No tricks, all treats...

Dear Parents,

Congratulations to all performers at our Fall Concert and Nevada Day Parade! Overall, we had the best behaved groups I've ever had this early in the year. The also had a record turnout of parents, relative, and friends. In fact, this concert was attended my more people than the entire school's open house!  The students at the parade sounded great and marched especially well considering how warm it ended up being.

The combined Beginning Bands and Concert Band totaled about 115 students, about as many students as we had in the ENTIRE band program in 2012-2013. 

Today (Monday) is your last chance to vote for the Dolan Auto Group Class Project for a chance to win $10,000. Please share this with everybody you know and let them know that this is their last chance.

The Marching Band did very well at the Nevada Day Parade, showing thousands of parade-goers a snapshot of the professionalism and outstanding musicianship that we build with our band students each day. 

Being a high-visibility group means that we have the chance to receive some publicity. This year, a picture of the band was featured on this article from the Nevada Independent. 

UPCOMING REHEARSALS
After school marching rehearsals continue for Intermediate and Advanced Students on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30-4:30 PM.  We also have honor band sectionals after school to help make sure students are practicing correctly and ready to audition at their best.

Honor Band
Students in all ensembles except Beginning band were offered copies of the honor band audition music. This is a wonderful opportunity for your students. Simply practicing the audition page with their practice strategies will make them better musicians. I encourage all students to take advantage of the after school help (if your student's instrument is not included on an after school sectional, I'll work with them at lunches). With my schedule being as full as it is, this will be the only times that I'm able to offer sectionals, so we highly recommend that your student attends.

October 30: Honor Band saxophone sectional, 4:30-5:30 (after marching rehearsal)
October 31: Honor Band trumpet sectional, 2:30-4:00
November 1: Honor Band clarinet sectional, 2:30-4:00
November 2: Honor Band flute sectional, 2:30-4:00
November 7: Honor Band percussion sectional, 2:30-4:30

The auditions will take place in my office during the 2nd and 3rd week of November. The audio recordings will then be sent to a committee who will determine the top musicians in northern Nevada!  Now is the time for your students to finish working on the music for this audition. The auditions sneak up on us every year!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Optional: Sierra Band Crusade
This year, I took 33 students and we filled up in just 3 days! Call time is 10:15 AM at CMS and we will return at 5:30 PM.  For those who could not get a seat on the bus, you may still attend with your parents. The competition starts at 11:30 AM in Mackay Stadium at UNR and finishes around 4:30 PM.

VETERANS TRIBUTE CONCERT - November 8 at 9:00 AM
This performance is mandatory for all Intermediate and Advanced Band students.  During class on November 8, these students will join the choirs for a special performance at CMS for area veterans. If you would like to come watch, we perform at 9:00 AM.  Concert attire is the royal blue band t-shirt with khakis or jeans.

VETERANS DAY PARADE - November 11 at 11:30 AM
This performance is mandatory for all Marching Band students.
On November 11, the Marching Band will participate in the Veterans Day Parade.  I will have more information shortly, but call time will be 8:30 AM in the band room, the parade begins in downtown Reno at 11:30 AM, and students are typically back home and dismissed by 1:00 PM.

Have a great week!

-Mr. Jacques-

Busy Week...

Dear Parents,

Just a couple more days until the fall concert! I'm going to break down the details of the fall concert so you and students have a smooth and rewarding evening of music.

FALL CONCERT - OCTOBER 25
The fall concert is on Wednesday, October 25, at 6:00 PM in the CMS Gym. This performance is mandatory for all band students. Here is the itinerary:

• 2:30 PM - Concert Band dress rehearsal in the band room, followed by dinner (for Concert Band and stagehands only)
• 5:15 PM - Band room opens for all others. Students will leave cases and tune their instruments here before heading to their seats in the gym.
• 5:30 PM - Call time for Beginning Band and Concert Band, seated and ready to warm up in gym
• 5:30 PM - Call time for Marching Band members in the band room; change into uniforms in band room.
• 5:45 PM - Call time for Intermediate Band and Advanced Band with instruments in gym bleachers (east side).
• 6:00 PM - Concert Begins with Beginning Band, followed by Concert Band, Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, and Jazz Band.
• 7:15 PM - Approximate end of the concert. Beginning/Concert Band students will help clean up and Intermediate/Advanced Band students will change out of their uniforms.
• 7:30 PM - Approximate time students will be dismissed. 

Attendance

Just a reminder--this performance is mandatory for all students.  As a performance-based class, the concerts are a major portion of your student's grade. In the band room, there will be a sign-in sheet, as well as a sign-out sheet. Students will sign in before call time and sign out after they have finished putting everything away. Just a reminder: students will stay for the entire length of the concert. 

Concert Dress

Wearing the proper uniform items are essential to a successful performance. Here's what each class will wear to the fall concert:

• Beginning Band, Concert Band, Intermediate Band (not in marching band): Blue polo (provided by band fees), black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes. Students in these ensembles may wear a Halloween costume as long as it is school-appropriate and does not affect their ability to play their instrument properly.
• Marching Band (including everyone in Advanced Band): Complete marching uniform (provided by band fees), black socks, black marching shoes. 
• Jazz Band: Students will wear what they wore in their primary ensemble. 
• We are waiting for a few extra small size polos to arrive. If your student is waiting for their shirt, they may wear their own navy blue SSA shirt if they wish.
• If your student has paid their fee since polos were distributed a few weeks ago, they may pick them up after 5:15 PM in the band room. 

A few other things

• While the other bands perform, students will sit as an ensemble on the bleachers on the opposite side of the parents with their instruments/music. 
• Students in the bleachers will be practicing effective concert etiquette. 
• Once again, students will stay for the entire concert and sign out after they put things away.

NEVADA DAY PARADE - OCTOBER 27

Just a few reminders about the Nevada Day Parade:

• 7:30 AM: Call time in the Band Room to change into uniforms, take a photo, and load the bus
• 8:45 AM: Arrive at staging area on Long Street and warm-up.
• 10:00 AM: Parade begins.  Entry number is 67.
• Approx. 12:00 PM: Return to CMS to change.
• Approx. 12:30 PM: Dismissal.

Just a reminder: This event is mandatory for all Marching Band students. Students have received a handout with information. Click here to read it.

We also need parent volunteers! Click here to volunteer

UPCOMING REHEARSALS
After school marching rehearsals continue for Intermediate and Advanced Students on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30-4:30 PM. I am also including optional honor band rehearsals that will take place during the week of Halloween.

Honor Band
Students in all ensembles except Beginning band were offered copies of the honor band audition music. This is a wonderful opportunity for your students. Simply practicing the audition page with their practice strategies will make them better musicians. I encourage all students to take advantage of the after school help (if your student's instrument is not included on an after school sectional, I'll work with them at lunches). With my schedule being as full as it is, this will be the only times that I'm able to offer sectionals, so we highly recommend that your student attends.

October 30: Honor Band saxophone sectional, 4:30-5:30 (after marching rehearsal)
October 31: Honor Band trumpet sectional, 2:30-4:00
November 1: Honor Band clarinet sectional, 2:30-4:00
November 2: Honor Band flute sectional, 2:30-4:00
November 7: Honor Band percussion sectional, 2:30-4:30

The auditions will take place in my office during the 2nd and 3rd week of November. The audio recordings will then be sent to a committee who will determine the top musicians in northern Nevada!  Now is the time for your students to finish working on the music for this audition. The auditions sneak up on us every year!

Let's have an amazing, musical week!

-Mr. Jacques-

First Quarter, First Concerts

Dear Parents,
With the first quarter ending on Friday and the first concerts next week, we have a busy couple of weeks coming up.  Please read through the concert and parade information, consider helping out at either or both of these events, and invite anyone you know. The bands are starting to sound really good, and we still have over a week before the concerts. But first, some news on grading.

GRADE NEWS
First quarter grades are due on Friday. Students will have until Friday at lunch to re-take any playing tests. If your student's grade is lower than a B, it means that they have been forgetting their instrument, forgetting their music, or forgetting to practice and turn in practice logs online. If your student has been consistently bringing everything, actively participating, and turning in their practice log, they will have earned an A or B. This week, they have a video practice log, where they need to click a link in their Google Classroom and submit a video online.  Please ask your student to show you your video or help them record it. This is a fun and interactive way for students to learn how to practice from each other.  I'm offering after school help on Wednesday from 2:30-4:30 for anyone who wishes to practice concert music, practice honor band music, or receive help with the video practice logs.

OPEN HOUSE
On Wednesday, we will have an open house at CMS from 6-7:30 PM.  All parents will meet in the gym at 6 for a special introduction. Following that, there will be 4 sessions where parents can attend a class of their choice. Here's what I'll be doing during those sessions:
Session 1: Concert Band and Beginning Band
Session 2: Concert Band and Beginning Band
Session 3: Intermediate Band 
Session 4: Advanced Band 

FALL CONCERT - October 24 at 6:00 PM
The fall concert is a mandatory performance for ALL BAND STUDENTS! Beginning Band will amaze you with everything they've learned in just 2 months. Concert Band has a completely new and improved sound from when you last heard them play. Students will also hear the exciting progression of ensembles with Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Band performing.
Click here for the concert flyer

NEVADA DAY PARADE - October 27 at 10:00 AM
This performance is mandatory for all Marching Band members.  Here is our schedule and entry information:

• 7:30 AM: Call time in the Band Room to change into uniforms and load the bus
• 8:45 AM: Arrive at staging area on Long Street and warm-up.
• 10:00 AM: Parade begins.  Entry number is 68.
• Approx. 12:30 PM: Return to CMS to change.
• Approx. 12:45 PM: Dismissal.

Click here for the parade flyer
Click here to volunteer

Optional: Nevada Day Concert
At 2 PM on Saturday, October 27, the Capital City Community Band will be performing a free concert at the legislative Mall. This outdoor amphitheater is located across the street from The Fox.  I am taking over as the new director and invite all students to come listen to some great music.

Optional: Sierra Band Crusade
On Saturday, November 3, Marching Band students have the option to take a trip to Reno to watch the Sierra Band Crusade, which is the Nevada state marching band championships. I will accept the first 30 students who bring me their $5 fee. Parents are encouraged to take the bus with us and chaperone this fun day of music.

VETERANS TRIBUTE CONCERT - November 8 at 9:00 AM
This performance is mandatory for all Intermediate and Advanced Band students.  During class on November 8, these students will join the choirs for a special performance at CMS for area veterans. If you would like to come watch, we perform at 9:00 AM.  Concert attire is the royal blue band t-shirt with khakis or jeans.

VETERANS DAY PARADE - November 11 at 11:30 AM
This performance is mandatory for all Marching Band students.
On November 11, the Marching Band will participate in the Veterans Day Parade.  I will have more information shortly, but call time will be 8:30 AM in the band room, the parade begins in downtown Reno at 11:30 AM, and students are typically back home and dismissed by 1:00 PM.

HONOR BAND
All students interested in honor band should be warming up with these excerpts when they practice, and come in after school on Wednesday so they can work together. The auditions will take place in late November.

CLASS UPDATES

Beginning Bands are just about ready for the concert.  We're pushing for precision with excellent tone on a group of songs. Just wait!
Concert Band has a change in their program. I removed one of the songs that was a little challenging, and replaced it with two easier songs that will sound far better.  They have improved a lot just in the last week.  I am holding sectionals during lunch this week for specific groups of instruments. 
Intermediate Band has a total of 4 songs. Two of them will be played with the Advanced Band and eventually be performed at the Veterans Tribute Concert. The other two will be performed by the Intermediate Band only. Their #1 challenge is practicing their most fun sections of music and forgetting about the other sections.
Advanced Band also has a total of 4 songs, including the two songs they're learning with Intermediate Band for the Veterans Tribute Concert. The other two will be performed by the Advanced Band only. They will be performing these songs with a level of precision that we usually do not see until March when we perform at Band-O-Rama and area festivals.
Jazz Band is working towards a level of precision and musicality that they normally do not experience until the spring. Just wait until you hear them next week!
Marching Band has received some amazing publicity. A person in the neighborhood posted a video from her front porch as the band passed by. It has since been viewed by one of her friends, who sent it to the school, who shared it with all the teachers. Then, the principal forwarded it to the school district, who shared it on their Facebook page! It's fun to go viral for a good reason.  Marching Band will have a special Saturday rehearsal on October 20, followed by a reward barbecue/party at a parent's house. Students who have no unexcused absences and a "4" in their most recent band citizenship grade will be allowed to attend the party.

That's all, folks! Let me know if you have any questions.

-Mr. Jacques-

Fall Events

Dear Parents,

Please read the entire newsletter carefully for important information about all our upcoming events, including honor band auditions. We are now just a couple weeks away from our first major events of the school year!

FALL CONCERT - October 24 at 6:00 PM
The fall concert is a mandatory performance for ALL BAND STUDENTS! Beginning Band will amaze you with everything they've learned in just 2 months. Concert Band has a completely new and improved sound from when you last heard them play. Students will also hear the exciting progression of ensembles with Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Band performing.
Click here for the concert flyer

NEVADA DAY PARADE - October 27 at 10:00 AM
This performance is mandatory for all Marching Band members.  Here is our schedule and entry information:

• 7:30 AM: Call time in the Band Room to change into uniforms and load the bus
• 8:45 AM: Arrive at staging area on Long Street and warm-up.
• 10:00 AM: Parade begins.  Entry number is 68.
• Approx. 12:30 PM: Return to CMS to change.
• Approx. 12:45 PM: Dismissal.

Click here for the parade flyer
Click here to volunteer

Optional: Nevada Day Concert
At 2 PM on Saturday, October 27, the Capital City Community Band will be performing a free concert at the legislative Mall. This outdoor amphitheater is located across the street from The Fox.  I am taking over as the new director and invite all students to come listen to some great music.

Optional: Sierra Band Crusade
On Saturday, November 3, Marching Band students have the option to take a trip to Reno to watch the Sierra Band Crusade, which is the Nevada state marching band championships. I will accept the first 30 students who bring me their $5 fee. Parents are encouraged to take the bus with us and chaperone this fun day of music.

VETERANS TRIBUTE CONCERT - November 8 at 9:00 AM
This performance is mandatory for all Intermediate and Advanced Band students.  During class on November 8, these students will join the choirs for a special performance at CMS for area veterans. If you would like to come watch, we perform at 9:00 AM.  Concert attire is the royal blue band t-shirt with khakis or jeans.

VETERANS DAY PARADE - November 11 at 11:30 AM
This performance is mandatory for all Marching Band students.
On November 11, the Marching Band will participate in the Veterans Day Parade.  I will have more information shortly, but call time will be 8:30 AM in the band room, the parade begins in downtown Reno at 11:30 AM, and students are typically back home and dismissed by 1:00 PM.

HONOR BAND
Students in all ensembles were offered a chance to audition for honor band.  Honor Band is a group of the top band students in Northwestern Nevada.  All interested students have been given an audition sheet with several excerpts that they will learn. Auditions take place in November, and students will sign up to have me record a performance of their audition. A panel of musicians will listen to these recordings and determine who has made it into the band. Typically, CMS band students make up 1/4 to 1/3 of the entire honor band!

We are holding an after school practice session for all interested students on Wednesday from 2:30-4:30 PM.  We encourage all interested students to attend a fun afternoon where they will learn this music.

CLASS UPDATES

Beginning Band learned their first 5 notes and read through their fall concert songs on Friday. This week, it's on to the fun part of making these songs sound great!
Concert Band has their 3 songs that they will perform for the fall concert. We are on to cleaning these songs and helping students learn how to practice them so they sound wonderful at the concert.
Intermediate Band has a total of 4 songs. Two of them will be played with the Advanced Band and eventually be performed at the Veterans Tribute Concert. The other two will be performed by the Intermediate Band only.
Advanced Band also has a total of 4 songs, including the two songs they're learning with Intermediate Band for the Veterans Tribute Concert. The other two will be performed by the Advanced Band only. One of them is a selection for their spring band festivals, and the other is a selection they'll play for their spring Disneyland trip.
Jazz Band received another song on Friday and sight read it so well that I am confident they can knock your socks off by performing it at the fall concert. They are on their way to great things!
Marching Band is able to play through their memorized parade song, but several students are still working on memorizing the rough spots. We are also hard at work to improve how the marching looks. Are they practicing marching at home while they practice?  We will continue rehearsals on Tuesdays until 4:30 PM.

That's all, folks! Let me know if you have any questions.

-Mr. Jacques-

October...

Dear Parents,

We are now beginning the month of our first concert and the Nevada Day Parade!  Students now have all their fall concert music. The popcorn fundraiser has ended with incredible results. We have new shirts going out to your students this week.  Looking at all that, we are in good shape with over 3 weeks to go until our first events.

New Event Calendar
I have upgraded to a Google calendar for our upcoming events.  Everything I announce will now be included on this calendar.  All mandatory events will be in all caps and I will include the participating groups in the event details. You may access the calendar by clicking "Event Calendar" at the top of this page on the navigation bar.

Fall Concert Coming Up!
Save the date: our fall concert is on October 24 in the gym. Attendance is mandatory for all students in all ensembles. The concert starts at 6 PM and I will have call time and other information by next week.

CLASS UPDATES
Beginning Bands can play Hot Cross Buns, which combines their first 3 notes with whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes. Their next step: learning their fourth and fifth notes that will set them up for everything you will hear at the fall concert.
Concert Band received First Concert March and High Adventure, and they can also play through #48 in the method book. They will try out some other music this week and continue working on learning how to play as an ensemble (all 53 of them!).
Intermediate Band is beginning work on their fall concert songs, Rocky Mountain Romp and Declaration and Dance. These two songs will be added to Patriotic Bits and Pieces and American Spirit March, which will be performed alongside the Advanced Band.
Advanced Band can play American Spirit March from memory. They will be playing this and Patriotic Bits and Pieces with the Intermediate Band. They are almost ready to perform Due North and they're starting work on Remember Me.
Jazz Band performed their first Jazz in the Commons on Friday, which was a big hit among staff and students. We will be adding 1-2 more songs for the fall concert and they will get a head start on their winter concert music.
Marching Band has 3 new drum majors: Jake, Yaki, and Tierney. The drumline can play their cadences, and the band has begun marching through the neighborhoods.  We are about 2 weeks away from knowing our entry and division numbers for the Nevada Day Parade.

Popcorn Wrap-Up
After collecting all the money and calculating our profit, students raised $7,494!!  I have already purchased new concert dresses for the girls, Advanced Band and Jazz Band folders, flags for the colorguard, as well as a few accessories for our marching instruments. The big purchase, however, will be additional storage cabinets.  Thank you to everyone who purchased popcorn or donated to the band!  Your support goes a long way.

Playing Tests
Beginning Band and Intermediate Band had playing tests last week.  On Wednesday, Advanced Band will have their playing test and on Thursday, Concert Band will have theirs. Students can always come in at lunch to make up a test.

Let me know if you have any questions.

-Mr. Jacques-