Dear Parents,
With our first wave of after school rehearsals and performances coming up, along with preparations for our biggest fundraiser of the year kicking into high gear, we are truly in the calm before the storm. Coincidentally, our current weather pattern looks to be pretty similar. Talk about timing! We are also just a few weeks away from Chili Bingo Night, with the raffle portion of the fundraiser beginning on Tuesday.
GRADES
All classes will have their weekly rehearsal, practice log, and citizenship grades posted by Friday afternoon. There are playing tests on Friday for students in Jazz Band, Beginning Band, and Concert Band. Good luck to all students as they prepare for next week's student-led conferences!
NEXT WEEK
After school activities really begin to pick up next week for certain students. On Thursday and Friday, all non-honor band students will have a substitute teacher. They will be playing both days. There will be no practice logs next week.
Feb. 5: Jazz Band rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
Feb. 6: Chili Bingo Night planning meeting, 7:00-8:00 PM
Feb. 7: Honor Band rehearsals, day 1, 7:15 AM-4:30 PM
Feb. 8: Honor Band rehearsals, day 2, 7:15 AM-10:00 PM
Feb. 9: Jazz in the Schools Performance, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
CHILI BINGO NIGHT - Date changed to March 1
If you thought the popcorn fundraiser was big, just wait! Chili Bingo Night is our largest fundraiser of the year. In fact, we raised $10,000 last year that went towards the storage we have today, along with helping many students pay for their spring band trips. Throughout the last month, many parents were hard at work securing donations from area businesses. On Tuesday, students will receive a list of donated items, along with raffle tickets to sell. I will have more directions in a few days once we officially launch the event. Any parent interested in helping with this event is invited to our Chili Bingo Night planning meeting on Feb. 6 at 7:00 PM. Without parent help, this event simply would not be possible. We appreciate all that you do!
Have a "super" weekend (get it?) and I'm looking forward to our "kickoff" of Chili Bingo Night fundraising next week!
-Mr. Jacques-
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Thursday, January 24, 2019
New Events, New Music
Dear Parents,
This short week of classes is already about to end! All students in all classes have all their Bandorama music. Jazz Band has all of their Jazz in the Schools music, and we added a couple events to the calendar. I also included a special upcoming concert and an update on grades.
SPECIAL CONCERT
On Sunday, January 27, my band, the Capital City Community Band, is performing at First Presbyterian Church at 3:00 PM. The songs are all requests from the band members and it is also our big fundraising concert. If your student attends the entire concert and checks in with me at the end of the performance, they will earn extra credit! There is a suggested donation of $10, but nobody will be turned away if they can't pay. We want to fill the seats and expose our students to quality band literature. We hope to see you there.
GRADE UPDATES
PLAYING TESTS
Students had a playing test on Friday and also turned in their practice logs. I allowed redo's of playing tests last Tuesday if they received 50% or forgot their instruments. Those still with a score of "50" and lower either couldn't play their music or were without their instrument. Any student may retake a playing test by emailing me a recording of themselves. If this is not possible, they can see me at lunch.
PRACTICE LOGS
Practice logs were due on Friday and students had time to submit them in class. Just a reminder: their score is based on the number of goals they completed over the whole week, not the number of days they practiced. I encourage students to practice a little bit each day, rather than practicing a lot on just a couple days. The consistency is crucial at this early point in their musical learning. I tell the students, "If you're persistent, you'll get it. If you're consistent, you'll keep it."
WEEKLY REHEARSAL GRADE
Each week, just like last year, students are receiving a daily grade for coming to class with everything they need to participate in rehearsals. Those items are their instrument with all accessories, all music, and a pencil. Each day, students will receive 10 points, with a total of 40 points possible each week. If a student loses/forgets some music but not all music for that day's rehearsal, they will still receive half credit for the day.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Here is the most up-to-date schedule for the rest of the school year. Please mark these events in your calendars and plan to enjoy some fabulous music making. New events added this week are marked with an asterisk:
February 7-8: Honor Band rehearsals in Fallon (concert on Feb. 8)
February 9: Jazz in the Schools (Jazz Band)
February 22: Chili Bingo Night
March 8: Northern Nevada Day of Percussion (Percussion Ensemble)*
March 19: Washoe County Band Festival (Advanced Band)
March 19: Jazz Extravaganza Performance (Jazz Band)*
March 26: Northern Zone Band Festival (Advanced and Intermediate Band)
March 28: Band-O-Rama
April 4-6: All-State Music Festival in Las Vegas (concert on April 8)
April 26: Reno Jazz Festival (Jazz Band)*
April 30: Northern Zone Beginning Band Festival (Beginning and Concert Band)
May 1: Northern Zone Jazz Night (Jazz Band)*
May 11: Intermediate Band spring trip
May 15-19: Advanced Band and Jazz Band Spring Trip
May 21: Spring Concerts
Have a great rest of your week, and see some of you on Sunday afternoon!
-Mr. Jacques-
This short week of classes is already about to end! All students in all classes have all their Bandorama music. Jazz Band has all of their Jazz in the Schools music, and we added a couple events to the calendar. I also included a special upcoming concert and an update on grades.
SPECIAL CONCERT
On Sunday, January 27, my band, the Capital City Community Band, is performing at First Presbyterian Church at 3:00 PM. The songs are all requests from the band members and it is also our big fundraising concert. If your student attends the entire concert and checks in with me at the end of the performance, they will earn extra credit! There is a suggested donation of $10, but nobody will be turned away if they can't pay. We want to fill the seats and expose our students to quality band literature. We hope to see you there.
GRADE UPDATES
PLAYING TESTS
Students had a playing test on Friday and also turned in their practice logs. I allowed redo's of playing tests last Tuesday if they received 50% or forgot their instruments. Those still with a score of "50" and lower either couldn't play their music or were without their instrument. Any student may retake a playing test by emailing me a recording of themselves. If this is not possible, they can see me at lunch.
PRACTICE LOGS
Practice logs were due on Friday and students had time to submit them in class. Just a reminder: their score is based on the number of goals they completed over the whole week, not the number of days they practiced. I encourage students to practice a little bit each day, rather than practicing a lot on just a couple days. The consistency is crucial at this early point in their musical learning. I tell the students, "If you're persistent, you'll get it. If you're consistent, you'll keep it."
WEEKLY REHEARSAL GRADE
Each week, just like last year, students are receiving a daily grade for coming to class with everything they need to participate in rehearsals. Those items are their instrument with all accessories, all music, and a pencil. Each day, students will receive 10 points, with a total of 40 points possible each week. If a student loses/forgets some music but not all music for that day's rehearsal, they will still receive half credit for the day.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Here is the most up-to-date schedule for the rest of the school year. Please mark these events in your calendars and plan to enjoy some fabulous music making. New events added this week are marked with an asterisk:
February 7-8: Honor Band rehearsals in Fallon (concert on Feb. 8)
February 9: Jazz in the Schools (Jazz Band)
February 22: Chili Bingo Night
March 8: Northern Nevada Day of Percussion (Percussion Ensemble)*
March 19: Washoe County Band Festival (Advanced Band)
March 19: Jazz Extravaganza Performance (Jazz Band)*
March 26: Northern Zone Band Festival (Advanced and Intermediate Band)
March 28: Band-O-Rama
April 4-6: All-State Music Festival in Las Vegas (concert on April 8)
April 26: Reno Jazz Festival (Jazz Band)*
April 30: Northern Zone Beginning Band Festival (Beginning and Concert Band)
May 1: Northern Zone Jazz Night (Jazz Band)*
May 11: Intermediate Band spring trip
May 15-19: Advanced Band and Jazz Band Spring Trip
May 21: Spring Concerts
Have a great rest of your week, and see some of you on Sunday afternoon!
-Mr. Jacques-
Monday, January 14, 2019
The Halfway Point...
Dear Parents,
The first week is through, and what a first week it was! We had the band directors from DePoali Middle School and Damonte Ranch High School come work with the kids on Wednesday and Friday. Students received a solid review session, clinics and sectionals from our guests, and all their Band-O-Rama music. We've defined "Hit the ground running" this week, and the students have a solid foundation going into our second semester.
Damonte Ranch High School band director Christi Blahnik's visit on Wednesday.
DePoali Middle School band director Dan Barthel's visit on Friday.
GRADES
PRACTICE LOGS
Students received their first practice log of the new year through Google Classroom on Friday. Each box is worth 1 point, with 5 possible per day. Students will need 30 for full credit, and can receive extra credit by completing 35 total boxes. These will be turned in online on Friday. Students who are absent on Friday need to turn it in by 3 PM that day to receive credit.
PLAYING TESTS
Students will have weekly playing tests based on the material they've been practicing throughout the week. Playing tests will occur on block says (Wednesday and Thursday) or Friday, depending on that week's schedule. Students may always retest as needed for a higher score.
WEEKLY REHEARSAL GRADE
Each week, just like last year, students are receiving a daily grade for coming to class with everything they need to participate in rehearsals. Those items are their instrument with all accessories, all music, and a pencil. Each day, students will receive 10 points, with a total of 40 points possible each week. If a student loses/forgets some music but not all music for that day's rehearsal, they will still receive half credit for the day.
EVENTS
HONOR BAND
Our record 26 Honor Band students received their folders, a schedule, and all but one of their songs last week. They will receive the 5th song on Tuesday at their first rehearsal, which is after school from 2:30-4:30 PM.
ALL-STATE AUDITIONS
All honor band students are eligible to audition for all-state. Students will receive the audition information at Tuesday's after school rehearsal.
JAZZ IN THE SCHOOLS
On February 9, Jazz Band will be participating in the Jazz in the Schools festival at UNR. This event is absolutely free for students. The band will perform in front of other students and educators, followed by a feedback clinic/workshop with Dean Sorenson, who composed one of the pieces we're performing. Call time will be approximately 9 AM, and students will return by approximately 4:00 PM.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Here is the most up-to-date schedule for the rest of the school year. Please mark these events in your calendars and plan to enjoy some fabulous music making.
February 7-8: Honor Band rehearsals in Fallon (concert on Feb. 8)
February 9: Jazz in the Schools (Jazz Band)
February 22: Chili Bingo Night
March 19: Washoe County Band Festival (Advanced Band)
March 26: Northern Zone Band Festival (Advanced and Intermediate Band)
March 28: Band-O-Rama
April 4-6: All-State Music Festival in Las Vegas (concert on April 8)
April 30: Northern Zone Beginning Band Festival (Beginning and Concert Band)
May 11: Intermediate Band spring trip
May 15-19: Advanced Band and Jazz Band Spring Trip
May 21: Spring Concerts
(items in bold are mandatory for all students in all ensembles)
It's great to be back. Have a great week!
-Mr. Jacques-
The first week is through, and what a first week it was! We had the band directors from DePoali Middle School and Damonte Ranch High School come work with the kids on Wednesday and Friday. Students received a solid review session, clinics and sectionals from our guests, and all their Band-O-Rama music. We've defined "Hit the ground running" this week, and the students have a solid foundation going into our second semester.
Damonte Ranch High School band director Christi Blahnik's visit on Wednesday.
DePoali Middle School band director Dan Barthel's visit on Friday.
GRADES
PRACTICE LOGS
Students received their first practice log of the new year through Google Classroom on Friday. Each box is worth 1 point, with 5 possible per day. Students will need 30 for full credit, and can receive extra credit by completing 35 total boxes. These will be turned in online on Friday. Students who are absent on Friday need to turn it in by 3 PM that day to receive credit.
PLAYING TESTS
Students will have weekly playing tests based on the material they've been practicing throughout the week. Playing tests will occur on block says (Wednesday and Thursday) or Friday, depending on that week's schedule. Students may always retest as needed for a higher score.
WEEKLY REHEARSAL GRADE
Each week, just like last year, students are receiving a daily grade for coming to class with everything they need to participate in rehearsals. Those items are their instrument with all accessories, all music, and a pencil. Each day, students will receive 10 points, with a total of 40 points possible each week. If a student loses/forgets some music but not all music for that day's rehearsal, they will still receive half credit for the day.
EVENTS
HONOR BAND
Our record 26 Honor Band students received their folders, a schedule, and all but one of their songs last week. They will receive the 5th song on Tuesday at their first rehearsal, which is after school from 2:30-4:30 PM.
ALL-STATE AUDITIONS
All honor band students are eligible to audition for all-state. Students will receive the audition information at Tuesday's after school rehearsal.
JAZZ IN THE SCHOOLS
On February 9, Jazz Band will be participating in the Jazz in the Schools festival at UNR. This event is absolutely free for students. The band will perform in front of other students and educators, followed by a feedback clinic/workshop with Dean Sorenson, who composed one of the pieces we're performing. Call time will be approximately 9 AM, and students will return by approximately 4:00 PM.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Here is the most up-to-date schedule for the rest of the school year. Please mark these events in your calendars and plan to enjoy some fabulous music making.
February 7-8: Honor Band rehearsals in Fallon (concert on Feb. 8)
February 9: Jazz in the Schools (Jazz Band)
February 22: Chili Bingo Night
March 19: Washoe County Band Festival (Advanced Band)
March 26: Northern Zone Band Festival (Advanced and Intermediate Band)
March 28: Band-O-Rama
April 4-6: All-State Music Festival in Las Vegas (concert on April 8)
April 30: Northern Zone Beginning Band Festival (Beginning and Concert Band)
May 11: Intermediate Band spring trip
May 15-19: Advanced Band and Jazz Band Spring Trip
May 21: Spring Concerts
(items in bold are mandatory for all students in all ensembles)
It's great to be back. Have a great week!
-Mr. Jacques-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)