Behind-the-Scenes at Shadow Ridge with Alicia and Chris

We are excited to offer you the opportunity to teach with us side-by-side throughout the year. Shadow Ridge has been one of the testing grounds for our Musical Mastery Beginner Book, so it is the perfect place to demonstrate how we use the materials.

When & Where?

Chris: Last year I had so many people asking, “Where are you in the book?” or “When do you introduce <insert anything really important!>”.  So, Alicia and I decided this format was way overdue to help keep everyone in the loop!

To be completely honest, this is probably the worst time in the world to add more things to our plate.  On top of all the normal “trying to get school ready” stuff, we are also preparing the Shadow Ridge Band for a performance at The Midwest Clinic.  

Yeah, not smart timing, but there almost never seems to be good timing for anything!
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Prep, Prep, Prep

​C: Now, we are in the same boat every middle school director is right now. We’ve got four full pages of a “To-Do List” and every time we cross one item off we pencil in two more!

The key is to stay focused and on task. Alicia and I divide and conquer all of the administrative duties that need to be squared away from the first day of school.

Additionally, we bring in lots of help (8th grade leaders) to tackle tasks that we do not necessarily have to handle ourselves. Our leadership day with 8th grade “Band-Aides” is when we spend some time developing their leadership skills and a ton of time getting the Band Hall ready for the first day!

We strategically place this date the day after the beginner instruments are delivered from the music store and the day before school orientation.  Our 8th graders save us hundreds of working hours by handling the following:
Taking Inventory of all Beginner Supplies
Updating Locker Name Plates
Placing all Beginner Instruments/Supplies in Lockers
Securing Beginner Lockers with Zip Ties
Prepping all School Owned Instruments for the Fall (Oiling, Greasing, Polishing)
Laminating Certificates (ahead of time)
Cutting Laminated Items
Label Making
Vacuuming
Cleaning Whiteboards
Prepping Bulletin Boards
Copying & Organizing
   
Most of that copying and organizing is getting the Musical Mastery Beginner Book ready for each 6th grader in our program!

No Two Years Are Created Equal

Teaching beginner classes is a thrill.  Every year brings a whole new set of challenges along with incredible opportunities.

Join us as we tackle every essential beginner topic as it comes up throughout the year.

​We look forward to hearing for many of you!

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