Feeling Jazzed...

Dear Parents,

It's time for some announcements about class progress and upcoming events.  First, however, a huge shout-out to those who made All-State Band this year:

• Bahar Jazani
• Chloe Vasquez
• Madisen Aragon
• Slade Pronk
• Ethan Valdez
• Kaitlyn Edge
• Adam Richetta
• Emma Hataway

These students will represent CMS in a band of 107 players from 25 schools across the state! If you'd like more information about this group, you may visit this webpage: http://www.nmeamusic.org/all-state-middle-school-band.html 

Class Progress

• Jazz Band is hard at work preparing for the Folsom Jazz Festival, Jazz Extravaganza, and Jazz in the Schools. These events take place in the time span of 2 weeks. I am so excited to see them working towards their full potential!
• Intermediate Band has shown exceptional improvement since the new year. They have also welcomed 4 new players who are taking to the new class quite successfully. This group is really blossoming musically and I am considering giving them a second festival performance this spring.
• Beginning Bands are moving along in the method book and they are getting close to being able to play through their first Band-O-Rama piece. Beginning B was also able to sight read through a song quite successfully on Friday. 
• Concert Band can perform their first Band-O-Rama piece, and each day they sound better than the last. They are at a point where I am strongly considering giving them a second festival performance this spring.
• Advanced Band has learned their first Band-O-Rama song and began sight reading their most demanding festival piece. They are also beginning to learn all 12 of their major scales, a step that will help them greatly in high school.  

Upcoming Events

• January 21: Jazz Workshop  Come join the Jazz Band and professional musicians from the Mile High Jazz Band for a fun morning of music. This is an optional event from 9 AM-1 PM. For more information, click here.
• January 23: Honor Band Rehearsal  Honor Band members must attend this mandatory rehearsal at EVMS from 5-7 PM.
• January 28: Folsom Jazz Festival  The Jazz Band will be competing with jazz bands from the state of California. For more information, click here.
• January 31: Jazz Extravaganza  The Jazz Band will be performing with the CHS Jazz Band and the Mile High Jazz Band on this fun-filled evening at the Community Center. The concert starts at 7. Jazz Band students are selling tickets for $10 per adult. Students are free! 
• February 11: UNR Jazz in the Schools  The Jazz Band will perform a concert and receive a clinic from members of the Reno Jazz Orchestra in this free event. More information will be on its way soon.
• February 16-17: Honor Band in Fallon  Honor Band will have two all-day rehearsals at Churchill County High School, followed by a concert on the evening of Feb. 17 at 7 PM.  More information will be handed to honor band students shortly.
• February 23: Band-O-Rama   All Beginning Band, Concert Band, Intermediate Band, and Advanced Band students must attend this event. We will have a rehearsal from 7:30-10:30 AM, and the concert will begin that evening at 7:00 PM. More information will be handed out to students shortly.

Looking Ahead

• March 8: Washoe County Band Festival (Ensembles TBA)
• March 10: Chili Bingo Night
• March 15: NZNMEA Band Festival (Concert Band, Intermediate Band, Advanced Band)

Enjoy the snowy weekend!

-Mr. Jacques-