Dear Silver Sands Band Families,

I hope you all had a wonderful and restful holiday break! We are looking forward to resuming our normal classroom routine starting tomorrow.

✅ IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEM: The Backpack Check

Before your student leaves the house tomorrow, please do a quick "Backpack Check." Ensure they have their instrument, band book, and supplies ready to go. We want them to literally "trip over" their materials on the way out the door so they have a strong start to the new year!

Below is the schedule for the upcoming weeks. Please scroll to the section that applies to your student.

🎺 FOR ALL STUDENTS

• Solo & Ensemble (Voluntary): This event is at the end of February. It is strongly encouraged but optional.

  • Cost: $0. I have selected music that is covered by your Fair Share fundraising.

  • Music: Students will receive music appropriate for their level to ensure success.

  • Sign ups: Sign ups are done in class. If you don't want your student to sign up please communicate that with them. 

• Help Sessions (Tuesdays): Starting in February, Tuesdays are open for any student wanting extra help or practice time until 5:30 PM. We will often have guest musicians and high school volunteers available to help!

🥁 BEGINNING BAND

• After-School Rehearsals: You have NO after-school rehearsals at this time.

• Spring Concert: Your after-school practices will not begin until the last week of April/first week of May.

🎷 SYMPHONIC & JAZZ BAND

Rehearsals resume late January/early February. All rehearsals end at 5:30 PM unless noted otherwise.

The Weekly Schedule (February):

• Mondays: Jazz Sectionals (until 5:30 PM)

• Tuesdays: Open Help/Practice (until 5:30 PM)

• Wednesdays: Large Jazz Ensemble (until 5:30 PM)

• Note: After the Jazz MPA on Feb 26th, the Mon/Wed slots will shift to Symphonic Band rehearsals.

🌟 SPECIAL EVENTS (Auditioned Groups)

Congratulation to our selected students! I am available before/after school to help you prepare.

All-State Students:

• Performance: Friday, Jan 16th @ FMEA Conference (All-State Musician Showcase).

All-County Concert Band:

• Tue, Jan 20: Rehearsal @ Silver Sands MS (5:30 PM – 8:30 PM)

• Thu, Jan 22: Rehearsal @ University HS (5:30 PM – 8:30 PM)

• Fri, Jan 23: Rehearsal @ University HS (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

• Sat, Jan 24: Sound Check & Concert @ University HS

⛵ LAKESIDE JAZZ FESTIVAL (Community Spotlight)

We are proud to be a sponsoring school for the Lakeside Jazz Festival in Port Orange this April! This event hosts over 60 bands and professional headliners.

• Volunteers Needed: SSMS, Spruce Creek, and Atlantic HS families come together to run this event.

• Scholarship Opportunity: Proceeds generate scholarships for students of volunteering families to attend collegiate summer music camps.

• Learn More: [Link to Website]

📅 BAND CALENDAR: [Link to Calendar]

Let's make this a fantastic semester!

Sincerely,

Joey Powell

Director of Bands

Silver Sands Middle School