October 4th, 2024

Week 8 - Practice makes Improvement!

Week 8 Newsletter

Week 8 has been a week full of improvement across all band classes! Beginners are working hard to note and position through new and more challenging lines of music while Concert and Symphonic Band work to improve their Fall Concert Music!

Check out the fundraiser information! We had an outstanding fundraiser last year and hope to have a similar result this year. We were able to do SO much with the funds raised and put it right into improving our band program and student's experience! Next Thursday is our kick off day, students will need their cell phone or chromebook and a list of phone numbers they can add to their account.

Invitations to receive updates and reports on your band student's MakeMusic (formerly SmartMusic) progress have been sent to at least one parent per student. When you subscribe you will get tips and information directly from MakeMusic and then once per week an update on what assignments they have to do and what time they have spent in MakeMusic.

Band fees are past due! Payments can be made on School Cash online or by Cash or Check. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns about fees.

Action Items - Urgent, please complete!

Action Items - Urgent, please complete!

Sync the Band Calendar with your personal calendar! Click the plus sign on the calendar here to sync with your calendar.
Band Fees past due. Fees can still be paid by cash, check (to Bedford JH Band) or through School Cash Online. Reach out with any concerns or payment scheduling.
Join Remind for your student's class!

Beginner Band

This week we explored more in our essential elements book and on Make Music! We are expanding the number of notes and songs we know how to play as we prepare for the Fall Debut Concert. Beginners can now use the program Make Music at home to practice and complete assignments. Make Music is not used in beginner percussion class, they will continue doing assignments in class and eventually through Canvas.

Questions to ask your beginner:

How many lines in the book can you play so far?
Can you play your 5 note mini scale?
Have you submitted any lines on Make Music?

Upcoming Dates:

10/7/24 - Woodwind Chair Test
10/10/24 - Fundraiser Kick Off!
10/15/24 - Beginner Fall Concert
- Date change: Beginner Band Concert has moved from October 16th to October 15th. Please mark your calendars!

Concert Band

This week we have been hearing small sections and individuals play through our various warm ups and scales. Hearing small groups and individual students play in class is an important tool to improving our band. Each student is expected to be ready when they name is chosen, so preparing outside of class is useful! We are still working toward our goal of practicing 3+ days a week! We have just about 2 weeks until our Fall Concert - you should hear our 2 pieces at home.

Questions to ask your band student:

Have you submitted either Heroes or Dark Star yet?
What is the next scale you plan to pass off?

Upcoming Dates:

10/10/24 - Fundraiser Kick Off!
10/29/24 - NEW DATE - Tentative 8th grade football performance based on location and time.
11/8/24 - Dave and Busters date change, please mark in your calendar! Info coming soon!

Symphonic Band

In Symphonic band we using our Foundations of Superior Performance "blue book" to learn about a new key signature every week. This week we did exercises in the key of Eb, next week we will tackle the key of F. Our Fall Concert is just 11 rehearsals away - it is important that all students are preparing their notes and rhythms outside of class so that we can have productive rehearsals.

Questions to ask your band student:

Do you have your Foundations of Superior Performance Book?
Are you prepared to play your Fall Concert music?

Upcoming Dates:

10/10/24 - Fundraiser Kick Off!
10/29/24 - NEW DATE - Tentative 8th grade football performance based on location and time.
11/8/24 - Dave and Busters date change, please mark in your calendar! Info coming soon!
DATE CHANGE: The masterclass orginally scheduled for Saturday, November 9th has been moved to Friday, November 15th from 5:30-7:30pm.

Jazz Band

Tomorrow, Saturday October 5th is our Denton Jazz Fest field trip! Click here for details!

If you have picked a Christmas Cafe solo yet, email me with your solo selection from this folder and I will get you your music! Several of the more "popular" songs are taken so send me multiple options. Christmas solos can be performed at the Bedford Tree Lighting and our Christmas Cafe event.

Upcoming Dates and Performances: