Winter Break’s Over—What’s Your First Week Rehearsal Plan?
Winter break is a wonderful time for students and teachers alike to relax and recharge, but coming back to school in January often requires a bit of a recalibration period. Band directors face the challenge of reviewing routines, rebuilding fundamentals, and reconnecting with students, especially since most have likely been away from their instruments for weeks. Here are some best practices to set your band up for success as you kick off the new semester.
1. Revisit Rehearsal Expectations and Procedures
January is the perfect time to review rehearsal expectations and classroom procedures. Spend a few minutes at the start of your first rehearsal reviewing your expectations. Here’s what mine looks like:
Taking time to review expectations and procedures reinforces your classroom management plan and lays the groundwork for a productive semester.
2. Prioritize Fundamentals
After a few weeks away from their instruments, students need a reset on the basics. Dedicate time in your first few rehearsals to focus on fundamentals:
Tone Production: Begin with easy warm-ups focused on producing a warm, full tone. Encourage students to listen carefully to their sound and aim for consistency.
Long Tones: Incorporate long-tone exercises to strengthen breath control and endurance. Challenge students to sustain their notes with even volume and steady pitch.
Posture and Breathing: Spend a few minutes reinforcing proper posture and breathing techniques. These foundational elements are critical to success across all musical tasks.
This is a very effective breathing & long tone exercise that Wendy Higdon from Creekside Middle School created.
I also like using an exercise called 8's & 4's, plus some tone exercises with varied articulations to reinforced good breathing and tone quality.
3. Regroup and Reconnect
January is also an ideal time to rebuild classroom rapport. Students may feel disconnected after the break, so incorporate activities that foster a sense of community:
Get-to-Know-You Activity: Even if your students already know each other, a fun icebreaker can help everyone re-engage. Try a quick interview activity where students pair up, share fun facts, and report back to the group.
Four Corners: Use this engaging game to spark conversation and movement. Create prompts related to music (e.g., favorite genre, preferred rehearsal task) or fun topics like food or hobbies. Students move to the corner of the room that matches their response, and you can use this time to facilitate lighthearted discussions.
These activities can ease students back into the routine and reinforce a positive classroom culture.
4. Set New Goals
The start of a new semester is a natural time to discuss goals:
Individual Goals: Encourage students to reflect on their personal musical growth. What skills do they want to improve this semester?
Ensemble Goals: Share your vision for the group’s progress. Whether it’s preparing for a concert or mastering a challenging piece, give students something to rally around.
Wrap-Up
Goal setting helps create a shared sense of purpose and motivates students to stay focused. The new year offers a perfect opportunity to reset and refine areas of our teaching that may not have gone as planned last semester. Embracing this fresh start can bring a sense of renewal and energy, even for the most experienced directors. By focusing on expectations, fundamentals, and rapport-building, you can lay the groundwork for a successful and inspiring spring semester.
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