2-13-23

We hope everyone is enjoying their Three Day Weekend :)

General Announcements

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our Marching Band for a successful performance in the Krewe of Mad Hatters parade!  Despite the less-than-pleasant weather, our students rose to the challenge and did their best.  We had some nice musical moments across all of our sections, and we had some fun along the way, too!  Thank you to all of our parents and supporters for helping us to succeed.

Please share any media from this event to our drive folder here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dbJ2h8ZphofdD7GcjFTHYiv4ehDRUh3H?usp=sharing

More Congratulations !!!

The Front Office received a phone call from one of our neighbors during Thursday's marching practice.  They called to compliment our amazing sound ("Y'all don't sound like all the other Bands"), and to invite to march in the Krewe of Argus!  

We won't be able to join that parade this year, due to many of our students being away for the break, but we should all be proud that our students have received so many positive comments from our neighbors.  We even got to sing "Happy Birthday" to one of our younger neighbors earlier in the week! :)

Rundle Academy visit

The Band from Rundle Academy (in Calgary, Alberta, Canada!) will be traveling to New Orleans to perform in a Mardi Gras parade.  This Thursday (Feb. 16) they will visit Haynes Academy, and we'll have the opportunity to visit and play together.  Learn more about their school here:

https://rundle.ab.ca

Here is our schedule for that day:

11:00 am -- Rundle arrives

11:24 am -- Haynes 3rd period begins (our High School Band comes to the Band Room)

12:00 pm -- perform together (selections TBA)

12:45 pm -- LUNCH

1:30 pm -- Rundle departs

We are asking every member of the High School Band to contribute to our lunch that day by bringing the following items:

Percussion — plates and silverware

Low voices — cups, lots of cups

Everyone else — drinks (you + 4 ppl)

Volunteers may also bring snacks / desserts

We also invite all of our students to bring any gently used Mardi Gras throws or other trinkets to share with our guests.  They will certainly enjoy them!

And, we are in need of a parent volunteer to pick up lunch from Canseco's at 12:30.  Please contact Mr. Phelan if you are available.

Finally, the Rundle folks have challenged us to a Sight Reading Contest!  We encourage all of our students to go home and brush up on your sight reading before "The Battle for the 49th Parallel" begins.

Special Jazz Guests

This Wed. Feb. 15 we are proud to host Dr. Mollie Redfield (from LSU) as she visits our Jazz Band One rehearsal, along with a few special guests as part of LSU's Women In Jazz program.  We invite everyone to come out and meet our guests, and to hear the amazing things happening in our Jazz Band!

Taste and Tunes -- NEW DATE

Due to conflicts with several other school-related activities, Taste and Tunes has been rescheduled:

Sunday April 2 -- 2:00 Performance

Saturday April 1 -- Set-up and Decorating (times TBA)

WE NEED YOU (Parents, Guardians, Supporters) to be a part of Taste and Tunes!  Our students deserve the highest quality instruments and music, and Taste and Tunes is the best way we can provide these items for our students.

We are seeking volunteers to help with each of our four major components:  our Raffle, Ticket Sales, Food, and Logistics.  We welcome you to join us in whichever role you feel most comfortable.  Use the Sign Up Genius link below to secure your place in this year's Taste and Tunes!  Several people have already signed up -- add your name soon to make sure that you get the job you want!

Taste and Tunes Sign Up Genius 2023

We will be enlisting our students to create various forms of Publicity (including posters, videos, etc.) to draw a bigger audience, and we can't wait to share some of their fun (and probably quite original) products!

Marine Band virtual workshop

We were privileged to participate in an online workshop with SSgt Stephen Rudman, bassoonist with the President's Own US Marine Corps Band!  SSgt. Rudman shared some great tips to help us improve our practice, and we look forward to using his suggestions as we continue to grow and improve.

Special Olympics

The Haynes Academy Band has again been invited to perform for the Special Olympics Track and Field Meet at Pontiff Playground on Friday March 31!  Watch for details and permission forms soon.

High School Band

Our High School Band has resumed our weekly practices on Tuesday and Thursday until 5:00 pm.  Attendance at these practices is required to participate in future performances.  Thank You to all of our students who attend every rehearsal!

We will have Concert Practice on Tuesday this week as we prepare to meet and play with our new friends from Rundle Academy.

It's College Audition Season!  

No matter your school of choice, Band is one of the most fun and rewarding activities you can join.  You will immediately make tons of new friends, find a "home" on campus, and become an active member of your school community from Day One.  Most schools also offer some form of Band Scholarship for participating in Band.  (Many of these scholarships are not related to being a Music Major -- instead they are focused on students who just want to PLAY FOR FUN!)

We strongly encourage all of our students to explore the musical offerings at your school of choice.  Please contact Mr. Phelan if you would like additional information.  

Middle School Band

7th & 8th Grade Bands

Our 7th and 8th graders are working on Serengeti Dreams and Incantation and Ritual as we prepare for our upcoming festivals, and we are beginning to work in Book 2 of Essential Elements.  Please ensure that your student has their own copy of Essential Elements Book 2, so they do not fall behind.

Remember:  Focus on one measure at a time as you learn.

We invite our Middle School musicians to join us for High School Band practices on Tuesday and Thursday.

Beginning Band

We are working on Asturias, and will perform this fun piece for festival in March.

Every student should have their own copy of the Essential Elements for Band Book 1, as well as a supply of reeds, valve oil, etc.  Please let Mr. Phelan know of any instrument problems or concerns.

We invite our Middle School musicians to join us for High School Band practices on Tuesday and Thursday.

We look forward to seeing everyone soon!