Hello everyone. I hope you each had a relaxing moment or two over the last week. There is A LOT coming up in the next few weeks. Read on for details about rehearsals, concerts, and contests!
This week
Tuesday, March 21 – normal weekly Percussion rehearsal, 6-8p. Preparation for the Percussion Concert, as well as contest ensembles.
Thursday, March 23 – late start filming with the selected students Dr. Thomas worked with before Spring Break on the Read Across SMSD musical jingle. We will start at 7:30a in the auditorium. Normal school clothes are appropriate. The band room door will be unlocked for you to enter the building. Please do not enter from the main hallway.
Next Week
Tuesday, March 28 – Wind Ensemble concert at SM East. Parents are invited! This concert features all of the top concert bands in Shawnee Mission as we are preparing for the State Large Group festival in April. We will probably be performing first right at 7:00p.m. Call time for the Wind Ensemble students will be 6:15p in normal “Concert Black” – that is ALL black from head to toe. Students are responsible for getting themselves, their music, and instruments to East no later than 6:15p. Please talk to your coaches now so you can be released from practices at a minimum of 30 minutes early – more if you need a shower and to eat. You will be driving during rush hour. It takes longer than you think! We stay until the concert is finished. No exceptions. We ARE a good audience AND we will probably learn some things from the other groups. 😊
Wednesday, March 29 – 6th Grade Honor Band Concert. Mentor students, your help is definitely needed for the concert just like always. This is at SM Northwest. You need to be there by 6:30p to help your mentees. 😊
Thursday, March 30 – Symphonic Band concert at Northwest. Parents are invited. This concert features all the second concert bands in Shawnee Mission as we are also preparing for the State Large Group festival in April. We will be performing in the middle of the pack. The concert starts at 7:00p.m. Call time for the Symphonic Band students will be 6:30p in normal “Concert Black”- that is ALL black from head to toe. Students are responsible for getting themselves, their music, and instruments to Northwest no later than 6:30p. Please talk to your coaches now so you can be released from practices at a minimum of 30 minutes early – more if you need a shower and to eat. We stay until the concert is finished. No exceptions. We ARE a good audience AND we will probably learn some things from the other groups.
Wind Ensemble – some of you have not turned in your Scale playing test. It is now a zero in Canvas. I will allow you to fix that THIS week, but this needs to be completed. You’ve known since the beginning of the semester. All 12 major + chromatic scales, memorized in one minute and 45 seconds. The submission is a video showing your music stand to prove that you are playing from memory. You may fold the sheet to show the first note of each scale.
Soloists and Ensembles – Please make plans with your accompanist (if you have one) to perform at the Recital Night at SM West on Monday, April 3. This is REQUIRED for everyone performing at regionals. I will have sign-up sheets on the marker board in the band room. This is for you or your group to get feedback from a judge to help you prepare for the regional solo or ensemble festival on Saturday, April 15. Band~Aides happily pays for the judges to help you reach your potential prior to the regional event. Parents, you are welcome to sit in and listen to your student perform at the recital night – IF your student approves. 😊. If you have not ordered your ORIGINAL MUSIC for you AND your accompanist, do that NOW. If you need help, please ask Dr. Thomas or Mr. Hupe. If you do not have originals for Regionals, you will be disqualified. ☹
More details to come later about Regional Solo and Ensemble and State Large Group music festivals. I don’t want to confuse you with too many details now.
Have a great week! Welcome back – let’s have a GREAT Fourth Quarter!