Honor Band Results

Dear Parents,

This morning during school announcements, we had a talk about what we were thankful for, and I told every class how proud and blessed I am to be able to work with them. Your kids are truly amazing, and what I'm about to show you proves my point.  I'm so thankful for this wonderful job, amazing kids, and very supportive parents.

Every year during this time, we have honor band auditions and the results are in.  A whopping 22 students from CMS were invited to join the honor band!  2/3 of the Advanced Band made it into this group, as well as 2 members from Intermediate Band.

Maryn Myler

Jasmine Wong-Fortunato

Emily Cuellar

Bahar Jazani

Katie Jeffries

Josephine Payan

Cierra Randall

Chloe Marks

Max Fontaine

Fiona McDonald

Megan Finnerty

Will Contine

Kyra Fields

Slade Pronk

Christina Brase

Lindsay Chowanski

Emilie Figueroa

Matt Jones

Adam Richetta

Nate Amrhein

Tara Eustis

Emma Hataway

Your students also represent 30% of the entire honor band!  What a great representation from CMS. 

Tree Lighting

Advanced Band will be participating in this fun event on Friday, December 4, from 6:00-6:45 PM on the corner of Telegraph St. and Curry St. See the handout sent home with these students for more information.

Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade

This event is still scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 5, with a 9:30 AM call time.  Additional details were sent home in a handout.  We need assistance with uniforms and chaperones.  Please sign up to help here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094eaba82ea6f85-sparks  

Winter Concert

This is just a reminder that the winter concert is on December 10, with two performances: 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM.  Before each performance, we will be hosting a dessert night.  Please sign up to bring an item here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094eaba82ea6f85-winter1   More details are in the concert flyers, which went home with your students last week.  

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday with your kids!  

-Mr. Jacques-

Ch-Ch-Changes

Dear Parents,

I have an important update: the winter concert will now be on December 10 for all groups.  Due to a conflict that made it so that no school administrators were able to attend the first part originally scheduled for December 3, we needed to make a change.

The concert will be broken into two parts.

• Part 1 features Beginning Band, Concert Band, Beginning Strings, and Advanced Strings.
• Part 1 begins at 6:00 PM.

• Part 2 features Jazz Band, Intermediate Band, and Advanced Band.
• Part 2 begins at 7:30 PM.

I will have more details by Wednesday, including a handout that will be sent home with all students.  

Veterans Day Parade Wrap-Up

As you can see, the band looked great!  There were several comments about how professionally the band marched, how well they played, as well as comments of surprise that "They were a middle school band?!"  We also made it on the news: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYQDIvhr8Gc

Honor Band Auditions

Advanced Band and Intermediate Band students will be auditioning for a chance into Honor Band this week.  Auditions will be during lunches and after school.

Advanced Band: Tree Lighting Performance

That's right! The Advanced Band was welcomed back once again to perform for part of the tree lighting festivities on Friday, December 4.  Call time is 6:00 PM and students will be performing at 30 minutes "set" from 6:15-6:45 PM.  Students participating will have a handout with more details.

Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade

Our last parade is just around the corner.  Call time for parade participants is 10:00 AM in the band room.  New this year: students will celebrate a successful parade season with a pizza lunch at Round Table in the Grand Sierra Resort, followed by arcade time in FunQuest.  All participating students will receive handouts on Wednesday with more details.

Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!

-Mr. Jacques-

Snovember

Dear Parents,

This week is going to be an exciting one, both during and outside of your student's music classes.  We have a new, last-minute performance on Tuesday, followed by the parade on Wednesday, followed by honor band rehearsal opportunities through the end of the week. This is also Ms. Vedova's final week with us!

Class Progress: 
Jazz Band is becoming better and better at playing in a jazz style.  They'll be performing: Jingle Bell Jazz, Sway, Baby It's Cold Outside, and Jingle Bell Rock.
Concert Band has received all 4 of their winter concert pieces: March of the Magical Toys, Apollo Fanfare, Chopsticks for Christmas, and Simple Gifts of Christmas.
Intermediate Band has also received all 4 of their winter concert pieces: Sleigh Ride, Liturgical Fanfare, Little Drummer Dudes, and Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!  Various members have also been working on honor band music on the side.
Beginning Band has received their first ever sheet music: High Adventure and Name That Christmas Carol.  We will also add a few selections from the method  book to create a memorable winter concert.
Advanced Strings has also received all 4 of their winter concert pieces: William Tell Overture, Gymnopedie, The 12 Musical Days of Christmas, and March (from the Nutcracker).
Advanced Band has also received all 4 of their winter concert pieces: Santa at the Symphony, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Jingle Bells and Jungle Drums, and Joy.  All students are also working on their honor band music, which will double as a playing test next week.
Beginning Strings has received their first ever sheet music, St. Nick's Canon on the Housetop, Silent Night, and Ode to Joy.


Veterans Concert - November 10
Intermediate and Advanced Bands will perform their parade song during class at approximately 9:15 AM for students, staff, as well as some veterans from our armed forces.  If you're available, the ceremony begins at 9:00 at CMS, and parents are welcome to join us for this special opportunity.

After School Rehearsal - November 10
All parade participants must attend this very important rehearsal.  Regardless of how much snow accumulates, IT WILL BE COLD, so help your students remember to dress accordingly.  This practice is going to be extremely important to help the students understand the unique demands of playing an instrument in cold weather.

Veterans Day Parade - November 11
Everything is on track for the parade on Wednesday.  Call time for all participants is 8:00 AM in the band room. Don't be late!  We will have 75 minutes to feed students breakfast, get them into their uniforms, do some quick practicing outside, and load the buses.

Thank you to all parents for signing up to help!  We have room on the bus for anyone who would like to chaperone.  Don't forget--make sure you're fingerprinted through the district if you wish to join us on the bus.

Honor Band
Students in Intermediate and Advanced Bands have been given music for honor band tryouts.  I am offering extra help during lunches, as well as the following times:
Wednesday after the parade until 1:30 PM
Thursday from 2:30-3:30
Friday from 2:30-3:30

Auditions will be held next week.

That's all, folks!

-Mr. Jacques-

Novemburr...

Dear Parents,

What a week it has been!  We have a lot to celebrate today, as well as a few things to look forward to as we continue into this new month.

Fall Concert Wrap-Up
The Fall Concert is in the books.  We had a successful spaghetti feed, as well as a record attendance in the cafeteria.  After speaking with our principal during the event, he said that he has never seen that many people come out to a concert.  Thank you so much for your patronage!  We also raised $1,220 from the spaghetti feed, also a record!

This would have been impossible without your help, parents.  Thank you.  I could not have done any of this alone.

Nevada Day Parade Wrap-Up
We had perfect weather for the parade on Saturday, as well as an early entry.  We have never played for that many people in recent memory.  The students should be very proud of what they accomplished.

Upcoming Event: Veterans Day Parade

The next event for the Intermediate and Advanced Bands is the Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday, November 11. Call time is 8:00 AM in the band room.  If you wish to join us, we will have room on the bus for chaperones!  There are also some spots available for uniform help, braiding hair, and helping provide a breakfast for these hard working men and women. Sign Up To Help!

All ensembles are hard at work preparing new music that will be showcased at the winter concert. How appropriate that the weather has changed outside.  Soon, your homes should become filled with festive cheer as you hear this music being practiced by your students!  

Have another great week.

-Mr. Jacques-

The Final Steps

Dear Parents,

A great week of performances is upon us!  This is just a reminder that all performances are mandatory and they contribute to a major portion of your student's grade.  I'm really excited to see them show off all that they have learned these last two months.

Fall Concert
Here are just a few reminders for all groups.

• 5:30 PM: Dinner service begins.  
• 6:00 PM: Call time for all groups.  Young bands will grab instruments and music, then sit in their spots on stage.  Intermediate and Advanced Band will stay in the band room to change.
• 6:30 PM: Concert Begins; Intermediate and Advanced Band students will sit next to their families with their instruments and music. 
• 7:15 PM: Concert Band, Beginning Band, Advanced Strings, and Beginning Strings students may sit/stand with parents.  Intermediate and Advanced Bands perform.
• 7:30 PM: Approximate end of concert.  Students will put away instruments, change, and help with clean-up.
• By 8:00 PM: Students dismissed.

          Please note the following based on your student's ensemble:

o   Beginning Band & Advanced Strings: We still need a little more spaghetti.

o   Concert Band & Beginning Strings: We still need a little more sauce.

o   Intermediate Band: We still need a lot of salad and garlic bread!

o   Advanced Band: Please bring dessert items with your students during the day or during the                  evening before 5:00 PM.

Concert Dress: Band/Strings polo shirts, black dress pants, black socks and black dress shoes.  Intermediate and Advanced Band: Full marching uniforms.

*If you have not yet paid your $20 lab fee, your student will need to arrive with a plain navy blue polo in order to perform.  They will receive their polo shirts once they have paid their fee.

Sign Up To Help  - Thank you to all volunteers!

Nevada Day Parade

I have some news about the Nevada Day Parade.  We are entry #31! This means that we will play earlier and to a bigger crowd.

• 8:00 AM: Call time in the Band Room to change into uniforms, take a photo, and load the bus
• 9:00 AM: Arrive at staging area (Adaline Street) for warm-ups.
• 10:00 AM: Parade begins.  We are entry #31.
• 12:00 PM: Return to CMS to change and eat lunch.
• Approx. 1:00 PM: Dismissal.

Make sure your student has shown you their handout with all details about this event.  

Sign Up To Help - Thank you to all volunteers!

Thank you again! Let's have a great concert week.

-Mr. Jacques-

Detail Oriented...

Dear Parents,

Mr. Jacques here!  It's time for the weekly update. I have new details about the Fall Concert, the Nevada Day Parade, and the Spring Trip, as well as a quick "progress report" on each class.

Fall Concert
I have some details about the fall concert on October 28.  This event is mandatory for all ensembles except for Jazz Band.  There will also be a spaghetti feed, as well as root beer floats and other baked goods.  Here's what I'm thinking for logistics and times for the night:

• 5:30 PM: Dinner service begins.  
• 6:00 PM: Call time for all groups.
• 6:30 PM: Concert Begins; Intermediate and Advanced Band in band room to change into uniforms.
• 7:15 PM: Concert Band, Beginning Band, Advanced Strings, and Beginning Strings students may sit/stand with parents.  Intermediate and Advanced Bands perform.
• 7:30 PM: Approximate end of concert.  Students will put away instruments, change, and help with clean-up.
• 8:00 PM: Students dismissed.

            We are asking all members to bring one item for the spaghetti feed:

o   Beginning Band & Advanced Strings: A box of spaghetti

o   Concert Band & Beginning Strings: A jar/can of sauce

o   Intermediate Band: Bag of salad or loaf of garlic bread

o   Advanced Band: Dessert Item

Concert Dress: Band/Strings polo shirts, black dress pants, black socks and black dress shoes.  Intermediate and Advanced Band: Full marching uniforms.

Sign Up To Help

Nevada Day Parade

Here is what I know about the Nevada Day Parade on October 31:

• 8:00 AM: Call time in the Band Room to change into uniforms, take a photo, and load the bus
• 9:00 AM: Arrive at staging area for warm-ups.
• 10:00 AM: Parade begins.  We are entry #31.
• 12:00 PM: Return to CMS to change and eat lunch.
• Approx. 1:00 PM: Dismissal.

Students will receive handouts with further details in class on Wednesday.

Sign Up To Help

Advanced Band Spring Trip

Congratulations!  Disneyland has accepted our audition and invited us to come back in May!  I will now begin planning the trip, and I will have details, including trip cost, at next week's meeting.

Class Progress:

Jazz Band has learned their first winter concert piece, received their second winter concert piece, worked extensively on solos, and continues to make progress on Woodchopper's Ball and Louie Louie.
Concert Band is well on their way towards preparing a great fall concert. Those who have paid their fees in full received their polo shirt on Monday. They received new music last week.  Practice makes perfect!
Intermediate Band should now be able to play Tribute to America from memory.  This, coupled with new music they received last week, will be their primary goals for the next couple weeks as they prepare for the fall concert and the Nevada Day Parade.
Beginning Band is working on the following for the concert: Merrily We Roll Along, Go Tell Aunt Rhody, Hot Cross Buns, Au Claire de la Lune, and Lightly Row.  Those who have paid their fees in full received their polo shirt on Monday. Practice makes perfect!
Advanced Strings sight read their last piece of music for the fall concert: Cimmaron.  They're very excited and having an extraordinarily fun time with sight reading.  Those who have paid their fees in full will receive their polo shirts Wednesday.
Advanced Band sight read their hardest song of the year today. It's very encouraging to hear that they can already navigate their way through it.  With their other pieces concert ready (and parade ready), they'll be receiving winter concert music this week!
Beginning Strings is working on the following for the concert: Hot Cross Buns, Mary Had a Little Lamb, D Major Scale, Can-Can, and possibly a few others!  Those who have paid their fees in full received their polo shirt on Monday.  Practice makes perfect!

That all I can think of right now.  In the meantime, go out and enjoy the Indian Summer!

-Mr. Jacques-

A word from Amber Vedova

Dear Parents/Guardians,

My name is Amber Vedova and I will be the student intern from the University of Nevada, Reno working in your child's classroom this semester.

I will be working with Nicolas Jacques to provide an enriched educational and musical experience for your child.  This internship is the culmination of my music education degree and I am excited to have the opportunity to put my learning into practice.  During this semester I will be observing, team teaching, and lead teaching under the supervision of Georgia Tachoires from the University of Nevada, Reno.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ambervedova@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Amber Vedova