WF Band Weekly Update: March 19-23, 2018

Hello, everyone:

According to the calendar, this week was to include the first drum major training session (on Tuesday, March 20). However, I have decided to delay the trainings for one week.

Instead, on Tuesday, March 20, immediately after school, we will hold a full band meeting to discuss plans for the remainder of this year and for moving forward into next year. All members are invited to attend, including seniors. Band boosters and parents are also invited, though you will need to check-in at the front office.

For the last several years, we have begun the push to the end of the year as various subgroups (drum major, jazz band, percussion, leadership interviews, etc.). This year, I would like for us to start as one group.

The meeting is not required and no attendance or grades will be taken, but I highly encourage all members to attend. It will be brief. Those needing to attend sports practices, tutoring, other rehearsals, etc. will be able to attend both the meeting and your normally scheduled activities. Although we will discuss some of the things from the meeting in class, I wanted to have the opportunity for everyone to be in the same place at once as we kick-off the busy season of spring.

The remainder of our schedule and announcements are below. I look forward to seeing you Tuesday afternoon and throughout the week,

Mr. Stanley

Band Schedule – March 19 – 23

Tuesday, March 20
Full Band Meeting – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 22
Jazz Band – 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
In Class
Symphonic Band – C concert scale
Percussion Ensemble – Eb and Ab scale test
Wind Ensemble – Spring Concert sight-reading/scales
March Mania 2018!
Our musical exploration continues. More information about this project is available here.
Individual Practicing
There are many resources on our website!
Band room can be used for before- and after-school practice. You must have transportation and check with Mr. Stanley in advance.

Announcements, Updates, Information

Spring 2018 and School Year 2018-2019 Meeting
Please make plans to attend an after-school meeting on Tuesday, March 20. Mr. Stanley would like for us all to meet briefly together as we kick-off the busy spring season and preparations for next year. More details are in the message above.
Marching Band Preparation
Please review the calendar for information about marching band preparation 2018. Several events begin in March/April.
Drum Major trainings will NOT begin on Tuesday, March 20. Please read the message at the top of this update about an important meeting scheduled then instead.
Drum Line clinics will begin AFTER spring break as Mr. Burrell is not available until then. The timeline for auditions will be adjusted from the original calendar.
Jazz Band
One rehearsal for one hour per week enables this to be a flexible ensemble with fewer time commitments. HOWEVER, rehearsals and attendance are not flexible. We are currently having a major attendance problem with pre-scheduled (since last August) jazz band rehearsals. If you are involved in jazz band, you have committed to these rehearsals. Please be sure you are communicating with Mr. Stanley about conflicts that may arise.
Individual Practice
Remember: rehearsal occurs in the band room. To be prepared for rehearsal, you must practice outside of class! This is your standing homework assignment for band. Increases in outside practice WILL help us improve.
Parents, please help our program grow in quality by encouraging practice at home and engaged rehearsals at school (this means no cell phones). It is not always easy to listen to a student practice, but creating the expectation and opportunity for this to occur regularly at home is an important show of support for your child’s musical education. Forced practice can result in hating music. However, encouragement is a healthy way to show students you support their efforts to improve natural abilities.