STFX Band Bytes

February 5, 2021

Individual Lessons How Do We Stay Safe In Band?

As we continue to foster our band program, we Band will look a little bit different this year, as we
have made the decision to pursue individual will be following some COVID specific protocols.
lessons as the main way that band will meet The University of Colorado Boulder has been
for the first few weeks. This means that each doing research on COVID safe practices specific to
week students will be assigned different songs band that we will be following. These protocols
in their lesson book to play for Mr. Fritz the following week. This way, students involve the following:
will have the ability to learn at their own pace with Mr. Fritz while regaining • All instruments will have bell covers
confidence on their instrument. It should take each student between 45 and containing MERV-13 filter fabric
60 minutes each week to gain confidence in playing their assigned songs. Ask • All musicians will wear “musician’s
your student what songs they are working on this week! masks” or face shields
• Musicians will be spaced at least 6 feet
Each student has been assigned to a 30 minute lesson slot each week. This apart from one another
schedule has been posted on the middle school wing bulletin board. A • If a large group rehearsal takes place in a
breakdown of the lesson schedule by grade can be found below. space for longer than 30 minutes, the
space will be given at least 30 minutes of
What is the Lesson Schedule? rest time before it is played in again

For now, the band schedule is likely to change every week as more students If you have any questions about the protective
join band. For the week of 2/8 - 2/12, the band lesson schedule will be as measures that will be followed in class, please
follows: do no hesitate to contact Mr. Fritz
• 7th Grade Lessons will take place on Wednesday, February 10th
• 5th and 6th Grade Lessons will take place on Thursday, February 11th
• 8th Grade Lessons will take place on Friday, February 12th
Band Fact
According to the Center for Timing, Coordination,
and Motor Skills Students who can perform
Who is Philip? complex rhythms can also make faster and more
precise corrections in many academic and
physical situations. - Rhythm seen as key to
music’s evolutionary role in human intellectual
If your student has band with Mr. Frits this week, development, Center for Timing, Coordination,
they have most likely come home talking about and Motor Skills, 2000.
Mr. Fritz’s pet rabbit named Philip. Philip is a
5 year old Netherland’s Dwarf rabbit. Philip is an
interesting rabbit, because he is completely litter
box trained. This means that he is not, bound to staying in his cage at
all times. He wanders the house at free will – almost like a cat or dog!
Some of his favorite places to spend time are on the bed, in his
cardboard house, or sitting on the windowsill looking outside. Mr. Fritz
promised some photos of Phil in the newest newsletter, so please
enjoy!

Go out, be a good human and MAKE SOME MUSIC!