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Volume 36, No. 2
Volume 36, No. 2
In this issue:
In this issue:
Fifth grade Band concert and final rehearsals info, moving on to 6th grade
Middle School Band: Pep Band, Ensemble Fest, Jazz Band, Preparing for next fall
High School Band: Florida trip, Jazz band, Mr. Ewan retiring, Pep band, SCIBA, Band clinic, and more
Fifth grade band members combine for year-end concerts
Fifth grade band members combine for year-end concerts
As we begin to wrap up a successful year, it’s time to make arrangements for our year-end concerts. As we have done in the past, the five elementary school bands will combine into two larger bands that perform at the concert. The concerts will take place in the Ames Middle School Auditorium. Please bring family and friends to support your student in this important event.
Students should wear nice clothes for the concert. Clothes that are appropriate for a wedding or a religious service would be good for the concert. Please avoid jeans, shorts, and tennis shoes. Since we’ll be up on a stage, we suggest dress pants, long skirts or long dresses.
Fellows and Meeker Combined Concert
Monday, April 25th at Ames Middle School Auditorium
Please drop off your student at 6:20pm
Concert begins at 7:00pm
Edwards, Mitchell, and Sawyer Combined Concert
Tuesday, April 26th at Ames Middle School Auditorium
Please drop off your student at 6:20pm
Concert begins at 7:00pm
Final Rehearsal
Fellows - Monday, May 2
Mitchell - Tuesday, May 3
Sawyer - Wednesday, April 27
Edwards - Thursday, April 28
Meeker - Friday, April 29
Final Lesson
Fellows - Monday, May 16
Mitchell - Tuesday, May 10
Sawyer - Wednesday, May 4
Edwards - Thursday, May 5
Meeker - Friday, May 6
Why should I be in 6th Grade Band?
Why should I be in 6th Grade Band?
1. Students have learned so much this year! In 6th grade they will continue to learn and build upon the skills needed to become independent musicians and responsible young adults. These are skills they can use their entire life.
2. There are more performance opportunities: two large band concerts and the chance to prepare and perform with a small group for Ensemble Festival.
3. FRIENDS! An instant social network for the transition to a new school. These are the friends that will continue to be in band together through their senior year of high school (and maybe beyond).
4. Opportunities to play exciting music in a large band. Better musicians can play more interesting music!
5. Be a part of a team where you NEVER sit on the bench! Every single musician is equally important! Band is the largest group project your student will be a part of.
6. The Ames Middle School band staff (Conner Tipping, Paul Tallman, and Peter Thompson) are top notch! They are amazing teachers and lots of fun, too!
Want to really get better fast?
Want to really get better fast?
Summer is a great time to work with a private lesson instructor. If you want to take a big step forward on your instrument, get instruction tailored just for you, prepare for an honor band audition, or even just hold on to the skills you learned during the school year, private lessons are a big help. Your band director can help connect you with a private lesson instructor for your instrument. Just email your school band instructor for assistance!
Pep Band Debuts at Ames Middle School
Pep Band Debuts at Ames Middle School
A new band opportunity created some extra excitement at AMS sports events this year. The 8th grade pep band performed at home games for four sports: volleyball, wrestling, girls basketball, and boys basketball. The pep band was optional and a fun addition to the normal routine. The band prepared extra tunes during regular rehearsal time and stayed after school for performances. The band learned and performed "Shut Up and Dance," "Happy," "Soul Bossa Nova," "Take On Me," and "Ames High Loyalty."
Special thanks to all the pep band members who performed at games: Tasneem Abdillaahi, Ivy Almquist, Juan Alvarez Valdivia, Erik Anderson, Kenneth Bai, Jack Baker, Anna Bappe, Dunkin Bearson, Riley Becker, Maha Benbah, Isaac Bivins, Ellen Bodily, Rebekah Buchwald, Evan Buller, Sela Castleberry, Laura Chen, Natalie Culp, Kaiya Devariste, Aisha DeWall, Jackson Diekmann, Jack Estrada, Brendan Freel, Mia Gimenez Milla, Lucas Haila, Christian Humphrey, Marin Knight, Sophia Kyveryga, Zachary Loecke, Jessie Lohman, Julia Mortvedt, Maddie Mowrer, A.J. Mund, Alivia Nicolas, Avie Niemi, Quin O'Bryan, Sam Palmer, Dawson Peterson, Adrian Riera, Kelsey Robinson, Matthias Roettger, Vienna Rossmanith, Jonathan Ryken, Elijah Sheldon, Naomi Stevens, Micah Steward, Leo Sullivan, Andy Trejo, Claire Wang, Sherry Wang, Jadynce Williams, and Sarah Yao.
(Photos: Dan Andrews)
Middle school students collaborate for Ensemble Festival
Middle school students collaborate for Ensemble Festival
Over 300 student musicians performed in the Ames Middle School Band Ensemble Festivals on March 9 and 10, 2022. Band members performed with their lesson groups. Each lesson group had been preparing their music since January.
Small ensembles require individual preparation as well as a high level of collaboration within the group. Each ensemble was challenged with not only performing the music accurately, but expressively. Performances were judged based on categories such as tone quality, phrasing, dynamics, and presentation.
Judges for the event were all veteran band instructors: Deb Fritcher, Alexa Gibbs, and Rich Thimmesch. In addition to verbal and written comments, judges also rated each group with a I+ (Superior), I, (Excellent), I- (Good), or II (Fair). Of the thirty-nine performing ensembles, twenty-eight earned I+ ratings, and eleven groups earned I ratings.
Special thanks to all parent volunteers and audience members, and congratulations to all our student performers!
(Photos: Rebecca Reisinger)
6th Grade Band performs at FUNdamentals Concert
6th Grade Band performs at FUNdamentals Concert
For several years in February, the 6th grade band has performed for their classmates in a special concert held during the school day. This “FUNdamentals” Concert includes some pops pieces and serves as the culmination of our unit, which this year included being introduced to dotted rhythms and the new style of a march. The band did a wonderful job of rehearsing each day and was ready for a great performance.
In getting ready for this performance, the students were continually reminded to prepare as though anything could happen during the concert. There may occasionally be a mistake or something musical that has never occurred before, but the band must keep playing and listening to each other in order to come back together. However, what happened at this performance wasn’t quite what the students expected. How often is a band conducted by…a dinosaur?
The band’s final selection was an arrangement of the theme from “Jurassic Park.” With special assistance from the ISU Cyclone Marching Band, we were able to bring this piece even more to life. In addition to the students doing a great job in following the conducting patterns of a T-Rex, those in the audience were greeted by even more dinosaurs who decided to come and listen to the band’s outstanding performance. It made for a fun day for everyone, and a number of students wanted a picture with the dinosaurs after the concert.
Jazz Clinic and a Successful Year for AMS Jazz Bands
Jazz Clinic and a Successful Year for AMS Jazz Bands
On Thursday, January 13, Ames Middle School 7th and 8th grade jazz band members performed for parents and worked with Nick Gardner, one of the band directors at Ames High School who specializes in jazz instruction. Mr. Gardner shared helpful tips on developing improvised solos. This was an opportunity for students to perform and receive feedback and instruction, both as a group and in like-instrument sectionals. Each section of the jazz band received instruction from an Iowa State University student. This experience was a chance for students to work intensely on their jazz music and receive several different suggestions for improvement. The clinicians had many good things to say about the AMS jazz students’ performances. Clinicians were also a great resource, sharing ideas that could be implemented in the future.
The AMS Jazz Bands performed at the Winter Band Concert and finished their season with their own concert on April 5. Congrats to our jazz students!
How to prepare for next fall
How to prepare for next fall
As 6th graders prepare for next year, the most important thing is to simply play your instrument. The more days you play, the more you will improve by building your range and endurance. It will also help you to play with better tone quality and you’ll feel more confident on your instrument!
If you really want to make the best use of your practice time, play your instrument’s warmup routine every day. Then, continue to practice the C, F, and G major scales, and the chromatic scale for your instrument. Remember that in 7th grade, we will continue to build off of these while learning new scales and extending the range of your chromatic.
For 7th graders wanting to make the best use of practice time, keep working through your instrument’s assignment page. This includes your instrument routine, major scales, chromatic scale and music from your lesson book. Practicing consistently throughout the summer will maintain your skills, so you will be prepared for the fall.
For 8th graders going into high school, preparation for marching band is key. Watch for an email from AHS with the marching band music. You may also need to obtain a lyre for holding your music as you march. Any practicing you do over the summer will help you feel more confident as you begin fall band rehearsals.
AMS Spring Band Concert
AMS Spring Band Concert
On Tuesday, May 3, the AMS Bands will give their Spring Concert at 7pm in the AMS Auditorium. Admission is $5 for adults (max of $10 per family), and students are admitted for free. This concert will feature the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade concert bands and give everyone the chance to hear how our students are making progress from year to year. It will have been three years since this concert was last held - we are looking forward to a phenomenal night of music!
Ames High Marching Band Has A Magical Time in Florida!
Ames High Marching Band Has A Magical Time in Florida!
Over spring break, members of the AHS Marching Band traveled to Florida to perform at Walt Disney World. The first stops were Ron Jon Surf Shop and Cocoa Beach. Students visited Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom throughout the rest of the week and ended the trip at Universal Orlando. At Magic Kingdom, students performed “76 Trombones” in a parade across the park. The band members also had an indoor clinic with a guest clinician and rehearsed music from "Aladdin" and "Frozen." They even recorded some of the music to the scenes from the movies!
Jazz 1, 2, and 3 End Their Seasons With A Bang
Jazz 1, 2, and 3 End Their Seasons With A Bang
The jazz bands at Ames High had an exciting season of performances. On February 12, Jazz 1 and Jazz 2 traveled to Southeast Polk High School for the Southeast Polk Jazz Festival, where both groups gave excellent performances. The all-day festival featured masterclasses and a performance from the Susie Miget Creative Music Studio Combo. At the end of the day, Jazz 2 was awarded first place in the second bands category and received awards for outstanding trumpets, outstanding trombones, outstanding saxophones, and outstanding rhythm section. Jazz 1 was awarded first place in the 4A category and received awards for outstanding trumpets, outstanding trombones, and outstanding rhythm section. All three jazz bands had their final performance on February 17 at the Jazz Encounters Concert. Spring Jazz started for the season and will have a performance with the AHS Wind Symphony on May 9.
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, 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: Elio Viatori, Sivani Manimaran, Carissa Andorf, Calder Shogren-Knaak, Karina Scott, Alex Eichhorn, Grant Wellington
Trumpet: Noah Gaar, Kenan Taintor, Caleb Sheldon, Preksha Sarda, Ling Bai, Sophia Cordoba, Obadiah Northway, Maighdlin Larson
Trombone: Will Williams, Abby Johnson, Jackson Reiter, Aidan Krueger, Caleb Vis
Rhythm section: Akshay Sarda (drums), Mary Greenfield (piano), Archer Platt (bass)
Director of High School Bands, Chris Ewan, Set to Retire
Director of High School Bands, Chris Ewan, Set to Retire
After thirty-three years of teaching, including twenty-seven in Ames, Chris Ewan, Director of Bands at Ames High, is retiring at the end of the school year. Mr. Ewan moved to the Ames Community School District in 1995 after first teaching in the West Harrison Community School district from 1989-1991 and at Anamosa High School from 1991-1995. He is a 1984 graduate of Ames High School. At Ames, Mr. Ewan started with teaching the 7th and 9th grade bands, eventually taking over the Concert Band and the Director of Bands position in 2003. Mr. Ewan has also taught jazz band, pep band, marching band, percussion choirs, and is currently directing the Wind Symphony. During his tenure at Ames, Mr. Ewan has had students earn selection to All-State nearly 300 times, including several four-year All-Staters.
In retirement,Mr. Ewan plans to expand his photography work, travel more, continue to help judge and clinic bands around the state, and potentially volunteer at National Parks. When asked about his fondest memory from teaching at Ames High, Mr. Ewan said, “I have no specific memory, but I have enjoyed working with the diversity of students. I have enjoyed watching the students grow in their time at Ames High and have loved seeing where they go after AHS. Students leave AHS and do great things. I’m proud to have been a part of their development.”
Thank you for all your years of service, Mr. Ewan! Your legacy has helped foster an amazing culture of excellence in the Ames High Band program, which will continue to thrive because of the hard work and dedication you put into the program.
Pep Band Travels to Wells Fargo for the Boys State Basketball Tournament
Pep Band Travels to Wells Fargo for the Boys State Basketball Tournament
The Ames High Pep Band performed at five home basketball games and an Iowa State men's basketball game on December 21. At the end of the season, the pep band traveled with the Ames High boys’ basketball team to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines to cheer them on to their state championship victory!
Piccolo/Flute: Sophia Cordoba, Sivani Manimaran, Pedro Loureiro, Emma LaFleur, Alina Markutsya, Mia Suzuki, Lindy Chen
Clarinet: Jerry Han, Jacob Xing, Abby Thompson, Lily Lupardus, Josie Mowrer, Karina Scott, Abi Stearns
Alto Sax: Hailey Sibbel, Grant Crespi, Delaney Kreider
Trumpet: Avery Suza, Karsten Holm, Loretta Ostermeier, Jixiang Li, Ian Nelson, Drew Schindel, Henry Kellen, Will Geisler, Caleb Sheldon, James Haila, Noah Gaar
Mellophone: Kailyn Thompson, Anleah Walker
Trombone: Alex Buttermore, Carter Peterson, Warren Wellington, Alex Read, Sam VanRyswyk, Allie Enyart, Connor Johnson, Lyra Hascall, Logan Simmons, Elias Thompson
Baritone: David Hauber
Sousaphone: Daniel Brumm, Tate Meinhard, Ezekiel DeBoest, Jared Hutson, Johanna Sulc, Caleb Dierks, Torin Chinery
Electric Bass: Sawyer Chopskie
Drum Set: Cody Brink, Davison Juhnke
Concert Bands Clinic Day with Robert Meunier
Concert Bands Clinic Day with Robert Meunier
On April 18, Robert Meunier from Drake University came to work with all four concert bands at Ames High. Professor Meunier had 60 minutes to work with each band on the music they will perform for their spring concert.
To read more about Professor Meunier, click here.
AHS Musicians Earn Selection to SCIBA Honor Bands
AHS Musicians Earn Selection to SCIBA Honor Bands
Fourteen AHS band students successfully auditioned for positions in the 2021-22 South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association Honor Band. Auditions were held on Thursday, December 2, at Bondurant High School. The students selected rehearsed at Ankeny High School on Saturday, January 8, and performed in a festival concert that evening. The guest directors for the honor band were Mr. Chris Sharp and Dr. John LaCognata. The following Ames High students were selected:
9-10 Band
Kritika Sharma – Flute – 10th Chair
Steven Huang – Clarinet – 2nd Chair
Brianna Byrne – Clarinet – 6th Chair
Karina Scott – Clarinet – 5th Chair
Bowen Flemming – Alto Saxophone – 2nd Chair
Emily Kibbe – French Horn – 2nd Chair
Elias Thompson – Trombone – 1st Chair
Sawyer Chopskie – Percussion – 5th Chair
Christian Gallt – Percussion – 8th Chair
11-12 Band
Hailey Sibbel – Bari Saxophone – 1st Chair
Carter Peterson – Trombone – 1st Chair
Allie Enyart – Trombone – 5th Chair
David Hauber – Euphonium – 1st Chair
Sami Berg – Percussion – 8th Chair
Students Celebrate Success at Solo/Ensemble Contest
Students Celebrate Success at Solo/Ensemble Contest
The Ames High School Band, Orchestra and Vocal Departments participated in the Ames Solo/ Ensemble Contest on Saturday, March 5, at Ames High School. We extend a special commendation to each student who prepared music for the contest and who improved their own personal performance skills. The following individuals/groups received Division I (Superior), and Division II (Excellent). No Division III, IV or V ratings were earned.
Division I (Superior) Ratings
Bb Clarinet Solo: Steven Huang, Josie Mowrer, Jerry Han, Jacob Xing, Karina Scott, Hannah Song, Kai Johnson, Carissa Andorf
Alto Sax Solo: Nathan Poag, Max Kovalenko, Bowen Flemming, Brandon Vorst, Hailey Sibbel
Horn Solo: Kailyn Thompson, Anleah Walker
Trombone Solo: Elias Thompson
Bass Trombone Solo: Alex Buttermore
Euphonium Solo: Daniel Brumm
Marimba Solo: Sawyer Chopskie, Lucy Read, Helen Mao
Xylophone Solo: Ezekiel DeBoest
Snare Solo: Ava Chopskie
Tenor Solo: Eliza Loecke
Vocal Solo: Mizzan Dollisso, Julia Divine, Preksha Sarda, Abigail Thompson
Flute Duet: Jenny Park / Kritika Sharma
Clarinet Quintet: Jerry Han / Jacob Xing / Carissa Andorf / Kai Johnson / Hannah Song
Saxophone Quartet: Bowen Flemming / Nathan Poag / David Kaminski / Elio Vatori
Mixed Instrument Ensemble: Will Geisler / Max Kovalenko / Ezekiel DeBoest / Daniel Brumm
Clarinet Choir: Carissa Andorf / Bryanna Bryne / Jerry Han / Steven Huang / Kai Johnson / Josie Mowrer / Hannah Song /Jacob Xing
Division II (Excellent) Ratings
Flute Solo: Sophia Cordoba, Lauren Risdal
Clarinet Solo: Bryanna Byrne, Abby Thompson
Alto Sax Solo: James Xing, Elio Vatori
Trombone Solo: Will Williams
Tuba Solo: Hannah Sulc
Marimba Duet: Olli Guernsey / Helen Mao
Concert Bands Prepare For Their Spring Concert and Pops Concert
Concert Bands Prepare For Their Spring Concert and Pops Concert
The Ames High Concert Bands are working hard to prepare their final concerts of the year. The Spring Concert will be held on two separate dates. The 9th Grade Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band will perform on Monday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Wind Symphony and the Spring Jazz Band will perform on Monday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. After more than three years, the band, choir, and orchestra will have their Pops Concert performance! The concert is set for Monday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. and will be in the Ames High gymnasium. Come on out and support all these students' hard work!
Students, continue your musical growth this summer!
Students, continue your musical growth this summer!
Marching Band Camp Dates
Marching Band Camp Dates
August Drumline Workshop – Tuesday, August 9; Wednesday, August 10; & Friday, August 12: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Leadership Meeting – Thursday, August 11: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Marching Band Workshop – Monday-Friday, August 15-19: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
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
Peter Thompson, Ames Middle School
Conner Tipping, Ames Middle School
Cheryl Todey, Ames Elementary
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