February 23, 2026 Rehearsal Recap

Written By Amy Krauss

What a fun day! We had even more new faces in the room and several folks popping in to see what we were up to. It’s exciting to see the energy building each week.

Music Reading & Fundamentals

We began by reviewing sharps, flats, naturals, and key signatures, reinforcing how the key signature tells us which notes are consistently altered throughout a piece.

We then tried a hand-clapping rhythm exercise.

NEXT WEEK:  We’ll devote our music-reading time entirely to hand-clapping exercises. I’ll bring printed rhythm sheets so we can move quickly from example to example without waiting for me to write them out.

How to Band – Vocabulary & The Roadmap of Music

We continued building our shared musical vocabulary. Here’s a recap of the terms we covered:

  • Pickup – One or more notes before beat 1 of the first full measure.  Alan M.’s example of The Star-Spangled Banner is perfect:  “Oh-oh SAY can you see” — “SAY” lands on beat 1. “Oh-oh” are the pickup notes.

  • Cue – A visual or musical signal for an entrance.  Conductors cue with gestures; players cue themselves by listening carefully—especially after long rests.

  • Tacet – An instruction not to play for a section.

  • Subito – “Suddenly.” Often paired with a dynamic (e.g., subito piano or subito forte).

Repeats & Roadmap Signs

Understanding the “roadmap” helps us navigate music confidently:

  • Repeat Signs – Indicated by a double barline with dots. May include 1st and 2nd endings.

  • Coda – A concluding section. The symbol looks like a circle with crosshairs.  When directed “To Coda,” jump to that symbol to finish the piece.

  • Fine – The end of the piece (often after a repeat).

  • Dal Segno (D.S.) – “Go to the sign.” The sign looks like an ornate S with a slash and two dots.

  • Da Capo (D.C.) – “Go back to the beginning.”

Key & Expression Markings

  • Key Signature – Sharps or flats at the beginning of the staff that apply throughout the piece unless canceled.

  • Accidental – A sharp, flat, or natural written before a note. It affects that note for the rest of the measure only.

  • Dynamics – How loudly or softly to play.

    • Crescendo (<) – Gradually louder.

    • Decrescendo (>) – Gradually softer.

    • Sforzando (sfz) – A sudden, strong accent.

    • Fortepiano (fp) – Loud attack immediately followed by soft.

NEXT WEEK:  We’ll discuss how music is organized—the architecture of a piece—and how concert band structure differs from other ensemble types.

Instrument of the Week – Clarinet

We featured the clarinet this week! We talked about its history and its impressive range—nearly three octaves.

One unique feature: unlike most woodwinds, the clarinet does not simply use the same fingering patterns with an octave key. Instead, it requires different fingerings when moving between registers. That’s part of what gives it such a distinctive sound and flexibility.

NEXT WEEK: Tuba and Euphonium!

Rehearsal Highlights

New Orleans Strut:  Our final new piece has officially entered the folder! We listened first, then jumped right in. At the beginning, hand claps are perfectly acceptable—finger snapping gets harder as we age! Fun energy on this one.

Shining Moments:  Our slow, expressive piece. You’re doing a beautiful job following ritards and returning to a tempo. As we grow more comfortable, we’ll explore just how expressive we can be.  Try memorizing the structure or final four measures—knowing them deeply helps you “feel the feels.”

Beginners Rock!:  We reviewed the repeat from measure 24 back to 13. We know the music—now we’re training our eyes to move confidently. Practice that jump at home.  We also discussed the (Fall) marking in measure 25—optional, but fun! Percussion enters immediately on beat 1 to kick off that happy dance break.

Celebratory Fanfare:  Two strong passes—confidence growing!

Go With the Flow:  Remember: be bold at measure 53. Exposed lines are opportunities, not threats.

Practice Recordings

If you’d like to listen along at home:

Next Week’s Rehearsal Order

  1. Fandango Festival

  2. Pirates of the Caribbean

  3. New Orleans Strut

  4. Shining Moments

  5. Beginners Rock!

Spring Showcase

I’ve created a Facebook event for our Spring Showcase. Please feel free to share it with friends and family:

https://www.facebook.com/events/915413524758467

Every week I see more confidence, more listening, and more courage in the room. Keep practicing. Keep being brave. We’re building something special together.

See you next week!

Amy

Amy Krauss
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February 16, 2026 Rehearsal Recap