Weekly Update

Dear Parents,

Another great week is upon us, and what a week it was! This is a big week with a lot of news, including:

• Class progress
• Note reading research project
• Marching rehearsal update
• Car wash wrap-up
• Fall Concert news

Class Progress

Jazz Band has begun working on two new songs, and within the next week, they will have a grand total of 6 songs under their fingers and ready to perform at events like Jazz in the Commons and school assemblies.

Intermediate Band has completed the chromatic scale test and are now working on putting together their parade song. This week, they will be improving their marching and working on fall concert music. All students in this class are capable of learning honor band music, and I will give any interested student a copy and help them learn it. Ask and they will receive!
Beginning Bands can now play their first 3 notes with different rhythms, all with great tone and technique. This week, they will be learning their first songs, their 4th and 5th notes, and some new tools for how to practice.
Concert Band finished learning their first song for the fall concert last week! They are also continuing to learn more ways to practice and play with their best sound. They have come very far in just one week. They will be starting work on their second song this week. I also offered them copies of the parade music if they are up for a challenge.
Advanced Band has memorized most of the parade song. They are also working on honor band music and two additional songs that they will perform at the fall concert.  This week, we'll be sight reading more music for Band-O-Rama and band festival, along with their first shot at marching while playing at the same time.

Note Reading Research Project

Read the note from my partner-in-crime, Jennifer Simkins, who is working on finishing her master's degree in curriculum planning. She has a plan that will help your students work on their note reading skills. 

Hi Parents! As Mr. Jacques said, I'm completing my final semester towards earning a master's in Curriculum and Instruction. Part of the requirements is completing a capstone project; mine is called "Take Note! Increasing Musical Literacy by Teaching 
Note Names Using Differentiated Instruction". In a nutshell, I want to see how different methods of instruction (worksheets, SmartBoard activities, etc.) help your students remember their note names.

Tomorrow, all students will receive an Informed Consent document that outlines the entire project. You may also view it here. Even though all scores are anonymous, a parent & student signature is required for your student's data to be used. Please sign and return this form ASAP so we can get started on the fun activities to teach note names! Thank you!!!

Marching Rehearsals
After school marching rehearsals continue for Intermediate and Advanced Students on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30-4:30 PM. Attendance is expected for all Intermediate and Advanced Band students beginning this Tuesday. If they cannot attend, I need a note or email from parents in advance in order to excuse them.  After the October 27 rehearsal, any student with 0 unexcused absences will be invited to a special reward event following the Nevada Day Parade! Also, students in Concert Band are still invited to join in. If they do not wish to learn the music, I have positions available for banner carriers and flags in the back. If they want to march, I will do my best to include them.

Marching Rehearsal/Parade Schedule
September 27, 2:30-4:30
October 4, 2:30-4:30
October 11, 2:30-4:30
October 18, 2:30-4:30
October 25, 2:30-4:30
October 27, 2:30-4:30 (Fall Football Game with CHS band that evening)
October 29: Nevada Day Parade
November 8, 2:30-4:30
November 11: Veterans Day Parade
November 15: 2:30-4:30 PM
November 22: 2:30-4:30 PM
November 29: 2:30-4:30 PM
December 3: Sparks Christmas Parade

Car Wash Wrap-Up
This year's car wash was a record-breaking event! We raised a grand total of $1,580! Advanced Band alone raised $1,090 in presale tickets, and the other classes combined for an additional $300.  The rest of the money was raised by people who came to the car wash without tickets and purchased snacks at the event.

Thank you to all student and parent volunteers that made this event possible! 

A huge thank-you to Justine, who donated her house for the volunteer barbecue and pool party! (yes, even Mr. Jacques took the plunge)

Fall Concert - October 26

We are now a month away from our first concert of the year! The fall concert will take place on October 26 at 6:00 PM in the CMS cafeteria. This concert features all groups, so it is a mandatory, graded performance for your students. You won't want to miss their debut concert of the year. There will also be spaghetti dinner available, with more information to come next week. 

Other Events

October 27 - Fall Football Game, Carson High School, 5:00-9:00 PM (Advanced Band and all 8th graders)

October 29 - Nevada Day Parade, 8:00 AM-1:00 PM (Advanced Band and Intermediate Band)

November 11 - Veterans Day Parade, 8:00 AM-1:00 PM (Advanced Band and Intermediate Band)

-Mr. Jacques-