Band Aides West

Band Camp Cancelled for 2020

West band parents and students, These are indeed unprecedented times with no roadmap to follow.  What is the right thing to do?  Some people are afraid to leave their homes and some don’t understand why all the fuss.  Please know that all I want is for all of our students to be safe and be able to make great music together. With that in mind, and after some emails from students and parents, our desire to know that we are doing everything possible to promote learning AND safety, Mr. Hupe & I have decided to cancel band camp. There are no competitions for the marching band this year.  We don’t know what our role will…
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Shawnee Mission West Marching Band in the Louie Louie Lenexa Parade

2020 Louie Louie Band

Hello Viking Band Families and Alumni-- You may be wondering about the Louie Louie Band at the Lenexa Community Days Parade this 4th of July.  Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade has been canceled this year. Lenexa is still hosting a form of the celebration in the form of a Porch Parade.   People and businesses along the parade route are encouraged to decorate their front yards and porches for the holiday, and guests can drive the route and enjoy the decorations.  The Porch Parade is from July 1-4.  I encourage you to take a drive through Lenexa this weekend to check it out!  Hopefully, we'll be able…
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Decorate notes on a musical staff

Band Notes: Summer Edition

Good morning everyone.  I hope you are staying safe.  Mr. Hupe and I miss being around you all and making music together. Please, spend time practicing your instrument, and music for the fall marching band show.  That link to the music was sent a month ago.  You can go online and find "fun" music to practice for your instrument as well.  That can be Disney, some pop song on the radio, etc.  If you are playing by yourself, it doesn't even have to say it is written for trumpet, flute, sax, tuba or anything else.  Playing by yourself, it doesn't have to match up with anyone, so ANY music will…
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2020-21 Key Positions

Band parents and family - yes, we're getting ready for the 2020-21 West Pride Band year! We have some key positions that need to be filled to make the Band year the best it can be for your students! The Band Aides are looking for a few people to chair some events next year. If you're interested, please contact Dawn Schnake at dawnschnake@gmail.com . August Car Wash - Secure the sites, publicity July 31 Ice Cream Social - Make a flyer, lead the serving Oct Red Wheel Fundraiser - Collect forms, place order, etc West Area Outreach - Connect with Elem and Westridge Band Families Bulletin Boards - We have…
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Band Notes, 3/22: Instruments and classes

Hello, Shawnee Mission West Band Students!   You will need to get your instrument and get signed up online for the final quarter classes. Please complete both requests so we can get back in action with the band! Instrument Pickup from Shawnee Mission West I need to know who needs to pick up instruments from the band room - your personal or school-owned.  If possible, we would like everyone to have their instrument at home.   We are going to try to do some playing!  Percussion, if you do not have a snare or bell kit at home, we will pass out what we have for you.  Please see your email for…
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Wow! Latest Band News, 3-18-20

Are you as shocked as I am?  This is crazy, but here we are.  I know you have lots of questions, as do we as teachers and parents. Let me give you what I know at this point about our band. KSHSAA events (Solo and Ensemble & State Large Group) events have been canceled, right along with school.  Soloists, I have heard of some of our local colleges will be hosting virtual festivals in which you can record yourself and send to them for feedback.  More to come. London - Do not worry at this time.  We are still months away.  Direction will be coming. Flower fundraiser - many of…
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Band Notes, 3-14 2020

GREAT job Wind Ensemble at the Kauffman on Wednesday!   I was so incredibly proud of you and your performance.  That will be a great memory for me, I hope it will be for you as well.  Thank you to Chadwick Taylor and Rachel Silverstein for chaperoning the Sym Band for us.  Sym Band and Freshman Band, thatnks for joining us as a family for the event.  It was a wonderful day getting to hear all of those great groups and wonderful music that was played. (more…)
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Band Notes, Mar 7, 2020

BRAVO JAZZ BANDS at PSU yesterday!    Jazz Lab received I’s from both judges and OE received a I and a II (they had some technical struggles with electronics on the stage).  These students received Outstanding Musicianship awards: OE trumpet section (Carver Hartl, Hannah Caudillo, Hannah Silverstein, Lauren Houghton), Curtis Schnitzer, Corbin Wise, Tess Coltvet, Maddie Crowder, Zoey Isom and Kyle Clow.  BRAVO – we’re PROUD of you! (more…)
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