March Madness Indeed...

Dear Parents,

I have some significant updates to announce that impacts all students.  Please read below:

• Band-O-Rama is postponed until further notice.  Please disregard the flyer I sent home with students this week. 
• Both the Concert/Intermediate Band and the Advanced Band spring trips have also been postponed until further notice. I will suspend payment collection until we know more information on how to proceed. 
• The Reno Jazz Festival has been cancelled. This event is not going to be rescheduled this year.

Other updates:

• I have finalized and posted all 3rd quarter grades. If you're too excited to wait for the printout to be sent home with students, feel free to log into Infinite Campus to see where your student stands for quarter 3. 
• I have changed the due dates for all future playing tests. Playing tests will now be due on the last evening of any given weekend that they are assigned. The following is due Monday (end of the extended weekend) on Smartmusic: 
• Jazz Band: Midnight Snack
• Concert Band: New Orleans Strut
• Intermediate Band: New Orleans Strut
• Advanced Band: New Orleans Strut
• Beginning Bands: The Clumsy Clown
• As of now, all after school rehearsals will still take place as scheduled.  The next rehearsal is the invited Concert Band members and Intermediate Band on Tuesday from 2:30-4:30 PM. 

We are facing a new and strange situation here, and I will continue to communicate any updates as they occur.  As I told the students, we are going to continue to make wonderful music in class and keep working as if nothing is postponed or cancelled.  Once this situation passes, they will be ready to showcase all the amazing work that has taken place in the band room.  I hope you all have a restful and safe weekend. 

-Mr. Jacques-

Leaping into March Madness...

Dear Parents,

March Madness, a saying that most of us relate to basketball, definitely means something different when it comes to next week in our music world. When I was a college student at UNR, both of these worlds collided for a couple of magical weeks when the band played at basketball games.  Since our team did well, we also traveled with them to the NCAA tournament. We were always excited to travel to new and exciting places together as a band.  No, I was never excused from all the midterms and projects I left behind while traveling, but those experiences are my best memories from college.

This week, many students will have performances, and they will have their first taste of these experiences making great music with good friends. Between our performances and the end of quarter 3, next week is a big one! Here's everything you need to know:

March 1: Capital City Community Band Concert - This event will include our school's Clarinet Choir and Percussion Ensemble, along with other youth groups. The Capital City Community Band hosts this annual concert as a salute to young musicians. The concert begins at 3 PM in the Carson City Community Center.  Extra credit for all students who check in with me at the end of this concert!

March 3: Jazz Extravaganza Concert - All money from presale tickets is due back to me by Tuesday morning, March 3.  CMS Jazz Band and the Mile High Jazz Band put together a joint concert to benefit our music program.  This concert begins at 7 PM in the Carson City Community Center and tickets are just $10. Students ages 18 and younger are free! The Mile High Jazz Band donates all the profits from this concert to the CMS Jazz Band. Click here for the flyer.

March 6: Advanced Band at Washoe County Band Festival - As the only bands who perform here from outside of Washoe County, this festival is an amazing educational experience for our students.  The Advanced Band performs at 2:40 PM in Nightingale Concert Hall at UNR.  Click here for the flyer.  Please email me if you can chaperone.

GRADE NEWS
Just 1 more week until grades are due for quarter 3.  Many students have been making up tests. Some students have been so determined that they have improved by as many as 3 letter grades in just a week!  This is proof positive that all our students will be successful if they put their minds to it.  Just a few more notes about grades:

• I will update all grades by Sunday night, including citizenship. 
• Students will have until Thursday, March 5, make-up or re-take any missing playing tests. Students may retake tests for me in class, after school, on SmartMusic, or recorded at home and emailed to me.
• I will be available after school on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until 3:30 PM for any students who wish to practice, receive help, or re-take tests. There will be no Percussion Ensemble or Clarinet Choir this week. 

SPRING TRIP UPDATES

The next payment is due on March 15. This date is also the cut-off for any refunds.  Please let me know if you need any financial assistance or extra time to catch up on payments.  

• Intermediate and Concert Band: Full payment of $180 is due on this date.
• Advanced Band: Payment #4 of $125 is due on this date.  

BAND-O-RAMA

Save the date!  Band-O-Rama is on March 26, and is mandatory for all groups. More information to follow after next week. 

Here's to a successful busy week in March, where 2 months of hard work during quarter 3 begins to pay off in amazingly musical ways. Have a great weekend!

-Mr. Jacques-

Prepping for a busy March...

Dear Parents,

Time for a long overdue update with class updates, grade updates, and rundown of our very busy first week of March.

CLASS UPDATES
Jazz Band performed at their Jazz in the Schools Clinic. This was their 8th appearance at this free performance hosted by the Reno Jazz Orchestra. Students are also enjoying weekly visits from professional musicians at our rehearsals, also courtesy of the Reno Jazz Orchestra.  Next event: Jazz Extravaganza on March 3.
Beginning Bands have been working on fundamentals and applying those fundamentals to their Band-O-Rama music. Students are just a few weeks from being able to play through this music. Every year, it's a remarkable transformation that these students undergo in just a few short months of playing.  Next event: Band-O-Rama on March 26.
Concert Band can play through all their Band-O-Rama music and they're making outstanding progress. Several of these students have been invited to join Intermediate Band on their spring trip. Students will also receive new music for their band festival in April.  Next event: Band-O-Rama on March 26.
Intermediate Band is working on their Band-O-Rama music and can just about play through it successfully as a class. They also received and are working on their band festival music. We are working as a class to make the best decision possible on what we will be performing at our first band festival.  Next event: Washoe County Band Festival on March 7.
Advanced Band has learned all their Band-O-Rama music and is preparing challenging literature for their first band festival.  They will be playing high school-level music and pushing the envelope of what a middle school band is capable of doing.  Next event: Washoe County Band Festival on March 6.
Percussion Ensemble began just a few weeks ago. Now in their second year of existence at CMS, this group of enthusiastic percussionists rehearses on Tuesday afternoons and will be putting together music for 2 events. Their first event: Capital City Community Band's concert on March 1.

GRADE NEWS
We have been successfully replacing weekly practice time of 30 minutes with weekly to bi-weekly playing tests on Smartmusic.  A majority of students are successfully turning in their assignments. Those who aren't completing them at home have the opportunity to complete them in my practice room at school during class. They also have the option to play for me once they have attempted to record through the program. For more information on how to record, please see the previous newsletter.  Students are also earning weekly participation by being prepared in class, as well as weekly citizenship.

UPCOMING EVENTS
I updated the calendar with all known rehearsals and events.  You can either click here or click "calendar" at the top of the webpage. Here's a list of our very busy first week of March:
March 1: Capital City Community Band Concert - This event will include our school's Clarinet Choir and Percussion Ensemble, along with other youth groups. The Capital City Community Band hosts this annual concert as a salute to young musicians. The concert begins at 3 PM in the Carson City Community Center. I will offer extra credit for any student who checks in with me at the end of this concert.
March 3: Jazz Extravaganza Concert - Each year, the CMS Jazz Band and the Mile High Jazz Band put together a joint concert to benefit our music program.  This concert begins at 7 PM in the Carson City Community Center and tickets are just $10. The Mile High Jazz Band donates all the profits from this concert to the CMS Jazz Band. Click here for the flyer.
March 6: Advanced Band at Washoe County Band Festival - As the only bands who perform here from outside of Washoe County, this festival is an amazing educational experience for our students.  The Advanced Band performs at 2:40 PM in Nightingale Concert Hall at UNR.
March 7: Intermediate Band at Washoe County Band Festival - Intermediate Band will also enjoy this amazing experience as they get a chance to perform in front of judges that will help them become even stronger musicians.  This group performs at 10:05 AM at North Valleys High School.

As we enter our spring performance season, this is where students will begin to hit those major "breakthrough" moments in both how they perform and how they work together. I hope you all enjoyed the Presidents Day weekend!

-Mr. Jacques-

Playing Tests

Dear Parents,

It's time for an update as we move through January and closer to our first performances of the second semester. I have some detailed and helpful information about playing tests through Smartmusic, and a change to how we will be practicing in the coming weeks.

PLAYING TESTS
Starting this week, students will receive more regular playing tests on portions of their Bandorama and band festival music in lieu of weekly practice grades (more info on this below). Students will record these tests through Smartmusic for a score. With many students and only 1 of me, this setup allows students to focus on instrumental growth at home so we can focus on group pieces in class. This program also listens to your student and helps them fix mistakes.

TO RECORD AND SUBMIT AN ASSIGNMENT

1. Make sure you have practiced the piece with “Mr. Jacques' Practice Tips” first. 
2. Click on “Assessment” up in the grey area.
3. Click “Calibrate Mic” to make sure your microphone is working properly (if you get scores that don’t seem correct in the future, sometimes the mic is the problem.  Try using headphones with a built in microphone or a different computer.  Sometimes, rarely, a separate microphone is needed and can be purchased directly from Smart Music).
4. Tune your instrument.  If your instrument is not in tune, you will not get a good score (excludes percussion/keyboard percussion).  
   1. Go to the Smart Music assessment page and click on “Tuner”.
   2. Use the information you learned in class tune your individual instrument. 
   3.  In band we use “Concert Pitch” to describe the note we want everyone to play.  Usually we use the concert pitch “Bb”, which is what flutes, trombones, baritones, and mallet percussion will play (though you don’t need to tune mallet instruments).  Clarinets and trumpets will play an open C and saxophones will play G, but the tuner will read “Concert Pitch Bb”. 
   4. Read the needle on the tuner and figure out which way to adjust your instrument.
   5. After you’re all tuned and have practiced the piece several times, you’re ready to try testing. 
5.  Mute “My Part” so the computer doesn’t test itself.  Remember, you’re trying to get better at your instrument, not just learn how to “beat the system” 
6. Mute “Accompaniment” so it’s not hearing itself and giving you bad scores.
7. Turn the metronome to about half volume.  Again, we don’t want it grading itself and this has been a big issue, especially during the rests.
8. Click on “Assessment”.   Drummers click “Perc./Clap Mode”.
9. Press the “Record” button and play the piece.
10.  Look at your score and see if you’ve reached 90% or above.  If you didn’t reach 90% or above, DO NOT SUBMIT the song unless it's the due date and you've done your best.  You haven’t reached a performance ready level and probably need to go back to your “Mr. Jacques' Practice Tips” to figure out what is wrong. 

 
11. IF YOU REACHED 90% OR ABOVE:

1. Click “Save” to save your score.
2. If you didn’t get 100%, try a few more times to see if you can perfect your performance a bit.
3. When you are satisfied with your score (above 90%), click on the arrow in the box of scores and select the one you want to submit.
4. CONGRATULATIONS!

1. IF YOU DID NOT REACH 90% (TROUBLESHOOTING):
1. Click on the notes that turned up red.  Click the bottom left of the note to make sure you have the fingering correct.  Click the bottom right of the note to make sure the note coming out of your instrument is the note you hear.
2. Click the “Playback” button (blue arrow with red dot) to hear a recording of yourself.  Can you identify what is wrong?
3. Are you playing the rhythm correctly?  Are you playing each note EXACTLY when the blue line reaches it?  Do you know your note names?  How about fingerings?  What about your embouchure (mouth position…are your cheeks puffed out, reed broken, etc.)?
4. Make sure you’ve muted the accompaniment and maybe even the metronome.  This has been getting people very low scores when the computer hears itself.
5. Try using a different microphone.  If you are blowing into an instrument with air, many students find the headphone/microphone combination helpful as this way you can listen to the music but it will only record your instrument.  Percussionists may consider trying a different external microphone that plugs into the usb jack.
6. Contact customer service by clicking the HELP button.  Because this is new to me AND I cannot see your computer/settings/etc. AND I’m not an IT expert, it will help them understand the common issues and hopefully fix them sooner.
7. If you continue recording and having difficulty getting a score above 90%, submit your best recording, leave a comment in the comment section how many times you practiced it AND EMAIL ME at njacques@carson.k12.nv.us to let me know you need me to listen and give you feedback.  If you do not email me, I will not know to listen to it. 

All assignments are due on Fridays. Due dates are posted in your student's Smartmusic assignments page.  Students who have earned lower than a 90% on any playing test may come see Mr. Jacques in person during lunches or after school until June 2. 

PRACTICING

We are suspending the 30 minute weekly Smartmusic practice assignment until further notice. I have found that several students have been recording their time by pressing record and letting the song play on their computer without them. Since the purpose of practicing is to get better at playing instruments rather than cheating the system, we will be using the playing test procedure above to ensure that students are improving.  This week and next week, I will automatically accompany any playing test with a practice grade. Students will earn full credit by submitting a playing test by the due date.

UPCOMING REHEARSALS/EVENTS

January 28: Percussion Ensemble, 2:30-4:30

January 29: Clarinet Choir, 2:30-4:00

February 4: Percussion Ensemble, 2:30-4:30

February 5: Clarinet Choir, 2:30-4:00

February 6-7: Honor Band rehearses at Carson City Community Center

February 7: Honor Band concert at Community Center, 7:00 PM

February 8: UNR Jazz in the Schools Clinic

Please remember to check the calendar of events for all future events. Sometimes, these dates seem to sneak up on all of us and this will help us eliminate any "surprises." 

As always, let me know if you have any questions. 

-Mr. Jacques-

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-

2019: Year in Review

Dear Parents, 

Another year is coming to a close, and this year is extra special in many ways. It's time for my annual "year in review" post, highlighting all the major events that took place in 2019.

 February

• The Jazz Band made their 7th appearance at the Jazz in the Schools Clinic at UNR.
• A record of 26 band members proudly represented Carson Middle School in the Northern Zone Honor Band. 

 March

• The Bingo Chili Night fundraiser generated $14,000 for the program!
• Our newly created percussion ensemble performed at UNR's Day of Percussion.

• For the 5th time in the program's history, the CMS Advanced Band traveled to Reno to perform in the Washoe County Band Festival, earning "Excellent" and "Superior" ratings, as well as a "Superior" rating in sight reading.
• Advanced Band earned unanimous "Superior" ratings at the Northern Zone Band Festival! These ratings were also the highest at the entire festival.
• Intermediate Band earned "Excellent" ratings at the Northern Zone Band Festival! 
• The annual Band-O-Rama event was held at Carson High School.

April

• 6 band members proudly represented Carson Middle School in the NMEA All-State Band in Las Vegas.
• Beginning Band and Concert Band combined in a performance at the Northern Zone Beginning Band Festival, earning "Superior" ratings!
• The Jazz Band performed at the Northern Zone Jazz Band Festival at Carson High School.
• The Jazz Band performed at the Reno Jazz Festival, earning "excellent" ratings, and placing 9th overall in the middle school division.
• Mr. Jacques was selected as Carson City School District's teacher of the year!
• Intermediate Band traveled to their second Music in the Parks festival.

May

• Advanced Band and Jazz Band took their annual spring trip, performing in Disneyland,  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 2018-2019 school year.

June

• We hosted the 5th annual Mile High Jazz Camp, which included 5 days of rehearsals and a concert with the Mile High Jazz Band. We also created the first ever Summer Pops Camp in conjunction with the Capital City Community Band.

August

• The school year began with another year of record enrollment in the band program!

October

• The fall concert was held in the CMS gym (once again, there wasn't enough room in the cafeteria!)
• Mr. Jacques was surprised with an assembly that awarded him with a Milken Educator Award!
• The Marching Band performed in the Nevada Day Parade.

November

• The Marching Band performed in the Veterans Day Parade, and once again, our band's performance was in the local news.
• Chili Bingo Night moved to a new date in the fall, so for the second time in 2019, we held the event. This time, we raised a staggering $16,400!
• 20 students were selected for the 2020 Northern Zone Middle School Honor Band!

December

• The Marching Band performed in the Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade. 
• The Advanced Band performed at 8 holiday events, including the Empty Bowls fundraiser, elementary school concerts, and a school assembly.
• The winter concert was held at the CMS Cafetera, ending our 2019 calendar year on a fun, festive note. 

Thank you to everyone who helped make 2019 another huge success! 

Concerts and Final Grades...

Dear Parents,

Semester 1 is almost done, and with that, the first half of the school year.  We have our winter concert next week, along with some other fun activities.  Grades are also due next week, and I have some important information on how to help be sure all students are ending the semester in the most successful way possible.

WINTER CONCERT - DECEMBER 18

Our winter concert is on December 18 starting at 6:00 PM in the Carson City Community Center. Students must bring home their instruments and all music after school on Wednesday afternoon.
Here is a timeline of the evening:
5:00 PM - Percussion students and parent helpers report to set up.
5:30 PM - Call time for Beginning Band students on stage.
5:45 PM - Call time for Concert Band members; assemble instruments and sit in the audience.
6:00 PM - Part 1 begins with Beginning Band, then Concert Band
6:30 PM - Call time for Jazz Band backstage
6:45 PM - Intermission; Intermediate/Advanced Band call time, Jazz Band sets up.
7:00 PM - Part 2 begins with Jazz Band, Intermediate Band, then Advanced Band.
8:00-8:15 PM - Approximate end of concert. Students will help clean up and load percussion into the truck.

Other important items

• Concert Dress for all groups except Advanced Band and Jazz Band will be the blue band polo, black dress pants, black socks, and black dress shoes. Students are also allowed to wear festive hats, scarves, and jewelry.
• Concert Dress for Jazz Band will be their school-issued blue jacket or vest along with their tuxedo shirt, cummerbund, black tuxedo pants, black socks, and black dress shoes.
• Concert Dress for Advanced Band will be their school-issued full tuxedo outfit (tux shirt, cummerbund, bow tie, and dress pants) or dress with dress shoes and black socks. Girls may wear flats with the dresses. Please note: Students in both Jazz Band and Advanced Band will have time to change backstage while Intermediate Band is getting ready to perform. 
• We will be selling off our old music stands at the concert for $10 each. That's right! The new music stands will be arriving this week, and your student will have a chance to take home a piece of history.  We've had to live with these old stands for years, and now, your student will get a chance to live with them at home!

We need parent volunteers to help make this concert a huge success.  Please sign up for a shift or an item here: https://signup.com/go/KguDZgS

GRADE NEWS

The end of the semester is on Friday, December 20.  Students make retake or make up any playing tests until Thursday, December 19.  I encourage everyone to access InfiniteCampus to see what needs to be retaken and schedule a time with me. I will be here after school every day this week and next week except for Wednesday, and also 2nd lunch each day.

We also have our final Smartmusic practice time of the semester due this Friday, 12/13.  If your student experiences any technical issues, they need to screenshot the problem, email me before the assignment is due, and contact the Smartmusic technical support team. I'm looking forward to a strong finish to your student's practice time this week.

Once we are finished with the winter concert, I will also be passing out Band-O-Rama music for students to study.

OTHER EVENTS

December 12 NOW December 17: Advanced Band Assembly Tour: Bordewich Bray Elementary, 8:45-9:15 AM
December 18: CMS Band Winter Concert, Carson City Community Center, 6-8:30 PM
December 19: Advanced Band Assembly Tour: Mark Twain Elementary, 8:45-9:15 AM; Fremont Elementary, 10:00-10:30 AM. Students will wear their "it's cool" shirts that day.
December 20: CMS Assembly performance for Concert Band, Intermediate Band, and Advanced Band, 12:30 PM - please note new time and date. Students will wear their "it's cool" shirts that day.
December 20: Jazz in the Commons at 7:15 AM

Just 10 more days until winter break!

-Mr. Jacques-