Something Jazzy This Way Comes...

Dear Families,

The beginning of the new year is definitely Jazz Band's time in the spotlight, with their concert on Tuesday night. I also have class updates and more.

Jazz Extravaganza: January 30
The Jazz Band has learned 6...yes, 6 songs for this concert! 4 of them are brand new and we can't wait to perform for you. Even if you are not involved with the jazz band, we encourage you to attend.  Tickets are just $10 for adults and free for all students. Best of all, a majority of the admission cost comes right back to the CMS band program. I cannot thank the Mile High Jazz Band enough for their support of our jazz band year after year. Jazz Band parents: For more information, please see the handout sent home with your student.

Honor Band: February 1-2 
One perk of attending honor band: missing some school for 2 full days of music making with the best band students around. That's exactly what our 19 CMS students will be doing on these days.  If you're interested in attending the free concert, it's on February 2 at 7 PM in the Churchill County High School theater in Fallon. Honor Band parents: For more information, please see the handout sent home with your student.

UNR Jazz in the Schools: February 10
On Saturday, February 10, the Reno Jazz Orchestra is hosting a non-competitive jazz festival for area jazz bands. This festival is completely free of charge and it includes a clinic hosted by a professional jazz musician.  Students will also listen to other middle school jazz bands on this fun-filled Saturday.

CLASS UPDATES

Jazz Band is ready for their first of many 2nd semester concerts.  I always promote "quality over quantity" but with a group like this, you'll hear both quality AND quantity with what they've prepared for the Jazz Extravaganza.  I highly recommend this concert to all our families, friends, neighbors, etc.
Advanced Band is working on sight reading skills, along with their Band-o-Rama music. Most of the notes and rhythms are already learned and sections of this music are already sounding musical...in January. No surprises here, of course!
Concert Band is a pleasure to work with. I appreciate their enthusiasm and willingness to try  new things. We've been working on pitch matching by singing our parts and they never complain. They're learning harder music than ever before, and those who practice regularly are experiencing the most success.
Intermediate Band is being pushed by working on the same exact music as Advanced Band, all the way down to what they're doing in the method book. They're rising to the challenge, which will help them be the very best at festivals and beyond. They're getting there!
Beginning Band is also being challenged by working on the exact same Band-O-Rama music as Concert Band, and they're getting the hang of the first of 3 songs they'll be preparing by March 15. Rather than relying on the strongest players, I am challenging each student in this class to BE the strongest player. I think it's working...
CTE Music has been having a great time learning basic percussion skills on the practice pads. They also received their first handbell song for the new year, which will be performed in May.

PRACTICE LOGS and GRADES
Practice logs are due on Friday. Since this is your student's only grade so far, their overall grade during student led conferences will be based entirely upon how well they've been practicing and what work they show me. We will have our first playing tests during the 2nd week of February.

CHILI BINGO UPDATE
Chili Bingo Night, our biggest fundraiser of the year, is February 23. The race is on to follow up with as many area businesses as possible so that we can secure wonderful prizes for our raffles and bingo games. We will be making follow-up phone calls during the week of January 29, and any help would be greatly appreciated.  We will have a meeting on Wednesday, January 31, at 7 PM in the CMS Band Room to coordinate all the other logistics.

Have a great rest of your week!

-Mr. Jacques-

Happy 2018!

Dear Families,

Welcome to a new year and a fresh start in the band program.  We had a hugely successful fall 2017 semester, and it's time to do it all over again as we begin spring 2018!

Jazz Extravaganza - January 30
Each year, the Mile High Jazz Band puts on a benefit concert for the school jazz bands. This year, we are pleased to be a part of this event for the 5th year in a row.  Jazz band students are selling tickets, with proceeds going directly back into their accounts for their spring trip.

• Tickets are $10 for adults, free for kids age 18 and under. 
• Tickets can be purchased from a Jazz Band student, or at the door. 
• The concert is January 30 at 7 PM at the Carson City Community Center

Chili Bingo Night - February 23
Each year, this event generates at least $5,000 to go towards instruments and other essentials for our students. Now in its 10th year, this fundraiser has turned into a much-anticipated CMS tradition. During the event, we need help with the following:

• Running the raffle
• Running/calling Bingo
• Selling food/drinks
• Managing the chili cookoff
• If you can't help but are able to donate, we accept virtually anything in the form of gift cards, gift baskets, handmade items, monetary donations, etc.

The event itself is a night of games, prizes, delicious food, and family-friendly fun, all in the name of supporting the CMS band program.  More information will be announced shortly.

Class Updates

Jazz Band is working on a total of 5 songs for the Jazz Extravaganza on January 30, 3 of which are brand new to them. They are working on more music than any other jazz band over the years. Even better: they're rising to the occasion. Spring trip payment #2 is due ASAP.

Advanced Band has received all their Band-O-Rama music, as well as one of their festival selections.  They're already well on their way towards learning all the notes and rhythms to these songs.  Would you expect anything different from some of the best middle school musicians in Nevada? Spring trip payment #2 is due ASAP.

Concert Band has also received all their Band-O-Rama music, as well as one of their festival selections. These students are focusing heavily on fundamentals in class. With this foundation becoming even more routine, you should start hearing an improvement in how your student sounds at home. 

Intermediate Band has received all their Band-O-Rama music.  They're focusing heavily on fundamentals to improve that foundation that's essential for any great band. This class is improving at an outstanding rate, and they have the potential to play like an advanced band by March if they keep digging deep and working hard. 

CTE Music has just made it to the black belt on their recorders. This means that if they earn their belt, they have officially shown me that they have learned how to read music quite well. We are going to introduce percussion to this group, and continue our adventures on handbells. 

Beginning Bands are working heavily on fundamentals. As these students continue to build their tone and note/rhythm reading skills, they will be able to take on even more challenging and exciting music. They have their Band-O-Rama music, as well.

Practice Logs are due on Friday, January 26. Click above to view this week's assignment for your class. 

Upcoming Events

January 30: Jazz Extravaganza, 7:00 PM, Carson City Community Center
February 2: Honor Band, 7:00 PM, Churchill County High School
February 10: Jazz in the Schools, University of Nevada, Reno (all day)
February 23: Chili Bingo Night, CMS Gym and Cafeteria, 6:00-8:00 PM

March 15: Washoe County Band Festival (Advanced Band), 3:00-6:00 PM

March 15: Band-O-Rama, Carson High School Gym, 7:00 PM

Have a great week!

-Mr. Jacques-

2017: Year In Review

Dear Parents,

What a year it has been! It's time for my annual "year in review" post, highlighting everything that took place in the Carson Middle School band program during 2017:

January

• The Jazz Band performed in its fourth Jazz Extravaganza performance with the Carson High School Jazz Band and the Mile High Jazz Band. 
• The Jazz Band also hosted the Mile High Jazz Workshop, where students were offered free clinics coached by professional musicians.
• If that wasn't enough, the Jazz Band traveled to Folsom to perform at the Folsom Jazz Festival. 

February

• The Jazz Band made their 5th appearance at the Jazz in the Schools Clinic at UNR.
• 21 band members proudly represented Carson Middle School in the Northern Zone Honor Band.
• The annual Band-O-Rama event was held at Carson High School.

March

• For the 3rd time in the program's history, the CMS Advanced, Intermediate, and Concert Bands traveled to Reno to perform in the Washoe County Band Festival, earning "Superior" and "Excellent" ratings.
• Advanced Band earned unanimous "Superior" ratings at the Northern Zone Band Festival! These ratings were also the highest at the entire festival.  Click below to listen to a song from this performance:
• Afterburn
• By Dawn's Early Light
• Regenesis

• Intermediate and Concert Bands earned "Excellent" ratings at the Northern Zone Band Festival! Click below to listen to a song from this performance:
• Glorioso
• In the Bleak Midwinter
• Imperium
• Spirit of the Stallion

April

• Garry Carson, a magician out of Las Vegas, donated a magic show for the 2nd time. We raised over $1,000 in ticket sales and enjoyed a fantastic show.
• 8 band members proudly represented Carson Middle School in the NMEA All-State Band in Las Vegas.
• The Bingo Chili Night fundraiser generated $5,000 for the program!
• Beginning Band and Concert Band earned unanimous "Superior" ratings at the Northern Zone Beginning Music Festival!
• The Jazz Band performed at the Northern Zone Jazz Band Festival in Gardnerville.
• The Jazz Band performed at the Reno Jazz Festival, earning the jazz band's first ever "superior" rating.

May

• Advanced Band took their annual spring trip, performing in Disneyland, attending a soundtrack recording session, performing with a local middle school band, and participating in a clinic with Dr. Betancourt.
• All groups performed their spring concerts in the Cafeteria, signaling an end to the 2016-2017 school year.

June

• We hosted the 3rd annual Mile High Jazz Camp, which included 5 days of rehearsals and a concert with the Mile High Jazz Band.

August

• The school year began with record enrollment of approximately 220 in the bands!
• Handbells were offered again for the first time since 2011.

September

• Advanced Band students ran the 5th annual car wash fundraiser.  Over $1500 was generated for the program.

October

• The fall concert was held in the CMS gym (there wasn't enough room in the cafeteria this year!)
• The Marching Band performed in the Nevada Day Parade. Click here for a clip of the UNR Marching Band performing for CMS

November

• The Marching Band performed in the Veterans Day Parade, and once again, our band's performance was in the local news. Click here to view the band's appearance on Channel 2 News
• 19 band members were selected to represent CMS in the 2018 Northern Zone Honor Band.

December

• The Advanced Band performed for part of the tree lighting festivities in downtown Carson City for a 4th year in a row.
• The Marching Band performed in the Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade. View a clip from the performance here
• The winter concert was held at the Carson City Community Center. View recordings from the concert here
• The Advanced Band went "on tour" and performed at 5 elementary school winter assemblies, with a grand total of approximately 2,200 children listening! View the assembly performance here

Follow us on Instagram to see more photos like these!

Thank you to everyone that helped make 2017 such a huge success! 

Merry Christmas!

Dear Families,

I hope your students are enjoying a much deserved break from school, and you're getting in some quality family time with your loved ones. I wanted to post a quick update with some of the recordings so you can share your child's accomplishments with friends and family:

Beginning Band
Up On A Housetop
CMS Ringers
Ode to Joy
Concert Band
Diary Of A Grumpy Elf
Jazz Band
Nutcracker Swing
Jericho
Intermediate Band
Abominable Snowman Chase
Advanced Band
Santa Meets Sousa
Christmas Star
Nightmare Before Christmas
It's the Holiday Season

I'll be following up with my annual "year in review" post next week. In the meantime, Merry Christmas!

-Mr. Jacques-

Winter Concert FAQs

Dear Readers,

With the concert coming up, and the inevitable questions that I receive from students, I have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions.  If your question is not answered here, feel free to send me an email!

Q: When is the concert?
A: Tuesday, December 19

Q: Wait...where is this again?
A: Carson City Community Center

Q: Can we come early to help set up?
A: Yes, as long as it's no earlier than 4:30 PM and you are with your parents.  Bring decorations or lights and we may even use them as part of our concert!

Q: When is call time?
A: 5:45 PM for Beginning Band, Handbells, and Concert Band. No later than 6:45 PM for everybody else. In more than 1 ensemble? Arrive at the earlier of the two call times.

Q: What if I forget my instrument or music at CMS?
A: Beg your parents to take you back to school for whatever you forgot, and beg a custodian to let you into the band room. There's no guarantee that you'd make it back in time for your group's performance. Your best bet is to bring home everything you need that afternoon.

Q: What do we wear?
A: Parents may wear whatever they want!!  But seriously, here's the concert attire for each group:

• Beginning Band, Concert Band: Blue CMS Band polo or SSA polo with black dress pants, black socks, and black dress shoes.
• Handbells: Festive/Christmas-like attire.
• Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, Jazz Band: Tuxedo outfit issued to your student, including blue cummerbund, bow tie, vests (certain Jazz Band members) and black marching shoes or dress shoes.  *Remember to take your garment bags home*

Q: Can we decorate our instruments or ourselves?

A: Absolutely!  Holiday hats are encouraged.  If you decorate instruments, make sure the decorations do not get in the way of the functionality of the instrument or damage the lacquer.

Q: Can I bring baked goods without signing up online?

A: Sure!  Just show up with your favorite individually packaged cookies, fudge, brownies, or anything else and we will sell it.

Q: What time does the concert start?

A: The concert starts at 6:00 PM. Part 2 starts at 7:00 PM.

Q: What is the order of groups: 
A: Beginning Band, Handbells, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Intermediate Band, Advanced Band

Q: What time does the concert end?

A: The entire event should finish around 8:00 PM. 

Q: Where do students sit when they don't perform?

A: They will sit with their families in the audience. They will also be required to stay in the audience whenever someone is performing. No students should be in the lobby or restrooms when anyone is playing. 

Q: How much is admission?
A: My concerts are always FREE!

See you all Tuesday night!  

-Mr. Jacques-

'Twas the Week Before the Concert...

Dear Parents, 

'Twas the week before the concert, when all through the town,
All the students were stirring up excellent sounds.
The songs were rehearsed in the band room with care, 
In hopes that Mr. Jacques will know we're prepared. 

That's right, folks! The winter concert is 1 week away, and I cannot wait for a fun evening in the Community Center with some of my favorite people. We also have our final playing tests and practice logs due on Friday.

December 15: Elementary School Winter Assembly Tours
On Friday, Advanced Band will finish their week-long tour to various elementary schools to perform a concert for all students and staff. These visits have been taking place during Advanced Band's rehearsal time. This tradition began last year, and it greatly helped our band program grow. We have also been receiving outstanding publicity for the band program. Check out the video that Fremont Elementary School produced after our visit:

Check out these pictures from Monday's stops at Seeliger and Bordewich Bray:

A HUGE thank you to Michelle for chaperoning and taking photos, as well as all teachers/administrators for supporting this new tradition.

December 19: Winter Concert (MANDATORY for all students in all groups)
The concert is just a few days away! Click here for a digital copy. This concert begins at 6:00 PM in the Community Center.  Here's a to-the-minute schedule:

• 4:30 PM: Parents and students who signed up to help set up and decorate will meet.
• 5:00 PM: Stage hands who signed up to help backstage will meet.
• 5:45 PM: Call time for Beginning Band, Handbells, Concert Band. 
• Beginners will warm up on stage, while all others will sit in the audience.
• 6:00 PM: Beginning Band performs to open part 1
• 6:20 PM: Handbells perform
• 6:30 PM: Concert Band performs
• 6:45 PM: Intermission
• 7:00 PM: Jazz Band performs to open part 2
• 7:20 PM: Intermediate Band performs
• 7:40 PM: Advanced Band performs
• 8:00 PM: Approx. end of concert. Students need to help clean up before they leave. 

We need your help with the following items/services:

• Decorating: Arrive around 4:30 pm and bring decorations from home. This can include plastic Christmas trees, lights, poinsettias, empty boxes that are wrapped up and disguised as gifts, etc. Or, if unable to decorate at that time but you want to let us borrow some decorations, you may drop them off at the community center earlier in the day.
• Stage hands - You'll help students in the back-of-the-house with setup, set changes, handbell tables, lights, and tear down at the end. There are 2 shifts.
• Baked goods (anything pre-packaged and not too messy to be sold for $1 each). 
• Light booth tech: You will run various slides on a Powerpoint and project an animation in the background of one of Jazz Band's selections.

Able to help in any of these areas? Please sign up here! See the flyer for additional details such as concert dress, student expectations, etc. 

*Your Jazz Band, Intermediate Band, and Advanced Band students will be fitted into their concert dress that includes tuxedo shirts, black dress pants, cummerbund, and bow tie within the next week. This uniform will be allowed to go home.

Final Grades
The end of the semester is only 2 weeks away. Can you believe it?  Students in all classes will have their final practice log due on December 15. Beginning Band had their final playing test last week, and all other classes will be completing theirs on video by Friday of this week.  The last day to retake any playing tests will be Wednesday, December 20.  After that, all scores will be final as grades will be due for the first semester.

After School Rehearsals
We are finished with after school rehearsals for the 1st semester!  Thank you so much to all parents for making it possible for students to have this extra time after school when we needed it most. Looking ahead, here are the extra rehearsals in January:
January 9: Honor Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
January 16: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
January 23: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
January 30: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM

Have a great week, and let me know if you have any questions!

-Mr. Jacques-

Marching Into December...

Dear Parents,

Congratulations to the Advanced Band on their performance as they helped support the Empty Bowls fundraiser. Also, a huge thank-you goes out to FISH for feeding the band!
Congratulations to the Marching Band as they performed in the Sparks Christmas Parade! What a nice way to finish out the marching band season!  Here is a video clip from the end of the parade:

WHAT'S NEXT? 

December 11, 13, 15: Elementary School Winter Assembly Tour
On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Advanced Band will visit the area elementary schools to perform a concert for all students and staff. These visits will take place during Advanced Band's rehearsal time. This tradition began last year, and it greatly helped our band program grow. Students who are participating in this were sent home with a flyer on Tuesday afternoon.

December 19: Winter Concert (MANDATORY for all students in all groups)
Students were sent home with a flyer last week. Click here for a digital copy. This concert begins at 6:00 PM in the Community Center.  Here's a to-the-minute schedule:

• 4:30 PM: Parents and students who signed up to help set up and decorate will meet.
• 5:00 PM: Stage hands who signed up to help backstage will meet.
• 5:45 PM: Call time for Beginning Band, Handbells, Concert Band. 
• Beginners will warm up on stage, while all others will sit in the audience.
• 6:00 PM: Beginning Band performs to open part 1
• 6:20 PM: Handbells perform
• 6:30 PM: Concert Band performs
• 6:45 PM: Intermission
• 7:00 PM: Jazz Band performs to open part 2
• 7:20 PM: Intermediate Band performs
• 7:40 PM: Advanced Band performs
• 8:00 PM: Approx. end of concert. Students need to help clean up before they leave. 

We need your help with the following items/services:

• Decorating: Arrive around 4:30 pm and bring decorations from home. This can include plastic Christmas trees, lights, poinsettias, empty boxes that are wrapped up and disguised as gifts, etc. Or, if unable to decorate at that time but you want to let us borrow some decorations, you may drop them off at the community center earlier in the day.
• Stage hands - You'll help students in the back-of-the-house with setup, set changes, handbell tables, lights, and tear down at the end. There are 2 shifts.
• Baked goods (anything pre-packaged and not too messy to be sold for $1 each). 
• Light booth tech: You will run various slides on a Powerpoint and project an animation in the background of one of Jazz Band's selections.

Able to help in any of these areas? Please sign up here! See the flyer for additional details such as concert dress, student expectations, etc. 

*Your Jazz Band, Intermediate Band, and Advanced Band students will be fitted into their concert dress that includes tuxedo shirts, black dress pants, cummerbund, and bow tie within the next week. This uniform will be allowed to go home.

Final Grades
The end of the semester is only 2 weeks away. Can you believe it?  Students in all classes will have their final practice log due on December 15. Beginning Band had their final playing test last week, and all other classes will have theirs next week.  The last day to retake any playing tests will be Wednesday, December 20.  After that, all scores will be final as grades will be due.

After School Rehearsals
There is one more Advanced Band rehearsal for the semester. Looking ahead to January, mark your calendar if your student is in Jazz Band.
December 12: Advanced Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
January 16: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
January 23: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
January 30: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM

Have a "band"tastic week!

-Mr. Jacques-