Mokena Meteor Music

September 27 - October 3, 2019

Important Information from the Music Department!

Please read the Newsletter in its entirety as I often make changes to information.


For the MIS Band Students, please be aware that much of the information contained in the Newsletters applies to MJH Music events. However, oftentimes I will include important information for MIS Music groups as well.


Sectionals have started! Please talk to your child to make sure they understand when they have Sectionals. Students should notify their classroom teachers in advance of the Sectional time. If your student thinks they have missed a Sectional, there are posters in the band rooms that indicate if they need to complete a make up. They should schedule one with Mrs. Bussean if they need to.


Attendance at morning band is crucial to the success of our band program. Please make sure your child is on time to band (that means having their instrument out ready to play at the start of class). We are having an issue with tardiness. Please check the syllabus for our tardy policy. Also, students who skip morning band but then go to school, are in essence, skipping class.


Students in Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Cadet Band have started keeping track of their practice logs in Charms. Students in Symphonic and Concert band are responsible for practicing 100 minutes per week. And Cadet Band students are responsible for 75 minutes per week. Students should view practice time like daily homework. If you spend 15-20 minutes per day practicing, the ensemble as a whole will sound amazing, and your student will improve at a faster rate.


Beginning Band students are not responsible for practice logs at this time.


POPCORN FUNDRAISER Forms (in their entirety - don't tear off the back page) and money (one check made payable to the Mokena Music Boosters) is due on Friday, October 4! Money raised will be deposited into your child's IFA (formerly known as IBA) Account and can be used on any music department fee and for trips (ie. Disney, Macy's, Choir trip, etc.). If you have any questions, please contact your director.


Our next Music Booster meeting is Tuesday, October 15 in the Learning Center at MJHS. Please come out and see what the Music Boosters are all about!

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Little Mermaid Jr Auditions!

Little Mermaid Jr. Auditions will take place on October 7 and 8 with Call backs on October 10. Students in 6-8 Grade may audition. Please complete the online form which can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKj2edhYSWCvP6DymDNbcd2kYGc-TohXAv0dnmhG7u0n1yCw/viewform by October 2. Students must include a head shot when they submit their audition form. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT TO SUBMIT YOUR FORM! The sheets for audition time slots is already hanging in the band room hallway. Please sign up today!


All students auditioning must prepare a song from the Musical, read an excerpt from the show AND do a short dance audition. Audition sign ups will be for a 5 minute slot. After four slots, those four students will do the dance portion of the audition together. Students who are not prepared to sing, act and dance, WILL NOT be cast in this year's show. Please come prepared!


If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Bussean.


The password to access the audition materials is Music159.


This year's musical will take place on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28. Please note that this is the BEGINNING of Spring Break. Please do not audition if you are unable to be at the performances.

MJHS Jazz Band!

Any 6-8th grader who is currently enrolled in the band program at MJHS (all instruments welcome!) is invited to join the MJHS Jazz Band. We will be starting on Monday, October 21st from 3-4pm (Rehearsals every Monday). Students will perform at all band concerts (excluding the October concert) and at the LWC Jazz Festival on February 8th. Please sign up via the Google Form by October 7th.

https://forms.gle/BpCFGaHzFVC5RLwA6


If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Beekman at beekmant@mokena159.org

Our Next Dine and Earn is October 21 AND 23!!!

Please come out and support the Mokena Music Boosters on Monday, October 21 AND October 23 at Buffalo Wild Wings in Frankfort! That's two days to raise money for the music programs at Mokena! 15% of the proceeds will go to the Music Boosters General Fund to support our music programs.


Please note that this does not include alcohol and gift card purchases.

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When is the Beginning Band Schedule?

For the remainder of the year, the Beginning Band is combined! Full Band rehearsals will meet EVERY morning Monday - Friday from 7:50 - 8:20.


If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Beekman directly at beekmant@mokena159.org.

SECTIONAL SCHEDULES

What Supplies Does My Child Need for Band?

While the District puts out a school supply list, the Band program is not included in that list. So what supplies does your child need for participation in the band program? Here is a list of suggested supplies by grade level:


Beginners:


Instrument

Book (Methods of Success Book 1)

Flutes - Cleaning Cloth

Clarinets - Reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab

Saxophones - Reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab

Trumpets - Valve oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

French Horn - Rotor Oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Trombone - Slide Grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Baritone - Valve oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Percussion - Bell Mallets, Drum Sticks


Cadets:


Instrument

Book (Methods of Success Book 2)

Flutes - Cleaning Cloth

Clarinets - Reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab

Saxophones - Reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab

Trumpets - Valve oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

French Horn - Rotor Oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Trombone - Slide Grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Baritone - Valve oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Percussion - Practice Pad, Bell Mallets, Yarn Mallets, Drum Sticks


Concert Band:


Instrument

Books (Methods of Success Book 2 & Habits for a Successful Middle School Musician)

Flutes - Cleaning Cloth

Clarinets - Reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab

Saxophones - Reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab

Trumpets - Valve oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

French Horn - Rotor Oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Trombone - Slide Grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Baritone - Valve oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Percussion - Practice Pad, Bell Mallets, Yarn Mallets, Drum Sticks, Stick Bag


All Wind Students should have a lyre and flip folder for parades


Symphonic Band:


Instrument

Books (Habits for a Successful Middle School Musician)

Flutes - Cleaning Cloth

Clarinets - Reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab

Saxophones - Reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab

Trumpets - Valve oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

French Horn - Rotor Oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Trombone - Slide Grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Baritone - Valve oil, slide grease, cleaning cloth, cleaning snake, mouthpiece brush

Percussion - Practice Pad, Bell Mallets, Yarn Mallets, Drum Sticks, Stick Bag


All Wind Students should have a lyre and flip folder for parades


Other Supplies Required for ALL Students:


Binder (at least 1")

Page Protectors

Dividers

Pencil Pouch

Pencils

Yellow Highlighter

Pink or Orange Highlighter

Blue or Green Highlighter


The Directors are also always looking for donations of Tissues, Paper Towels, Clorox Wipes, Hand Sanitizer, Sandwich size Ziploc Baggies, Gallon size Ziploc Baggies. We appreciate any donations you are willing to send in with your child. Thank you!


I hope this helps with making sure your child is prepared for band this year.

Important Dates to Remember

Please see the following Important Dates to Remember for Music students at MIS and MJHS. Please note that all performances (including parades) are mandatory for junior high students and will count as a test grade. If you know your student is unable to attend a performance, please let the directors know as soon as possible and fill out an absence request form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GSAICK-Logi_gB-pKMoMpaeSpbcf8ZSCHyzOcN4ZdIs/edit


Please mark these dates on your calendar!

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Private Music Lessons - Highly Encouraged

It is not required that Mokena music students take private lessons. It is true, however, that the vast majority of students who do not take private lessons tend to have improper playing habits, and never reach their full potential as musicians. SECTIONALS ARE NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR PRIVATE LESSONS. There are still many benefits of private instruction over full band rehearsal and small group sectionals. If you are interested in getting your child private lessons on their instrument, please visit the following link: https://www.mokenameteormusic159.org/uploads/2/3/4/4/23449316/private_lessons.pdf


If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean or Ms. Beekman

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Help Support the Music Boosters by Shopping Online!

The AmazonSmile fundraiser is available year round - not just at Christmas time. This is a great way to support our music programs without any cost to you! Any time you are shopping via Amazon, please consider using Amazon Smile for your purchases. Go to www.amazonsmile.com. You can select the Mokena Music Boosters to receive a donation on your behalf just by making your regular Amazon purchase through them. It doesn't cost you anything and helps the Music Boosters fund our programs. This is available year round. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean.

What if I Can't Attend a Performance?

If you know that your child cannot attend a performance, please let your director know as early as possible and no later than two days prior to the event. If we do not receive ADVANCE notice of the absence (except in the case of sudden illness), you will not be eligible for a make up assignment.


All absence requests should be submitted through our department website at this link: https://www.mokenameteormusic159.org/absence-request-form.html


This absence request is not for rehearsals or sectionals, only performances.

How to Log Into Charms for the First Time.

Below is a short video walking you through how to sign into your child's Charms account for the first time.

What is an IFA Account? (Formerly known as IBA)

You may hear the term IFA account and wonder "what is that?" An IFA account is an Individual Fund Account. Every student registered in Charms automatically has an account. Funds raised through IFA Fundraisers will be credited to your child's account and can be used to purchase any music related items such as booster fees, reeds, valve oil, and even music department trips, just to name a few! The current 6th and 7th Grade Band students are eligible to go on the 2021 Trip to Disney World! If your child is in 4th and 5th Grade, they will be eligible for the Disney trip in 2023. Start saving now!


IFA Fundraisers usually occur once per quarter and are not mandatory. We are currently running the Popcorn Fundraiser. 50% of the proceeds will go into your child's IFA account.

Music Booster Meeting - October 15, 2019

Come out on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 7:00 PM to the monthly Music Booster Meeting. The meeting will take place at Mokena Junior High School. Music Booster meetings are open meetings that anyone can attend. Come see what our Boosters are all about and how you can help support your child's music education. I look forward to seeing you there!

Did you know we have a Facebook page?

The Mokena Meteor Music Department has a Facebook page! It is a closed group, so please request to join! We post photos and information about what is happening in the Music Department. There is a link at the bottom of this Newsletter.
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October 2019

OCTOBER


10/2 - Little Mermaid Cast Audition Registration Due online

10/7 - Jazz Band Registration due online

10/7 - Little Mermaid Auditions

10/8 - Little Mermaid Auditions

10/10 - Little Mermaid Call Backs

10/12 - Marching Meteor Field Show Band Performance

10/14 - Columbus Day - NO SCHOOL

10/15 - Music Booster Meeting 7:00 pm

10/17 - No Symphonic or Cadet Band Morning Rehearsals due to Mrs. Bussean's

attendance at a theater conference

10/18 - No Symphonic or Cadet Band Morning Rehearsals due to Mrs. Bussean's

attendance at a theater conference

10/22 - Fall Concerts

10/23 - NO MORNING REHEARSALS (No morning rehearsals the day after Concerts)

10/31 - HALLOWEEN - NO MORNING REHEARSALS (Have fun in your costumes!)

Mokena Meteor Music Department

Mokena Meteor Music Department

19815 Kirkstone Way, Mokena, IL, USA busseank@mokena159.org (708) 342-4870 mokenameteormusic159.org