Squeak and Squawk Night
When: Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 at Porter Creek Secondary 6:45 to 9:00 pm
There is no cost for this event for Beginners from F.H. Collins Sec., Vanier Catholic Sec., Jack Hulland Elem., Holy Family Elem., Whitehorse Elem. and Porter Creek Sec. schools. All participants will receive excellent information, the thrill of performing in a large ensemble and the connection to further events/instruction. This is the first time that students receive their instruments and attendance is essential for all beginning Band students and their parent/guardian. Your attendance is essential to moving to the next step in class, missing this event will mean you need to spend extra time after school with your teacher before you can take your instrument home.
Evening's Goals: In 90 minutes, very qualified Musicians will teach/ demonstrate: how to assemble, starting embouchure, do & dont's for each instrument, correct breathing, required posture, tonguing / articulation, playing five pitches and outline the Care & Maintenance schedule. The beginning musicians will be placed into separate classrooms, sorted by like instruments (e.g. flutes in one, trumpets in another) to a maximum number of 7 musicians with their parents and the instructors. Individuals will receive handouts on the proper Care & Maintenance of each instrument and a list of equipment required to keep the instrument working well.
By 8:30 pm, all the teaching musicians and their students will move to the P.C.S.S. Gymnasium, with the help of the parents (moving only instruments and music stands). The total group (last year’s was 81 beginners and 31 teaching musicians) will perform 7 or 8 short tunes from the first pages of the “Standards of Excellence” Method Book together. Lastly, there will be acknowledgments made of support received, the organizers, and of the Senior Band musicians present as movers, teachers and helpers.
This Annual Event has lovingly been referred to as "Squeak and Squawk Night" by the musicians who teach, as well as the Beginners who attend every year.
