Osseo High School Bands

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Best Districts for Arts Education Identified

The NAMM Foundation announced the results of its tenth annual “Best Communities for Music Education” survey, which acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their commitment and support of music education in schools. As the economy challenges state and local school budgets to adequately support education, the 124 school districts named by the NAMM Foundation demonstrate the unwavering commitment to provide music education for their students.

This year’s roster of musical schools represents 21 states with a record amount of communities from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas. A total of 29 communities are new to the roster. Which Minnesota schools made the list? Just three:

• District 279 - Osseo Area Schools
• Milaca School District #912 in Milaca
• Rosemount High School-Rosemount-Apple Valley School District

The NAMM Foundation’s mission is to ensure that all children have access to quality music education programs that encourage lifelong participation in music making.

In conducting the annual survey, the NAMM Foundation is joined by advisory organizations in the fields of music and education including:

• Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org)
• League of American Orchestras (www.americanorchestras.org)
• The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (www.mhopus.org)
• The Metropolitan Opera Guild (www.operaed.org)
• Music for All (www.musicforall.org)
• Music Teachers National Association (www.mtna.org)
• National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts (www.nationalguild.org)
• National PTA (www.pta.org)
• Yamaha Corporation of America (www.yamaha.com)
• VH1 Save The Music Foundation (www.vh1savethemusic.com).

The survey was conducted by The Institute for Educational Research and Public Service of Lawrence, KS, an affiliate of the University of Kansas.

The complete list of “Best Communities” is listed here - http://www.namm.org/news/press-releases/nationwide-survey-finds-best-communities-music-edu

by: Kevin Rebman

Someone once said that participation in Marching Band is equal to preparing for a marathon and that a parade is requires as much energy as running the marathon. It's probably not too far from the truth. Marching Band is strenuous and that's why each practice is designed to build endurance both physically and mentally. It may seem repetitive at times, but the only way to build mind (for multi-tasking) and body (for endurance) is to do it over and over so when the day comes to perform, body and mind do it naturally.

For those who are new to Marching Band, each performance is a competition as well as a presentation. The routes are generally one mile long with four or even five performances. Just like any other sport, Marching Band rehearsals build endurance and prepare the team for great presentation and competitive advantage. Unlike a sports team, every Marching Band member must perform for the entire "game." There is n6body on the bench to step in for a tired performer.

So, how should a Marching Band member prepare for a fun AND competitive season? Training! Like any other performance, students must prepare to be the best (and have fun at the same time). Here are five simple health tips to consider:

1) Hydrate. Start drinking fluids at least 24-hours before the practice or performance. Water is best. If you don't like plain water get a flavored water or make lemonade (sugar free, of course). Sports drinks are ok AFTER rigorous exercise, but don't drink them all the time. So how do you hydrate properly for practice and performance? According to the Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.com) follow The 8x8 rule: Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. This is about the same as a 2-liter bottle. And, how do you know if you are getting enough fluid? Most athletes are told to "drink fluids until you pee clear." Of course on hot summer days in full uniform, the 8x8 rule may have to be modified to the 12x8 or 14x8 rule. Be prepared. Carry (and drink) water starting the day before each practice and the day before each performance!

2) Just "Say NO" to Caffeine. Caffeine is one of those nasty chemicals that is found in many soft drinks, coffee, tea, and chocolate. Even Decaffeinated coffee or tea has caffeine in it. Caffeine is a diuretic. By drinking caffeinated beverages you are actually depleting the supply of water available in your body. Caffeine also works to deplete Vitamin C. Kicking the caffeine habit may take a few days. Some people experience caffeine withdrawals which include headaches, nausea and low energy. Fortunately, withdrawing from caffeine is a short process, typically lasting only 48-72 hours. Overall, it's better to avoid caffeine during the season than trying to withdraw from it each week.

3) Exercise Daily. The exercise that works the best is the exercise that you actually do! Walk, bicycle, dance, run, shovel snow, or plant a garden. Anything that gets your body moving is good. If you have a dog, walk it each day - for a mile or two. Your dog will love it! If you don't have a dog, at least walk briskly for a mile or two each day. You'll be surprised how good you will feel after two weeks. If you live near another Marching Band member, arrange to walk with each other. You are more likely to actually do it if someone else is depending on you, too!

4) Energize Your Meals. What is a good meal? Anything that is balanced with the proper amounts of carbohydrates, fats, protein, fiber and nutrients. Many health food magazines say that you should eat foods closer to the earth. Less processed is generally better for you. Depending on your tastes, give your body what it needs to perform. Meats (all types), dairy, fruits and vegetables are great. So are complex carbohydrates like granola and whole grains. Beans, rice, eggs poultry are also fine. Mix it up and avoid the "fast-food." Learn to read the product labels on packaged foods you buy from the supermarket. Foods with protein maintain strong muscles. Foods where the grams of sugar are at least 50% less than the grams of carbohydrates are good for long-term energy. And, above all, skip the candy, chips, sugared sodas and ice cream. These are all high in sugar - which will give you a boost of energy only to bring you down quickly an hour or two later.

5) Rest and Recharge. Do you find yourself falling asleep in 4th hour English? Are your mornings a rush because you oversleep frequently? Are you wasting your weekends sleeping all day Saturday and Sunday? Maybe you need to get more rest. How much rest is the proper amount? Many experts say 8 hours is a good number. Teens need a little more. So if you normally get up at 6:30am, make your bedtime 10:30pm. Yes, the teens are screaming now - "10:30pm - that's outrageous!" Think of it as recharging your battery. We can't swap batteries in our bodies like a "Wii" remote, so the only alternative is to have a full charge to start each day.

Remember, the Marching Band season is just beginning and everyone has time to get healthy. What does it take? Easy - Just do it!

(What our lawyers make us say: The information here is provided as general reference. The content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.)

Ed Note: This article was first printed in the Osseo Marching Band Booster Newsletter in April, 2009.
(c) 2009 Osseo Band Boosters. All rights reserved.

If you are interested in contributing your Europe Trip Photos to the Osseo Band Gallery, there are a couple ways to do this.

1) Drop off a memory stick, memory card, CD or other digital media with Mr. Boulka.
2) E-mail krebman@anovelplace.com and ask for an FTP upload site
3) Bring your memory card, CD or other digital media to Band on Tuesday April 14. Someone will be in the Band Office area to download your media. You may take it with you after class.
4) If you have prints, when they are developed, ask for a CD also. We can also scan prints, too.

Right now, the Gallery has more than 3,200 photos from 2004 and up. Let's keep adding to it!
Kevin Rebman - krebman@anovelplace.com - 612-940-0971

Right now, the Osseo Band Students are on their way back from London. They are presently 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled arrival time of 5:20pm. Stay informed on the arrival time at http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NWA103

Alternatively, you can get status from NWA.com, too.

Welcome Home!

It's Friday Morning and just about time to say goodbye to the UK.

Yesterday was lots of fun. We had a great tour of Westminster Abby. I could tell the kids were in awe at the size and historical significance of the church. As you walk through the church you see the final resting place of the Kings and Queens from the early 1000's. It is so great to see history right in front of you.

We also went to the tour of London for a quick stop, which was followed by what the kids were waiting for...free time. They had about 4 hours to wonder and shop in London.

Our tour on the London eye was spectacular and a great way to end the tour.

We have

just finished breakfast and will depart for the airport in about 1 hour.

Although this has been one of the best tours I have been on, I know that I (kids too), are ready to head home to our own beds, food (I'm all carbed out) and family. There are however, a few that would like to stay for a lot longer (especially those with calculus homework due Monday).

We will see you in about 14 hours when we land a the Mpls Airport (main terminal) @ 5:20pm

Good bye from London

-Mr. Boulka

Good Morning from London,

It's been a few days since my last post, but getting Internet access has been more difficult. We have spent the last few days traveling from Edinburgh to London. It was about a 5 hour journey to York on Tuesday and than another to London via Cambridge on Wednesday.

Our stay in York was very short, but fun. The kids had a chance to wonder the small medieval city (wall still surrounding it) and we ended the night with our ghost tour. I would say that the ghost tour was more entertaining than scary, but it was very entertaining and the kids had a great time.

We made our way from from York down to Cambridge for our tour of Cambridge University. On the way we made a stop in Cambridge at the American Cemetery. What an amazing and moving tribute to those who lost their lives in WWII. It was a great thing for the kids to see and experience.

Once we got to London, we had about 2 hours to check in, change, eat and get to our Musical Blood Brothers. Today we have our city tour and about 5 hours for the kids to go out on their own. Tonight we ride the London eye after our farewell dinner.

This has been one of the busiest tours I have ever been on and I know that the kids are starting to wear down, but I feel that they have seen and done everything that we could possibly do in this short amount of time. I would rather see them tired from doing too much than awake and board from not doing enough. They have really learned and seen a lot of great things.

Tomorrow morning we head home to the USA. We are scheduled to land at 5:20pm. Don't forget that you need to pick your student up a the airport.

Due to insane Internet prices, this will be my last post from Europe.

I hope that this blog was a fun and helpful for you. Sorry that I do not have any pic for you today, but I had to use the computer in the Lobby.

-Mr. Boulka