3 Weeks Until Assessment: WF Band News - February 13-17, 2017

This week’s schedule and news are below, including Thursday’s full band after-school rehearsal and some important notes about concert assessment preparations.

Band Schedule – February 13 – 17

Monday, February 13
ALL PIZZA KIT ORDERS AND MONEY DUE!
Please ensure your order form is tallied both vertically and horizontally and that the total amount of money matches the total on the tally.
Check your checks! They should be made out to William Fleming High School.
Place order form and all money in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the student’s name.
Give all orders/money directly to Mr. Stanley (do not leave in the boxes in the band room or on his desk).
Thursday, February 16
Full Concert Band After-School Rehearsal - ALL Players
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday
Selected jazz band students participate in The Jefferson Center’s guest artist residency with Banda Magda.
Individual information has been distributed. Please contact Mr. Stanley for more details.

Concert Assessment

The Concert Assessment memo was distributed last week. Permission and medical forms are now past due. Itineraries for the Pre-Assessment Concert (2.21.17) and Concert Assessment trip (3.3.17) will be distributed this week and are posted here.

We are exactly three calendar weeks away from Concert Assessment. This translates to only six in-class rehearsals. All stakeholders should be making positive contributions to our final preparation:

Students: practice outside of class daily!
Practice strategies and tools are on our website.
Practice material is announced in every class.
Practicing does not always mean playing an instrument. Listening to the music, studying the written sheets, and completing air/finger study are also valuable to the preparation process.
Practicing can occur in the band room before and after school (as long as arrangements have been made prior with Mr. Stanley).
Meeting the practice expectation is one of the requirements to be selected for our final assessment ensemble.
Parents: please encourage your students to practice and prepare their music!
Practicing is homework for band class.
The amount of practice directly relates to the progress of each individual, and thus our overall ensemble.
Good practice habits encourages time management skills, useful in all areas of life!
Those students who are motivated to continue music in college, either as a course of study or as a scholarship option, need to develop practice habits now for admission to such programs.
As you director I commit to…
Planning each rehearsal so that we address areas of concern in our playing
Clearly communicating expectations
Giving reminders about our required rehearsals/performances
Creating an environment where students contribute to the music making progress and can develop a passion for performance and an appreciation for the multiple ways, musical and otherwise, our ensemble is a positive force for good

Other Information

Spring Trip Update
Many who are attending the spring trip are behind on payments. Please see Mr. Stanley for individual financial information. The company is now billing the band and we are responsible for the total, regardless of individuals’ payment status!
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 here.
College Performance Opportunity
Radford University is hosting a FREE “High School Band Day” on Saturday, February 26, 2017. Details, including a registration link, are available in this letter.
Many colleges allow high school students to come play with their ensembles as high school students decide where they plan to study.
This is not a school sponsored trip. Students are responsible for their own registration, transportation, etc

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