Happy Monday!
This week's newsletter includes many links to important events, as well as something fun for you all to view at home. Here's what your students have accomplished this last week:
Concert Band has chosen all their music for the fall concert. Their next job is to continue refining their tone and making everything even more musical.
Intermediate Band has received three of their four winter concert pieces, "Snow Day," "Winter Frolic," and "We Need A Little Christmas." Students also learned and performed their A Flat major scale as a playing test. We continue to work on Battle Born from time to time.
Advanced Band has received two of their four winter concert pieces, "Three Minute Nutcracker" and "We Need A Little Christmas." Students also learned and performed their A Flat major scale as a playing test. They will receive the rest of their winter concert music this week.
Advanced Strings has a major celebration of achieving 100% on their practice logs as a class. With all music chosen and well-rehearsed, they're now working on making everything even more musical.
Beginning Band has also chosen all their music for the fall concert. Last Tuesday, Dr. Snider and Dr. Davis from UNR came and did a master class, focusing on tone quality and improving pitch accuracy with the brass instruments. There are some days when these guys don't sound like a beginning band anymore (in a good way).
Beginning Strings has learned their D major scale, with all students receiving a passing score on Friday's playing test! They will show that off, in addition to several other pieces, at next week's fall concert.
Upcoming Event: Oktoberfest, "Oktober" 11 (aka Parents' Afternoon Out!)
This week's newsletter includes many links to important events, as well as something fun for you all to view at home. Here's what your students have accomplished this last week:
Concert Band has chosen all their music for the fall concert. Their next job is to continue refining their tone and making everything even more musical.
Intermediate Band has received three of their four winter concert pieces, "Snow Day," "Winter Frolic," and "We Need A Little Christmas." Students also learned and performed their A Flat major scale as a playing test. We continue to work on Battle Born from time to time.
Advanced Band has received two of their four winter concert pieces, "Three Minute Nutcracker" and "We Need A Little Christmas." Students also learned and performed their A Flat major scale as a playing test. They will receive the rest of their winter concert music this week.
Advanced Strings has a major celebration of achieving 100% on their practice logs as a class. With all music chosen and well-rehearsed, they're now working on making everything even more musical.
Beginning Band has also chosen all their music for the fall concert. Last Tuesday, Dr. Snider and Dr. Davis from UNR came and did a master class, focusing on tone quality and improving pitch accuracy with the brass instruments. There are some days when these guys don't sound like a beginning band anymore (in a good way).
Beginning Strings has learned their D major scale, with all students receiving a passing score on Friday's playing test! They will show that off, in addition to several other pieces, at next week's fall concert.
Upcoming Event: Fall Concert and Spaghetti Feed, October 15
On October 15, we will have a spaghetti feed fundraiser, as well as a concert to showcase our orchestra program, beginning band and concert band. The spaghetti feed will begin at 6:00 PM, with the concert beginning at 6:30 PM. The cost to eat is $5 per plate, or $15 for a family of $4, but you may still come and watch your students for free. View the flyer here.Your student should have brought home a flyer with more information regarding call time, uniforms, and donations. View that flyer here.
New Fundraiser - Dolan Automotive's 2014 Class Project - Update
Thank you to the amazing contributions we have received so far. I cannot thank you enough! We are 52% to our goal of $2500. Keep spreading the word!!
http://classproject2014.dolanautogroup.com/campaigns/carson-middle-school-instrumental-music-help-improve-our-band-room
Facebook Page
We have a Facebook page called "Friends of CMS Bands and Orchestra". All big events that are open to the public, like Oktoberfest and Spaghetti Feed, will have event pages that can be shared with your friends. Please join and share!
Band/Strings/Parent Polos
The music polos have been SSA approved! This means that concert band, beginning band, and beginning strings may wear their polos as part of their school uniform. I am also offering the polo to other classes and parents that may wish to buy one. These flyers are available in class or on the website here. Please have your student return the flyer and payment to me by October 10 if you'd wish to purchase a polo.
Practice Logs
We have a Facebook page called "Friends of CMS Bands and Orchestra". All big events that are open to the public, like Oktoberfest and Spaghetti Feed, will have event pages that can be shared with your friends. Please join and share!
Band/Strings/Parent Polos
The music polos have been SSA approved! This means that concert band, beginning band, and beginning strings may wear their polos as part of their school uniform. I am also offering the polo to other classes and parents that may wish to buy one. These flyers are available in class or on the website here. Please have your student return the flyer and payment to me by October 10 if you'd wish to purchase a polo.
Practice Logs
Practice logs are due each Friday. Students may click the link on the top of the website, or go here.
I am very impressed with four of the classes, who improved drastically over previous weeks. Students may be applying practice time towards music for the fall concert, parade music, honor band music, or winter concert music. Music from the method book may also be included.
72% Concert Band
80% Intermediate Band
90% Advanced Band
100% Advanced Strings
63% Beginning Band
42% Beginning Strings
Congratulations to Advanced Strings for being the first class with 100%! If they have 100% turn-in next week, they will be excused from practice logs for the rest of the semester.
Marching Rehearsals
Marching Rehearsals
Marching rehearsals will continue on Tuesdays for all intermediate and advanced band members from 2:45-4:30 PM. We will be working on improving endurance and marching technique.
Marching Band: Part of Something Amazing
On a personal note: Last weekend was homecoming. Going back to play in the alumni band always brings back wonderful memories from when I marched in college. From 2004-2011, I was a member of the band, with the last 2 years being spent as a graduate assistant who helped teach and run it. Like any activity in life, it takes a lot of effort and many hours to pull off. Back when I was in bands, I remember being so hot that I thought I was going to die, but I ran back to my spot anyway. I remember being so exhausted for afternoon rehearsals, but I enjoyed every minute of it (partially because it got my mind off the inevitable hours of studying that consumed that night). I remember being so sick of playing the same three songs each and every day, but I played them anyway. I remember them like they were yesterday. Band is working hard with the same people, fighting through the bad days, and celebrating the good ones together.
When I spoke to another young middle school teacher at homecoming, she and I relived those days in band that we shared as students. Then, we marveled at how incredible it is that your 11, 12, and 13 year old children are doing the same things. As they continue working towards their goals of marching in front of thousands of cheering spectators at our parades, I'd like to share a link from homecoming, where I had the chance to play once again with the Wolf Pack Marching Band, in front of 32,000 fans.
Have a great week!
Mr. Jacques
Marching Band: Part of Something Amazing
On a personal note: Last weekend was homecoming. Going back to play in the alumni band always brings back wonderful memories from when I marched in college. From 2004-2011, I was a member of the band, with the last 2 years being spent as a graduate assistant who helped teach and run it. Like any activity in life, it takes a lot of effort and many hours to pull off. Back when I was in bands, I remember being so hot that I thought I was going to die, but I ran back to my spot anyway. I remember being so exhausted for afternoon rehearsals, but I enjoyed every minute of it (partially because it got my mind off the inevitable hours of studying that consumed that night). I remember being so sick of playing the same three songs each and every day, but I played them anyway. I remember them like they were yesterday. Band is working hard with the same people, fighting through the bad days, and celebrating the good ones together.
When I spoke to another young middle school teacher at homecoming, she and I relived those days in band that we shared as students. Then, we marveled at how incredible it is that your 11, 12, and 13 year old children are doing the same things. As they continue working towards their goals of marching in front of thousands of cheering spectators at our parades, I'd like to share a link from homecoming, where I had the chance to play once again with the Wolf Pack Marching Band, in front of 32,000 fans.
Have a great week!
Mr. Jacques
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