Weekly Newsletter 9/15

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Week 5!  Here is what your students have learned this past week:

• Students received new chair placements based on their playing test scores.
• Beginning band students can now play 5 pitches, whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes.
• Beginning strings students learned how to use their bows.
• Concert band students learned about blend and balance, and can play more complex technique exercises.
• Intermediate band students re-learned their chromatic scale and are almost ready for a playing test on Battle Born
• Advanced band almost has Battle Born memorized in its entirety.
• Advanced strings has had their first playing test and is receiving new music this week.

New Fundraiser - Dolan Automotive's 2014 Class Project

Our next fundraiser requires community support in the form of donations in order to reach its full potential.  Dolan Automotive Group is matching donations, dollar-for-dollar, in a crowdfunding campaign.  Go to http://classproject2014.dolanautogroup.com/campaigns/carson-middle-school-instrumental-music-help-improve-our-band-room and see for yourself!  I created a video that explains what we need, and anyone's donation will be matched as long as we reach our fundraising goal of $2500 by the end of October.  This fundraiser is a HUGE opportunity for us, and word of mouth will be essential to ensure its success.

Practice Logs

Practice logs are due each Friday.  Students may click the link on the top of the website, or go here.

Beginning next week, students who do not complete a practice log will do a playing test in class each week they don't turn one in.  The material will be chosen from what they have been asked to practice the previous week.  Depending on the results of the playing test, students may earn up to 50% of their grade, rather than receiving a "0".  All this information will be provided to students on a handout this week.

Marching Rehearsals

Marching rehearsals will continue on Tuesdays for all intermediate and advanced band members from 2:45-4:30 PM.  They are doing very well and I appreciate their attendance.  Remind them to keep cool and hydrated because we will be spending more time outside in the coming weeks once we finish learning the music.

Upcoming Event: Marching Preview & BBQ - September 27

This event is for all intermediate and advanced band members to show off what they have learned to parents and to give our wonderful volunteers a chance to do final uniform fitting. Here is the schedule for the day:

• 9:30 am - Call in the band room. 
• 9:30 - 11:30 am - Music and marching rehearsal (parents are welcome to stick around and see what they do best!)
• 11:30 am - Students will perform for parents and family, followed by a bbq presented by the boosters.

All parents, even if your student does not participate in these groups, are welcome to attend.  This is a great chance to reward the kids for all the extra time they put into marching band.

Upcoming Event: Oktoberfest

On October 11 the Boosters will be hosting an Oktoberfest for the enjoyment of those 21 and older. Tickets will be $20 and will include food, beer/wine tasting, and a souvenir mug. More details to follow.

Jazz Band

Jazz band is off to an excellent start.  We have learned our first piece and students are learning how to play improvised solos.  They will be receiving their second piece this week and we're planning to perform for a school assembly in the near future.

Boosters

The first booster meeting took place last week and we discussed some great ideas. The minutes from the meeting are available on the website at: http://www.cmsbands.org/#!boosterminutes/cn9s . Our next meeting will be Monday, September 22 @ 6:00 pm in the band room.

That's all, folks! (for this week)

-Mr. Jacques-