Dec. 2, 2024

Weekly Calendar

Monday - Percussion audition clinic #3 4-7

Tuesday - 

Wednesday - Parade Band OUTSIDE during class

Thursday -  

Announcements

• This is what you need to have with you every day for band class

  • Pencil

  • Instrument

  • Breathing Valve

  • Music

  • Black 1/2inch binder with sheet protectors

• Spring sign-ups are done. At this point any student who is signed up will be expected to attend their ensemble meet times in the spring. These ensembles will only meet after school once a week and therefore will not have excused absences. If a student misses 2 or more rehearsals then it will be up to the director of that ensemble to decide if they will be getting lettering credit or not. 

• We started working on our Christmas music these past few weeks. Any and all music that has been worked on is up for Pop playing tests. These will take place randomly throughout the next few weeks. These will be marked as playing tests in Power school. Please encourage your student to bring their horn home and practice. We are only as good as our weakest player. 

• I know a lot of us love marching band, but we are limited by who joins/stays in concert band. Concert band is where we learn all of the technique things to be able to play exciting marching shows. It is imperative that you stay and participate in concert band. If you are a leader then it is expected that you stay, after all leaders do not get their position by doing ½ the work. This goes along with the band banquet. There are only two exceptions and that is if you are a color guard member with no instrument to play, a baseball player who has baseball 4th block or a basketball player who has basketball 4th block. If you are one of those who fall under that category, then you will be allowed to come to the band banquet as normal as long as you return for Strawberry and teapot rehearsals and parades. If you just decide not to participate in concert band then you must purchase a ticket from another student to attend. It is the BAND banquet not the MARCHING BAND banquet. 

• All-West audition money is due Tuesday!!!! It is $10 per audition. 

• If you are wanting to sign-up for UTM or Memphis honor band the last day to do that is Monday December 2nd. 

• Dress for our Christmas parade is blue jeans and a tacky Christmas sweater. You can put lights on your instrument/drum as long as it does not interfere with the playing. You may also wear Christmas hats.

• Dessert evening is two weeks out. Each student is REQUIRED to perform at this event. This will be for a grade. Mr. Tate, Mr. Leslie, and Myself will have to hear you perform your music 2 times for it to be approved. 

• Our Christmas concert is two weeks away. Dress for this is going to be semi formal on the lower half and tacky Christmas sweater for top half. 

• Please make sure you are participating in every fundraiser. It is not fair for little Tina to get the same benefits as little Johnny if little Tina didn't help with the fundraiser and little Johnny raised $1,000. Everyone must pull their own weight. 

• Last week I sent home forms for students to sell 7 dessert evening tickets. These forms are to be turned back in Next Monday the 9th so that we can get our list together. Tickets are $10 

• Final exams will begin on December 16th. These are worth 15% of the student's grade for the semester. This also will determine chair placement for the spring concert season. Students will be required to perform their 12 major scales from memory. We are going over these ever day during our warm-up. 

UPCOMING DATES:

Dec. 7 - Dyer Christmas Parade @4pm at Byrd Fitness 

Dec. 12 - Dessert Evening 6:30pm @ Dyer First Baptist

Dec. 15 - Christmas Concert 2pm @GCHS Theater

December 16 - Final Exams begin