MJH Panther Band
Summer Newsletter No. 1
Welcome to the Moorhead Junior High Panther Band!
Dear MJH Panther Band Students and Parents,
This is Mr. Day, Director of Bands at Moorhead Junior High. I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of summer.
This is the MJH Band Summer Newsletter. Below you will find information on a variety of things such as school-owned instrument check out for the summer, band placement and descriptions, and a brief overview of the yearly calendar.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact myself or Ms. Mason. We want the transition from Grangerland to Moorhead to be as smooth as possible. During the summer, e-mail is the most effective way to communicate with us.
We are so excited that you will be joining in Band next year! Have a great summer, get some rest, and play your instrument a lot!
Mr. Day
Director of Bands
Moorhead JH Band
Ms. Mason
Associate Director
Moorhead JH Band
Next Year's 9th Graders
You guys rock and we can't wait to see you next year in marching band!
School Owned Instruments
For students playing TUBA, BARITONE, FRENCH HORN, and OBOE
An instrument has been assigned to you and is ready to be picked up from Moorhead. This can be done anytime Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some one will be in the front office to assist you.
If an instrument is not checked out to you, please contact Mr. Day at jcday@conroeisd.net or Ms. Mason at jmason@conroeisd.net.
For students playing FLUTE, CLARINET, SAXOPHONE, TRUMPET, and TROMBONE
Please contact Mr. Day or Ms. Mason to arrange a time to pick up an instrument. Please understand we have a limited supply and some instruments have been sent away for summer repairs.
MOUTHPIECE OWNERSHIP
Regardless of instrument ownership, we encourage all students to own their own mouthpieces. The mouthpiece recommended by the Grangerland Band Directors for our instrument will be sufficient. Please contact Mr. Day or Ms. Mason with any questions.
If an instrument requires a different size mouthpiece (large bore euphoniums and trombones with an F attachment), then a mouthpiece should be included with the instrument. If it is not, please let us know.
Band Placement
Below you will find the Band Placements for the Fall. They will be available on the Grangerland Band class CANVAS page fas well.
Each band is ability based and has a mix of 7th and 8th graders. Placement was determined by a playing benchmark of each students' solo, attendance, behavior, and director input. Each band has every instrument and meets as a class daily.
Occasionally, students are moved to a more advanced band for the Spring semester. Factors that determine this are the need for the instrument in the more advanced band, as well the student's attendance, attitude, and ability.
The Bands are as follows:
Wind Ensemble - the most advanced ensemble at MJH. Members of this ensemble compete in the CISD Honor Band audition and many compete in the Region 9 All-Region Band process. All members compete in the CISD Junior High Solo and Ensemble Contest. Members of this ensemble have a weekly, before school sectional. These are required and attendance is taken for a grade. The Wind Ensemble competes as a Varsity Band in the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest.
Symphonic Band - All members compete in the CISD junior High Solo and Ensemble Contest. Members of this ensemble also have a weekly, before/after-school sectional. These are required and attendance is taken for a grade. The Symphonic Band is classified as a Non-Varsity Band for UIL Concert and Sight-Reading.
Concert Band Red/Concert Band Gold - these ensemble are two separate bands that are equal in ability level. Members of this ensemble complete in the CISD junior High Solo and Ensemble Contest. Members of these bands have occasional before/after-school rehearsals to prepare for Solo and Ensemble, concerts, or band festivals. These rehearsals are mandatory and attendance is taken for a grade. The Concert Bands are classified as Sub Non-Varsity Bands for UIL Concert and Sight-Reading.
Percussion - All percussionists are enrolled in the Percussion class. This allows them to work on percussion specific skills and techniques. Every percussionist is assigned to band class based on ability as well. Due to COVID, this designation will take place in the Fall. All percussionists compete in the CISD Junior High Solo and Ensemble Contest. Furthermore, select percussionists will compete in the CISD Honor Band and Region All-Region Band auditions. Members of the Percussion class will have occasional before/after-school rehearsals with their specific band. These are mandatory and attendance is taken for a grade.
Beginning Band - Students who are brand new to Band or have had limited instruction are in the Beginning Band. Instrument selection will occur during the first week of school. Parents can expect information to go home at that time concerning how to obtain an instrument. Occasionally, the Beginning Band will have before or after school rehearsals to prepare for a concert or band festival. These are required and attendance is taken for a grade.
Band Calendar
The MJH Band Calendar will be finalized this summer and sent out before the start of school. It will also be available on Charms (our music office software) and a hard copy will be available at Meet the Teacher in August.
In addition to this, the students' weekly Practice Records are also in a calendar format that contains important dates, reminders, and upcoming events.
Members of the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band will have weekly, mandatory, sectionals before or after school. We understand many of our students are involved in other activities, such as Athletics. We work with the coaches to make sure each and every student is participating in all activities at the highest level.
The major events are listed below with a general date:
8th Grade Night with the CCHS Band (all 8th graders) - October/November
Pep Rallies (Wind Ensemble and all other students who earned a spot) - various dates throughout Fall and Spring
BAND SOCIALS (all students) - throughout year
All-District and All-Region auditions (select students) - late October/early November
Christmas Concert and Spaghetti Dinner (all students) - early December
Solo and Ensemble (all students) - late January/early December
UIL Concert and Sight-Reading (all students in participating bands) - mid-April
Band Festival(s) (all students in participating bands) - late April/early May
BAND TRIP! (all students) - early May
Spring Concert and Band Awards (all students) - early to mid-May
MJH PANTHER BAND
Director of Bands
Bachelor of Music, The University of Texas at Austin
Master of Music Education, Southern Methodist University
Julie Mason
Associate Director
Bachelor of Music, Sam Houston State University