Weekly Update

Summary
Jazz Band will have a very busy week with the Jazz Extravaganza on Tuesday and Jazz in the Schools on Saturday.  The honor band pre-rehearsal is Monday evening at EVMS.  There is a new event for orchestra, intermediate band, and advanced band.  Playing tests will be held weekly until all songs have been tested.  I will also be holding after school sectionals and small group rehearsals on various days throughout the coming weeks.

Jazz Band Details

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, our jazz band will be performing with the Carson High School Jazz Band and the Mile High Jazz Band.  I encourage you all to support jazz in our area.  Since this is a fundraiser, parents will need to pay for tickets.  Anyone who is directly working as a chaperone with students will be admitted at no cost.  Participating students will also be included in the event at no cost.  You may purchase tickets here:  http://tahoe.activitytickets.com/activity/206  Call time for jazz band members will be 6:30 PM at the community center.  The concert begins at 7 PM and should be done around 9:15 PM.  Students will bring home a handout on Monday.

On Saturday, February 1, we will also be performing at UNR with the Jazz in the Schools Festival.  The festival features a performance in Nightingale Concert Hall, a feedback clinic, lunch, and an opportunity to listen to other area jazz bands. This event is free to all, and any jazz band parent is welcome to chaperone on the bus. Call time will be 8:00 AM in full concert dress and students will need to bring $5 for a pizza lunch provided by UNR.  Here are the trip details:

Call time: 8:00 AM in the CMS band room.

Depart CMS at 8:15 AM

Arrive at UNR at 9:00 AM

9:30 Warm up time in CFA #134

9:50 Performance time in Nightingale Concert Hall

10:15 Feedback clinic in CFA #14

10:45 Put instruments on bus and listen to other bands

11:55 Lunch (Bring $5 for pizza meal provided by UNR)

12:45 Reno Jazz Orchestra performance

1:30 Load bus and depart UNR

2:15 Arrival at CMS

Honor Band

Important change: Honor band students will be meeting at the Eagle Valley Middle School band room (no longer Carson High School) on Monday, January 27, from 4:30-6:30 PM to rehearse with the entire northern zone honor band and their guest conductor.  This performance is mandatory.  Let me know if you have any questions and please have your students contact me to arrange for rides if needed.

NEW EVENT: Washoe County Band and Orchestra Festival

I am excited to announce that the String Orchestra will perform at the Washoe County Orchestra Festival on Friday, March 14.  Students will miss school and must be in good standing with all classes in order to be eligible to attend.

The Intermediate and Advanced Band will now perform at the Washoe County Band Festival on Wednesday, March 26.  Students will miss school and must be in good standing with all classes in order to be eligible to attend.

These will be great opportunities for students to listen to other area groups and receive feedback from other professional musicians!

Playing Tests

Each week, students will be assessed on each piece of music that they're playing for festival season.  I will be looking for rhythmic and melodic accuracy.  I will test them on a section of music to be determined the day of the test.  The songs to be tested this week are as follows:

Beginning Band: No test this week
Concert Band: Imperium
Intermediate Band: Chester Variations
Advanced Band: Abracadabra
Strings: Storm Chaser

After School Sectionals

This is a heads up to all parents that I am beginning to hold regular sectionals to various members of the bands as needed over the coming weeks. This week, I will be working with the jazz band on Monday afternoon from 2:30-4:00 PM.

Calendar of Events

January 27: Honor Band Pre-Rehearsal, Eagle Valley Middle School, 4:30-6:30 PM
January 28: Jazz Extravaganza, Community Center, 6:30 PM (jazz band only)
February 1: Jazz in the Schools, UNR, 8 AM-2:30 PM (jazz band only)
February 20-21: Honor Band in Fallon, All Day
March 8: Solo and Ensemble, Carson HS, All Day (optional event for those wanting to perform solos)
March 14: Washoe County Orchestra Festival, North Valleys High School, Times TBA
March 17: Jazz Band Concert, Community Center, Times TBA
March 26: Washoe County Band Festival, Damonte Ranch High School, Times TBA
March 27: NZNMEA Band Festival


Practice Logs
Students will continue to turn in practice logs by submitting them online through a Google form.  I will only accept practice sheets submitted between 3:00 PM Monday and 3:30 PM Tuesday. The link can be found on the front page of http://www.cmsbands.org, your student's Edmodo account, or right here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_bEsPWAafghbYSXQlFUD6wtN6wko88YuxcDsTMe8Lxs/viewform

Students are also free to come in at lunch on non-block days to practice, seek additional help, or make up playing tests.   Here's what your students need to practice this week:

Beginning Band: Crater Lake Overture, Essential Elements #100-121 and page 40, #1-4.
Concert Band: Imperium, Crater Lake Overture, Essential Elements, 122-end (working at your own pace).
Intermediate Band: Chester Variations, Bryce Canyon Overture.
Advanced Band: Chorale and Shaker Dance, Improvement March, Abracadabra,
Strings: "Bach" Country Fiddles, Storm Chaser, Lackawanna Locomotive
Jazz Band: Oye Como Va, Blues Machine, Easy Money, Blues in Hoss Flat

Have another great week!

-Mr. Jacques-

Weekly Update

Summary

Students are continuing to progress with their new music.  The honor band pre-rehearsal is next Monday, the Jazz Extravaganza is next Tuesday, and the Jazz in the Schools festival is the following Saturday.  The spring trip payment is due and we have plenty of chaperones.  There is a PTA meeting on Tuesday that will address bingo and chili night details, and you are all invited. (dates and times for these events are found below)  I will also be holding after school sectionals and small group rehearsals on various days throughout the coming weeks.

Jazz Band Details

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, our jazz band will be performing with the Carson High School Jazz Band and the Mile High Jazz Band.  I encourage you all to support jazz in our area.  Since this is a fundraiser, parents will need to pay for tickets.  Participating students will be included in the event at no cost.  You may purchase tickets here:  http://tahoe.activitytickets.com/activity/206  Call time for jazz band members will be 6:30 PM at the community center.  I will send more details home in a handout shortly.

On Saturday, February 1, we will also be performing at UNR with the Jazz in the Schools Festival.  The festival features a performance in Nightingale Concert Hall, a feedback clinic, lunch, and an opportunity to listen to other area jazz bands. This event is free and any jazz band parent is welcome to chaperone on the bus. Call time will be 8:00 AM.  I will send home more details shortly.

Honor Band

Honor band students will be meeting at the Carson High School band room on Monday, January 27, from 4:30-6:30 PM to rehearse with the entire northern zone honor band and their guest conductor.  This performance is mandatory.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Spring Trip

The first payment of $150 is due on Tuesday, 1/21.  Please let me know if there's any questions.  I have received confirmation from 8 chaperones and we are now full.  You are still welcome to travel on your own, but we cannot guarantee a room for you.  I will give confirmed chaperones more information about the trip in the coming weeks.

PTA Meeting

There's a PTA meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 5:30 PM in the CMS Library.  I will make an appearance, and anybody who expressed interest in helping out with seeking donations from the community for Bingo Chili Night are welcome to attend.  There will not be a band meeting this week.

Playing Tests

Each week, students will be assessed on each piece of music that they're playing for festival season.  I will be looking for rhythmic and melodic accuracy.  I will test them on a section of music to be determined the day of the test.  The songs to be tested this week are as follows:

Beginning and Concert Bands: Crater Lake Overture
Intermediate and Advanced Bands: Bryce Canyon Overture
Strings: Bach Country Fiddles

After School Sectionals

This is a heads up to all parents that I am beginning to hold regular sectionals to various members of the bands as needed over the coming weeks.  Last week, I worked with the honor band and the clarinets, and they are benefiting greatly from the extra help. This week, I will be working with the jazz band rhythm section and the advanced band woodwinds.

Calendar of Events

January 27: Honor Band Pre-Rehearsal, Carson HS, 4:30-6:30 PM
January 28: Jazz Extravaganza, Community Center, 7:00 PM (jazz band only)
February 1: Jazz in the Schools, UNR, All Day (jazz band only)
February 20-21: Honor Band in Fallon, All Day
March 8: Solo and Ensemble, Carson HS, All Day (optional event for those wanting to perform solos)
March 17: Jazz Band Concert, Community Center, Times TBA
March 27: NZNMEA Band Festival (revised from a typo that said March 20)


Practice Logs
Last week, 161 out of 185 students in the program turned in their practice logs online!  Students will continue to turn in practice logs by submitting them online through a Google form.  I will only accept practice sheets submitted between 3:00 PM Monday and 3:00 PM Tuesday. The link can be found on the front page of http://www.cmsbands.org, your student's Edmodo account, or right here: https://docs.google.com/a/carson.k12.nv.us/forms/d/1LTn37fNCVgVGIT_JYHXHr5fmbRGJIryN4hbNSx9JGuw/viewform

Students are also free to come in at lunch on non-block days to practice, seek additional help, or make up playing tests.   Here's what your students need to practice this week:

Beginning Band: Crater Lake Overture, Essential Elements #100-121 and page 40, #1-4.
Concert Band: Imperium, Crater Lake Overture, Essential Elements, 122-end (working at your own pace).
Intermediate Band: Chester Variations, Bryce Canyon Overture, In the Bleak Midwinter.
Advanced Band: Chorale and Shaker Dance, Bryce Canyon Overture, Abracadabra,
Strings: "Bach" Country Fiddles, Storm Chaser, Revenge of the Double Bass
Jazz Band: Oye Como Va, Blues Machine, Easy Money, Blues in Hoss Flat

Have a great week!

-Mr. Jacques-

Weekly Update

Dear Parents,

Almost all band festival and Band-O-Rama music is now in the hands of the students. Within the next couple of weeks, I should receive Eagle Valley Middle School's Band-O-Rama selections.  This music will be the main focus between now and April.  I will continually supplement this music with various warm-ups and technical exercises.

Advanced band and various intermediate band parents: I sent home a flyer that covered details about the spring trip.  Please let me know if you're chaperoning by bringing me the one-time chaperone payment of $150, first come, first served. I already have 3 confirmed chaperones as of this afternoon and I can only take a maximum of 8.  The 1st payment of $150 for the spring trip is due next Monday, January 20.

Honor Band Students: We are holding our second and final CMS-only honor band rehearsal on Thursday, January 16, from 2:30-4:00 PM in the band room.  On Monday, January 27, honor band students will meet at Carson High School to rehearse with all other band members that represent the other northern Nevada middle schools.  This rehearsal will include guest conductor Kevin Sady and will be held from 4:30-6:30 PM.

Percussion Students: The rehearsal previously scheduled this Wednesday from 2:30-4:00 has been cancelled.  I am holding an advanced band clarinet sectional instead.

Calendar of Events

January 27: Honor Band Pre-Rehearsal, Carson HS, 4:30-6:30 PM
January 28: Jazz Extravaganza, Community Center, 7:00 PM (jazz band only)
February 1: Jazz in the Schools, UNR, All Day (jazz band only)
February 20-21: Honor Band in Fallon, All Day
March 8: Solo and Ensemble, Carson HS, All Day (optional event for those wanting to perform solos)
March 17: Jazz Band Concert, Community Center, Times TBA
March 27: NZNMEA Band Festival (revised from a typo that said March 20)


New Practice Sheet Format!
Practice sheets have gone digital!  Students will turn in practice sheets by submitting them online through a Google form.  I will only accept practice sheets submitted between 3:00 PM Monday and 3:00 PM Tuesday. The link can be found on the front page of http://www.cmsbands.org, your student's Edmodo account, or right here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_bEsPWAafghbYSXQlFUD6wtN6wko88YuxcDsTMe8Lxs/viewform

By doing this, I hope to save a lot of paper and keep students from losing or forgetting their practice sheets.  Here's what your students need to practice this week:

Beginning Band: Crater Lake Overture, Morpheus, Essential Elements #100-121 and page 40, #1.
Concert Band: Imperium, Crater Lake Overture, Essential Elements Page 40: concert E-Flat major.
Intermediate Band: Chester Variations, Bryce Canyon Overture, In the Bleak Midwinter, Fussell Section 2, concert E-flat and F major.
Advanced Band: Chorale and Shaker Dance, Bryce Canyon Overture, Improvement March.
Strings: "Bach" Country Fiddles, Storm Chaser, Revenge of the Double Bass
Jazz Band: Oye Como Va, Blues Machine, Easy Money

Have a great week and enjoy the upcoming 3 day weekend!

-Mr. Jacques-

Weekly Update and Meeting Reminder

Dear Parents,

It's great to be back in the swing of things.  Can you believe that we are already at the halfway point in the school year?

There will be a meeting this Tuesday at 6:30 PM in the band room. We will discuss Bingo Chili Night information and go over spring trip details. The 1st payment of $150 for the spring trip is due on January 20.

Honor Band Students: We are rehearsing honor band music on Thursday, January 9 and Thursday, January 16, from 2:30-4:00 PM in the band room.

Percussion Students: We are going to have at least two weeks of percussion workshops to review and practice fundamentals on Wednesday, January 8 and Wednesday, January 15, from 2:30-4:00 PM.

Calendar of Events

January 7: Spring Trip Meeting, CMS Band Room, 6:30 PM
January 27: Honor Band Pre-Rehearsal, Carson HS, 4:30 PM
January 28: Jazz Extravaganza, Community Center, 7:00 PM (jazz band only)
February 1: Jazz in the Schools, UNR, All Day (jazz band only)
February 20-21: Honor Band in Fallon, All Day
March 8: Solo and Ensemble, Carson HS, All Day
March 17: Jazz Band Concert, Community Center, Times TBA
March 20: NZNMEA Band Festival (all groups except strings)


New Practice Sheet Format!
Practice sheets have gone digital!  Starting a week from Tuesday, students will turn in practice sheets by submitting them online through a Google form.  The link can be found on the front page of the website or right here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_bEsPWAafghbYSXQlFUD6wtN6wko88YuxcDsTMe8Lxs/viewform

A reminder about this method will come out again next week.  By doing this, I hope to save a lot of paper and keep students from losing or forgetting their practice sheets.  Here's what your students need to practice this week:

Beginning Band: Crater Lake Overture, Morpheus, review First Concert March, Essential Elements #52-58, 86-89.
Concert Band: Union March, Crater Lake Overture, Irish Tune from County Derry, Essential Elements Page 40: concert E-Flat major.
Intermediate Band: Chester Variations, In the Bleak Midwinter, Bryce Canyon Overture, Fussel Section 2; #2, 1, 12.
Advanced Band: Chorale and Shaker Dance, Abracadabra, Bryce Canyon Overture, Improvement March
Strings: "Bach" Country Fiddles, Storm Chasers
Jazz Band: Oye Como Va, Blues Machine

That's it for this week.  See some of you at the meeting Tuesday evening.

-Mr. Jacques-

2013: Year in Review

As we say farewell to 2013 and hello to 2014 with new hopes, dreams, and goals, let's revisit all the major events that impacted the CMS bands and orchestra last year.

January
The inaugural CMS Jazz Band traveled to UNR for their first ever jazz festival.
February
22 band members represented Carson Middle School in the Northern Zone Honor Band.
March
Various chamber groups and soloists from the String Orchestra performed at the Solo and Ensemble festival, earning "Superior" and "Excellent" ratings.
The Bingo Chili Night fundraiser generated over $6,000 that was used to purchase new instruments for the band.
April
All band students earned "Superior" and "Excellent" ratings at the Northern Zone Band Festival.
May
Beginning Band and Concert Band earned "Superior" ratings at the Northern Nevada Music Festival.
String Orchestra performed at their first music festival in the history of the program, earning "Superior" ratings.
On May 11, Advanced Band earned "Superior" ratings and was the top band in all divisions at the Music in the Parks festival in San Jose, California.
August
Total band and orchestra enrollment jumped from a total of 140 to over 180 musicians as the new school year began.
October
The CMS Marching Band performed "Crazy Train" at the Nevada Day Parade.
28 band members participated in the fall football game, playing alongside the Carson High School Marching Band.
November
The CMS Marching Band performed "Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the Reno Veterans Day Parade.
20 band members were selected to represent CMS in the 2014 Northern Zone Honor Band.
December
The CMS Marching Band braved fresh snow and temperatures in the 20s as they performed "Cartoon Christmas Parade" at the Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade.


2014 is full of even more amazing opportunities. Enjoy the remaining days of winter break.  I look forward to another great year!