Hello Sun Prairie Band Parents and Guardians!

In an effort to share the exciting things your band students are doing across the district we have created this monthly newsletter. We do not want to overload you with information or fill up your inbox, but we do want to keep you informed!

Thank you for your continued support of your child's education through music!

Last Saturday many of our band students participated in the annual WSMA Solo/Ensemble Festival at Prairie View Middle School. Congratulations to all of the events that qualified for the State Festival to be held at UW-Whitewater on Saturday, April 25.

Many thanks to the parent/guardian volunteers who donate time or food to this event. We simply could not run this festival without your help and support!

The Sun Prairie Area School District has been honored with the Advocacy in Action Award for Outstanding RECRUITMENT & RETENTION from Music for All, Inc. for its outstanding commitment to music education advocacy.

The Advocacy in Action Award designation is presented to music programs, schools, and communities across the United States that demonstrate outstanding achievement in local efforts to provide access to music education for all students.

To qualify for the Advocacy in Action Award Designation, the Sun Prairie Band Department submitted a detailed description of its music program and project, “I’m In The Band”. Submissions were reviewed by a national panel of educators, administrators, and community and business leaders.

Research continuously indicates student engagement in sequential music learning improves brain-function while developing the life skills of empathy, self-confidence, and collaboration. Additionally, students of the arts demonstrate higher attendance, graduation rates, and academic achievement compared to their non-arts peers.

“The arts aren’t just important because they improve math scores, they are important because they speak to parts of children’s being which are otherwise untouched.” - Sir Ken Robinson.

The Sun Prairie Area School District’s submission will be part of the Music for All Advocacy in Action website (advocacy.musicforall.org), a clearinghouse of practical advocacy examples that can be adapted and replicated by programs nationwide. By collecting, recognizing and sharing outstanding examples of local advocacy efforts, Music for All ultimately hopes to inspire others across the nation to take action in their own communities.

This Friday and Saturday is Jazz Fest time! Come out to one of the many concerts that will be taking place over these two days!

Middle School Jazz Festival

Cardinal Heights Upper Middle School Aud.

Friday, Feb 14

Concert 6:30-7:30 pm (free)

High School Jazz Festival

Sun Prairie HIgh School PAC

Saturday, Feb 15

Concert 7:00 PM

Adults $10 Student & Senior $5

The Band Booster Spring Fruit Sale is beginning this weekend and extends until February 14th. Here's some info about this option fundraiser:

• Information & Online Forms will be found here: https://www.spbb.org/spbb-fundraisers.html (not yet updated)

• Paper Forms available in the band room

• Funds go into student's ledgers for band-related experiences and help the Boosters. For more information about the cookie dough & fruit sales, contact Cindy Melendy at spbbfruitsale@gmail.com.

What?
Unleash your inner artist Join us as we raise glasses and funds for this worthy cause! When you buy a ticket to this event, $15 will be donated to the Band Boosters. To date, Yaymaker has helped raise over $3.5 million for those in need with lively creative events that feel more fun than philanthropic. Feel good about giving as our local artist guides you and your friends through two hours of painting and laughing ‘til your cheeks hurt. The best part? You don’t have to be an artist to have an amazing time. All proceeds will go to the Sun Prairie Band Booster general fund.(For Band Parents/Guardians Only!) -

When?
Sunday, March 1 at 6:00 PM

Where?
Prairie Lanes
430 Clarmar Drive
Sun Prairie, WI 53590

Cost?
$45 per person

How To Join? (Adults Only)
Click HERE

Only 30 spots available!!!!!!

Congratulations to the Sun Prairie High School Wind Ensemble for being invited to the 11th annual Percy Grainger Wind Band Festival to be held April 3-4, 2020 in Orchestra Hall at the Symphony Center in Chicago, Illinois. Four bands were selected from across the United States to participate in a private clinic with Frank Ticheli and perform a concert in the legendary hall and home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. ​

Info for Students & Families about Festival:
April 3-4 - Percy Grainger Festival

• Chicago Illinois, Symphony Center (Home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
• October 1 - $100
• November 1 - $100
• December 1 - $200
• January 1 - $200

Remind - app Code: f6a4kf

Many thanks to band parent, Anne Hawley for creating our new District Band Logo! You will be able to purchase apparel with this new logo on it in the near future!! Thank you Anne!

Do you love band? Do your kids love band? If so, please consider getting involved with the Sun Prairie Band Boosters! This is a GREAT organization filled with parents/guardians just like you who want to support band in our schools.

Meetings are every few months and only last one hour. There are many ways to help out. Find a project that excites you and fits your schedule or just come to meetings to stay connected. The key is to take that first step and to come to a meeting.

Our next meetings are:

February 25th, 6:30 PM SPHS

May 24th, 3:30pm at SPHS