WEEK OF JANUARY 4, 2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

THIS WEEK at a GLANCE:

TUESDAY, January 5: District Honor Band help session, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, January 6: District Honor Band help session, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, January 7: District Honor Band help session, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

These sessions are optional; please let Mr. Carter know if you plan to attend or not.

NEXT WEEK (January 11 - 16):

MONDAY, January 11: District Honor Band audition recording session, 3:40 - 5:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, January 12: District Honor Band audition recording session, 3:40 - 5:00 p.m.

Each student auditioning will sign up for a 20-minute recording slot either Monday or Tuesday.

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS:

JACOB M., (aka J-Mac)

NATYRA W.

DISTRICT HONOR BAND

We have three after-school help sessions this week. Come to one, come to two, come to all three. I can give you some pointers, or you can find a room and just practice.

Recording sessions are Monday and Tuesday of next week. Each student can claim 20 minutes for their session. We will record in the Band Room. No one else will be allowed in the band room while you are recording. Sign up for a day/time here: https://forms.gle/zCayHWrcMmn6TW2Z6.

SPRING BAND CALENDAR

The band calendar is being updated for the spring. After-school rehearsals for LGPE won't begin until later in January.

The best way to stay up-to-date is to read the newsletter each week, and to check the calendar regularly.

HOW TO ALWAYS HAVE THE BAND CALENDAR AT YOUR FINGERTIPS:

Step 1: Get on your computer, then click here: https://goo.gl/QMZ7V4 OR scroll up to the calendar above.

Step 2: Click the +Google Calendar icon in the bottom-right corner. You will have to create a Google account if you don’t already have one.

If you use iCal on your iPhone or other Apple device, use this link: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/scss.screven.k12.ga.us_vjbgemi8c4dkkuovhf85se1s50%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

LISTEN TO THIS!

Each week, I recommend a piece of band music I think you will enjoy. This week we have a piece by one of America's great composers, Aaron Copland (1900-1990). The piece is entitled Fanfare for the Common Man. It was one of a series of fanfares written to stir patriotism at the beginning of World War II. Copland included a reworked version of the fanfare in the finale of his Third Symphony, which was written to celebrate the end of that war. Click here and here to read more.

Leonard Bernstein (also a great American composer -- see the Dec. 14 newsletter) conducts the New York Philharmonic brass and percussion sections in this performance.

The camera zooms in to Mr. Copland at 0:32. It's pretty awesome to have the composer in the audience!

NEED TO MISS AN AFTER-SCHOOL REHEARSAL?

Don't forget to let Mr. Carter know! The best way is to text the Band Hotline: (912) 549-0262. You can also email Mr. Carter at hank.carter@screven.k12.ga.us, or send a message via Remind. It is NOT good enough to tell a friend, "Hey, I won't be there because of ____." You need to TELL MR. CARTER DIRECTLY.

MASKS and SCREENING

DURING BAND CLASS: Masks are required as you enter the band area, while you are in the instrument storage room (lockers), and at the start of band class. Go directly to your assigned seat in class. Obviously, you will need to remove your mask in order to play (except percussion). Put your mask back on if another section is working. Masks must be put on when we pack up at the end of class.

AFTER SCHOOL: Just like during band camp, masks should be worn at the start of rehearsal, during transitions, and at dismissal. Now that we are starting our regular after-school routine, we will not be doing screening/temperature checks before practice. Please stay home if you are sick. Please go home if you get sick during the school day.

BAND CALENDAR

Have you found the online band calendar yet? You can view it on your computer, sync it to your phone or tablet, or even print it!