E. A. Cox Cougar Band

1.  Let your expectations be known.  Your consistent message of your expectations with practice shows that you see it as important to the success of your child.

2.  Set aside a specific time for them to practice.  Students that have a designated time to practice do so with  little problems.  Again show you expectations by setting aside time.

3.  Create a practice area.  Set up a place that the student can practice comfortably with little distraction.

4.  Make sure all materials are available.  Make sure your child has all materials for correct practice.

5.  Make sure they have a designated place to put their instrument for the next day of school.

6.  Show interest in their practice.  Listen to them.  Ask them questions.  Praise them for their efforts.

7.  Call the director with practice concerns.  The band director is there to offer help with many different problems to help your child be successful in band.  Work together with the director.

8.  Stay involved and informed.  Post calendars in a place where you will not forget.  Stay aware of yearly events and assignments. 

You are the most important person in your child's life.  Staying invoved and working with teachers helps children more than you could know.  Taking a few steps with your child offers them the success and achievement that school offers. 

Hello everyone,

Well, the first week of school is now in the books.  I’m very excited about this school year.  7^th and 8^th grade band have already started playing and I’m pleasantly surprised at the sounds we’re getting so far.

Please attend the open house Monday August 8, 2011.  It runs from 6-8.  (My previous email said 7 pm.  I was mistaken.  Sorry)  We will run a mini schedule and allow you to go through your child’s day with them and meet their teachers.  I will hand out calendars and other information at that time. 

We need lots of volunteers for the 5 home football game concession stand workers.  Please help us out as much as possible.  I also will need someone with a truck to help get equipment to the high school. There will be sign up sheets for volunteers in the band room during open house. 

Books are now ready to be purchased.  Please send your money to me at school and I will give your child a book for class.

6^th grade woodwinds and brass - $10

6^th grade percussion - $15

7^th and 8^th grade - $7

Make checks payable to Cox Middle School and make sure your child’s name is on the check in the memo section. 

I will pass out 7^th and 8^th grade books next Friday.  6^th grade books will be passed out Monday August 22, 2011.  Please see that you have paid for a book before then.

6^th grade information about what instrument they are playing, where to get them and so on will be discussed at the open house on Monday. 

I hope to see everyone at open house Monday night.  Feel free to email me with any questions.

Thanks and have a great weekend. 

Brad Mitchell

1.  After completing the installation of the SM software, click the icon to open SM.
2. On the home screen, click “Create Login”
3. Complete all the information with an *

Note:  You will use the following fake email address to set up your login.

your first name and last initial @cmsband.net

(ex. BradM@cmsband.net)

If it doesn’t accept your login, try putting a number after your last initial.  

(ex. BradM1@cmsband.net)

You will need to make up a password.  

Make sure you write your login and password down for yourself and also in the notebook for Mr. M.  Mr. M will only have your login and password in case you forget. 

1. 1. 1. 1. When it says “Describe yourself”, click “student”
2. Under “My School”, Click “Add School”, then select E.A. Cox Middle School (if Cox is not listed, click “My school is not listed” and follow instructions)
3. Under “My Ensemble”, select “Concert Band”, then select your experience level and instrument from the drop-down menus, click “done”

You will now be sent to a new home screen. Next, you will need to “enroll” in a class to receive your “assignments” (your musical objective pass-off list)

1. In the area labeled “Classes”, click “enroll”
2. Select “your grade Grade Band (Full Year 1)”, then click “done”
3. It will then take you to your revised home screen which includes your assignment list.  This is the screen you will now see each time you login to your SM account.  

To complete an assignment on SmartMusic:

**To simply practice an exercise, you do not have to login to your account.  Only login when you plan to pass-off an objective.  

1. Open your SM software and login to your account.

2  Under the “Assignments” heading, click on the exercise you would like to perform (these will not be in the same order as your objective sheet).

3.  If performing a scale, go to the drop-down menu on the upper left corner and select your instrument.  Note: the chromatic scale is not available on SmartMusic.

4.  After adjusting your mic settings, click “start take” and perform the exercise.

5.  After you perform, SM will show you your score where it says “assessment”.  If you are happy with your score, click “submit” for it to be sent to the band directors.  Note:  Once you hit submit, the exercise will be removed from your assignment list, and you will not be able to attempt it again.  

6.  If you are not happy with your score, simply hit “start take” to try it again!  You can try it as many times as you like before submitting to the directors.