Weekly News: April 9, 2018

Post date: Apr 11, 2018 2:04:59 AM

IN THIS ISSUE

BAND FESTIVALS & PERFORMANCES

HEART of Portland: A PPS K-12 Arts Showcase - Wednesday April 11.

From Mr. McFadden:

This gig is a big deal and I'm glad that we were asked to be there for it. Superintendent Guerrero and his executive cabinet will attend this event, along with several arts organizations and arts philanthropic funders. There's supposed to be an unveiling of a new arts initiatives for the PPS school district and to be the high school band representing PPS makes us look very good. As Kristen Brayson's memo says (the one I emailed out today, 4/2), parents are very much welcome to attend the evening and further help support our arts education. We will talk transportation tomorrow (Tuesday 4/3) in class.

Here's our agenda:

4:45 pm - Arrive @ Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205

5:15-5:45 - Sound Check 

6:30-6:50 - Perform

Dismissed

STATE COMPETITIONS

-String Ensemble: Thursday, May 10 & Friday, May 11 at OSU

-Wind Ensemble: Saturday, May 12 at OSU

-Jazz Ensemble: Saturday, May 19 at Mount Hood Community College

SOLO & ENSEMBLE

-Select groups: Friday, April 27 & Saturday, April 28 at Pacific University

PEP BAND at RONALD MCDONALD CHARITIES

Grant Band has been asked to provide a pep band for the Ronald McDonald House Charities 5K Event on April 22nd. The Stronger Together 5K Walk, Run & Roll is a region-wide fundraising event where our supporters to walk, run, and roll to raise money for families with seriously ill children -- the same families who receive a free "home away from home" at one of our three Oregon Ronald McDonald Houses. This is all volunteer and we'd love to get a crew of at least 40 strong to play at the event. These types of events are super fun to play at!

Below are the timing details for that day:

-9 am - Meet at Elizabeth Caruthers Park 

-Done between 11-11:30 am

 

Help support this cause and get a free t-shirt, breakfast, and baked goods.

 

Sign up in the band room!

 

COFFEE FUNDRAISER

The Grant Band Program is partnering with Trailhead Coffee Roasters to bring our community great coffee and help us raise funds to support Grant Band operating costs. Money raised from our fundraisers is used for instrument purchases and maintenance, bus fees, fees for festivals and other learning opportunities, trips, advertising, and scholarships. 

Look out for order forms from your student any day! 

 

WIND ENSEMBLE AND JAZZ ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS

Wind Ensemble & Jazz Ensemble audition material is on the Grant Band website. Audition window will close on April 18th. Mr. McFadden will be going out to the local middle schools the 2nd and 3rd weeks of April (those directors will announce specific days). Sign up sheets are posted in the band room. There are times available during and outside of class hours. Remember, getting it done earlier rather than waiting until the last minute often says a lot about your playing habits. 

 

BAND BOOSTERS WANT YOU!

Our next meeting will be on, Tuesday, April 17, at 6:30 PM. Location TBD. Everyone is welcome to attend!

The Grant Band Boosters are a friendly and fun group of parents who meet monthly, along with Mr. McFadden, to support the band program. We would love to have YOUR support. Your help improves the quality of the music experience for our sons and daughters at Grant. Please consider joining us for a meeting or two to see what it’s all about.

We have some board positions open for next year:

Please help us spread the word to families joining us next year! Pass this information along to any parents of eighth-grade band students on their way to Grant.