Marching Forward

Dear Parents,

Two weeks are officially in the books!  Here are the highlights from last week:

• Beginning Band learned their first note and they can all play with a good tone.
• Beginning Strings learned their open strings and parts of their instrument.
• Concert Band is sounding great, playing through an exercise I wrote while we wait for more method books to arrive.  They will receive sheet music this week.
• Intermediate Band has learned how to march and will be learning their parade piece this week.
• Advanced Band has learned their parade piece and will begin marching with it this week.
• Advanced Strings received their first sheet music last week and will learn another piece this week.

Car Wash Wrap-Up

Our profit from this year's car wash was an outstanding $1,300! Some of this money has gone to new instruments for our students who cannot afford them on their own.  Thanks to a successful car wash, combined with some outstanding offers from pawn shops, we are very close to being able to supply all students in need with school-owned instruments.  We have now added 3 flutes, 1 alto sax, 2 trumpets, and 2 trombones to our school inventory. 

After School Rehearsals

Students in Intermediate and Advanced Bands will have after school rehearsals every Tuesday from 2:30-4:30 PM.  This is where students will learn how to march and play as a group in preparation for the fall parades.  Please do your best to not schedule doctor's appointments or other conflicts during this time.  If for any reason your student cannot make it to a rehearsal, just send me a note and they will be excused.

Concert Band - After School Rehearsals

Any Concert Band members who would like to learn to march are welcome to attend the same Tuesday rehearsal from 2:30-4:30 PM.  Once I see what they can do, I'll invite some of them to have the honor of either playing in the parades or holding the banner in front of the band. 

Practicing

Practicing is a very important part of your student's success in band/strings.  If students do not practice at home, they will not remember what they learned in class and they will not progress.  At a very minimum, students should be practicing a minimum of 15-30 minutes per day.  Beginning after Labor Day, I will begin having students keep online practice records.  With laptops available to all students, this requirement will be a convenient and paper-free way to track their progress.  More on this next week.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: we are off to a GREAT start!  Thank you all.

-Mr. Jacques-

Records

Dear Parents,

It has been a great first week!  This year, we have an incredible school record to celebrate.  At 200 students, we officially have more students enrolled in band and strings than ever before.  Thank you for helping them be part of this great activity that we all do together.  Here are some other highlights from week 1:

• Students in Advanced Band and Advanced Strings began playing on Tuesday.
• Students in Intermediate Band began playing on Wednesday.
• Students in Concert Band began playing on Thursday.
• Students in Beginning Band and Beginning Strings have chosen their instruments and will begin playing next week.
• We have set a date for our car wash fundraiser: August 29.  See below for more information.

Announcements

• Forms were due Friday. Please get these in ASAP so I can finish dealing with paperwork. :-)
• Fees are due as soon as you're able.  I appreciate those who have paid or communicated with me about when you can.  I'll be sending out bills/receipts later this week.
• All students need method books and instruments beginning Monday.
• Beginning Band and Concert Band: The rest of the school instruments will be given out on Monday.
• Beginning Strings: Students will be receiving instruments throughout the week from Sue Jesch if they chose to rent through the Carson City Symphony.  Everyone needs instruments by Friday.

CMS Car Wash

The 3rd annual CMS Bands Car Wash fundraiser is on Saturday, August 29, from 9 AM-1 PM at Grocery Outlet.  This car wash will help us purchase instruments and take care of other expenses throughout the fall.  All students in Advanced Strings, Advanced Band, and Intermediate Band were given at least 3 tickets to sell.  I also offered Concert Band a chance to take tickets if they wanted to help out.  There will be prizes for the top sellers, and students will have a chance to help wash cars on Saturday.  I'll have sign-ups for students on Monday.  This event is always a lot of fun for the students and parents.

Jazz Band

Jazz Band begins Monday at 7 AM!  Anyone is able to attend and try it out. They will be able to make great music that the whole school enjoys each morning.  As we get into the spring semester,  this becomes a competitive group that performs at festivals and competitions.  Students who participate in Jazz Band become better musicians because of the extra time they are able to put towards playing their instruments.

After School Rehearsals

Students in Intermediate Band and Advanced Band will begin rehearsing on Tuesdays from 2:30-4:30 PM beginning September 1.  These rehearsals are extremely important because students have a chance to march and play as a combined group.  After we memorize our music and become proficient at marching, we will begin marching through the neighborhoods around the school. Parents are welcome to come and watch.

Let's have a great week 2!

-Mr. Jacques-

In the Beginning...

Dear Parents,

I'm very excited to welcome you all back to another great year of band and strings at CMS!  This year, the possibilities are endless and I cannot wait to begin working with all your wonderful musicians.

I need your help taking care of a few items so that the students can get off to a successful start:

• Handbook Contract/School Instrument Use Form - Handed out at Sneak Preview nights, and on Monday to your students, or available here.  Click here to read the handbook and return this by Friday, August 21.
• Instrument Rentals - Use the above form to be considered for a school-owned instrument, or visit any of the other music shops.  Click here to see a list of local stores that rent instruments.  All students must have instruments by no later than Monday, August 24.
• Field Trip Form - Handed out at Sneak Preview nights and on Monday to your students.  I need this form returned to me so that students may travel to festivals, parades, and other trips throughout the year.  Please return this by Friday, August 21.
• Method Book - Available for purchase from Play Your Own Music beginning Friday, August 14. Click here to see which method book your student needs.  Students must have their method book by Monday, August 24.
• Lab Fee: $20 - This fee covers specific items that your students will need throughout the year.  Click here for details.  Please pay by Friday, August 21.  

On Monday, we will not need instruments.  Their first day of playing is entirely dependent on how quick the students are to take care of the above items.  In the past, the upper groups have been known to start playing as early as Wednesday.  Young groups usually begin with instruments on the second week of school.  

Feel free to email me if you have any further questions.  Thank you for getting your students "up and running!"

-Mr. Jacques-