Weekly Update

UPDATES

We have a very busy 2 weeks coming up, with two exciting events.  

Parent Meeting Tuesday, 12/3, 6:30 PM: We will discuss areas where I need help for the parade and the winter concert. Sparks Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 7.
I have official information regarding the parade, available HERE.  I still need a few more people to chaperone.  Please let me know if you'd like to ride the bus with us.  Call time for all participants (intermediate and advanced band) will be 9:00 AM.  The parade starts at 1:00 PM, and our entry number is 38.  Following the parade, we will reward the group with a stop at Meadowood Mall so they can eat and shop.  Please let me know if you'd like to tag along as a chaperone.

Winter Concert - Thursday, December 12.
 Due to a schedule conflict with Eagle Valley Middle School, I am changing our winter concert start time to 6:30 PM, still on December 12.  I am asking all parents to bring a baked good to help generate funds to support all operating expenses.  Here are the details:

Thursday, December 12
7:45-10:45 AM: Dress rehearsal at the community center.  Please drop off your students at the community center first thing in the morning.  Students in periods 1, 2, and 6 will return to CMS by 10 AM.  Students in periods 3, 5, and jazz band will return by 10:55 AM.  We will do run throughs of the music and go over how to get on and off stage.

6:00 PM: Call time for Beginning Band, Concert Band, and Strings, in concert dress.
6:30 PM: Call time for Intermediate Band and Advanced Band, in concert dress.
6:30 PM: CONCERT BEGINS with performances from Beginning Band, Concert Band, and Strings.
7:20 PM: Intermission
7:30 PM: Concert continues with performances from Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, and Jazz Band.
8:30 PM: Concert ends.

A flyer that will be distributed to all students is available HERE.

Updated Advanced Band News:  As of  now, the spring trip is still on hold, but students are making progress in their efforts to earn back the trip. The class is only three letters away from spelling "D-I-S-N-E-Y-L-A-N-D"  If the class spells it out with at least 3 more well behaved and productive rehearsals between now and December 12, they will earn back the trip.  We will discuss the trip and payment options at the meeting on Dec. 3.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS


December 3: Parent Meeting, CMS Band Room, 6:30 PM.  We will be discussing areas where we need parent help for the parade and winter concert.
December 4: Marching Rehearsal, 2:30-3:30 PM.  DRESS WARM
December 7: Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade (mandatory for marching members): 9:00 AM-4:00 PM  DRESS WARM for morning rehearsal.
December 12: Winter Concert (mandatory for all bands and strings): 5:30-8:30 PM. Community Center.

PRACTICING

Practice sheets are due Tuesday.  The next class with 100% turned in on time will earn the reward of no longer needing to fill them out.

Starting this week, instead of lunch detentions, students will have writing assignments during class on their block schedule days.  They will be required to complete a paper on responsibility in order to reinforce their need to turn in work.  Lunch detentions are taking a lot of time away from my students who need help on Fridays at lunch.

Please practice the following this week:

Beginning Band: First Concert March, Name That Christmas Carol, Holiday Fanfare.
Concert Band: Sounds of the Season, Irish Tune from County Derry, Linus and Lucy.
Intermediate Band: Merry Bells, In The Bleak Midwinter, Ding Dong Merrily on High, Holiday Classics, and Cartoon Christmas (Measures 11-37 and 79-end ONLY).
Advanced Band: It's The Holiday Season, Cartoon Christmas, Russian Christmas Music.
Strings: Experienced students should work on any Strazz music and Diggy Liggy.
Beginners, violas, and low strings should work on Lackawanna Locomotive and Countdown to Christmas.  Everybody should work on all Christmas carols that we rehearsed this week.

That's the news for this week. I'm looking forward to our upcoming performances!

-Mr. Jacques