Patrick Marsh Middle School Band
This Week in Band at PMMS (March 15-19, 2021)
One Year Later - A Note From Mr. Gleason
The 7th grade band had just returned from our annual trip to UW-Whitewater and the 6th grade band was preparing for the highly anticipated Band O Rama Concert in April. The jazz ensembles were gearing up for the Swing Into Spring Jazz Concert and then things shut down on what seemed like a moment's notice.
I remember Mrs. Haraldson and I loading up our cars with student's instruments and driving them out to homes knowing that we would be online with them moving forward. I remember frantically rewriting my lesson plans....no, my curriculum, to fit a new model of teaching band 100% virtually. (My apologies to last year's 7th graders....I struggled to figure out how to do this!)
The year ended with the grief of losing many opportunities to perform and connect, not to mention the hardships that many families were dealing with. It also ended with the hope of returning to school and being able to perform together once again.
As the fall approached, it became evident that we were still headed to a virtual environment. Planning, reflecting, and learning took place to improve my virtual band teaching chops. Never in my 24 years of teaching did I ever think we would be able to start beginning band students virtually! Thanks to every band educator's help in town (and beyond), we were able to start this resilisent and dedicated bunch of kids successfully.
This year has had its share of ups and downs in class. Times when lesson plans worked well and times when it fell short. Our pivot to hybrid/concurrent teaching brought with it the opportunity to perform together playing percussion. Thanks to the Sun Prairie Education Foundation we were able to purchase African Percussion equipment! (see video below) After hours of professional development on drum circles and world drumming, we are now offering in-person students with an opportunity to grow musically and socially-emotionally.
Through it all, your kids have shown grace, patience, and perseverance. We are optimistic about the future and look forward to the day we can play our band instruments together again (and not through a screen!) My colleagues and I are GRATEFUL for the opportunity to work with your children and THANKFUL for your continued support and encouragement.
Now I look forward with great anticipation to the day we will return to making music again as a band. What a celebration that will be and certainly a day I will not take for granted!
Mr. Gleason
No Lessons This Week, Instead...
Band class will continue to meet as scheduled - this is only for band lessons. Thank you!
Wind Symphony Auditions This Wednesday!
AMAZING Opportunity For Our Saxophonists!
The term “portfolio musician” is often used to describe a musician with a diverse set of skills, styles and performance accolades. A portfolio musician usually builds a career by not just performing but usually also by teaching, composing and arranging. They typically have an area of expertise but can always get the job done regardless of what it requires. Los Angeles saxophonist and UWEC alumnus Tom Luer is a prime example of a portfolio musician.
Luer has performed with renowned artists and groups such as Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Poncho Sanchez and Queen Latifah. He has also been on the faculties of several respected institutions such as the University of North Texas and Texas Christian University. In 2011 he released his first album, "Project Popular." Currently he is on the faculties of Cal Poly Pomona and the Los Angeles School of Music. He freelances regularly in Los Angeles and perhaps most notably is a member of the recently Grammy-nominated ensemble MONKestra.
A Zoom link will be sent to our saxophonists prior to the masterclass. Students should plan to play their saxophones during the masterclass. (BTW - "materclass" is a fancy word for group lesson!)
Keep Sending Us Those Pictures!
Previous Information
Spring Virtual Band Concert - Monday, April 26
Save the date and watch for more information to come!
Beyond The Notes Solo Festival Opportunity
What?
This festival has been designed to provide an opportunity for 6th and 7th grade band students at Patrick Marsh and Prairie View Middle Schools to record a solo and receive expert feedback from a guest music educator.
Who?
Band students in 6th and 7th grades are eligible to participate.
When?
April 16 - Solo Festival Registration Closes
April 23 - Solo recordings are due in Flipgrid
April 30 - Clinician feedback provided by this date
Cost?
$5.00 to participate in this optional event. You will receive an invoice once you have completed the form below. Payment can be made online via credit card (preferred) or by check mailed to the address on the invoice. Cash not accepted. You will need to upload a PDF of your child's solo in order to complete the registration form.
Flipgrid Link To Record:
Meet Ms. Klinkner
Ms. Klinkner will observe 7th grade band classes, teach lessons, and assist with projects and lesson plans. I've known Ms. Klinkner through her work with the UWEC Band Department and can say that we are fortunate to have her with us! Here are some questions I asked her recently:
Where is your hometown?
- I grew up living and working on a small dairy farm in Cashton, WI which is about thirty miles east of LaCrosse.
What is your major instrument?
- Clarinet
What led you to attend UWEC?
- I was initially planning to attend a different college all throughout high school until I visited UWEC and met the faculty and students. The campus is absolutely beautiful, and I knew I wanted to be part of the community.
What ensembles/activities are you involved in at UWEC?
- I play as principal clarinetist in the UWEC Wind Symphony, have been a section leader in the Blugold Marching Band, and perform with several small ensembles and chamber groups. I serve as the administrative assistant for our band department and take part in several on-campus organizations including the National Band Association and the Collegiate National Association for Music Education. I also lead a music educator book club with several of my classmates!
What are your plans after graduation?
- After graduating, I plan to start my career as a middle or high school band director. I hope to explore various experiences and will likely end up living and working outside of Wisconsin for a portion of my career.
What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
- Outside of school, work, and making music with friends, you’ll likely find me outside at a park reading in a hammock or playing with my six nieces and nephews!
Anything else to share?
- I am so excited to meet the wonderful students at Patrick Marsh!
Missed A Band Lesson? New Make Up Procedure
Clearly, this is not as good as having a lesson with someone in person, however given our situation, it does provide the opportunity for us to still here your child and to provide some feedback.
In general, your kids are doing a GREAT job of remembering their lesson times. We are VERY proud of the work they have done and continue to do. We will review this option with your children but wanted you to know as well.
The TWO steps to make a up a lesson are:
1) Record the lesson assignment on the Flipgrid Link below.
2) Alert the lesson teacher that the recording has been made.
Thank you!,
PMMS Band Staff
Need Supplies?
IMPORTANT LINKS
Patrick Marsh Middle School Bands
Email: cpgleas@sunprairieschools.org
Website: http://www.spbb.org/patrick-marsh-bands.html
Location: 1351 Columbus Street, Sun Prairie, WI, United States
Phone: (608) 834-7625