Author: Drew Holmes

High Plains School Tootin’ Tuesday Week 4 Recap

Things got serious this week! Well, as serious as it can in the rain. We had sectionals and I got to help the trumpet players. We recapped pages 4 and 5 and then moved on to pages 6 and 7 in the Traditions of Excellence book. Page 7 introduced the breath mark (phrasing) and half […]

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Eating With Chopsticks and Drew Takes it Back Outside. It’s Your Weekend Update

In this Weekend Update: We continue our Absolute Beginners video series! We now have percussion, flute, and saxophone videos live. These are short videos that will reinforce what a beginner has already learned in class but may have not fully absorbed. The goal is to minimize lost practice time between classes so the player can […]

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HIgh Plains School Tootin’ Tuesday Week 3 Recap

Drew has a confession to make: he totally screwed up recording this video the first time. So the Tootin’ Tuesday recap was recorded in studio and not on the go, as usual! Week 3! We covered a bunch of stuff (and got to play outside!), but the big theme was articulation. We discussed where your […]

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A New Video Series and What We can Learn From a Culinary Disaster. It’s Your Weekend Update

In this Weekend Update We are excited to announce our Absolute Beginners video series! These are short videos that will reinforce what a beginner has already learned in class but may have not fully absorbed. The goal is to minimize lost practice time between classes so the player can maintain enthusiasm and learn faster. The […]

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Instrument Step-Up Is Back! It’s Your Weekend Update.

In this Weekend Update: The Boomer Step-Up Event is back! We are still being safe a limiting people on site, so instead of just one day we are spreading it out over several weeks. Details can be found here *AND* Mrs. Lemons, the band director at High Plains School has scheduled weekly sessions for April to […]

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cool things are happening at high plains school!

5:00 PM is not very late for most people to be out, but with two small boys Drew is rarely anywhere but home at that hour. So where was he? At High Plains School in Loveland! Mrs. Lemons, the band director at HPS, got creative and split her beginners into three groups due to COVID […]

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Happy Easter! Drew Goes Wireless and Takes It Outside. It’s Your Weekend Update

In this Weekend Update: Drew takes it outside using the new R0DE Wireless Go II. See his first look video here. *AND* Audio recording expert Braden explains the three W’s (What is it? Why is it cool? Why do I need one?) for audio interfaces, specifically the FocusRite Scarlett 2i2. Get the scoop here. *PLUS* […]

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Funding for classroom music is availble, but you need to apply soon!

Music Educators, As you have likely heard, the government has passed into law 3 different “Cares Acts” that include funding for Schools, referred to as ESSER FUNDS.  The 2nd round of ESSER Funds is available now on a grant basis to schools.  This is a use it or lose it type of funding and schools […]

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Calling all trumpet players!

This Saturday is the Colorado State University Virtual Trumpet Day! CSU Trumpet Day is designed for trumpet players of all ages who are looking for an event that inspires their love of music and all things trumpet. Trumpet students, teachers, performers, and band directors in Colorado are invited to attend directly on Zoom. Hosted by […]

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David smalley talks trumpet maintenance

Former SE Shires trumpet builder and current Boomer Music Company repair shop Manager David Smalley sits down to talk trumpet maintenance. He touches on such topics as: Simple routine maintenance you can (and should) do at home How often to get a professional chemical or ultrasonic cleaning Lubricants – What to and not to use […]

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