All State and Spring Events

Dear Parents,

I wanted to start this newsletter on a personal note.  During the last three days, 11 of our band students joined 8 band members from EVMS for the first ever Middle School All State Band.  All of our students were well prepared, placed high on their chair placement tests, and most importantly, learned the value of dedication, teamwork, and camaraderie.  It just goes to show how truly amazing our band students are, and how lucky I am to work with them.  At our music educator awards banquet on Friday, I was honored to receive an award: Nevada's New Music Educator of the Year. I couldn't have achieved this without the help of you, the parents.  Thank you for having them in band and orchestra, where they gain so much more than just learning how to play instruments.  Your students are destined for greatness.

11 band members who represented Carson Middle School

from left to right: Oksana, Syrena, Regan, Nick, Tanner, Adelynn, Molly, Val, Maddy, Andi, Buddy

More pictures from this event can be found here: 2014 NMEA All State Band

Our next event: Jazz Workshop
The 3rd annual jazz workshop will be held on Saturday, May 3, at Carson Middle School, from 9:30 AM-1:30 PM.  This event, although mandatory only to jazz band members, is open to anybody interested in learning about jazz.  Thanks to David Bugli and the Nevada Arts Council, this event is provided to our students free of charge.

Spring Trip: Code of Conduct
After a very successful meeting last Wednesday, I have finalized and sent home the code of conduct forms. Please look over these, sign them, and bring them back with your student next week. A detailed trip summary will follow shortly.

Spring Trip: T-shirt contest
After receiving over 10 t-shirt design ideas, I have combined my favorite ideas from three individuals for the winning design.  The winners and the design will be revealed the day before we depart for our trip.  I look forward to dazzling you with an incredible shirt this year, thanks to some wonderful ideas from your students.

Calendar of Upcoming Events (complete with spring concert dates!)

April 30 - Spring Trip Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
May 3 - Jazz Workshop (open to everybody), 9:30 AM-1:30 PM
May 7 - Spring Trip Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
May 8-11 - Spring Trip
May 14 - Spring Concert for Beginning and Concert Band, 5:30 PM in the CMS cafeteria
May 14 - Spring Concert for Orchestra (with EVMS and CHS), 7:00 PM in the EVMS gym
May 20 - Spring Concert for Intermediate and Advanced Band, Evening TBA at the Governor's Mansion

Practice Logs
Just a reminder, all classes except for jazz band and intermediate band must complete practice logs by submitting a form on Google Drive by Tuesday, April 29, at 3:00 PM.  The link can be found on the website, or right here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_bEsPWAafghbYSXQlFUD6wtN6wko88YuxcDsTMe8Lxs/viewform

Playing tests will happen over the next couple of weeks to ensure that students are practicing.

I look forward to the "final push" to the end of the year concerts.

-Mr. Jacques-

Weekly Update

Summary

With spring break right around the corner, this week gives me a chance to give your students new music for the spring concert and take a relaxed pace with showing them how to practice during break.  All band classes will get a playing test on a new major scale this week, and the jazz band will be participating in a special performance this Friday in Reno.

Reno Jazz Festival Field Trip and Clinic (Jazz Band only)

On Friday, April 11, the jazz band will be traveling to UNR for the day. They will play at a clinic hosted by a renown jazz educator, and listen to some of the nation's best middle school jazz bands at the Reno Jazz Festival.  Students must get approval from their teachers before going. They will receive a handout on Monday.

Itinerary

7:00 AM: Load bus and depart CMS.

8:00-9:00: Clinic performance at Grand Sierra Resort with Mr. Chuck Wackerman.

9:00-10:00: Free time at the Fun Quest Arcade.

10:00-11:00: Band listens to McAuliffe Middle School Jazz Band rehearsal, Mr. Chuck Wackerman's own group.

11:00: Depart Grand Sierra Resort, lunch at Downunder Cafe on the UNR campus.

1:00-5:00: Listen to other middle and high school jazz bands.

6:00 PM: Approximate return to CMS.

Cost: $20 per student ($10 for lunch and $10 for a jazz festival wristband). It is recommended that students have some spending money for the Fun Quest Arcade and Jazz Festival souvenirs.  

Festival Recordings
I decided to re-post these for anybody who is interested in sharing these with relatives and friends.

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

Advanced Band Spring Trip Final Payment
I am sending letters home on Tuesday with any student who has not completed their payment.  Included will be the outstanding balance.  If you receive one of these, please complete the payment before spring break so we can pay our final bills and solidify the trip.

After School Rehearsals
The next groups and times for after school rehearsals are as follows:
All State Band - April 7, 2:30-4:00 PM

Calendar of Events

April 11: Reno Jazz Festival, UNR, 7 AM-6 PM (Jazz Band)
April 12-20: SPRING BREAK
April 24-26: All State, UNR.
May 3: Jazz Workshop, CMS, 9 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 from all classes except intermediate band 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 

Each class should put extra emphasis on the following: 
Concert Band: Concert F Major Scale, I'm A Believer
Beginning Band: Concert E Flat Major Scale, 1812 Overture
Intermediate Band: Concert C and A Flat Major Scales, Around the World in 80 Measures
Advanced Band: Concert G Major Scale, Pixar Movie Magic
Strings: Fantasia 2000, Home Means Nevada

-Mr. Jacques-