This weekend is the prestigious Lakeside Jazz Festival at the Port Orange City Center!
FAQ: "Do the middle schoolers play on Friday or Saturday?"
Answer: Both! We have several students who earned a spot in the All-County Jazz Band and are performing with our SSMS Jazz Band. Here is the breakdown:
Friday, April 17 (All-County Jazz Students Only): The Volusia Middle School All-County Jazz Band performs at 6:00 PM on the Main Stage.
Saturday, April 18 (SSMS Jazz Band): The Silver Sands Jazz Band performs on the Main Stage at 9:00 AM.
Call Time: Students need to arrive at the Main Stage by 8:40 AM sharp.
Uniform: Leadership is currently deciding between our band polos or the black tux/vest combo. The final decision will be announced in class tomorrow!
What to Bring: Your instrument, your music (in a black binder), extra reeds/valve oil, and a water bottle.
Just a reminder that the mandatory virtual meeting for all parents and students who signed up to volunteer at Lakeside is TONIGHT, April 13th.
Who: Only families who have already signed up to volunteer.
Link: Microsoft Teams meeting (Meeting ID: 276 760 392 013 7 | Passcode: iL3de35W)
Reminder for Student Volunteers: Do not forget to bring your assigned beverages for the festival (Check the Lakeside Website for your specific section assignment).
For our students performing in the All-County ensembles, here is your rehearsal schedule for this week:
Wednesday, April 15: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Lakeside Center & Rec Center (Port Orange)
Thursday, April 16: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Lakeside Center & Rec Center (Port Orange)
Our final Spring Concert will be held on Wednesday, April 29th in the SSMS Gym! Beginners should be actively working on their scales and concert music at home.
Performance Schedule:
6:30 PM: 120+ Member Combined Beginning Bands
7:15 PM: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band
Beginner Concert Attire: Band polo, black band pants, and all-black dress shoes and socks. (New to band? Our Quartermaster can help get you fitted for your pants and polo!)
Mark your calendars for our annual Band Awards Night on Friday, May 1st at 6:00 PM.
This event is completely FREE and celebrates the hard work and accomplishments of all our students across every band level. Parents, families, and friends are all warmly invited to join us as we review our fantastic year together. We typically have snacks and beverages available—keep an eye out for a separate volunteer sign-up sheet for those!
Due to a space conflict with the school musical, we are moving our Spring Band Fun Night to Friday, May 15th. Raise your fair share and come spend a night of fun, food, and activities with your band family to close out the year! (We know this conflicts with a choir trip, but this was the only evening left available in the school calendar. Apologies to our doublers!)
A note on "Every Day is an Audition":
We are currently monitoring student grit and evaluating placements for next year’s ensembles based on merit. Working hard and being nice are not just band expectations; they are life skills. We are looking for students who demonstrate those traits every day.
If your student is looking to get ahead or improve their placement, I highly recommend considering private lessons. I will send out more information on where to start with private lessons soon, but you can also find details on our website now.
Summer Camp: Don't forget to sign up for the Port Orange Philharmonic Summer Camp at Spruce Creek High School! [Click here for POP Info & Registration]
Let's have a great week of music-making!
Contact Information:
Joseph Powell, Band Director
386-322-6175 x75064
Rent-to-Own Options: Your monthly payments can go towards owning the instrument.
Maintenance & Repair Coverage: No worries about unexpected repair costs.
Flexible Upgrade Options: Easily upgrade to a better instrument as your child progresses.
Convenient On-Campus Service:
Music Shack delivers and repairs instruments on Fridays.
Music & Arts offers the same service on Thursdays.
Etude, Allora, Mendini, Cecilio: These brands often have quality issues that hinder learning and, due to poor quality materials, can't be repaired.
Other stores are available, but please check with Mr. Powell before purchasing to ensure the instrument meets our standards.
Need Help?
If you need assistance with instrument rentals or supplies, please don't hesitate to contact Mr. Powell.
Links:
Music & Arts: https://www.musicarts.com/
Music Shack: https://musicshackcfl.com/rentals/beginning-band-accessories/