The Final Week

Dear Parents,

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope you're all enjoying the weather and getting in some quality time with your families.  It has been quite a run of musical events this month, and it's always bittersweet to see everything wind down. We have just three days of school left, so this update serves as a reminder of what needs to be done to wrap-up the school year.

To-Do Items

Uniform Returns will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.  If your student borrowed any uniform items over the school year, please have them bring it back by June 1.  I will ask the office to post a fee to student accounts if they aren't returned by this time.

School Instrument Returns
Advanced Strings: May 31
Beginning Strings: June 1
Band members not participating in Jazz Camp: June 2
Band members participating in Jazz Camp: June 10 (June 14 if performing at concert)

Summer Rentals
This offer is returning this year!  6th and 7th grade students who want to have an instrument over the summer will be able to keep their instrument until August!  See Mr. Jacques for a summer rental application and return it by the instrument return date listed above.  When you return the instrument in August, you will need to have had the instrument taken to a local repair shop for a basic maintenance.

8th Grade Promotion
This is mandatory for all 6th and 7th grade band members.  Students will meet in the band room after school on June 2 for setup.  The ceremony begins at 1:00 PM and ends no later than 2:00 PM.  Students will be excused once all equipment has been returned to the band room and all school instruments are either turned in or reissued for the summer.

Advanced Band auditions, Jazz Band and Advanced Strings placements
Advanced Band auditions will wrap up on Tuesday and Wednesday.  If a student feels like they want to do better, I will have a limited number of spots open at lunch for anyone wishing to retest.  With the new schedule for Jazz Band, students just need to give me a verbal confirmation that they wish to participate, and I will have more information once I build the class and put together a formal curriculum later in the summer.  I have a list of interested students for Advanced Strings, and I will have our school counselors place them into the correct class this summer.

More Band for your Buck!

Jazz Camp
Jazz Camp is right around the corner, and I'm excited to be hosting this for all area student musicians.  The camp runs from June 6-10 from 9 AM-10:15 AM for beginners, and 10:30 AM-12:00 PM for those with jazz experience.  Please sign up by June 2 so I know how much music I can purchase, as well as what type of music we can play.   Click here to register!

I'll post another update with pictures and video links soon. In the meantime, enjoy your weekend!

-Mr. Jacques-

Quick Update

Dear Parents,

While I'm out for the next few days for Advanced Band's performances in southern California, students will have a substitute teacher who has experience with teaching music.  Here are a few important notes for you and the students:

• There is no Jazz Band Thursday and Friday. 
• Practice logs are due for Beginning Band and Concert Band on Friday. No other classes have them this week.
• The last day for students to make up any playing test grades will be Thursday, May 26.
• Extra credit opportunities: 
• Attend the entire concert on the day that your student does not perform (for example: if this student performs next Tuesday, they will come watch the Wednesday performances).
• Turn in all "music money" on May 26 for 1 extra credit point each.

Concert Information

Students received informational handouts for next week's concerts and we discussed all details in each class today.  One change for Advanced Strings on Tuesday: call time is now 5 PM.  All other times are located in the below newsletter update (in the event that this didn't make it home).

We are having a bake sale and considering the possibility of root beer floats on May 25. Sign up for something delicious below:

Sign up to bring a bake sale item to the concert on May 24: www.SignUpGenius.com/10C094EABA82EA6F85

Sign up to bring a bake sale item to the concert on May 25:  www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C094EABA82EA6F85-spring4

That is all I have for now. I'll be happy to answer any questions that you may have.  I'll be in touch again later this weekend.

-Mr. Jacques-

May Happenings and Jazz News!

Dear Parents and Students,

It's strange to think that in less than 3 weeks, the school year will be over.  There are so many accomplishments to celebrate, and yes, one final group of performances to enjoy.  I also have an announcement about Jazz Band that you won't want to miss!  Read below, find the ensemble that is important to you and your student, and take a look at their progress, as well as final events. Please note: all concerts are located at CMS.

Jazz Band
I am excited to announce that Jazz Band is now going to be a "0" period class!  Beginning next August, we will meet each morning at 6:50 AM and rehearse for 50 minutes.  As a class, students will be able to earn an academic grade for their participation, and they will be required to be on time.  As a result, this program, which is already strong, will become unstoppable!
In the meantime, they will have a fantastic, high-energy set of songs to perform for you at their final concert.  Call time on May 24 is 5:45 PM and the concert begins at 6:00 PM. I will provide handouts with more details next week.

Concert Band
Concert Band is performing a high-energy set of movie theme songs that you won't want to miss! They will also perform the songs that earned them "Superior" ratings earlier in the spring. We also include the 5th grade band members, who perform at the beginning of the concert.
Their concert is on May 25th. It begins at 5:30 PM with the 5th grade bands.  Call time is also 5:30 PM.  They are also performing on June 2 for 8th grade promotion.  Call time for that is immediately after school, and they will be done at 2 PM. Attendance at both functions is mandatory, and I will have a handout with more details next week.

Intermediate Band
They are performing a high-energy set of movie theme songs that you won't want to miss! They will also perform the songs that earned them "Superior" ratings earlier in the spring. Their concert is on May 24th. It begins at 6:00 PM and their call time is 5:30 PM. The 6th and 7th graders in this band will also be performing on June 2 for 8th grade promotion. Call time for that is immediately after school, and they will be done at 2 PM.  Attendance at both functions is mandatory, and I will have a handout with more details next week.

Beginning Band
These students have been having a great time learning fun music all week! They will also perform the songs that earned them "Superior" ratings earlier in the spring. We also include the 5th grade band members, who perform at the beginning of the concert. Their concert is on May 25th. It begins at 5:30 PM with the 5th grade bands.  Call time is also 5:30 PM.  They are also performing on June 2 for 8th grade promotion.  Call time for that is immediately after school, and they will be done at 2 PM. Attendance at both functions is mandatory, and I will have a handout with more details next week.

Advanced Strings
Along with the songs that earned them "Superior" ratings at their spring festivals, you will be treated to something never done in the schools in Carson City: a full orchestra!  Band musicians are joining forces with Advanced Strings to put together a full orchestra arrangement of music to Harry Potter. It takes amazing students to even think about pulling this off. You won't want to miss this!  Their concert is on May 24 at 6:00 PM.  Call time for the students is 5:45 PM.  Attendance at both functions is mandatory, and I will have a handout with more details next week.

Advanced Band
It's truly incredible what these kids can do. In just a month, they have learned 5 new songs, including 3 movie theme songs. They will also perform the songs that earned them "Superior" ratings earlier in the spring at their festivals. Their concert is on May 24th. It begins at 6:00 PM and their call time is 5:45 PM. The 6th and 7th graders in this band will also be performing on June 2 for 8th grade promotion. Call time for that is immediately after school, and they will be done at 2 PM.  Attendance at both functions is mandatory, and I will have a handout with more details next week.

Beginning Strings
This group is learning a fun new piece that you will all recognize! They will also perform the songs that earned them "Superior" ratings earlier in the spring. Their concert is on May 25th. It begins at 5:30 PM.  Call time is also 5:30 PM.  Attendance at both functions is mandatory, and I will have a handout with more details next week.


Next week, I'm off to southern California for some fun in the sun and great performances with Advanced Band members.  Look for detailed information in handouts next week, and I'll update everyone once I'm back from the trip.  Let me know, as always, if you have any questions.

-Mr. Jacques-