Dear Lincoln band families,

Here are some ideas for instrumental music practice over the break.

All grades - please sign up for a SmartMusic account.  SmartMusic is a web-based suite of music education tools that support efficient practice, helping musicians to develop and grow.  All of the material in our workbooks is available with this software and most of it includes accompaniments that make practicing more dynamic and fun.  This company is offering free accounts through June 30 due to our current circumstances.  Please be sure to sign up using your CPS gmail account ending in cps.edu.  Do not use personal email.  

To join the class, Students need to go to https://admin.smartmusic.com/join, enter the class code, and select Next.  

5th grade code - TPQRT-HYUNN
6th grade code - EFD4Y-Q6HUZ
7th grade code - FNDFK-CTYLE
8th grade code - HG6RA-QHLUE

Once you complete the signup you will get a message indicating that an email has been sent for you to verify enrollment.  However, it seems that the email does not actually get sent because of the CPS filter disallowing people outside of our network to email students.  Never fear, I can still approve the requests on my end and I will do so several times a day.  Once I approve you should be able to login using the username and password that you created.​Thank you for your patience.


5th grade - here is a link for a list of tunes the 5th graders should continue to work on - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TURcv-Io_wlMlUbL0s1n5ZNArbRbliNs/view?usp=sharing.  I encourage students to send me audio recordings once they feel they have mastered a tune.  I'll provide feedback and additional material where appropriate.  A reasonable pace would be to master about 3 tunes per week although some students may work a little slower or much faster!

6th grade - all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are familiar with my benchmark system for tracking student progress.  Here is a link to all three 6th grade benchmarks - http://www.lincolnelementary.org/varsity-band.html.  I encourage students to send me audio recordings or written work once they feel they have mastered a tune or completed a task.  I'll provide feedback and additional material where appropriate.

7th/8th grade - all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are familiar with my benchmark system for tracking student progress.  Here is a link to all three 7th/8th grade benchmarks - http://www.lincolnelementary.org/concert-band.html.  I encourage students to send me audio recordings or written work once they feel they have mastered a tune or completed a task.  I'll provide feedback and additional material where appropriate.

Thank you,

Mr. K

You are invited to enroll your child in the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Music Association (ALESMA) for the 2019-2020 school year.  The ALESMA is a parent-run volunteer organization that funds and supports our band program here at Lincoln.  A welcome letter from our president, a frequently asked questions document, a value comparison chart, and a link for on-line registration and payment can be found at www.lincolnelementary.org/registration.html.
 

New band families should plan on attending one of our registration nights on September 19 at 4PM or September 24 at 6:30PM.  There will be a brief presentation covering schedules, instrument rental, expectations, and more.


Returning band families are asked to submit the executed contract and payment by September 27.  It is not necessary for returning band families to attend registration.
 
Sincerely,
 
Marty Kalas
Music Teacher
Lincoln School
773 534 5720
mpkalas@cps.edu
​

Group band pictures will be taken in the morning on November 29.  Students will need their instrument and they are asked to wear the following - 

White dress shirt
Black pants or skirt
Dress shoes
Long necktie for the boys

Year - End Band Concerts
Lincoln Elementary School Auditorium
May 31st at 6:30 PM & 7:30 PM

6:30 – 7:10  - Cadet Band, 6th Grade Percussion Ensemble, Varsity Band
7:10 – 7:30 – Intermission
7:30 – 8:10  - 7th Grade Band, Jazz Band, 7th and 8th Grade Percussion Ensemble, and 8th Grade Band

Pre-Concert Hot Dog/Salad Sale - 5:30 - 7:25
Hot dogs, salads, pop, chips, and dessert items will be available.
Please consider volunteering to help with or donating items for the sale.

Band Member Report Times
Cadet Band (5th) -                 6:15
Varsity Band (6th) -                6:15
Jazz Band  -                          7:15
Concert Bands (7th & 8th) -   7:15     

Concert Attire
White dress shirt, black dress pants or skirt, nice dark shoes, long neckties for the boys
Please - no jeans, no sweat pants, no t-shirts, no white or flashy gym shoes
If any family has difficulty complying with the dress requirements, please contact Mr. Kalas (773-534-5720 or mpkalas@cps.edu) immediately.​

In-School Concerts
The Lincoln School Bands will be performing for their classmates during the school day on Thursday, May 31.  These performances will take place at Lincoln Elementary School. Band members must dress in concert attire for these performances.

9:15 - 7th grade band, 7th/8th grade percussion, 8th grade band
10:15 - Jazz Band and 4th grade recorders                                                                
2:00 - 5th grade band, 6th grade percussion, and 6th grade band

The ALESMA is looking forward to another great year of music-maikng.

Returning families - Please register by Sept. 29
More information and online registration details are available at this link - 
http://www.lincolnelementary.org/registration.html

New families - Registration dates are Sept. 21 (4:00) or Sept. 26 (6:30)
Please follow this link for details - 
http://www.lincolnelementary.org/registration.html