Winter Percussion is Over

We are moving out of “winter percussion” mode and into spring/summer sectional rehearsals. We are no longer learning & building technique. Our “class” is now rehearsing for the upcoming fall marching band season.

Raising the bar

The 2010 NAHS percussion section has begun learning our percussion feature. Therefore, the standard has gone up. The group is now expected to learn, understand, memorize, and practice exercises and show music before the day of rehearsals. When you walk into rehearsal, you must be comfortable and confident playing the assigned excerpts.

How to meet the new standard

1. When an assignment is given, write it down.
    
   This will help you remember what the assignment is and when it’s due.
    
2. After every rehearsal, when you get home, review the work done during the rehearsal.
    
   This will help you retain the progress you’ve made.
    
3. The next day, review the work one more time, and begin learning the assignment.
    
   This will help connect already-known parts with the current assignment.
    
4. Play the assignment in small chunks, 2-4 bars at a time, for 20-30 minutes. Then stop.
    
   This will make each assignment smaller & more manageable.
    
5. Repeat step #4 2-3 times each day until you’ve “learned” the whole assignment.
    
   This will help connect each piece of the assignment.
    
6. Once the assignment is “learned,” play it from memory (without looking at the music) 8-10 times in a row. Then stop.
    
   This will force you to recall what you’ve learned.
    
7. Repeat step #6 2-3 times each day until you’ve MEMORIZED the whole assignment.
    
   This will transfer the assignment from short-term into long-term memory.
    

The old standard isn’t good enough

The staff will no longer accept “I didn’t practice,” “I forgot,” “I wasn’t sure how to play it,” or any other excuses. This group has grown tremendously in the last few months. We are now operating with a “next-level” attitude.

You have to come with us

This new standard will only work if each member agrees to use it. The staff will help move the group forward, but you, the members, have to do the work.