Short and Sweet...

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year!  This week's short-and-sweet newsletter includes information about how to access your student's financial statements, announcements about a couple special ensembles I offer, and our spring 2020 schedule of events.

Last Week's Playing Test
Students in periods 3, 4, and 5 performed playing tests to determine their new chair and part placements for the spring semester.  Students who are absent or did not have their instruments on the day of the test are responsible for taking this test so we can place them properly in the band.

Practice Routine
All students will have 30 minutes of practicing on Smartmusic due on Friday.  Here's an example of a successful practice routine students should be following at home:

• 3-5 minutes: Warm-up - Long tong tones using a tuner, mouthpiece buzzing (brass), or steady eighth notes and sixteenth notes on practice pads or mallets (percussion). 
• 5-10 minutes: Smartmusic - Students will use their computers and record themselves in Smartmusic playing through the assignments posted to each class.  Have extra time? Explore by working ahead in the method book.  This step will easily add up to their 30 minutes required by Friday if they follow it each day.
• 10-15 minutes: Sheet music -  Students should be working on rough spots in their sheet music by slowing it down, playing small sections of it at a time, using a metronome, etc. Students should not rush through sections of music and repeat the same mistakes.  Perfect practice makes perfect!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
I have finished the calendar of events for the spring semester.  You may find the calendar by clicking "Calendar" at the top of this page or clicking this link: https://www.cmsbands.org/calendar

STUDENT FINANCES
NEW!! You will now have access to your student's financial statements online!  For instructions on how to access your account, please click "Charms Parent Login Info" at the top of this page and follow the step-by-step directions.  For students that are taking trips in the spring, all the fundraiser profit from Chili Bingo Night has been applied, as well.  Receipts will now be digital, and you can print them out from this page, as needed.

*Advanced Band and Jazz Band parents: Please refer to the Spring Trip Flyer at the top of this page for important payment dates and other information.  Your next payment is due on Wednesday, January 15.

SMALL ENSEMBLES
Percussion Ensemble is open to any percussion student in the band program. We will have an informational rehearsal/workshop on Tuesday, January 21. Rehearsals will continue on Tuesdays from 2:30-4:30 through March 4, with 2-3 performances occurring in March. I will have more information at the rehearsal next Tuesday.

Clarinet Choir is open to any clarinet player who is comfortable reading music and playing over the break.  We will have our first rehearsal on Wednesday, January 22, from 2:30-4:00. Raynell Heaton, clarinet player in the Capital City Community Band, will be running the Clarinet Choir, and we will have 1 performance in early March. I will have more information at their first rehearsal next Wednesday.

Have a great week!

-Mr. Jacques-