To start this update, it's time to share a brief history of the band program. I started teaching here 6 years ago. When I started, we had 130 in the band and about 35 in the orchestra. The storage cabinets and school instruments were very old, but did the job. In fact, many were there since Kennedy was president. I found this out when some band members who I used to rehearse with told me about how everything looks the same as it did when they were students! So, in 2013, Chili Bingo Night helped pay for some new instruments. In 2014, we embarked on a crowdfunding campaign. You can see the old cabinets in the background.
October 2014
That next year, we purchased new cabinets, which gave the room a huge upgrade for our then 140 band members and 40 orchestra members.
October 2016
In 2016 the school district gave us a huge grant for $40,000 in new instruments, many of which are currently rented out to our students. Our numbers exploded. In 2017, we had 200 in band and 60 in strings, and now in 2018, we have 230 in band and 70 in strings! Yes, that's a total of 300 students that walk in and out of my room EACH DAY! Our initial instrument and storage upgrades were for a band/orchestra program of 170-200 students, and now that we're sitting at around 300 in the program, we are in desperate need of more school instruments and places to store them. We currently do not have enough storage and instruments are left on the floor. Also, we were unable to give all beginners their first or second choices on instruments, resulting in about 10 students dropping band. With our current money in band fees going directly back to your student in the form of uniforms and music, it's time for a fundraiser like no other.
POPCORN TIME
On Friday, students had a presenter come and discuss the fundraiser, where students will have 2 weeks to sell as much popcorn as they can. Each student has an order form and can go to friends, family, your co-workers, and anyone else that they know to see who can help out our band program. Just a little more information:
- Each class of students is divided into groups that are competing for prizes and incentives.
- They are asked to go to people they know and NOT use the words "sell" or "buy" and use the words "help" and "support" instead.
- Students collect cash or check (payable to CMS) and return it to me daily during class.
- The fundraiser runs until September 28.
- The popcorn will be distributed to students in class by the end of October.
- We receive over 50% profit, and our fundraising goal is $8,000.
Here are the flavors that you can choose from.
CLASS UPDATES
Jazz Band: The class can play through 3 songs and we are working to help students clean parts, become more confident on solos, and play with the correct style. Their first performance is Friday, September 28 at Jazz in the Commons!
Advanced Band: It's not often that a parade selection is too easy for a group, but that's exactly what happened. As a result, I wrote them a new arrangement of the same song, which fits cleanly with the old version that the students in other ensembles are playing.
Concert Band: As we are working through the book, we are finding out that the band needs a lot of review with rhythms and counting. We will be spending this week working on that, as well as continuing to build their tone. When you listen at home, ask them to explain rhythm and note lengths. If they can explain it, they definitely understand it better.
Intermediate Band: Students are starting to polish up the parade piece, while working on fundamentals in their book. This week, students will be able to earn their first fall concert song if they are keeping up with the at-home practicing.
Beginning Bands: As of Friday, students were tested on their first sound, and they learned their 2nd and 3rd note. This week, they will learn how to count rhythm and put it together with their first sounds by reading the lines and spaces of a staff. If they can accomplish this, they might be able to learn their first song as soon as next week!
Advanced Band: It's not often that a parade selection is too easy for a group, but that's exactly what happened. As a result, I wrote them a new arrangement of the same song, which fits cleanly with the old version that the students in other ensembles are playing.
Concert Band: As we are working through the book, we are finding out that the band needs a lot of review with rhythms and counting. We will be spending this week working on that, as well as continuing to build their tone. When you listen at home, ask them to explain rhythm and note lengths. If they can explain it, they definitely understand it better.
Intermediate Band: Students are starting to polish up the parade piece, while working on fundamentals in their book. This week, students will be able to earn their first fall concert song if they are keeping up with the at-home practicing.
Beginning Bands: As of Friday, students were tested on their first sound, and they learned their 2nd and 3rd note. This week, they will learn how to count rhythm and put it together with their first sounds by reading the lines and spaces of a staff. If they can accomplish this, they might be able to learn their first song as soon as next week!
MARCHING BAND UPDATE
As you know, this year, our bands became so big that we had to hold auditions for non-Advanced Band members. As a result, we only have the students who want to be in this band, as opposed to having a mix of interest levels, resulting in what has been the best start to marching season in my 7 years at CMS! Even with the audition process, this is our biggest marching band ever, with 75 musicians! Just a reminder: rehearsals continue on Tuesdays.- September 18, 2:30-4:30
- September 25, 2:30-4:30
- October 2, 2:30-4:30
- October 9, 2:30-4:30
- October 16, 2:30-4:30
- October 20, 9:00-4:00: Rehearsal and barbecue reward party.
- October 23, 2:30-4:30
- October 27: Nevada Day Parade
- October 30, 2:30-4:30
- November 6, 2:30-4:30
- November 11: Veterans Day Parade
- November 13, 2:30-4:30
- November 27, 2:30-4:30
- December 1: Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade
As always, let me know if you have any questions, and here's to another successful week!
-Mr. Jacques-
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