Hello everyone! I hope you have had a relaxing weekend. We have some outstanding band students to congratulate and news for what is coming up in the next few weeks.
2024-25 Drum Majors
Let’s start with congratulations to our 2024-25 drum majors – Calista Loss, Naomi Waddell, and Caroline Tims. While always a difficult decision, this year seemed especially tough. I am so thankful for all of the students who put themselves out on a limb to be critiqued and demonstrate their skills in front of their peers. I hope all of the folks who were not selected to become a drum major for next season will consider applying for a section leader position.
All-State Band Selectees
Please congratulate the following students for being selected as some of the best high school instrumentalists in the state! These four students were selected to the All-State Bands that perform as part of the KMEA state convention later in February.
Maren Tims – Flute (first chair I might add!)
Trip Palmer – Clarinet
Allison Mehnert – Trombone
Heidy Gomez-Calderon – String Bass
BRAVO on your accomplishments. We are so proud of you and the work you have put to to achieve this milestone!
Coming Up This Week
Now is the time to sign up to perform at the regional Solo & Ensemble Festival in April. If you are taking lessons, this perfectly demonstrates your finely honed skills. Friends, now is a great time to gather together and create trios, quartets, and more. Mr. Hupe and I have a lot of ensembles we can offer you to perform. Ask about flute trios, clarinet ensembles, trombone quartets, woodwind quartets, and more! Starting Monday morning, we will put a sign-up sheet in the front of the band room.
Seniors – In another email, I will send you the senior flyer from senior night this past football season. Please look it over and communicate with Dr. Thomas (preferably through email) any changes you need to make.
Monday – Percussion Rehearsal at the usual time. Your percussion concert is coming up. Do everything you can to be diligent about attendance.
Pancake Breakfast ticket envelopes were due back on Friday. Please return your ticket envelope with all the tickets sold and cash or checks in the envelope, OR return the envelopes with all the tickets still intact. At any rate, ALL ticket envelopes MUST BE RETURNED so we have a full accounting of the ticket envelopes. Tickets WILL be available at the door.
Tuesday – BAW meeting at 7:00p.m. in the band room. We will discuss the upcoming Pancake Breakfast concert and any potential unmet needs for that event. We will also look forward to the Percussion Concert and needs for that event. Then, there are upcoming concerts, jazz band trips, and other events — lots to discuss. Please come share your thoughts! The Band Booster Club exists to support and uplift YOUR student!
Wednesday – Parent-Teacher Conferences. Feel free to come see Mr. Hupe and I to discuss how awesome your student is.
Friday – Home Basketball game – Gold Pep Band 5:30p call time. This will be the King and Queen crowning. Come cheer on your friends!
Saturday – SMSD MS Solo and Ensemble Festival. If you need community service hours for Tri-M or NHS, please talk with Dr. Thomas ASAP. We need 3-4 students to help as door monitors or runners. This event is from 7:30a-12:30p at Indian Woods MS. If you can only help for a couple of hours, we can work with that. I would also award letting points if that is of interest.
Monday – Feb. 12 – Percussion Rehearsal 6-8p
Installation of our new field tower on the turf practice field!!!!!!!
Tuesday, Feb. 13 – Jazz Trip meeting. 6:30 MVP training, 7:00p general meeting going over all the details with parents AND students. EVERY Chaperone going on this trip MUST be MVP certified. You are fine if you have completed this certification within the last five years. If not, you MUST attend the 6:30p meeting.
Friday – Feb. 16 Basketball Pep Band – Black Band 5:30p.
Saturday – Feb. 17 – Pancake Breakfast Concert. Set-up begins at 7:00a. Concerts start at 9a. We will be finished and need to clean up at noon. There is basketball in the gym that afternoon/evening. Parents – Here is your sign-up link to help with the concert logistics: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DABAD2EA4FCCE9-47230168-smwband
Students – Your sign-up sheet is in the front of the band room. Lettering Points are earned for each shift served. We need you!
Thank you all for practicing to get better playing your instrument! The better you play, the more fun it is to play. Parents – Thank you for linking arms to create such a positive environment for your student. It’s not too late. If you have never volunteered, now is a great time to take a shift for the Pancake Breakfast. NOTHING about this event is hard.
We love our band parents!