Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Onward...

Dear Parents,

What a week! I'm completely overjoyed, proud, and absolutely exhausted all at the same time.  Let's wrap up the events that unfolded throughout the week, in case you missed anything. We will also be resuming practice assignments and playing tests next week, passing out new music for our winter concert, and preparing for our next round of events.

Fall Concert Wrap-Up
Our annual fall concert was a huge success. All groups played well, I love how many of you came to support our students, and we even sold a few shirts.  What a great showcase for our entire band program.  Our next concert for all groups will be on December 18 at the Carson City Community Center. Save the date!

"Nevada Day" Assembly
I can't begin to describe the feeling I had on Thursday.  I spent the past couple weeks to prepare the Marching Band for a surprise performance to the student body, and all the nervousness that went with it.  Little did I know that this was actually going to be a big surprise for me and I was going to receive the Milken Educator Award. The students performed amazingly, and we settled into our seats to watch the rest of the assembly unfold. As the speakers presented, I kept thinking, "Wow, there is a lot of speaking about the quality of education. I like this!" Then, the prize was announced and we were all waiting and wondering who the amazing teacher would be.  There are so many great teachers at our school and as my students wishfully whispered, "It's gotta be Mr. Jacques," I kept saying, "no no no, it's gotta be one of our really great teachers." Well, when my name was announced, it was an indescribable feeling.  I was asked to prepare a speech with about 10 minutes to think about it, and speak to the audience. Then, I was surrounded by press as my band packed themselves up and went home. When everything finally settled down at 3:30 PM, I was left in this state of shock and euphoria, and I'm still trying to process the surprise. Here are several videos and photos. I still get tears when I see how the band reacted behind me. I love these kids!

Channel 2 News Broadcast
Channel 8 News Broadcast
Nevada Appeal Story
Carson Now Story
Pictures from the Milken Family Foundation website


Nevada Day Parade
Once again, the Nevada Day Parade did not disappoint.  The largest band in the history of Carson Middle School took to the streets and put on a performance that received many compliments.  Here are a couple of videos:
Nevada Appeal
NGBN Cason City TV Broadcast

















GRADE NEWS

This week, I will have a weekly citizenship and participation grade.  On Friday, we will resume Smartmusic (as a grade) and their next assignment will be due on Friday, 11/8. We will also have our first playing test of the 2nd quarter, also due on Friday, 11/8.

HONOR BAND AUDITIONS
All interested students should be practicing honor band audition music this week. In 3 weeks, students will record themselves playing through the music and I will submit their music to a panel of fellow music educators, who will rate their performances. The top students in northern Nevada will be invited into a band that rehearses together in February with a special guest conductor. I will be uploading this music into Smartmusic so their work on the music can count towards their practice time.

CHILI BINGO NIGHT
This year's annual family Chili and Bingo is on November 22. We will begin the fundraiser on Friday with presale raffle tickets on Friday and I will be sending out a special update with all the specific information.

UPCOMING EVENTS
October 31 - Jazz in the Commons: 7:15 AM in the CMS Commons
November 8 - Veterans Tribute Concert (Advanced Band, Intermediate Band, Marching Band): 9:00 AM in the CMS Cafeteria
November 9 - Sierra Band Crusade (Select Marching Band members): All Day at UNR
November 11 - Reno Veterans Day Parade (Marching Band): All Day  Click here to view the informational flyer

After Veterans Day, we will have approximately 3 weeks between events as students prepare Honor Band audition and winter concert music. Keep in touch with the calendar on the band website for our future events.

What a week it has been! I will never forget the events that have unfolded, and I couldn't have done this without YOU!

-Mr. Jacques-


Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Concert Week

Dear Parents,

After 2 months of setting classroom procedures, teaching students how to practice, giving them their first playing tests, and getting to know your students, it's time for the fun part: concerts!

Grades Wrap-Up
Quarter 1 grades wrapped up on Friday. Students had several weeks of practicing, a few playing tests, weekly participation, and weekly citizenship. If their grade is an A or B, your student has achieved mastery overall with practicing, participation, and performing.  Great job!  If their grade is a C or a D, they are close, but either have low playing test scores or low practicing scores.  These students can easily earn an A or B by the end of the semester.  Students with an F have not practiced or made up playing tests. Once they make up their playing tests and improve their practice habits, they will easily earn a C or higher by the end of the semester.  Log into Infinite Campus to see your student's official quarter 1 grade in band.

Nothing is due this week, and students will have their concert on Wednesday night, which is worth 30% of their overall grade in band.

Fall Concert
Our Fall Concert is on Wednesday night! Please read this section carefully:
  • Call time is 5:45 PM for Beginning Band and Concert Band, seated in the gym.
  • Part 1 begins at 6:00 PM
  • Call time is 6:45 PM for Intermediate Band, Jazz Band, and Advanced Band, seated in the gym.
  • Part 2 begins at 7:00 PM
  • Students must either wear their blue band polo with dress pants, black socks, and black dress shoes, or their Halloween costume.  Halloween costumes must not interfere with their ability to play their instrument properly.
We will have a table with shirts for sale. If you have not yet paid your band fees, we will also collect those at this table.  Thank you to Rachel, Evelyn, and Connie for volunteering to run this table. 

This concert is mandatory for all band members and it's a major rite of passage in their music education.  It will be a rewarding and fun evening for everyone.


Nevada Day Parade
The Nevada Day Parade is on Saturday, October 26, and is mandatory for all Marching Band members.  Click here for the Nevada Day Parade letter, which has important information for all Marching Band members and their families.

Watching the parade and want to cheer us on?  We are entry #30, and I predict that we will be working our way down Carson Street between 10:30 and 11:00 AM.

Nevada Day Concert
As some of you may already know, I'm the director of the Capital City Community Band.  This band has been in existence since 1978 and was founded by a former teacher of the CMS Band program, Mr. Doede.  This band is performing on Saturday at 2:00 PM at the Legislative Mall Amphitheater. I am offering extra credit to all students who attend and check in with me at the end of the performance.  This concert is absolutely free and I invite you and your families to attend immediately following the parade.

Sierra Band Crusade
On November 9, the University of Nevada is hosting the Sierra Band Crusade, Nevada's state marching band championships.  Every year, I invite 30 Marching Band members and watch the competition with me.  I will be giving all interested marching band members a handout on Tuesday afternoon. The cost for the trip is $5 for students and $10 for chaperones. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to see what marching band at the high school is all about.

Veterans Day Parade
On Monday, November 11, the Marching Band will also be performing in the Veterans Day Parade.  We just received word that we are entry #18 and we will be marching down Virginia Street in downtown Reno around 11:30 AM.  I will have a handout with more details available to the marching band following the Nevada Day Parade.

That is "all" for this week.  I look forward to seeing you at our fall concert and other events in the next few days.  Let me know if you have any questions.

-Mr. Jacques-

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Firsts...

Dear Parents,

This month is all about firsts: Beginning Band's first concert, Marching Band's first parade, and the first quarter of the grading period coming to an end.  I have important information about our fall concert, marching band schedule, grades, and more!

FALL CONCERT
The CMS Band Fall Concert is on Wednesday, October 23.  This concert is mandatory for all students in all ensembles.  Here are some important details:
  • Call time for Beginning Band and Concert Band: 5:45 PM in gym with instrument and music.
  • Call time for Intermediate Band, Jazz Band, and Advanced Band: 6:45 PM in the gym with instrument and music.
  • Part 1 of the concert begins at 6:00 PM with Beginning Band and Concert Band
  • Part 2 of the concert begins at 7:00 PM with Intermediate Band, Jazz Band, and Advanced Band
  • Concert dress will be either their blue band polo with black pants, black socks, and black dress shoes, or a Halloween costume that is school-appropriate and doesn't interfere with a student's ability to play (no masks, big gloves, etc).
  • We will need parent volunteers to help monitor students in the halls/band room between groups and help sell polo shirts before/after the concert. Email Mr. Jacques if you're available. 

MARCHING BAND UPDATE

Students are finishing their work memorizing Tribute to America, and we will be running it through from memory at today's rehearsal.  See below for dates and times:
  • October 8 - 2:30-4:30 PM, uniform fitting until 6:00 PM for brass, flags, and percussion.
  • October 15 - 2:30-4:30 PM, percussion until 5:00 PM
  • October 19 (Saturday) - 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, parent showcase performance and barbecue at 11:30 AM.
  • October 22 - 2:30-4:30 PM, percussion until 5:00 PM
  • October 26 (Saturday) - Nevada Day Parade, times to be announced next week.
  • November 5 - 2:30-4:30 PM
  • November 11 (Monday) - Reno Veterans Day Parade
  • November 12 - 2:30-4:30 PM
  • November 19 - 2:30-4:30 PM
  • December 3 - 2:30-4:30 PM
  • December 7 (Saturday) - Sparks Christmas Parade
SHIRTS HAVE ARRIVED!
Everybody who has paid their band fee should now have their shirts. If your student still owes their band fee, please pay it ASAP so they have the proper concert attire on October 23. We will also be selling shirts at the fall concert.

GRADE NEWS
This week, students will also be submitting assignments on the following tunes:
Concert Band: Freaky Fantasy
Advanced Band: Tribute to America, measures 25-end
Intermediate Band: Tribute to America, measures 25-end
Beginning Bands: Merrily We Roll Along
Jazz Band: Rock This Town (Friday in class)

There will also be at least 30 minutes of recorded practice time due this Friday and next Friday.  Students will receive 1 week off from completing this assignment during the week of Nevada Day.

Is your student still having a difficult time practicing? I am sending them home with practice tips and important reminders about how to use Smartmusic as a tool in their practicing. I also included a link to this handout at the top of this page.

Have a great week!

-Mr. Jacques-