Weekly Update (With Videos)

Summary
What a busy and fun-filled month!  We made it through Band-O-Rama, one strings festival, two band festivals, one jazz band concert, and Chili Bingo Night with great success in all events.

• Videos from each group's performance is uploaded on YouTube.
• Preliminary Chili Bingo profits show that we raised almost $5000 dollars!
• Reno Bighorns Game, scheduled for April 5, is cancelled.
• Spring Trip final payment is due.
• Calendar of Events has been updated.

Festival Recordings
The best recordings from each group's festival are uploaded for your viewing pleasure:

Strings - from Washoe County Orchestra Festival, Mar. 13
Lackawanna Locomotive
Bach County Fiddles
Storm Chaser
Beginning Band - from NZNMEA Band Festival, Mar. 20
Morpheus
Concert Band - from NZNMEA Band Festival, Mar. 20
Imperium
Irish Tune from County Derry
Union March
Intermediate Band - from Washoe County Band Festival, Mar. 27
Bryce Canyon Overture
In the Bleak Midwinter
Chester Variations
Advanced Band - from Washoe County Band Festival, Mar. 27
Abracadabra
Jazz Band - from Jazz in the Schools Festival on Feb. 1
Oye Como Va

Chili Bingo Wrap-Up
Thank you to all parents and students who helped with all aspects of this event.  We raised a preliminary total of $4,940 dollars, $2,800 of that coming exclusively from students selling raffle tickets.  I'll update you with the official total once we receive the check from our wonderful PTA.  We have raised approximately 25% of the funds that we need to purchase new storage cabinets.

Reno Bighorns Game - Cancelled
Thank you, intermediate and advanced band parents, for your feedback about the game.  7 parents said their students couldn't go, 4 parents said their students could go, and the rest did not respond.  Based on this feedback, we will cancel this event and try again next year.  Those who bought tickets already will receive a full refund.

Advanced Band Spring Trip Final Payment
No fooling here! The final payment of $150 is due on April 1.  Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

After School Rehearsals
The next groups and times for after school rehearsals are as follows:
All State Band - April 3, 2:30-4:00 PM

Calendar of Events

April 11: Reno Jazz Festival, UNR, 8 AM-5 PM (Jazz Band)
April 12-20: SPRING BREAK
April 23-26: All State, UNR.
May 3: Jazz Workshop, CMS, 8 AM-1 PM
May 8-11: Spring Advanced Band Trip
May 14: Strings Concert, EVMS Gym, 7:00 PM
May 20: Beginning and Concert Band Concert, Location TBA, 5:30 PM
May 21: Intermediate, Advanced, and Jazz Band Concert, Location TBA, 5:30 PM

Practice Logs
Students will continue to turn in practice logs by submitting them online. 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   Although Intermediate and Advanced Band members will no longer be turning in practice logs, they still must practice.

Students will have the option of submitting practice logs on their devices during the last few minutes of class on Tuesdays.  

-Mr. Jacques-

Festival Results and Chili Bingo

Dear Parents,

What a great day today was!  Intermediate and Advanced Band just returned from the Washoe County Band Festival and received top honors.

Intermediate Band was awarded unanimous "superior" ratings!

Advanced Band was awarded two "superior" ratings and one "excellent" rating!

On a side note, Carson High School's band also earned unanimous "superior" ratings!

What better way to celebrate these results than to have a fun filled event on Friday evening, all in the name of helping support the bands.  That's right, Bingo Chili Night is right around the corner.  Students will be expected to turn in all remaining tickets and money by their class period on Friday.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of multiple devoted parents, we have a terrific prize list that includes Mt. Rose lift tickets, golf packages, a multitude of gift certificates, and even a grandfather clock! 

Come on Friday from 6-8 PM and eat delicious chili, bid on the silent auction, and see if you won a raffle prize.  The Royal Blue Jazz Band will be providing the musical entertainment for the evening. 

If you're interested in helping out, we need support with the following things during the event:

- Ticket Sorting from 2:30 PM

- General Set up from 4-6 PM

- Concessions from 5:30-8 PM

- Ticket Sales from 6-8 PM

- Check-in Table from 5:30-8 PM

- Silent Auction from 6-8:30 PM

- Calling raffle prizes at various times during event

- Clean Up from 8 PM until whenever we're done.

 

I hope to see you all there on Friday, March 28.  It should be an amazing event, and a very successful fundraiser that gets the band one step closer to our goal of having secure instrument storage cabinets.  Another update will be published following Bingo Chili Night.  More later!

Band Festival Results and More

Dear proud parents, 

I am so excited to share the festival results with you.  Your students are incredible musicians and they all rose to the occasion and showed me their very best at the NZNMEA festival last Thursday, March 20.  Here's what our bands earned:

Beginning Band - II, II+; Two "excellent" ratings

Concert Band - II, II; Two "excellent" ratings

Intermediate Band - I, I; Two "superior" ratings

Advanced Band - I, I; Two "superior" ratings

At the Orchestra Festival on March 13:
String Orchestra - I, I, II; Two "superior" ratings, one "excellent" rating

Here's how the festival rating system works:

I - Superior, the very best performance.  The band executed all aspects of music making at all times.
II - Excellent, a great performance.  The band had some minor musical imperfections but was overall very good.
III - Good, an average performance.  The band had several mistakes, but songs are still recognizable.
IV - Fair, a below average performance.  Quite a few errors in notes and rhythms.  Songs sound bad and are hard to recognize.
V - Poor, the worst possible performance.  Many note and rhythm errors.  Cruel and unusual punishment to anybody's ears.

As you can see, your students were incredible.  Additionally, the 10 student volunteers along with our parents helped run a festival that went incredibly smooth. Other band directors complimented your students on their behavior and their leadership skills.  It couldn't have gone any better on Thursday.  I am so proud of each and every one of your kids. Thank you so much for your support!

Washoe County Band Festival - March 27

This festival is still scheduled to take place as planned, and details are available HERE.  Copies of this flyer have been sent home with advanced and intermediate band students two weeks ago.  I still have room for up to 5 chaperones who would enjoy seeing the concert.  

Fundraisers

Students will continue selling bingo and chili raffle tickets for the event on March 28.  Tickets will be a dollar each and all they need to include is the name, phone number, and raffle item wanted on the back of each ticket.  Each student is required to sell at least 10 tickets, but they may sell as many as they want. Last year, our top sellers each sold over 600 tickets.  There will be prizes for the top sellers.  I am extending ticket sales by one day, so students must return all tickets by Friday.  If each student in my entire program sells at least 10 tickets, the PTA will host a barbecue lunch for all students.

Additional details about the Reno Bighorns game will be provided after the Washoe County Band Festival.

After School Rehearsals

The next groups and times for after school rehearsals are as follows:

Intermediate Band: Monday, March 24 from 2:30-4:00.

Advanced Band: Wednesday, March 26 from 2:30-4:00.

Combined Intermediate and Advanced Band: Wednesday, April 2 from 2:30-3:30.

Calendar of Events

March 27: Washoe County Band Festival, Damonte Ranch High School, 12:00-5:15 PM (Intermediate and Advanced Band)

March 28: Bingo Chili Night, CMS Cafeteria, 6-8 PM (mandatory for Advanced and Jazz Band members, plus any other volunteers)

April 5: Reno Bighorns Game, Reno Events Center, 7:00 PM

April 11: Tentative Reno Jazz Festival Trip and Clinic, UNR, All Day
April 23-26: All State (for the 11 students selected), UNR, All Day
May 3: Tentative Jazz Workshop OR Jazz Festival (jazz band)
May 8-11: Advanced Band Spring Trip

Practice Logs

As a reward for earning unanimous superior ratings, intermediate and advanced band students will be turning in their last practice sheet of the school year this Tuesday.  All other classes will continue submitting them weekly. 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 will have the option of submitting practice logs on their devices during the last few minutes of class on Tuesdays.  

-Mr. Jacques-

Festivals, festivals, and more festivals

Summary

• Orchestra students received top honors at the Washoe County Orchestra Festival  
• The jazz band plays at the honor jazz concert Monday night at 7 PM in the Community Center.
• The NZNMEA Band Festival is this Thursday at the Community Center.
• The Washoe County Band Festival is next Thursday, March 27, at Damonte Ranch High School.
• Bingo Chili Night planning is coming along smoothly, and is still a go on March 28 from 6-8 PM.

Orchestra Festival Results

A HUGE congratulations to our CMS String Orchestra, who earned two "superior" ratings and one "excellent" rating at the Washoe County Orchestra Festival.  As a reminder for how festival ratings work, "superior" ratings are the highest honors given out by judges, whose job is to listen to and critique the ensemble.  I will set up a link to their performance once I upload their songs to YouTube.

Honor Jazz Band Concert - March 17

The CMS Jazz Band will be performing in the Community Center on Monday night at 7 PM.  Call time for students is 6:15 PM in full concert dress.  We will be performing with 4 other area jazz bands, as well as the high school honor jazz band.  Come support our fine musicians as we represent our school.

NZNMEA Band Festival - Thursday, March 20

This festival is fast approaching!  All details are available HERE.  I will be sending out an email with specific parents who have volunteered at specific spots, plus a list of students who will be with us for the entire day.  As a reminder, Beginning and Concert band members need to meet at the Community Center by 7:30 AM with instrument, music, and full concert dress. Copies of the schedule and details for each band have been sent home. You can also view a schedule of all participating schools HERE.

Washoe County Band Festival - March 27

This festival is still scheduled to take place as planned, and details are available HERE.  Copies of this have been sent home with advanced and intermediate band students. I still have room for up to 5 chaperones who would enjoy traveling with us on the bus.

Fundraisers

The Reno Bighorns reached out to us and is wanting to donate money to the band program by holding a fundraiser at their game on Saturday, April 5.  For every $8 ticket we sell, the band will receive $4.  I have handed out flyers to all students and I will update this with further details as I receive them.  

Students have begun selling tickets for the annual bingo/chili night scheduled for March 28.  Tickets will be a dollar each and all they need to include is the name, phone number, and raffle item wanted on the back of each ticket.  Each student is required to sell at least 10 tickets, but they may sell as many as they want. Last year, our top sellers each sold over 600 tickets.  There will be prizes for the top sellers.

After School Rehearsals

The next groups and times for after school rehearsals are as follows:

Intermediate Band: Wednesday, March 19 from 2:30-3:00.

Advanced Band: Wednesday, March 19 from 3:00-4:30.

Intermediate Band: Monday, March 24 from 2:30-4:00.

Advanced Band: Wednesday, March 26 from 2:30-4:00.

Calendar of Events

March 17: Jazz Band Concert, Community Center, 6:15 PM Call Time

March 20: NZNMEA Band Festival, All Bands, see flyer for specific times

March 27: Washoe County Band Festival, Damonte Ranch High School, 12:00-5:15 PM (Intermediate and Advanced Band)

March 28: Bingo Chili Night, CMS Cafeteria, 6-8 PM (Advanced Band plus any other volunteers)

April 5: Reno Bighorns Game, Reno Events Center, 7:00 PM

Practice Logs

Students will continue to turn in practice logs by submitting them online through a Google form. 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   All band and orchestra members MUST turn in a practice log during each of the following three weeks in order to remain eligible to perform at their respective music festival.  Please practice specific sections of all festival pieces as we discuss each day in class. 

Students will have the option of submitting practice logs on their devices during the last few minutes of class on Tuesdays.  

-Mr. Jacques-

It's Festival Season!

Summary
Today marks the beginning of a very busy month of music festivals.  Strings performs at North Valleys High School on March 13.  All bands perform in the Community Center on March 20.  Intermediate and Advanced Bands perform at Damonte Ranch High School on March 27.  The month culminates with a fun and lucrative fundraiser on March 28.  Eleven students were nominated and selected to represent our band program in the All State Band in April.

Washoe County Orchestra Festival - March 13
We are the only middle school orchestra outside of Washoe County to be performing at this festival!  I have the official date and times for the Washoe County Orchestra Festival, and details can be found HERE.  Copies of this will also be sent home with students on Tuesday.  I will have room for up to 5 chaperones who would enjoy traveling with us on the bus.

NZNMEA Band Festival - March 20
We are excited to be hosting this festival again this year along with Eagle Valley Middle School.  This festival will take place all day at the community center, and I am looking for my top student leaders and parents to help me host a fantastic event.  I did my best to schedule this event so that students miss as little school as possible.  All details are available HERE.  Copies of this will also be sent home with students on Tuesday.  You can also view a schedule of all participating schools HERE.

Washoe County Band Festival - March 27
We are the only middle school band program outside of Washoe County to be performing at this festival!  I now have official times for the Washoe County Band Festival, and details can be found HERE.  Copies of this will also be sent home with advanced and intermediate band students on Tuesday. I will have room for up to 7 chaperones who would enjoy traveling with us on the bus.

Bingo and Chili Update
Thanks to the amazing dedication from our parents in preparing for Bingo and Chili Night on March 28, we are receiving some rather generous donations from the community.  The more items we receive, the more we will earn in the biggest fundraiser of the year.  Students will begin selling raffle tickets on March 10, with a list of items that will be finalized by Friday.  If you or somebody you know has items or services they can donate to our raffle, please contact me.  

After School Sectionals
The next groups and times for after school rehearsals are as follows:
Intermediate Band Rehearsal: Wednesday, March 5 from 2:30-4:00.
Jazz Band with clinician Lee Warner: Thursday, March 6 from 2:30-4:00.
Solo and Ensemble Practice Session: Thursday, March 6 from 2:30-3:30.
Advanced Band Rehearsal: Wednesday, March 12 from 2:30-4:00.

Calendar of Events - Please note the changes in red

March 8: Solo and Ensemble, Douglas HS (no longer Carson High), All Day for those already signed up
March 13: (no longer March 14) Washoe County Orchestra Festival, North Valleys High School, 12:00-4:30 PM (Strings)
March 17: Jazz Band Concert, Community Center, Evening TBA
March 20: NZNMEA Band Festival, All Bands, see flyer for specific times
March 26: (no longer March 27) Washoe County Band Festival, Damonte Ranch High School, 12:00-5:15 PM (Intermediate and Advanced Band)
March 28: Bingo Chili Night, CMS Cafeteria, 6-8 PM (Advanced Band plus any other volunteers)

Practice Logs
Students will continue to turn in practice logs by submitting them online through a Google form. 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   All band and orchestra members MUST turn in a practice log during each of the following three weeks in order to remain eligible to perform at their respective music festival.  Please practice specific sections of all festival pieces as we discuss each day in class. 

Students will have the option of submitting practice logs on their devices during the last few minutes of class on Tuesdays.  

-Mr. Jacques-