Weekly Band News: February 6-10, 2017

This week’s schedule and news are below. Of particular importance this week are: Booster meeting on Monday, trip payment due Wednesday, woodwind and brass sectional on Thursday. A separate email with a memo regarding Concert Assessment will follow this post.

Interim progress reports… While this is not an official report card, there are several unusually low marks for band. The interim contains only one performance grade (chair audition), for which many players were not appropriately prepared. Easy homework assignments helped some students boost their grades. For others, incomplete/missing homework kept grades low. Rehearsals and performances this 9-weeks will add more performance grades and almost certainly increase overall averages. For more information about band class grading, please consult the class syllabi, posted here on our website: http://wfhsband.wixsite.com/band/forms

Homework assignments… Theoretically, small written and performance-based tasks occur naturally when students practice individually. Homework assignments provide credit for what should already occur as a way to hold everyone accountable. We are only successful when “everyone contributes.” Please note, the final ensemble that travels to assessment will be selected from those students meeting expectations for practice/homework, playing tests, and class/after-school participation. Students who are not meeting expectations will be offered an alternate assignment to earn credit for the assessment performance.

I deeply appreciate the commitment of parents and students to help our band succeed. This is a team effort, for which we need all pieces working together.

Looking forward to a great week of music-making!

Band Schedule – February 6 – 10

Monday, February 6

A2/A3 Playing Test
G Concert Scale
Requirements here.
Band Booster Meeting
5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 8

Spring Trip Deposit #4 ($75) due

Thursday, February 9

Concert Band Sectionals - ALL Woodwind and Brass Players
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Percussion does not need to report on 2.9.17

Other Information

Spring Trip Update
The presentation from the meeting is here for your review.
Take note of the information regarding documentation of medication (pg. 9).
Bright yellow permission/medical forms were distributed. Please thoroughly complete and return.
Balance sheets and payment schedules were distributed for each individual. If you did not receive your sheet or have financial questions, please contact me directly.
Rooming and bus lists were made available. Those who were not present or did not sign-up should see me during school.
Pizza Kit Fundraiser
LAST WEEK TO SELL!
Check out details here.
All orders/money are due NEXT Monday, February 13.
Delivery is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28.
February-March calendar revisions
Some revisions have been made to the February/March calendars to reflect final dates of assessment, etc. New hard copies of February/March are available in the band room bulletin board with “extra forms.”
The electronic version is posted here.
Private Lessons
Students wishing to take an additional step toward improving their musical skills might consider taking private lessons during the summer and/or school year.
Many RCPS staff members teach during the summer at reasonable rates.
Please contact Mr. Stanley for more information.
As information about lessons becomes available, we will post on the website and in weekly updates.
Mr. Jesse Lykins, Percussion