Dear Families,
The beginning of the new year is definitely Jazz Band's time in the spotlight, with their concert on Tuesday night. I also have class updates and more.
Jazz Extravaganza: January 30
The Jazz Band has learned 6...yes, 6 songs for this concert! 4 of them are brand new and we can't wait to perform for you. Even if you are not involved with the jazz band, we encourage you to attend. Tickets are just $10 for adults and free for all students. Best of all, a majority of the admission cost comes right back to the CMS band program. I cannot thank the Mile High Jazz Band enough for their support of our jazz band year after year. Jazz Band parents: For more information, please see the handout sent home with your student.
Honor Band: February 1-2
One perk of attending honor band: missing some school for 2 full days of music making with the best band students around. That's exactly what our 19 CMS students will be doing on these days. If you're interested in attending the free concert, it's on February 2 at 7 PM in the Churchill County High School theater in Fallon. Honor Band parents: For more information, please see the handout sent home with your student.
UNR Jazz in the Schools: February 10
On Saturday, February 10, the Reno Jazz Orchestra is hosting a non-competitive jazz festival for area jazz bands. This festival is completely free of charge and it includes a clinic hosted by a professional jazz musician. Students will also listen to other middle school jazz bands on this fun-filled Saturday.
CLASS UPDATES
Jazz Band is ready for their first of many 2nd semester concerts. I always promote "quality over quantity" but with a group like this, you'll hear both quality AND quantity with what they've prepared for the Jazz Extravaganza. I highly recommend this concert to all our families, friends, neighbors, etc.
Advanced Band is working on sight reading skills, along with their Band-o-Rama music. Most of the notes and rhythms are already learned and sections of this music are already sounding musical...in January. No surprises here, of course!
Concert Band is a pleasure to work with. I appreciate their enthusiasm and willingness to try new things. We've been working on pitch matching by singing our parts and they never complain. They're learning harder music than ever before, and those who practice regularly are experiencing the most success.
Intermediate Band is being pushed by working on the same exact music as Advanced Band, all the way down to what they're doing in the method book. They're rising to the challenge, which will help them be the very best at festivals and beyond. They're getting there!
Beginning Band is also being challenged by working on the exact same Band-O-Rama music as Concert Band, and they're getting the hang of the first of 3 songs they'll be preparing by March 15. Rather than relying on the strongest players, I am challenging each student in this class to BE the strongest player. I think it's working...
CTE Music has been having a great time learning basic percussion skills on the practice pads. They also received their first handbell song for the new year, which will be performed in May.
PRACTICE LOGS and GRADES
Practice logs are due on Friday. Since this is your student's only grade so far, their overall grade during student led conferences will be based entirely upon how well they've been practicing and what work they show me. We will have our first playing tests during the 2nd week of February.
CHILI BINGO UPDATE
Chili Bingo Night, our biggest fundraiser of the year, is February 23. The race is on to follow up with as many area businesses as possible so that we can secure wonderful prizes for our raffles and bingo games. We will be making follow-up phone calls during the week of January 29, and any help would be greatly appreciated. We will have a meeting on Wednesday, January 31, at 7 PM in the CMS Band Room to coordinate all the other logistics.
Have a great rest of your week!
-Mr. Jacques-
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