Practicing, Jazz, and Chili

Dear Parents,

Things happen fast here!  First of all, I have important information on a change in practice logs, details of upcoming events, and a date as well as possible details for Chili Bingo Night.

Practice Logs 

After some student feedback, we are trying something new for practice logs. All band students will now have practice logs due on Tuesday night.  Strings students will still have theirs due on Friday.  Remind your band students to get them in by Tuesday night.  I'm looking for an improvement in percentages.  If there is a positive change in how well they do on Tuesdays, this will become a permanent change for the remainder of the semester.

Upcoming Events

January 24: Jazz Workshop, 9 AM-1 PM, CMS.  This event is sponsored by the Mile High Jazz Band and features clinics from three guests jazz educators in our area: David Bugli, Larry Engstrom, and Lee Warner.  This event is mandatory for jazz band.  Anyone else interested in jazz should also attend.  The event is completely free

January 27: Jazz Extravaganza, 7:00-9:00 PM, Community Center.  This event features the Mile High Jazz Band, Carson High School Jazz Band, and the CMS Jazz Band, all under one roof.  This event is mandatory for jazz band.  Call time is 6:15 PM for jazz band members.  The concert begins at 7:00 PM.  We need help running a raffle table, which we are holding in conjunction with the Carson City Band Boosters. Anyone is welcome to watch!

February 5-6: Honor Band, All Day in Fallon.  All honor band students will need to be at CMS by 7:00 AM both mornings for the bus.  We will rehearse in Fallon all day that Thursday, arriving back home by 5 PM.  On Friday, students will stay in Fallon all day, with the concert at 7 PM.

February 7: Jazz in the Schools Festival, 10 AM-4 PM, UNR.  Jazz Band students will be performing at UNR with other Northern Nevada middle and high school jazz bands.  Following their performance, they will have a feedback clinic/workshop.  This event is mandatory for jazz band.

February 26: Band-O-Rama, Details TBD.

Chili Bingo Night

After meeting with PTA, we have tentatively set the date for March 27.  There is a possibility that the band may be running this event exclusively.  If that happens, we will need to have all hands on deck!  I'll have more information as soon as possible.

Spring Trip

As we await confirmation from Disneyland, I am still collecting payments of $450 if you'd like to pay in full, or three easy payments of $150.  I will set up a payment schedule once we receive confirmation from Disneyland and have a firm date and itinerary.

What Should Your Student Practice?

Concert Band: Dramatico, Imperium, Band-O-Rama (receiving this week), Sound Innovations #133-144
Intermediate Band: Lip Benders 3-4, Rhythm Chunks, Festivo, Whale Warriors (receiving this week)
Advanced Band: Festivo, Whale Warriors, Band-O-Rama
Advanced Strings: Janie Be Good, Fantasia 2000, Concerto Grosso
Beginning Band: Dramatico, Imperium, Band-O-Rama, Sound Innovations #89-99
Beginning Strings: Abigail's Tune, Classic Bits and Pieces
Jazz Band: Manteca, All Blues, Go Tell It On The Mountain

As we progress on these pieces, I will start to include specific measures and sections of each song in each ensemble as focal points.  In addition to telling them in class, I will post those here.