desires ideology Watkins Band Mission Statement Our mission is to lead students on a journey where they become the best musicians and performers that they can be, both as individuals and in a group, and where they learn the value of excellence, dedication and commitment. Watkins Band Definition The Watkins Band is a place where music is loved, students are instructed, hard work is rewarded and excellence is appreciated. Excellence is.... Settling only for your personal best, whatever that might be. Dedication is.... Making the choice to improve when other choices are also available. Commitment is.... Putting the needs and requirements of the team above your own personal desires. practice concepts practice is.... Taking something you can't do and working on it until you can do it. practice statements Practice makes permanent. How much practice is enough?  Until you get it learned. Train, don't just try. Learn new skills at school and master those skills at home. learning your instrument / preparing music concepts the first six aspects of playing your instrument, in order of importance are 1. Good tone quality 2. Rhythm reading 3. Articulations 4. Note reading 5. Fingerings 6. Style tone quality concepts the three parts to a sound are... 1. Start 2. Sustain 3. Release a good sound can be illustrated by.... a square articulation concepts 1. Think about what your tongue is doing. 2. Use your air correctly. 3. Keep your tongue soft. 4. Move your tongue as little as possible. 5. Keep the syllable the same within the styles.
	watkins middle school band * cy-fair isd * 4800 cairnvillage * houston, tx 77084 * 281.463.5857 * (c) 2006