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November 20, 2009
Mrs. Vogt
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Student Data


Contact Information

Music Educator--Band

Email: Kathy.Vogt@Vansd.org

Phone: 313-3718 (Music Office and Message Phone) 

or 313-3700 (Main Office at Thomas Jefferson)

or 313-3731 after 3:30 (Do not leave a message on this phone)

E-Mail is a better way to communicate with me if you want me to receive your messages. I check it daily but do not always get to the phone messages. I try to get right back to you so if you don't hear from me within a day or two, please try again.

Click Here for Clearance Forms to Volunteer

 

GRADE BOOK

I use a grade book system that allows me to use groupings and features that work better for teaching band so you will not find my gradebook on line through parent access.  If you have questions about grades or missing assignments, please send me an e-mail and I will be happy to reply with a grade report via e-mail.  If you can't access my grade report using e-mail, please let me know and I'll send a paper copy of the report to you with your student.


Assignments

 

WORDS OF THE WEEK

The links to the WOWs for this trimester are directly below this.  The first page in each link has them organized by week, the second page has them organized alphabetically for trimester review and study.  Words should be hand written for full credit to help you remember them and so I can check your knowledge of the spelling.  Half credit will be given for typed words but the definitions should not be "cut and pasted" from the dictionary.  Put them in your own words!  Words should be turned in on Friday each week unless otherwise indicated for entry in the grade book.  

There will be a pretest of all of the vocabulary words for this trimester on Friday, September 25.  Any student who misses 3 or less words on the test will be excused from doing the rest of the WOW assignments for the rest of the term if (s)he wishes to do the alternate assignment for the missed words.  I have tried to leave plenty of time to study.  Good luck!

Page assignments in the method books and playing tests are also shown on the first page.  The advanced bands are color coded--red for Symphonic Band and green for Wind Ensemble.

Words of the Week, Beginning Bands
This also includes all page assignments and playing tests for each week.
Words of the Week, Advanced Bands
This also includes all page assignments and playing tests for each week.

 

PRACTICE SHEETS


Practice...Practice...Practice!

          The Thomas Jefferson bands have the potential to be excellent. Some of the students are working hard and playing very well. Others are not practicing and will be struggling to keep up. Practicing at home allows the students time to experiment and find out how to improve their technique and the quality of their sound.  It helps build muscle memory to support proper playing skills.  It allows students to take the music at a speed that works for them.  If you need some suggestions for improving home practice sessions, please see the "Practice Makes Perfect" links in the right column of this web page. 

All students should be using the practice sheets through the month of September, starting on September 18.  Practice sheets will go from Friday through Thursday.  Parents should sign them Thursday night or Friday morning and the sheets should be turned in on Friday.  Friday night they will start a new one.  The practice sheet shows lines for 2 weeks.  You may either turn them in every 2 weeks, or every week.  Your choice.  The practice sheets will be available at school or at the link below on this web page. 

In October, selected students in periods 5 & 6 who are doing a great job on playing tests will be given weekly passes not to turn in the practice sheets as long as their playing tests stay at a high level.  This will include the scheduled weekly tests and pop quizzes so if you don't want to turn in the sheets, you will still need to practice and be prepared.  We will evaluate this policy at the end of the trimester to see if the practice sheets need to be returned to the weekly schedule.

Some of the students don't have books yet. This is making it difficult for them to practice what we are playing in class and to do the weekly playing tests. We are using the Accent on Achievement Band Method  this year.  Please get your book as soon as possible.  Get Book 1 for periods 2 and 7, Book 2 for period 5, and Book 3 for period 6.  If you can't afford to buy the book, please let me know so we can find funding to provide one.  I know that times are hard for many during this economic downturn and finances should not deny any student the opportunity to take band.

SmartMusic is an excellent practice tool.  It can help make practice more fun and give instant feedback for which notes are correct and which notes are wrong in books 1 and 2 for Accent on Achievement.  If you would like to explore the potential for this, please visit the SmartMusic link provided under "Practice Tools" in the right column of this web page.  Since our school has an initial license for this program, you can purchase this for a year for the group rate.

If you have questions, please send them via the e-mail link at the top of the page.

Practice Sheets--Word Version
Practice Sheets--PDF


Band Notes

The Thomas Jefferson Middle School Bands have a tradition of Pride and Excellence. Our goal is to give our best at every rehearsal and performance. The hours of hard work and the dedication of the Thomas Jefferson staff, students and families should be evident in everything we do. Thank you to all of you who support us in our efforts.

BAND MANUAL

Welcome Letter
Course overview. Critical start dates, What you need, Necessary supplies
Rules for Conduct
School Standards as applied to band class
Expectations
Things You Will Need for Class
Band Student Information Form & Contract
Assignment--Please fill this out and turn it in as soon as possible.
Band Grades

Please Order Music Shirts As Soon as Possible

The black music shirt with the Thomas Jefferson Music Logo is required for all musicians in band. Shirts should be ordered as soon as possible so all students will have them for their performances.  Wind Ensemble students will need them by November 6, all others by the December concert.  You may purchase the shirt through the web link provided below or your order can be placed directly to the vendor, Clint, at 828-8396 or via e-mail at firedupgraphics@comcast.net. He asks that you include size (x-small – x-large) and style (Ladies or Mens). Please do not order a youth size unless you really need a small shirt.  These are running VERY small and will not fit.  If you cannot afford to purchase the shirt, please contact Mrs. Vogt as soon as possible so we can try to find a way to help you.
Order Music Shirts at Fired-Up Graphics Web Site

MUSIC SHIRTS NEEDED

Have you finished your band or choir classes at Thomas Jefferson Middle School? Or, have you outgrown your current music shirt and will need to get a new one? Is your old music shirt taking up much needed space in your closet? If so, please donate it to the Thomas Jefferson Middle School Music Shirt Closet. You can drop it off at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School office or send it to Mrs. Vogt or Mrs. Hebner.


The Benefits of the Study of Music
Arts Education is a Core Subject in Washington State
Music's Impact on Success in School
Music and Academics
Music and Young Minds
12 Benefits of Music
Don't Forget the Arts
Making the Case for Music Education

QUOTES
Quotes of the Day
Arts Quotes of the Day
Nature Quotes of the Day
BrainyQuotes
More Music Quotes-Quote Garden
Top 50 Music Quotations
More Quotes!

MY ADVENTURES

Click This To See Vacation 2008--Washington and Europe
Click This for Vacation 2009, American History

Useful Links
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
How to Go to a Concert
How to Enjoy a Live Concert
Open the page and the links to the various chapters are in the right column.

Performances

Click this link for a schedule of TJ performances.  Students may attend performances and write a short report to receive extra credit. Click this link for some recommendations.

Performance Opportunities
Web Pages and information on performing groups and other listening opportunities. Click this link to see the list of TJ performances and where you can go to see concerts in the Portland/Vancouver area or find web sites for your listening pleasure.
SchoolJam USA
Do you have the best band in America? This website is for you. Check it out for the "Battle of the Bands" competition.
MUSICAL TERMS
Music Dictionaries
INSTRUMENT INFO
Instrumental Information
Check out this link for information on brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. This includes links to fingering charts, instrument maintenance and other helpful articles.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Practice Information and Practice Tools
Click this link for helpful hints and practice aids, including a choice of metronomes.
MUSIC THEORY
Music Theory Resources
SCIENCE OF MUSIC
Science of Music
Open this link to find out how science and music work together.

MUSIC HISTORY & CULTURE

Music History and Culture
Click this link to take you to a page of links about Music History and Culture, American Music, and Composer Biographies.
This Day in Music History

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

History
Links to History Resources
WASHINGTON MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
Washington Music Educator Association Website
WASHINGTON STATE ARTS INFORMATION
OSPI Arts Website
Arts Education is a Core Academic Subject Area
LOCAL MUSIC STORE LOCATOR
Local Music Stores
 WRITING AND STUDY AIDS
Study Resources Link
Click on this link for study ideas and writing resources.
JUST FOR FUN
Music Games and Entertainment

TEACHER RESOURCES

Teacher Resources

CLIP ART AND GRAPHIC RESOURCES

Clip Art and Graphic Resources
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