Central Heights Band Newsletter
November 18, 2022
WHAT'S NEW?
- Solo Performance Options & Registration
- December Concert, Monday 12/12 @ SP East
- 8th GRADE ONLY, Field Trip on Friday 12/2 (chaperones needed)
Pep Band Night with High School EPOCH Sound, Thursday 1/12
How do you participate?
- SIGN UP HERE
- Read the FULL information letter
- Pay $6 fee (includes bussing & pizza dinner on 1/12)
- PRACTICE!
- Come to rehearsals (Friday 12/9, 12/16, & 1/6) after school
- Come to the event on Thursday 1/12
Information & Music is posted in Google Classroom.
Solo & Ensemble Registration & Performance Options
All Band students are (or will be) learning a solo to further develop their individual musical growth and confidence.
Option #1, Saturday 2/11– official WSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival, Central Heights
Fees are involved to cover registration
Registration Form (due Thursday 12/1)
Option #2, Thursday 2/9– Solo Night @ CHMS, 3:45 – 6:30pm
There are no fees involved for Solo Night
This is designed for students who are not able to attend on Saturday or would prefer a different option
No action required right now - students will sign up for a time in early January
What's the difference?
- Both opportunities give students a chance to perform in front a professional music educator (other than Mr. Melrose & Mr. Metcalf). They will strengthen their skill to perform in front of others and learn feedback different from what they hear at school.
- "WMSA Festival" has the option for students to receive rating and has a more traditional/serious feel to it.
- "Solo Night" is more laid back and only about comments and feedback (no ratings).
STAY TUNED for volunteer opportunities (concessions, door monitors, set-up, tear-down, etc...)
December Concert - Coming Up!
CHMS December Concert – Monday Dec. 12th
@ Sun Prairie East High School PAC
w/ Patrick Marsh & SP East Bands
***8th Grade Bands perform with SP East Wind Ensemble***
Students will be responsible for transportation of their instrument to and from this concert.
Please plan ahead and let us know if you are in need of assistance.
Sun Prairie Honors Band - Great Job Central Heigths Band Students!
- Henry Sacramento (8th Grade - Flute)
- Elaina Nicodemus (8th Grade - Clarinet)
- Nick Horton (7th Grade - Horn)
- Jacob Keller (7th Grade - Trumpet)
- Dylan Munster (7th Grade - Euphonium)
These students spent all of Saturday November 12th participating in the annual "Sun Prairie Honors Band" with guest conductor Dr. Cathartine Bushman from St. Cloud State University. Over 80 students from 10 areas school rehearsed from 9am - 6pm and presented a concert that evening.
If you/your student is interested in opportunities to be challenged like Honor Bands, see Mr. Melrose.
8th GRADE ONLY - CHAPERONES NEEDED!!
On Friday 12/2 8th Grade Band students will travel to Sun Prairie East to collaborate with Patrick Marsh 8th Grade Band & Sun Prairie East Wind Ensemble for a combined piece on the Dec 12th concert. There is no cost for this field trip.
12:22 - Students Eat Lunch
12:45 - Students meet in band room
1:00 - Rehearsal @ SP East
2:10 - Return to Central Heights
2:15 - Side by Side rehearsal with 6th Grade Band
2:56 - Attend 9th Hour
We could use 1 or 2 chaperones - let Mr. Melrose know if you're interested in this "behind the scenes" opportunity and sneak peak at the December concert!
Band Calendar & Upcoming Dates
Cardinal Heights Band Calendar 2022 - 2023
Linked above is our calendar for the year. Please communicate in as much advance as possible with any conflicts and reach out if you have any questions.
Upcoming Dates:
Monday December 12, Winter Concert @ SP East (6:30pm - 6th & 7th, 8pm - 8th)
DATE TBD - Pep Band Night @ SP West, optional (3 - 8pm)
Thursday February 9, Central Heights Solo Night, 3:45 - 6:30pm
Saturday February 11, WSMA Solo & Ensemble @ Central Heigths
Tuesday February 14, Piano Solo Night @ SP East
Tuesday February 28, Central Heights Band & Orchestra Combined Concert
PREVIOSULY SENT INFORMATION BELOW
Band Lessons Schedule & Practice Expectations
Every band student will receive a weekly private lesson for about 10 minutes with Mr. Melrose or Mr. Metcalf (part-time music teacher).
Schedule HERE
- Tab #1 is a Master Spreadsheet. Hi "Ctrl F" and type in last name to find time
- Tab #2 is Band Spreadsheet where you can see how they fit into a schedule
Should students be practicing? YES!
Our brain works best with regular repetition with challenges that make us work, but not get overly frustrated.
Some practice location/options include:
- Practicing at school during Recess or WIN
- Practicing after school
- Taking instrument home
Aim for at least 5 - 10 minute most every day. Sometimes it snowballs more. Practice something you're good at and something that's hard (slow it down, chunk it up, repetition). Every student has practice goals for their lesson next week.
Instrument Supplies
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QAn5BYLCYV_bSBznG-2GQU6USRGVGmaC89C_Jj8BzfM/edit?usp=sharing
Percussion:
- 7th & 8th grade have new mallets & sticks to order. Check pg. 2 of the above document
- NEED HELP? Just ask.
How to order:
- Click button below "Ward-Brodt - Supplies"
- Select "Central Heights - Band"
- Select Instrument
Questions?
If you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate to contact me:
Ian Melrose
CHMS Music Educator
(608) 318-8064 (Office)
608-618-2843 (Google Voice)
Central Heights Bands
Email: ipmelro@sunpairieschools.org
Website: https://www.spbb.org/central-heights-bands.html
Location: 220 Kroncke Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, USA
Phone: (608)318-8064
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunprairiebands/