Sunday 11/23

Updated parts and audio files for First Christmas March have been uploaded to the music section.

The parts will sound familiar, but almost twice as fast as before. Where it would have been too difficult to play at double-speed, I've modified the parts. Please set all other First Christmas March music aside and practice only these new parts.

The time signature on your music is 2/4 (only two beats per measure, but the quarter-note still gets the beat) and your metronome should be set to quarter-note = 115 beats per minute.

Happy practicing (this one is going to be a lot of fun to play)!

Tuesday 11/11

Our music for the Redlands Christmas Parade, "First Christmas March", has been uploaded to the Music page.

You can access audio files and pdfs of the sheet music using the toolbar at the top of this page.

Happy practicing!

Monday 11/10

Veterans Day has arrived, and with it, our second performance of the year.

The Redlands Veterans Day Parade is tomorrow. Get ready to be amazing!

There are two concerts happening this week that I'd highly recommend you attend. Mr. Aviles is performing in both AND each concert can be counted towards practice credit.

• University of Redlands Wind Ensemble "Tribute to America",
  Tuesday at 8:00 in the Memorial Chapel
• University of Redlands Percussion Ensemble,
  Thursday at 8:00 in University Hall

Thursday 10/23

We've begun the long march towards quality double-strokes. It's a never ending pursuit to perfect this technique, but something that's a lot of fun as you get better and better.

Here are some great videos that help to break down a lot of the fundamentals (and some advanced stuff too) involved in playing rolls, then paradiddles, then flams.

Tuesday 10/14

As we prepare for our first parade this weekend, we'll be testing on our three pieces of music this week.

• Wednesday: This is My Country
• Thursday: Korn
• Friday: Problem

Be sure to do a lot of practicing at home to be as prepared as possible for your playing tests. Make sure to practice your music while marking time, and with a metronome.

Areas to be assessed on the test: rhythmic accuracy, tempo control, dynamics and accents, technique, and footwork.

You're welcome to take your marching instrument home to practice any day you'd like this week!

Thursday 10/9

We'll be taking a marching test in class tomorrow!

Be sure to practice your mark time, step-off, and halt skills, as well as your posture and drum/stick/cymbal control.

Monday 9/29

Our second cadence, Problem, has been uploaded to the cadences section of the website (which can be found the Music link in the toolbar at the top).

Sheet music and audio files have been uploaded for your benefit when practicing. Be sure to download the essential materials for your part today!

We're now less than 3 weeks away from our first parade!

Tuesday 9/23

It's time to determine who will serve as our section leader for the 2014-2015 school year. Interested candidates must have one year of experience in the Cope Percussion Ensemble and need to submit a written response to the questions below.

Instructions to apply:

Submit a one-page paper (typed or hand-written) on Thursday, September 25th that answers these three questions :

• Why do you want to serve as percussion section leader?
• What will you do to make the percussion program better?
• What would be your biggest strength as a leader?

Written responses will be reviewed over the weekend and our section leader will be announced next week!

Tuesday 9/16

Sheet music and audio files for our first march, This is My Country, have been uploaded to the "Music" section in the toolbar at the top.

Be sure to download everything you need to make the most of your practice at home (audio files, metronome apps, etc.)!

Monday 9/1

Major updates were made to header toolbar of our class webpage today; students and parents, be sure to check out all the changes!

Class Information - All the papers, calendars, and instructions you need to successfully navigate the instrumental music program

Calendar - A digital version of our Instrumental Music master calendar

Music - Our hub for all the individual parts, audio files, and full scores for all of our pieces of music

Exercises - Your one stop shop for all the daily skill builders necessary to become your best

More will be added to these pages over the course of the year, so be sure to check in regularly!

Tuesday 8/26

The first practice records of this year are due on Thursday, 8/28. On Thursday you'll be turning in your practice information for week 2 and week 3.

To earn an A, you must practice three hours each week. Practicing beyond three hours will earn you an A+ on your practice record, so please do the little extra. The best way to do this is to practice 30 minutes each day, seven days a week. Sticking to a schedule like that will keep you on pace for an exceptional grade this semester!

What should you be practicing? Everything we've been learning together in class. Pay careful attention to your technique and be sure to use a metronome!

Wednesday 8/13

Welcome to another outstanding year of percussion at Cope Middle School! Please be sure to bookmark this page and check back for daily updates! While you're poking around, feel free to check out many of the links at the side of the blog to begin investigating different resources that may be of benefit this year.

Today in class we talked about my expectations for the school year, and necessary materials students will need to have. Tonight's homework is to review the instrumental music curriculum paper with parents and fill out the back page, and also review the parent percussion letter and fill out the bottom portion. For a copy of those documents, please click the links below.

Instrumental Music Curriculum Paper
Percussion Parent Letter

Back to School

Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year! Let's get ready to play, and play well!