A New Beginning...

Dear Parents, 

We are just about ready to start making music, but before we do that, I wanted to take a moment and share this information with you.

Everything you need to know about band program will be posted on www.cmsbands.org and updated regularly.  Here's a rundown of band fees, required materials, and important due dates. 

Every student is responsible for providing the following as soon as you are able: 

1) Class Contract, signed by both parent and student. 

2) Required Fees for your student's ensemble.

3) Optional Fees: 

• School Instrument Rentals
  • $100 to rent through CMS, applications due ASAP (we are almost out of instruments)
  • You may rent through a local music store, and may of them have "rent-to-own" programs. A complete list of local music stores is available online.
  • If you order an instrument online, please talk to me first so I can help you with price/quality of instruments available.

*If any of these fees create a financial hardship on your family, I accept late payments and we can even work out payment plans. 

Every student is responsible for providing the following supplies by Tuesday, September 5:

1) Instrument

2) Band book: Sound Innovations (make sure to get the book that matches your instrument) 

3) Portable Music Stand (for practice at home) 

4) Pencil (keep a pencil in your instrument case, we will use them daily!) 

5) Accessories for individual instrument: 

• Flute -Cleaning rod (normally included with instrument) -Swab for rod (any rectangular piece of cotton is fine) -Polishing cloth 
• Clarinet/Saxophone -Reeds (1 box, Rico brand- minimum size 2.5) -Cleaning Swab -Cork Grease -Neck Strap (sax only) -Polishing cloth (sax only)*
• Trumpet/Baritone -Valve Oil -Slide Grease -Polishing Cloth*
• Trombone -Slide Cream/Oil -Mini Water Spray Bottle -Polishing Cloth*
• Percussion -Bell Kit for practicing at home (I have a limited supply available for rental), drum sticks.

*I have limited quantities of reeds, cork grease, valve oil, and slide cream available for sale. Students may purchase these items through me if it is difficult for you to make it to a local music store.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I check it regularly throughout the week.  I look forward to working with you all!

-Mr. Jacques

CMS Sneak Peak

Dear Students and Parents, 

You are receiving this email because your student is signed up for Beginning Band at Carson Middle School.  My name is Nick Jacques and I'd like to welcome you to our school's award-winning band program!  With over 200 students registered for band this year, we have record enrollment and this year promises to be the best year yet.  I have a few quick items I would like to share with you as we approach the first days of school:

• The band room will be open during the CMS Sneak Peak, and I welcome you all to come in and meet me!  Times are Wednesday, August 16 from 4-6 PM for 6th grade students, and Thursday, August 17 from 4-6 PM for 7th and 8th grade students.  I will also be collecting fees, selling method books, and accepting instrument rental applications during this time. 
• Absolute Music will be renting instruments and other supplies in the band room on Wednesday, August 16, during the 6th grade Sneak Peak, for your convenience.  Feel free to come visit them, even if you are in 7th or 8th grade.
• Our website is www.cmsbands.org. I also post a weekly band newsletter, and you'll receive an email each time it's updated.  Feel free to take a minute and read through the following pages between now and the first day of school. The answers to many of your questions will be found here:
• 2017-2018 calendar of events 
• Ensemble information
• Band uniform information 
• Fees  - Total fees will be $37 for percussionists and $34 for all others. 
• Local music stores - These local businesses rent instruments, sell supplies, and have knowledgeable staff on hand to answer any other questions.
• I also have a limited number of school-owned instruments available for a low price of $100 for the entire school year ($75 for those on free or reduced lunch). I will have rental applications available at the Sneak Peak. Those who wish to rent high-demand school instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, percussion) will be given priority based on financial need. School instruments will be distributed by Friday of the first week of school. Those who do not get a school instrument will be fully refunded and offered additional time to obtain one from a local music store.
• Jazz Band auditions will continue during the first week of school. If your student is interested, we will meet each day at 7 AM (Jazz Band's class time). We will finish auditions by Friday, August 25 and have the final roster posted over that weekend. Keep practicing!
• We need parent help! If you're interested, let me know during Sneak Peak.

If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to ask. I look forward to meeting you all at Sneak Peak!

-Mr. Jacques-