Band Notes - Week of April 22
2023-2024 School Year - Belton MS Band
Welcome!
General information that applies to all students and parents can be found towards the top of every newsletter, while information specific to your child's ensemble can be found in that particular section by scrolling down. Feel free to contact a director if you have any questions and our contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Advanced Solo Contest Results
This past Saturday, members of the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble competed in the Advanced Solo Contest at BMS. We hired professional judges to listen and rate their performance that our students have been preparing individually for the past couple of months. Students could earn a medal with a First Division Superior rating, a ribbon for a Second Division Excellent rating, or just their comment sheet for a Third Division Average rating. Judges also named Outstanding Performers based on their preference from the ones that went above and beyond.
Out of 93 events, 69 of them were rated First Division Superior, which is 75% of the total! There were 18 Second Division Excellent ratings, and 6 Third Division Average ratings. Click here to look up your student's rating by clicking on the class period tab at the bottom, and then sorted by score order listed by their student ID number.
Please join us in congratulating the following 14 students who were named Outstanding Performers:
- Ellen Miller, flute
- Shyam Ramani, flute
- Maddie Thornal, flute
- Charlie Burns, clarinet
- Noah Majano, alto saxophone
- Gia Schweitzer, baritone saxophone
- Clint Dudas, trumpet
- Eve Neiser, trumpet
- Abigail Chapman, horn
- Tyler Millington, trombone
- Luke Roberts, euphonium
- Emma Harvey, percussion
- Gia Rastelli, percussion
- Peytyn Sanderford, percussion
All 6th & 7th Graders: End-of-Year Audition Information
As we look forward to next school year, click here for information about our annual end-of-year placement auditions. Auditions will be held during your child's band class from April 22 to May 3. All current 6th & 7th grade band students are required to participate for a twice-weighted major grade. This audition serves as the individual assessment of each student's musical skills mastered from this school year. Think of this as the individual STAAR test assessment for Band.
Detailed information will be given directly to students this Monday, March 25 so they have time to adequately prepare for the auditions, which consists of two parts: Scales and Sightreading. Current Beginners (regardless of grade level) will use the Level 1 scales & sightreading, while current Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble students will use Level 2. Click here to find the scale sheet found under your particular level and instrument.
Audition results are final and will be posted on Friday, May 10 at 8:00am. These results will be sent to the school counselors for next year's scheduling. Those students choosing to not remain in Band next year will not have their results posted. Email Mr. Pulley with any audition questions you may have.
Are YOU Interested in Joining Jazz Band Next Year?
Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion Players (including Piano, Bass, & Guitar)
Are you interested in trying out for Jazz Band for next school year? There is no additional music necessary to prepare! Your End-of-Year Audition counts as your Jazz Band audition, unless you are playing a secondary instrument or you are wanting to become a member of the rhythm section (drums, vibes, piano, or bass).
You must be concurrently enrolled in Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, or Intermediate/Advanced Orchestra to qualify. You cannot just take Jazz Band in place of concert band, and you must use 2 of your electives in order to be in Jazz Band. Click here to read some Frequently Asked Questions about joining Jazz Band.
Click on this link to read more about this group and sign up to audition: https://forms.gle/F4AMTY372PVEeD5BA. Ask Mr. Pulley any questions you may have about Jazz Band.
Band Calendar
Parents Needed for Temple College Contest
Our Beginner Contest at Temple College takes place on Tuesday, May 14 and we need parents to help us haul instruments, monitor students, and help the directors. You must be an approved volunteer with the district and be available from 9:00am-2:00pm, and we'll even feed you lunch for free that day to show our appreciation for your help.
Please check your schedule and email Mr. Pulley if you can help out that day. Thank you in advance for any consideration you give this request.
Remaining Band Dates - Beginner's Ensemble
Here are all the dates for the remained of the school year for Beginner's Ensemble:
- Starting Monday, April 22 - End-of-Year Placement Auditions start during school (required for all 6th & 7th graders)
- Monday & Tuesday, May 6 & 7 - Beginner Group Rehearsal in Band Hall @ 4:00-5:00pm
- Monday, May 6 - Spring Trip Parents Meeting in Band Hall @ 5:30-6:00pm (for any parents attending the trip)
- Saturday, May 11 - Spring Trip to Typhoon Texas (Austin) for eligible students (weather permitting)
- Monday, May 13 - Deadline to return in all home school-owned instruments to school
- Tuesday, May 14 - Temple College Contest for eligible students - *we need parent chaperones*
- Thursday, May 16 - Spring Concert & Awards Ceremony at BHS PAC @ 6:30pm (required for all students)
Sign Up for Remind Texts for Beginners
If you haven't already, make sure you sign up for our Remind texts for the Beginner's Ensemble here. Students may do this as well with parent permission. This is important piece of communication to receive reminders throughout the year.
8th Grade Parents Joining HS Band
If your student will be going the M100 next year, please take a minute to fill out this form so the Band Boosters can order the correct number/size of shirts for next year: https://forms.gle/Fv9sRnNMAaxL558U7. Thank you!
HS Drumline Reminders
Just a reminder there is one remaining drumline help session at the Belton HS Band Hall next Friday, April 26 4:30-6:00pm. The actual Drumline Auditions will be held on Friday, May 3 at BHS from 4:30-6:00pm. Email Mr. Smith if you have any questions.
Remaining Band Dates - Symphonic Band
Here are all the dates for the remained of the school year for Symphonic Band:
- Starting Monday, April 22 - End-of-Year Placement Auditions start during school (required for all 7th graders)
- Friday, May 3 - M100 Percussion Auditions at BHS Band Hall @ 5:00-7:00pm (required for 8th grade percussionists)
- Monday, May 6 - Spring Trip Parents Meeting in Band Hall @ 5:30-6:00pm (for any parents attending the trip)
- Wednesday-Friday, May 8-10 - Future M100 Fundamentals Camp at Belton HS @ 5:00-7:30pm (required for 8th graders joining HS Band)
- Saturday, May 11 - Spring Trip to Typhoon Texas (Austin) for eligible students (weather permitting)
- Monday, May 13 - Deadline to return all home school-owned instruments to school
- Thursday, May 16 - Spring Concert & Awards Ceremony at BHS PAC @ 6:30pm (required for all students)
M100 Audition for 8th Graders
The audition for Fall 2024 will take place in the Belton HS Band Hall during the week of April 29 - May 3. This serves as an ensemble placement audition for the Marching 100, and Band is a full-year course with a focus on marching in the Fall and Concert in the Winter and Spring. Marching Band is not a separate class period, and all students who complete the audition will participate in the M100!
There will be 4 components to the audition, and click on the picture to the side to access the music:
- Technical Excerpt
- Lyrical Excerpt
- Two Full-Range Major Scales:
- Two of the 12 major scales will be selected on the day of the audition. Students will need to prepare all 12 major scales for the audition.
- Refer to pages 44-45 of the "Foundations for Superior Performance" blue book for your full-range major scales.
- Scales do not need to be memorized.
- Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Minimum tempo, quarter note = 60 bpm
- All notes should be articulated in an 8th note rhythm.
- Start on the lowest note you can play with your best sound, go all the way up to the highest note you can play with your best sound, then back down to the note you started on.
- Refer to pg. 45 of the "Foundations for Superior Performance" blue book for your full-range chromatic scale.
- The Chromatic Scale does not need to be memorized.
Tips for Success:
- Practice with a metronome right away! Do not wait until you have "learned the notes".
- Start practicing with your metronome at a slow tempo, then work your way up to your desired performance tempo.
- Focus on learning a few measures at a time.
- Do not try to play too fast or too high on your etudes or chromatic scale. Your goal should be to sound and perform your best!
We look forward to hearing you perform!
Sign Up for Remind Texts for Symphonic Band
If you haven't already, make sure you sign up for our Remind texts for Symphonic Band here. Students may do this as well with parent permission. This is important piece of communication to receive reminders throughout the year.
8th Grade Parents Joining HS Band
If your student will be going the M100 next year, please take a minute to fill out this form so the Band Boosters can order the correct number/size of shirts for next year: https://forms.gle/Fv9sRnNMAaxL558U7. Thank you!
HS Drumline Reminders
Just a reminder there is one remaining drumline help session at the Belton HS Band Hall next Friday, April 26 4:30-6:00pm. The actual Drumline Auditions will be held on Friday, May 3 at BHS from 4:30-6:00pm. Email Mr. Smith if you have any questions.
Remaining Band Dates - Wind Ensemble
Here are all the dates for the remained of the school year for Wind Ensemble:
- Starting Monday, April 22 - End-of-Year Placement Auditions start during school (required for all 7th graders)
- Friday, May 3 - M100 Percussion Auditions at BHS Band Hall @ 5:00-7:00pm (required for 8th grade percussionists)
- Monday, May 6 - Spring Trip Parents Meeting in Band Hall @ 5:30-6:00pm (for any parents attending the trip)
- Wednesday-Friday, May 8-10 - Future M100 Fundamentals Camp at Belton HS @ 5:00-7:30pm (required for 8th graders joining HS Band)
- Saturday, May 11 - Spring Trip to Typhoon Texas (Austin) for eligible students (weather permitting)
- Monday, May 13 - Deadline to return all home school-owned instruments to school
- Thursday, May 16 - Spring Concert & Awards Ceremony at BHS PAC @ 6:30pm (required for all students)
M100 Auditions for 8th Graders
The audition for Fall 2024 will take place in the Belton HS Band Hall during the week of April 29 - May 3. This serves as an ensemble placement audition for the Marching 100, and Band is a full-year course with a focus on marching in the Fall and Concert in the Winter and Spring. Marching Band is not a separate class period, and all students who complete the audition will participate in the M100!
There will be 4 components to the audition, and click on the picture to the side to access the music:
- Technical Excerpt
- Lyrical Excerpt
- Two Full-Range Major Scales:
- Two of the 12 major scales will be selected on the day of the audition. Students will need to prepare all 12 major scales for the audition.
- Refer to pages 44-45 of the "Foundations for Superior Performance" blue book for your full-range major scales.
- Scales do not need to be memorized.
- Full-Range Chromatic Scale
- Minimum tempo, quarter note = 60 bpm
- All notes should be articulated in an 8th note rhythm.
- Start on the lowest note you can play with your best sound, go all the way up to the highest note you can play with your best sound, then back down to the note you started on.
- Refer to pg. 45 of the "Foundations for Superior Performance" blue book for your full-range chromatic scale.
- The Chromatic Scale does not need to be memorized.
Tips for Success:
- Practice with a metronome right away! Do not wait until you have "learned the notes".
- Start practicing with your metronome at a slow tempo, then work your way up to your desired performance tempo.
- Focus on learning a few measures at a time.
- Do not try to play too fast or too high on your etudes or chromatic scale. Your goal should be to sound and perform your best!
We look forward to hearing you perform!
Sign Up for Remind Texts for Wind Ensemble
If you haven't already, make sure you sign up for our Remind texts for Wind Ensemble here. Students may do this as well with parent permission. This is important piece of communication to receive reminders throughout the year.
Remaining Band Dates - Jazz Band
- Thursday, May 2 - Spring Jazz Concert at BHS PAC @ 6:30pm
- Monday, May 13 - Jazz Band Performance at School Board Meeting at Pittenger PAC (next to the district office)
Sign Up for Remind Texts for Jazz Band
If you haven't already, make sure you sign up for our Remind texts for Jazz Band here. Students may do this as well with parent permission. This is important piece of communication to receive reminders throughout the year.
Mr. Pulley
- Wind Ensemble
- Jazz Band
- Brass Specialist (trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, & tuba)
- chris.pulley@bisd.net
Mr. Trahan
- Symphonic Band
- Woodwind Specialist (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, & saxophone)
Mr. Smith
- Percussion Specialist (keyboards, drums, & accessories)
Email: beltonmsband@gmail.com
Website: beltonmsband.org
Call/Text: 254-262-3050
Address: 1704 Sparta Road, Belton, TX, USA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facebook: facebook.com/beltonmsband
YouTube: youtube.com/beltonmsband
Instagram: instagram.com/beltonmsband