Volume 41, No. 1
Embedded Files
In this issue:
In this issue:
5th grade: beginning the year
Middle school honors and updates
AHS marching season recap, honors, and jazz band events
Ames 5th Grade Bands
Ames 5th Grade Bands
Band Demonstrations, Outdoor Tryouts, and Choosing Instruments!
Band Demonstrations, Outdoor Tryouts, and Choosing Instruments!
Mrs. Todey and Mrs. Hauber visited all five elementary schools during the first few weeks of school to demonstrate instruments for Ames fifth-grade students. After the demonstrations, students completed a worksheet to select their two favorite instruments. Over the following week, students met with Mrs. Hauber and Mrs. Todey to try both instruments.
It was wonderful to see students’ excitement and how they supported one another as they tried new instruments! Students had the opportunity to discover which instrument they could produce the best sound on before making their final choice.
This approach has proven highly effective in helping students produce a good sound early in their lessons, leading to early success and a positive start to learning an instrument.
Small-group band lessons and after-school large-group rehearsals began in late September. We look forward to a wonderful year of making music!
Tips to Help Your 5th Grade Band Student Succeed
Tips to Help Your 5th Grade Band Student Succeed
Success in band is directly related to the individual progress that is made by each student in the group. We would like to thank the students, parents, classroom teachers, and the administration for their continuous support of the instrumental music program. We would like to offer some helpful suggestions for you to continue to provide support to your student.
Your student's success on their chosen instrument is of great importance to them, to you the parent/guardian, and to us the instructors. At each lesson, your student writes what material to practice on their assignment journal (found in the band binder). We realize that many outside factors cause home practice to become a struggle at times. To make practice as productive and positive as possible, we would like to give you some helpful suggestions based on our experiences, first as students and then as teachers. We hope that the following suggestions will help you to help your student at home.
Provide your child with as good an instrument as possible. Help find a safe place to keep the instrument in your home.
Provide your child with a music stand. It will promote good posture and proper breath control.
Set aside a consistent, regular time and place in your home for practice. We recommend setting a goal of 15-20 minutes of practice daily (100-120 minutes of practice each week). Arrange the practice schedule free from interruptions by television, outdoor play, and family members.
Try using the online lesson book to help your student practice more effectively. Information regarding this online resource can be found inside the back cover of your student’s Tradition of Excellence lesson book.
Show an interest in your child's practice and study. Be generous in your praise and encouragement. Occasionally reward them for consistent practice. Encourage them to perform a five-minute recital for you! (Every time you listen, they will be better than the last time!)
Help your student to remember their instrument and music on lesson days. Emphasize punctuality and faithful attendance at lessons, rehearsals, and concerts. If there is a late start due to inclement weather, we WILL have lessons during the day, so students will need their instrument and music.
Expose your child to a broad variety of music and concerts. There are many classical, jazz, dance, and musical programs at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. Our Ames5thband.org website has some great performances to check out too! Explore the list of professional musicians listed in the front of your student’s band binder.
Attend music concerts at Ames Middle School, Ames High School, and Iowa State University. The public school and college musicians at our schools in Ames can be great role models. ISU students perform several recitals and concerts at the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall throughout the year. Ames Town & Gown concerts are free to all students K-12 (and free to university students with ID) - check out the concert schedule at www.amestownandgown.org.
Through our combined efforts, we feel that your student has an excellent chance to succeed on their instrument and enjoy many rewarding musical and social experiences!
Tascha Hauber
tascha.hauber@ames.k12.ia.us
Cheryl Todey
cheryl.todey@ames.k12.ia.us
November Band Checklist
November Band Checklist
With everyone in the routines of the school year, November is a great time to take stock of a few band-related items.
Does your student’s instrument have a name tag? A basic luggage tag works great. Also, music stores will often hand out free name tags.
Do you know your student’s instrument serial number? Should the need arise, this is the best way to positively identify your property.
Does your clarinet or sax player have enough reeds? Do they need an upgrade in quality or strength?
Does your student need a mouthpiece upgrade? If your student is 7th grade or above and still playing on a beginner mouthpiece, it’s probably time to upgrade, especially for clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, and trombone. Check out the AMS mouthpiece upgrade page.
Looking to go deeper? There’s nothing like taking private lessons to move to the next musical level. Your student’s instructor can recommend an excellent private teacher for your student.
Is your child's progress being limited by the quality of instrument they are currently using? Could an instrument upgrade spark a renewed interest in music? After 4-5 years in band, an instrument upgrade is definitely something to consider. Benefits include improved tone quality, additional keys and range of notes, and ease of playing.
Ames Middle School Bands
Ames Middle School Bands
7th grade SCIBA honorees: Jaden Sidler, Imogen Watkins, Nova Meador, Atticus Franksain
8th grade SCIBA honorees (front, L-R): Caleb Nlebedim, Cole Kincaid, Blaire Baumgartner, Kalliope Lane; (back) Remington Mason, James Payton, Ethan Loesch, Cora Dowden
On Tuesday, November 10th, twelve Ames Middle School band students will participate in the South Central Iowa Bandmasters (SCIBA) Middle School Honor Band Festival at Ankeny Centennial High School. This annual event involves students from more than seventy school districts. Students will rehearse with guest conductors during the day, then perform an evening concert.
Seventh graders are recommended by individual instructors and then selected by a SCIBA committee. To balance instrumentation within each band, a limited number of students from each school are chosen. Representing AMS are Atticus Franksain (flute); Imogen Watkins (clarinet); Jaden Sidler (tuba); and Nova Meador (percussion).
Eighth grade students are selected based on live auditions. Students auditioned in Waukee on Tuesday, October 6th. Those selected from AMS include: Cora Dowden (clarinet); Blaire Baumgartner (clarinet); James Payton (trumpet); Cole Kincaid (horn); Remington Mason (trombone); Kalliope Lane (baritone); Caleb Nlebedim (baritone); and Ethan Loesch (percussion).
Additionally, Cora Dowden, Blair Baumgartner, Remington Mason and Kalliope Lane earned selection to the All-Iowa 8th Grade Honor Band, which will perform in May.
Congratulations to all AMS students selected for the SCIBA Honor Band Festival!
AMS Bands commission a new band piece
AMS Bands commission a new band piece
Many pieces in the band repertoire begin as commissions, when an individual or group hires a composer to create something new. This year, AMS Bands are excited to be part of that tradition.
Dr. Andrew Boysen, Jr., a nationally acclaimed composer and conductor, will write a new piece for our 8th grade band. Dr. Boysen was selected for his distinctive compositional style, recommendations from fellow band directors, personal connections, and Iowa ties. He grew up in Cedar Rapids and graduated from the University of Iowa.
Recently, 8th grade band members worked with Mr. Thompson to choose a theme for the new piece. Dr. Boysen will begin composing soon, with the finished music expected by mid-February. In May, he will visit AMS for a residency with our students, culminating in the world premiere of the piece at our spring band concert.
This special project will give students a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, from choosing the initial theme to preparing and performing a brand-new work for the very first time. We can't wait to share the results with our school community. Stay tuned for updates!
AMS Bands
AMS Bands
8th Pep Band starts another season
8th Pep Band starts another season
AMS 8th grade Band students have the opportunity to participate in the pep band. The band performed first at the school-wide pep assembly during Homecoming week. The band had to quickly learn perennial favorites "Happy" and "Shut Up and Dance" as well as the intermediate version of "Ames High Loyalty."
The rest of the season is optional, so it was exciting when a record forty-two students came to play at the final home volleyball match! The band "Rick-rolled" the crowd with one of their favorites: "Never Gonna Give You Up."
The Pep Band will perform four more times this year, for girls basketball, boys wrestling, girls wresting, and boys basketball. We will add more tunes, including "Take On Me," "Uptown Funk," and "Lovely Day."
The Pep Band is designed to boost school spirit, prepare for the pep band opportunity in high school, and most of all, to have fun! All band members rehearse the pep band tunes during regular 8th grade band rehearsals, then show up if they want to play. Thank you to all the parents and coaches who have supported our pep band participants.
Upcoming AMS Band Performances
Upcoming AMS Band Performances
Thursday, November 12, 7pm - 7th and 8th grade Concert Bands
Thursday, December 10, 7pm - 6th grade Band, Orchestra, and Choir
For more info, including the complete AMS Band performance calendar, visit AMSbands.org
Ames High School Bands
Ames High School Bands
AHS Marching Band Marches through the Fall
AHS Marching Band Marches through the Fall
The Ames High School Marching Band kicked off the year with its annual band workshop before the official school year began. During the workshop, the band worked on marching fundamentals and began learning the music for this year’s shows. The 10th–12th grade band started the school year with back-to-back home games during the first two weeks of school. The 9th-grade band students joined the 10th–12th grade band for the Homecoming game and the final home game of the season. Unfortunately, the band did not get to march in the Homecoming Parade because it was canceled due to rainy weather. The combined 9th–12th grade band ended the season by presenting the annual Marching Band Spectacular in the Harrison Barnes Gymnasium on October 23.
This year, the Ames High Marching Band kicked off the season with a Latin-style tune entitled “Aztec Fire” and “Golden” from the popular animated film KPop Demon Hunters. During the Homecoming show, the band performed music by Stevie Wonder, including “Superstition” and “Sir Duke.” “Sir Duke” featured a sextet that included Kelsey Allman, Logan Housel, Claire Lu, Danylo Palasyuk, Zane Wickenkamp, and Hezekiah Johnson. For the final home game, the band performed music by Rihanna, one of the best-selling music artists of all time. This show included “Don’t Stop the Music” and “We Found Love.” Performances also included drumline cadences and chants, as well as “Ames High Loyalty.”
Thank you to the Band Boosters and all the parent volunteers who assisted with uniforms and logistics on Friday nights. Friday nights go much more smoothly with your assistance, and you are greatly appreciated!
Thank you to Leslie Pease, Jeremy Allman, and Danielle Woerth for taking so many wonderful photos and videos throughout the marching band season to capture these moments for our students and families.
AHS Jazz Bands Off and Running
AHS Jazz Bands Off and Running
The Ames High Jazz Bands are off and running for the school year! Jazz 1 began rehearsals in early September, while Jazz 2 began in late October. Both ensembles look forward to upcoming performances throughout the school year, including competitions and home concerts. Jazz 1 will also have the opportunity to perform at Noce in Des Moines on January 12.
Jazz Clinic coming soon
Jazz Clinic coming soon
On November 14, Jeff Robilliard will work with both Jazz 1 and Jazz 2, providing each ensemble with a 90-minute clinic to help students and directors strengthen their understanding of jazz concepts and prepare for upcoming performances.
Mr. Robilliard currently teaches at Pella High School, where his ensembles have maintained a reputation for excellence. His concert bands have received “Best of Class” honors at the Adventureland Band Festival. Under his direction, jazz bands have placed in the top three at the Iowa Jazz Championships 10 times, including first-place finishes in 2023, 2024, and 2025. His jazz bands have also been selected to perform at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Mr. Robilliard currently serves on the board of directors for Jazz Educators of Iowa and coordinates the South Central Iowa District Jazz Festival.
Jazz Performance Dates (dates with asterisk are for both Jazz 1 & Jazz 2)
*Nov. 14 - Jazz Clinic w/Jeff Robilliard - AHS - 9:00 a.m. - Noon
*Dec. 7 - Jazz Band Concert - Performing Arts Center - 6:00 p.m.
*Dec. 12 - SCIBA Jazz Festival - Waukee High School - All Day
Jan. 12 - Jazz 1 Performance at Noce - Des Moines - Night
Jan. 15 - Triton Jazz Festival - Ft. Dodge – Daytime
*Feb. 11 - Jazz Encounters Concert - Performing Arts Center - 7:30 p.m.
*Feb. 13 - Southeast Polk Jazz Festival - SEP High School - All Day
AHS Musicians Earn Selection to Iowa All-State Ensembles
AHS Musicians Earn Selection to Iowa All-State Ensembles
On October 24, 28 AHS band students traveled to Hampton-Dumont High School for All-State auditions. Students selected will participate in the annual All-State Music Festival, held November 19–21 on the Iowa State University campus in Ames as part of the Iowa Music Educators Association conference.
All students worked hard and spent many hours preparing for their auditions. Congratulations to the following students who were selected for the 2026 Iowa All-State Band and Orchestra!
Sabrina Scott – Flute 2 – 1st year
Natalie Patterson – Flute (Orchestra Woodwind) – 1st year
Sailesh Srinath – Oboe (Orchestra Woodwind) – 3rd year (2 cello, 1 oboe)
Sunney Que – Clarinet (Orchestra Woodwind) – 3rd year
Noah Shin – Clarinet 1 – 3rd year
Chloe Lu – Clarinet 1 – 2nd year
Jocelyn West – Clarinet 2 – 1st year
Kevin Xiao – Clarinet 2 – 1st year
Leonard Hong – Clarinet 3 – 1st year
Claire Lu – Alto Saxophone 1 – 3rd year
Kelsey Allman – Trumpet (Orchestra Brass) – 1st year
Leo Miguez – Trumpet 2 – 1st year
Zoey Johnson – Horn 2 – 1st year
Zane Wickenkamp – Trombone 2 – 4th year
Lucas Dressler – Bass Trombone (Orchestra Brass) – 1st year
Alternate – Uliana Markutsya – Flute
Alternate – Danylo Palasyuk – Alto Saxophone
Alternate – Hudson Dishman – Trombone
For more on the Ames High Bands, including the full performance calendar, visit AmesBands.org.
Ames Band Staff
Ames Band Staff
Andrew Buttermore, Ames High School
Levi Dressler, Ames High School
Tascha Hauber, Ames Elementary
Paul Tallman, Ames Middle School, 7th grade
Peter Thompson, Ames Middle School, 8th grade
Conner Tipping, Ames Middle School, 6th grade, and Ames High School
Cheryl Todey, Ames Elementary
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