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Volume 36, No. 1
In this issue:
In this issue:
5th grade: new ways of getting started
Updates from the middle school bands
AHS marching band recap, jazz & concert band preview
Ames 5th Grade Bands
Ames 5th Grade Bands
Ames Elementary and Middle School band staff traveled to all five elementary schools during the first few weeks of school to conduct instrument demonstrations for all Ames 5th grade students. After the demonstrations, students filled out a Google form to choose their two favorite instruments. Over the course of the next week, students met Mrs. Hauber and Mrs. Todey outside to try their two favorite instruments. Several protocols were put into place to ensure that everyone was kept safe while playing the instruments. The weather cooperated, except at Fellows where it poured throughout the day. It was great to see the excitement as students supported each other when trying the instruments.
Students were able to see which instrument they could get the best sound on before choosing which instrument they wanted to play. This method has shown to be highly effective in helping students to get a good sound from their instrument right away in lessons, leading to early success and a positive start to learning an instrument. Small group band lessons started in late September, frequently meeting outside to play on mouthpieces, headjoints, and instruments. This has been a unique and enjoyable experience for both the students and the teachers. We look forward to a wonderful year of making music!
Helpful Pointers to Parents of Fifth Grade Band Students
The success of the 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 SmartMusic as a practice tool. Students can practice their lesson assignment in SmartMusic at a tempo that is comfortable and SmartMusic can aid them in assessing their progress. Your student can play along with SmartMusic alone, with another instrument playing their part or with an entire back up band accompanying the song. SmartMusic also allows students to play along with a professional recording when they practice their full band music. Watch your inbox for more information on SmartMusic opportunities.
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 5-minute recital for you! (Every time you listen, they will be better than the last time!)
Help your child to remember his/her instrument and music on lesson days, and emphasize punctuality and faithful attendance at lessons, rehearsals, and concerts. If there is a late start, because of inclement weather, we will NOT have rehearsal before school, but 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.
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 (Fellows, Meeker, Mitchell)
tascha.hauber@ames.k12.ia.us
Cheryl Todey (Edwards, Sawyer)
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. Here is a guide to where you might find the serial number on different instruments.
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. Ask your student’s instructor for recommendations.
Looking to go deeper? There’s nothing like upgrading to an advanced level instrument (see below) and/or 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: Clara Fulton, Adam Baker, and Maggie Haggas
8th grade SCIBA honorees: Evan Buller, Rebekah Buchwald, Sarah Yao, Ivy Almquist, Matthias Roettger, Anika Shrotriya, and Sophia Kyveryga. Not pictured: Rayn Krueger
7th and 8th grade students honored by SCIBA
7th and 8th grade students honored by SCIBA
On Tuesday, November 2nd, eleven 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 the SCIBA committee. To balance instrumentation within each band, a limited number of students from each school are chosen. Representing AMS are Clara Fulton (clarinet), Maggie Haggas (clarinet) and Adam Baker (tuba).
Eighth grade students are selected based on live auditions. Students auditioned in Waukee on Tuesday, October 5th. Those selected from AMS include Rebekah Buchwald (flute); Anika Shrotriya (oboe); Sophia Kyveryga (bassoon); Matthias Roettger (clarinet); Rayn Krueger (bass clarinet); Ivy Almquist, Evan Buller (trumpet); Sarah Yao (percussion).
Congratulations to all AMS students selected for the SCIBA Honor Band Festival!
Meet th New AMS Band Director: Mr. Conner Tipping
Meet th New AMS Band Director: Mr. Conner Tipping
The Ames Middle School Bands are excited to welcome Mr. Conner Tipping to the staff this year as the new 6th grade band instructor. Mr. Tipping is in his ninth year of teaching overall, most recently serving as director at Benton Community High School in Van Horne. He has also taught at Newman Catholic School in Mason City and at Carlisle High School, and spent three years in Missouri where he received his master’s degree at the University of Central Missouri and assisted with the band program there.
As a 2011 graduate of Iowa State University, he is thrilled to be back in Ames and to have the opportunity to be a part of the Ames band program. A native of Des Moines, Mr. Tipping currently lives in Altoona with his wife Meredith (also a band director). During his spare time, he enjoys watching the Cyclones, Chicago Cubs, playing golf, and traveling all around Iowa.
Welcome, Mr. Tipping!
Pep Band offers new opportunity for 8th grade band students
Pep Band offers new opportunity for 8th grade band students
The AMS 8th Grade Pep Band made its debut performance on Tuesday, October 12 at the final home volleyball match of the season. The Pep Band played two selections: Shut Up and Dance and a slightly modified version of Ames High Loyalty. The band will also be working to prepare Happy, Take On Me, and more for additional performances this year.
The band prepares during normal band rehearsal time. Performances are completely optional for all 8th grade band students. It’s meant to be a fun addition to the regular program, while also giving a glimpse to the types of opportunities that high school band offers.
Concerts Return to AMS!
Concerts Return to AMS!
The Ames 7th Grade and 8th Grade Bands are preparing to perform our first middle school band concert in over eighteen months! The Tuesday, November 9th performance will involve all 7th and 8th grade band students and begin at 7 p.m. in the AMS Auditorium.
The 6th Grade Band will present their first band concert on Thursday, December 16 at 7 p.m. in the AMS Auditorium. The 6th Grade Chorus and Orchestra will also perform.
For more info, including the complete AMS Band performance calendar, visit AMSbands.org
Ames High School Bands
Ames High School Bands
Little Cyclone Marching Band is Back in Action!
Little Cyclone Marching Band is Back in Action!
After a year off, the Little Cyclone Marching Band was able to perform at home football games once again! The marching band performed at four home football games and presented music from The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and original compositions by Michael Sweeney. On October 25, the AHS Marching Band closed the season with their Marching Band Spectacular, featuring every tune from the 2021 season.
Scroll farther down for more images from the 2021 marching season.
AHS Band Members Named Homecoming Royalty
AHS Band Members Named Homecoming Royalty
This year, a number of high school band students were elected to the homecoming court. Ike Alexander, Tate Meinhard, Sofia Mamakos, Ling Bai, Ava Chopskie, Jason Vernon, Allison Oh, and Avery Suza were voted on by their high school peers to represent them for homecoming court. Tate Meinhard and Ava Chopskie were named homecoming prince & princess, while Jason Vernon & Ling Bai were crowned homecoming king & queen. Congratulations to all!
Jazz Bands Are Back in Full Swing
Jazz Bands Are Back in Full Swing
This year, the Ames High Band Program has three jazz bands up and running. Jazz I and Jazz III are directed by Mr. Gardner, while Jazz II is directed by Mr. Ewan. In addition to concerts featuring each jazz band, Jazz I and Jazz II will compete at competitions at Waukee, Southeast Polk, and Fort Dodge.
AHS Jazz I personnel
Saxophone: Hailey Sibbel, Maya Fowler, Max Kovalenko, Grant Crespi, Brandon Vorst
Trumpet: Avery Suza, Loretta Ostermeier, Karsten Holm, Henry Kellen, Will Geisler
Trombone: Carter Peterson, Allie Enyart, Logan Simmons, Alex Buttermore
Rhythm section: Ava Chopskie (drums), McKenzie Flemming (piano), Everett Hargrove (guitar), Sawyer Chopskie (bass)
AHS Jazz II personnel
Saxophone: Nathan Poag, Jennifer Newman, Karin Grevstad-Nordbrock, Bowen Flemming, Josie Mowrer, David Kaminski
Trumpet: Alok Shrestha, James Haila, Kate Reisinger, Joseph Payton
Trombone: John Bouffard, Elias Thompson, Lyra Hascall, Alex Read
Rhythm section: Davison Juhnke (drums), Helen Mao (piano), Tommy Chinery (guitar), Miles Peterson (bass)
AHS Jazz III personnel
Saxophone: Alina Markutsya, Elio Viatori, James Xing, Calder Shogren-Knaak, Karina Scott, Alex Eichhorn, Grant Wellington
Trumpet: Noah Gaar, Caleb Sheldon, Kenan Taintor, Obadiah Northway
Trombone: Will Williams, Abby Johnson, Jackson Reiter, Aidan Krueger, Caleb Vis
Rhythm section: Akshay Sarda (drums), Mary Greenfield (piano), Archer Platt (bass)
University of Northern Iowa Jazz Professor to Share His Knowledge with AHS Jazz Bands
The Ames High Jazz I and II bands have an upcoming opportunity to work with a nationally recognized jazz educator. Each band will have a 90-minute session with University of Northern Iowa’s Chris Merz. Professor Merz directs jazz studies and Jazz Band 1 at UNI. For more information about Professor Merz, click here.
Jazz Performance Dates
Nov. 13 - Clinic with Chris Merz - AHS - 9 a.m. - noon (Jazz I and II)
Dec 6 - Jazz Band Concert - AHS Aud - 6:00 p.m. (Jazz I, II, and III)
Dec. 11 - SCIBA Jazz Festival - Waukee HS - All Day (Jazz I and II)
Jan. 14 - Triton Jazz Festival - Fort Dodge - Daytime (Jazz I)
Feb. 12 - SE Polk Jazz Festival - SEP High School - All Day (Jazz I and II)
Feb. 17 - Jazz Encounters Concert - AHS Aud - 7:30 p.m. (Jazz I, II, and III)
AHS Musicians earn selection to Iowa All-State ensembles
AHS Musicians earn selection to Iowa All-State ensembles
On October 23, twenty-seven AHS band students auditioned at Indianola High School for the Iowa All-State Band. The band will perform as part of the Iowa Music Educators Association (IMEA) Conference held in Ames from November 18-20. All students worked hard and spent many hours preparing for the audition. The following students were accepted into the 2021 Iowa All-State Band and Orchestra. Congratulations!
Carissa Andorf – Clarinet III
Jerry Han - Clarinet (orchestra)
Kai Johnson – Clarinet I
Josie Mowrer – Clarinet III
Hannah Song – Clarinet II
Jacob Xing - Clarinet III
Avery Suza - Trumpet (orchestra)
Kailyn Thompson - Horn II (orchestra)
Anleah Walker – Horn IV (orchestra)
Alex Buttermore - Bass Trombone
Jared Hutson - Tuba
Ezekiel DeBoest - Percussion (orchestra)
David Hauber - 1st Alternate - Euphonium
Hailey Sibbel - 1st Alternate - Bari Sax
What’s coming up at Ames High?
What’s coming up at Ames High?
All of the students that were accepted into the Iowa All-State Band will have their performance on November 20 in the Hilton Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. For more information on the performance, please email Andrew Buttermore at andrew.buttermore@ames.k12.ia.us.
On December 2, interested AHS Band students will travel to Bondurant-Farrar High School and audition for the South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association (SCIBA) Honor Band. The audition process is very similar to All-State. Students will perform the same music and follow the same processes as the All-State audition. Students that were already accepted into the Iowa All-State Band are not allowed to audition.
The AHS Holiday Band Concert will be December 20. All four concert bands have started rehearsing and are working hard in preparation for the performance! The concert will be in the High School Auditorium with Freshman Band, and Symphonic Band starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by Concert Band and Wind Symphony at 8:00 p.m.
For more on the Ames High Bands, including the full performance calendar, go to AmesBands.org.
Ames Band Staff
Ames Band Staff
Andrew Buttermore, Ames High School
Chris Ewan, Ames High School
Nick Gardner, 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
Cheryl Todey, Ames Elementary
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