It's The Holiday Season...

Dear Parents,

It's that time of year where the music helps bring the holidays alive!  You'd think that as a band director, teaching and rehearsing holiday music year-after-year would turn into cruel and unusual punishment, yet here we are. It's my favorite time of the year and we take full advantage of that with all our upcoming events.  Please note that these events are mandatory for the performing groups involved.

December 1: Empty Bowls fundraiser - Part of the tree lighting festivities
This event features the Advanced Band as they perform Christmas music at City Hall as part of the Empty Bowls fundraiser.  We will rehearse after school until 5 PM, be fed at City Hall from 5:15-6:00, watch the tree lighting together, and perform from approximately 6:15-6:45 PM.  I encourage students to wear an ugly Christmas sweater, decorate their instruments, and HAVE FUN!

December 2: Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade
This event features Intermediate Band and Advanced Band.  Call time for students is 9:00 AM in the band room.  The parade begins at 1 PM on Victorian Ave. in Sparks.  Following the parade, students will be given time to explore Meadowood Mall before returning to CMS by approximately 5 PM. Download a copy of the handout by clicking on the link above this page.  Sign up here to help out!

December 11, 13, 15: Elementary School Winter Assembly Tour
On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Advanced Band will visit the area elementary schools to perform a concert for all students and staff. These visits will take place during Advanced Band's rehearsal time. This tradition began last year, and it greatly helped our band program grow. We will be playing for all 5 elementary schools that feed to CMS! Let me know if you're available mid-morning on these days and you'd like to chaperone. We need 2-3 extra sets of hands to help with setup, moving equipment, etc, along with the added joy of hearing your child perform!

December 19: Winter Concert
This concert features all performing groups: Beginning Band, Concert Band, Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, Jazz Band, and Handbells.  Call time is 5:30 PM for Advanced Strings  and 6:00 PM for everybody else at the Carson City Community Center.  The concert begins at 6:00 PM and should end by 8:00 PM. I will send an email with all pertinent details by Friday.

*Your Jazz Band, Intermediate Band, and Advanced Band students will be fitted into their concert dress that includes tuxedo shirts, black dress pants, cummerbund, and bow tie within the next 2 weeks. This uniform will be allowed to go home.

Practice Logs
Practice logs will be due by Friday, December 2, for all classes (except CTE music). There will be 1 more practice assignment for the semester as we begin the final push towards the winter concert.

After School Rehearsals
There is one more marching band rehearsal.  We will be continuing the Tuesday rehearsal tradition for the Advanced Band to help them prepare for the winter assemblies.

November 28: Marching Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
December 1: Advanced Band Rehearsal, 2:30-5:00 PM (leads directly into dinner/performance that night)
December 5: Advanced Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
December 12: Advanced Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM

Have a fantastic week!

-Mr. Jacques-