Mrs. Menke & Mr. Polson will post band updates below. Please also check out the tabs above for helpful information!

Check out the Norwalk Music Boosters website

Summer update for incoming 5th grade

I hope your summer is off to a great start! There are currently over 160 soon-to-be 5th graders that are signed up for band next year!! It's not too late to join band, if your child did not return their orange sheet before the end of the year - click HERE to sign-up!

Click HERE and watch a short video (5 min.) message for parents & students!

Special information for french horn, euphonium, tuba and percussion was also emailed - if you did not get this, please contact Mrs. Menke!

**CLICK for the band checklist and recommended instrument/book/supplies information

** We want to inform you that students participating in 5th Grade Band next year will be missing Social Studies class twice a week due to scheduling constraints. After careful consideration and discussions with school administration, this arrangement was determined to be the best fit for next year’s schedule. We believe that band provides students with valuable opportunities for personal growth, creativity, and collaboration, and we are committed to ensuring they stay current with all course content.

For families who prefer that their child not miss Social Studies, we are offering an alternative before-school band option. This group will meet two days a week from 7:30 to 7:50 AM and will have the same instruction as the in-school band time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Driftmier or Mrs. Menke.

** If you are planning on renting an instrument - you can wait until later in the summer! Rieman Music will be available at Open House before school begins. Here are all 3 local music companies (click name for more information): Rieman Music, Sleister Music, Uptempo Music

CAUTION: Online shopping can be convenient and cost-saving for many items, but I strongly recommend you consider the following when finding an instrument at a significantly lower cost (or possibly in a fun color). Some of these instruments may be a great deal now but may be difficult to play, have a poor sound, may not be as durable and local music stores will not repair. Please use the attached information with my recommended brands as a guide.

If you have a used instrument, please be sure it is in good playing condition. Now is a great time to take it to a local music store to have it checked over and get your book and supplies!

Students will need their own instrument / supplies / book for their first lesson after Labor Day.

Enjoy some live music this summer!

Come check out the Music Under the Stars concerts - I will be playing clarinet with the Des Moines Metro Concert Band on June 15 & 29! This FREE concert is outside of Hoyt Sherman Place at 7:00 PM - bring a blanket or chair - (flyer attached)! There will also be a special performance at the Des Moines Water Works Park on July 6!

Noce (downtown Des Moines) - jazz music, students can attend until 9:00 PM

Jazz in July (Hoyt Sherman)

Des Moines Symphony (free outdoor concerts)

Click HERE for a list of more outdoor live music!

Please do not hesitate to email me over the summer with any questions about band or finding an instrument for your child!

"Elaine.menke@norwalkschools.org"

April Band UPDATE

Hello band families! Check out the April band update below:

- Big Band working on challenging music for spring concert

- Practice Cycle - don't get stuck in the negative cycle!

- Band Madness Practice Challenge

Spring Band Concert - Monday, May 12

HS Performing Arts Center (Auditorium)

** Integrity Band at 6:00 PM (homerooms: Frey, Houser, Krichau, Muenzenmay, Schweinefus, Thornton)

** Victory Band at 7:15 (homerooms: Bussanmas, Dinnen, Hollingsworth, Pelzer, Ramthun, Rench)

(Early Bird Band students will join their Integrity or Victory classmates)

**Top Secret - family members are invited to join their 5th grader to play the last song at our concert (Power Rock - easy version of "We Will Rock You" & "Another One Bites the Dust") This will be a SURPRISE for the students - please don't tell them!

Please fill out this Google Form to help me get organized for our May 12 Concert.

ANY family musicians are welcome - parents, grandparents, siblings, aunt/uncles, etc.

Click HERE for the copies of the music.

Solo Festival Schedule

Over 100 students have signed up for Solo Festival!!

Click HERE for the Solo Festival schedule for March 8 and 12. I tried my best to accommodate everyone's requests. If you have a conflict with your scheduled time, please let me know.

Hopefully you will hear lots of practicing these next few days at home! Students not performing their solos on March 8 or 12 will be making video recordings of their solos to share with you.

The band room is always open at 7:30 AM before school for any students who want to practice or play their solo with the piano part! **except on Tues & Thurs for Early Bird Band practice

6th Grade Music sign-up

Please chat with your child about 6th grade and I hope they will consider signing up for band, choir or BOTH! Students got to meet the middle school band teachers - Mrs. Crann and Mr. McCartney this week! Middle School counselors will be visiting next week and they will be sending home a paper sign-up form!

Winter Concert - BRAVO!

What a great night of music! At our practice I challenged students to remember 2 words for us to have a great concert - focus and fun! It takes a lot of hard work for such a huge band to synergize and perform, I am really proud of all of them!

CONCERT VIDEOS: 6:00 Concert - click HERE, 7:30 Concert - click HERE

** Norwalk Warriors Live YouTube links - watch and share with family/friends!

Integrity concert PICTURES: Click HERE for a link to pictures taken by Lynda Downs (proud grandmother and Norwalk MS teacher)! If anyone has a group photo of the Victory band to share with me, I would greatly appreciate it!!

Concert Shout-outs - I would love to post more positive feedback for students to read on a bulletin board, you can either reply to this email or click this 2 question Google Form

Band Solo Festival sign up is due MONDAY!

All students are practicing a solo in their band lessons! Solo Festival is a great opportunity for them to share their greatness with you in a few weeks. This event only takes a short amount of time on March 8 OR 12 and is NOT a competition, just a "mini-concert" for just your family!

Click HERE for the online sign-up form or find the attached form below.

Winter Assembly

Bravo to the band today - it was so joyful to hear them play as a combined super band at our assembly! I am so proud of all of them and can't wait to keep making music with all of them in 2025!!

Be sure to check your child's SeeSaw account - I posted a bunch of photos!!

Click HERE for the recording of our assembly including Lakewood Singers and the teacher skit!

Have a wonderful winter break and Happy Holidays! Below is the Winter Break Challenge!

December Update

This update includes:

1. taking care of instruments during the winter!!

2. December 20 Winter School Assembly - will be livestreamed!

3. Ninja note game on iPad/iPhone

4. Practice tracks for our winter assembly songs

Happy Holidays to all of you!

November Update

This update includes:

1. Band roller coaster - the normal ups and downs

2. Demonstration VIDEO concert

3. Lakewood Music shirts

4. Mrs. Menke's conference schedule

October Update

This update includes:

1. Big Band practices

2. Video "Demonstration" Performance

3. Lakewood Music shirts - click HERE for link to order

4. Need help at home??

5. Grades and conferences

6. Miss Flatt, student teacher

Big Band Update

Big Band practices have started and we are working on playing music together with ALL the instruments! There are 3 Big Band groups that all practice the same music and learn the same concepts!

Before School Big Band - meets Tuesday AND Thursday mornings (7:30-7:55 AM)

Integrity Big Band - meets Monday AND Thursday afternoons (2:40-3:05 PM)

Victory Big Band - meets Tuesday AND Fridays afternoons (2:40-3:05 PM)

SEE-SAW - I will be posting lots of pictures and videos this year! If you are not logged-in to see your child's SeeSaw account, here is the Victory LINK - Integrity LINK - Before School - LINK

Coming soon - Lakewood Music Shirt order!

First Lesson Update

The wait is finally over, band lessons start next week! An email was sent to all families with the date of their child's first band lesson. If you did not, please check your spam folder. The schedule can also be found in the menu above - "Lesson Schedule".

ALL lessons are during the school day!

Students need to bring:

** instrument

** supplies (reeds, oil, etc.)

** PERCUSSION - only bring stick bag with mallets

Folding music stands stay at home for practice!

Students should stop in the band room before school to drop off their instrument.

We will be having band lessons only in September and Big Band practices (also during the school day) will start in October.

Click HERE for the SUPER LESSON Schedule! I will send out detailed information the day before your lesson ** this will be the only day they bring their instrument the first week - replacing their lesson during the school day!

It's not too late to sign-up (an OPTIONAL, fun way to join your child at their first band lesson - FREE) - please sign up TODAY! Click HERE to sign-up!

Open House Handouts

Summer Update #2

Hello Lakewood parents - with school starting soon here is another band update - lots of information! Looking forward to getting this year's 5th graders started on their band adventure and seeing you at Open House!!

The checklist and recommended instrument brand/supply list is also attached. Your child's first lesson will be after Labor Day I will send out a specific schedule at the end of August so you know exactly which day your child needs to bring their instrument.

REMINDER: although your child may be VERY excited, please don't let them play their instrument yet (I recommend hiding it!) It will be fun for everyone to start learning together and reduce the chance for any instrument damage to happen.

OPEN HOUSE - Tues. Aug. 20, 5:00-7:00 PM: Please stop by the band room - students will have 2 tasks to complete! You can also drop off the 1-inch binder and band book if they already have it!

Rieman Music will also be available at Open House - you can rent and/or ask their representative any questions. For the quickest process - use their online rental form (click HERE) and pick up everything at Open House!

ALL LOCAL MUSIC STORES:

** all offer rental programs, have reputable/durable brands and supplies and band book

Rieman Music

Sleister Music *rent online and they will also deliver to Lakewood!

UpTempo Music

PERCUSSION - please click HERE for a picture of the correct mallets to purchase (hard plastic and wood tops are NOT allowed because they will damage school instruments - please purchase rubber or yarn/cord wound tops)

French horn, euphonium, tuba - at this time you only need to purchase band book and valve oil, along with the 1-inch binder (on the school supply list)

** if you have any financial concerns about getting an instrument - please contact Mrs. Menke, Mrs. Rodrigue (counselor) or Mr. Larson (assistant principal) We will work together to be sure your child can participate in band if they are interested!!

NEW THIS YEAR: optional Big Band (large group rehearsal) that meets before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays (7:30-7:50 AM) - starting in October. This would be a great option for families that consistently drop off early (Mrs. Menke will open the doors for them at 7:25) and for students that would prefer learning in a smaller group setting. Regular Big Band meets during the school day meets twice a week from 2:40-3:00 and can include up to 90-100 students. If you are interested in this before school Big Band, please reply to this email and let me know!

Please also let me know if you have additional email addresses you would like added to my email list.

Now would also be a good time to talk with your child about some of the Leader in Me 7 Habits to help them have a super band experience:

Summer Update #1

Hello future Lakewood band families! I hope your summer is off to a great start! There are currently 190 soon-to-be 5th graders that are a YES or maybe for band next year!! It's not too late to join, please encourage any other 5th grade families to contact me if they are interested!

Click HERE and watch a short video (5 min.) message for parents & students!

Special information for french horn, euphonium/tuba and percussion was emailed last week (please let me know if you did NOT receive that email)

Beginning Band Information:

**Attached is the band checklist and recommended instrument/book/supplies information (same as the paper copies that were sent home)

Mark you calendars: Performance/Concert dates for next year have been updated on the band website - click HERE.

NEW THIS YEAR: optional Big Band (large group rehearsal) that meets before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays (7:30-7:50 AM). This would be a great option for families that consistently drop off early (Mrs. Menke will open the doors for them at 7:25) and for students that would prefer a smaller group setting. Regular Big Band meets during the school day meets twice a week from 2:40-3:00 and can include up to 90-100 students. If you are interested in this before school Big Band, please reply to this email and let me know!

If you are planning on renting an instrument - you can wait until later in the summer! Rieman Music will be available at Open House before school begins (click HERE for their prices). Here are all 3 local music companies (click name for more information): Rieman Music, Sleister Music, Uptempo Music

CAUTION: Online shopping can be convenient and cost-saving for many items, but I strongly recommend you consider the following when finding an instrument at a significantly lower cost (or possibly in a fun color). Some of these instruments may be a great deal now but may be difficult to play or have a poor sound quality, they also may not be as durable and break down often. Local music stores may not repair many of these instruments as well. Please use the attached information with my recommended brands as a guide.

If you have a used instrument, please be sure it is in good playing condition. Now is a great time to take it to a local music store to have it checked over and get your book and supplies!

Students will need their own instrument / supplies / book for their first lesson after Labor Day.

Please do not hesitate to email me over the summer with any questions about band or finding an instrument for your child!

If your family was a "maybe" please let me know if you need any help or have any questions or concerns.

I will send out one more email later in August with reminders and more band info!

🎶 Enjoy some live music this summer!

Come check out the Music Under the Stars concerts - I will be playing bass clarinet with the Des Moines Metro Concert Band on June 23! This FREE concert is at the state capitol at 7:00 PM - bring a blanket or chair - (flyer attached)! There will also be a special performance at the Lauridsen Amphitheater (Grey's Lake) on July 7!

Noce (downtown Des Moines) - jazz music, students can attend until 9:00 PM

Jazz in July (Hoyt Sherman)

Des Moines Symphony (free outdoor concerts)

Click HERE for more a list of more outdoor live music!

April Update

Here is the latest band update that includes the following info:

- Big Band working on challenging music for spring concert

- Welcome Mr. Oberender, student teacher from Drake University

- Practice Cycle - don't get stuck in the negative cycle!

- Band Madness Practice Challenge

Spring Band Concert - Monday, May 6 - HS Performing Arts Center (Auditorium)

** Victory Band at 6:00 PM

** Top Secret - family members are invited to join their 5th grader to play the last song at our concert (Power Rock - super easy version of "We Will Rock You" and "Another One Bites the Dust" - click HERE for copies of the music) This will be a SURPRISE for the students - please don't tell them! Click HERE to fill out the Google Form if you are interested!!

Thank you for supporting your musician!

Solo Festival pictures

Bravo to all the students that bravely performed their solos for the family! It was great seeing their confidence grow through this whole solo festival project and hearing them grow as musicians as well!

Solo Festival time!

Wonderful winter concert 5th Graders!!

WOW! What a fun night of music by all the 5th graders! From the silly "Whack-a-Mole" to Space Jam by the music classes - we hope you enjoyed the concert! We appreciate all the families that were able to attend or watched our performance online!! I am so proud of all the students and the growth they have made these past few weeks!

The concerts are available at the Norwalk Warrior Productions YouTube page:

Integrity 6:00 PM concert - click HERE

Victory 7:30 PM concert - click HERE.

SOLO FESTIVAL

Now we turn our focus to everyone's solos! This is a great chance for your child to shine and show you how much they have grown in band - this is NOT a competition or a contest!! Please encourage your child to be brave and play for you at Solo Festival - since this is a new experience many students are nervous but we don't expect their songs to be perfect!!

Click HERE for all the details and the online sign-up. I have also attached the form (let me know if you would like a printed copy sent home with your child). Please sign up by Monday, Feb 19th!

Hopefully you will hear lots of practicing these next 2 weeks at home! Students not playing their solos on March 2 or 6 will be making video recordings of their solos.

6th Grade Music

Now is a great time to chat with your child about 6th grade and hopefully sign up for band, choir or BOTH! The Middle School band teachers - Mrs. Crann, Mr. McCartney and Mrs. Krupke, came to our concert practice and talked about 6th grade band! The 6th grade music sign-up form will be coming home soon!

Bravo to the band!

Students were focused and ready to play for our assembly! I am so proud of all of them!!

Click HERE and enjoy some pictures that were take by Mrs. Krupke (teacher and parent)

Click HERE for the recording of our assembly including Lakewood Singers and the teacher skit!

COMING SOON:

Feb. 15 - Winter 5th Concert (ALL 5th grade general music, band and Lakewood Singers)

High School auditorium

6:00 PM Integrity Band

7:30 PM Victory Band

March - Solo Festival

(more info coming in February - ALL band students will choose a song to work on. This is an opportunity for students to work on a song for the next 7-8 weeks during band lessons. They will share their progress with their family in a low-key, non-competitive setting)

December Update

This update includes:

1. Taking care of instrument

2. Winter School Assembly - December 21

3. Norwalk water bottles

4. Practice tracks

5. November Gnarley Hair Challenge

Band Newsletter December.pdf

November Update

This update includes:

1. Band roller coaster - the normal ups and downs

2. Demonstration VIDEO concert

3. Lakewood Music shirts

4. Mrs. Menke's conference schedule

Band Newsletter November.pdf

October Update

This update includes:

1. Big Band practices

2. Introducing Ms Tate - student teacher

3. Lakewood Music shirts

4. Connecting to SeeSaw

5. Mrs. Menke's conference schedule

Band Newsletter.pdf

September Update

This update includes:

1. Home practicing is important!

2. Band book and supplies available at school

3. See Saw App

4. Come see the HS marching band perform!

Band Newsletter September (1).pdf

First Band Lessons

Students are off to a great start - remember learning something new takes TIME, PATIENCE and REGULAR PRACTICE! You can do it!!

Click on the instrument for the first lesson packet.

Flute

Clarinet

Alto saxophone / Tenor saxophone

Click HERE for help videos made of the first 3 band lessons

** SORRY, the recordings of the Super Lesson videos to be posted to YouTube did not work

The wait is finally over, band lessons start next week! The schedule is below - the most current lesson schedule will also be updated in the Lesson Schedule tab above.

Students need to bring:

** instrument

** band book "Measures of Success" - if you need to buy one, send $10 to school

** supplies (reeds, oil, etc.)

Students should stop in the band room before school to drop off their instrument, book and supplies - they will also get their lesson time reminder card!

We will be having band lessons only in September and Big Band practices (also during the school day) will start in October.

If you signed up for SUPER LESSON, your child's first lesson is probably a different day then what is listed below - please come to the day that you signed up and received an email from Mrs. Menke.

Open House Update 8/15/23

Looking forward to getting this year's 5th graders started on their band adventure and see you at Open House!!

Your child's first lesson will be after Labor Day I will send out a specific schedule at the end of August so you know exactly which day your child needs to bring their instrument. REMINDER: although your child may be VERY excited, please don't let them play their instrument yet (I recommend hiding it!) It will be fun for everyone to start learning together and reduces the chance for any instrument damage to happen.

PERCUSSION - please click HERE for a picture of the correct mallets to purchase (hard plastic and wood tops are not allowed because they will damage school instruments - please purchase rubber or yarn/cord wound tops)

OPEN HOUSE - Thurs. Aug. 17, 4:00-6:00 PM: Please stop by the band room - students will have 2 tasks to complete! Rieman Music will also be available at Open House - you can rent and/or ask their representative any questions. For the quickest process - use their online rental form (click HERE) and pick up everything at Open House!

ALL LOCAL MUSIC STORES:

** all offer rental programs, have reputable/durable brands and supplies and band book

Rieman Music

Sleister Music *rent online and they will also deliver to Lakewood!

UpTempo Music

NEW INFO: I have compiled a list of used instruments (Norwalk area) that I have been notified about - click HERE.

Now would also be a good time to talk with your child about some of the Leader in Me 7 Habits to help them have a super band experience (see picture below!)

Please also let me know if you have additional email addresses you would like added to my email list.

THANKS and looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Future Lakewood 5th band families

I hope your summer is off to a great start! There are currently over 190 soon-to-be 5th graders that are a YES or maybe for band next year!! It's not too late to join, please encourage any other 5th grade families to contact me if they are interested!

Click HERE and watch a short video message for parents & students!

Special information for the following instruments (click instrument):

PERCUSSION

TUBA

EUPHONIUM / FRENCH HORN