Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a restful and thankful break! Here’s our update through the Winter break.

All County Jazz

Congratulations again to our 10 Warrior Jazzers representing SSMS in the 2022 2023 VCS All County Jazz Showcase. I’ll send out their recordings when it becomes available.

All County Concert Band

Congratulations to our 20 Warrior Band members who will represent SSMS at the 2022 2023 VCS All County Concert Band Showcase in January 2023. These students were in competition with 250 other VCS middle school musicians and secured their place in the 80+ member ensemble. Students have received links to the music they should study. Printed materials will be in hands by Dec. Parents please review the imaged dates for rehearsal and performance schedule.

All County Band Schedule:

Wednesday, November 16^th - Auditions at Deland Middle School

Thursday, January 19^th – Rehearsal 6:00-9:00pm – Creekside Middle School

Tuesday, January 24^th – Rehearsal 6:00-9:00pm – Silver Sands Middle School

Thursday, January 26^th – Rehearsal 6:00-9:00pm – DeLand High School

*Friday, January 27^th – Rehearsal 9am-4pm – DeLand High School

Saturday, January 28^th – Rehearsal 10-11am (sound check) – DeLand High School

*2PM Saturday, January 28^th CONCERT at DeLand HS*

Holiday Parade Dec 4^th

Details: Symphonic Band members perform Deck the Halls for the Parade. Beginners are allowed to join us providing they are at the 11/30 rehearsal. Rehearsal 11/30 is for both performers and student volunteers afterschool until 5:30

Sunday 12/4

Where: Students meet at the Walgreens parking lot on Dunlawton and Nova (https://goo.gl/maps/7w5McxoeX3td2XXCA)

When: Students need to check in by 12:30pm, we are in places at 1:30pm and the parade starts at 2pm . We are event B4 in the line up. So we’ll likely finish between 3 and 3:30pm.

Pick up is immediately following our performance at the Post Office off of Dunlawton for pick up at our portion of the parades conclusion.

Attire: Band Members should wear Band Polos, Band Pants, Black Shoes/Socks. The theme this year is “Jurassic Christmas”. I think Safari like hats/vests would be allowed for this festive performance. Students are welcome to decorate their instruments or themselves so long as both remain musically functional. No Santas.

Volunteers to walk with the band will be needed. 1 per 10 students. We’ll need 10 volunteers. You can sign up to volunteer here

Parent Pick-Up

All band members will be directed to make an immediate U-turn at Spruce Creek Rd. Band trailers will be allowed to park on westbound Dunlawton Ave for instrument drop off. From there, parents can pick up behind the Post Office or band members can walk back west along the parade route. Please note, North Spruce Creek Road is NOT closed to vehicle traffic.

Winter Concert Dec 8^th

Our Winter Concert will be Thursday, Dec 8^th at 6:30pm. Students should be in the band room by 6:00pm dressed in full uniform and with instruments. There will be stream and recording available if you are unable to attend in person.

This will also be our last day with Ms. Smith as our intern. She well be graduating this December and I’m very proud and thankful to have had her join us this year. She’ll be an amazing music educator and I look forward to her successes as she starts the job hunt.

Beginning Band Rehearsal on 12/7

Fall Festival Review

We had so much fun at our fall festival. Thank you parents for having such wonderful young people and for the parents that were free to join us chaperoning the event. 😊

3^rd Nine Weeks Preview

All County Concert Showcase, February Fun Night, S&E, Jazz MPA/Rehearsals, Concert MPA/Rehearsals

There will be several big events starting in the 3^rd nine weeks! Students will be asked to update grown ups with emails we’ve sent out.

Mr. Powell

SSMS Warrior Band Sponsors