VHS Band Weekly Newsletter
2018-2019 Week 9
Band Director Letter
Hello from Houston!
This letter comes to you all the way from Houston, TX! I am participating in Rice University's IB Music Workshop. There are over 1,000 participants at this event and almost 50 music educators participating. This week, I get to work with teachers as close as Orlando, all over the US, to Canada, and Nairobi!
I must say, I do love the IB World. There are many (in and outside of the band) who will disagree, but when given the right opportunity and taking it seriously, IB can prepare you for so much in the world. What's great, is that MUSIC can do the same thing, regardless if you are in IB or not.
I was speaking to the teacher from Nairobi (come on...NAIROBI...that's so cool). We were talking about how many students that leave Vanguard with the hopes of becoming a doctor in the medical profession. She told me about a plastic surgeon who performs reconstructive surgeries on people who were in accidents. This can be extremely tedious. A doctor would need a steady hand to be successful. Before every surgery, he practices the saxophone for an HOUR! This helps warm up his hands and fingers to give him the highest level of dexterity possible. HOW COOL IS THAT!!!
During Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Ocala Civic Theatre, I had a future music teacher, a state attorney, a graphic designer, an allergy doctor, an ear, nose, and throat doctor in my orchestra pit! There are so many skills to learn outside of simply playing your instrument.
If you (either parent or student) would like to talk to me about what a future with music to look, please stop by and see me! I never try to force being a band director on anyone (because it's not a job that can be done by just anyone), but there are a lot of benefits of pursuing music in some fashion outside of high school!
Announcents
End of Year Trip
EVERYONE must fill out the link below REGARDLESS if you are planning on attending the trip or not. It must be signed by a parent.
Central Floirda Marching Arts Invitational
There WILL be after school practice on Tuesday. It will be run by Mrs. Vitale and the rest of the staff. I expect everyone to be there and ready to get a lot of work done.
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 8
No Zero Period - Bass is in Houston
Tuesday, October 9
No Zero Period - Bass is in Houston
3:30 PM - Band Practice (STAFF WILL LEAD PRACTICE)
Wednesday, October 10
No Zero Period - Bass is in Houston
Thursday, October 11
End of Quarter 1
3:30 PM - Band Practice
Friday, October 12
No Zero Period - Faculty Meeting
5:00 PM - Gainesville @ VHS (8th Grade Buddy Night)
Monday, October 15
No School - Teacher Workday
Tuesday, October 16
3:30 PM - Band Practice
Thursday, October 18
3:30 PM - Band Practice
Friday, October 19
5:00 PM - Vanguard @ Lake Weir High School
Saturday, October 20
All Day - Ocala Marching Band Festival @ West Port High School
Fundraisers
Meat Sticks
Ribs
Ribs will be on sale until Friday, October 19th. Pick-up day is scheduled for Saturday, October 27th from 10 AM - 2 PM. There will be a limited supply of ribs available the day of, but NO PROFITS will go into student accounts for ribs sold on that day.
Honors & Awards
Walmart Facility #1847 Community Grant
We are excited to announce that the band will be participating in the Grand Re-Opening of Walmart located at 4980 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470 on November 9th, 2018. This is a great way to get out into the community and show what VHS is made of!
Birthdays
"Did you know?"
"Students who wish to pursue a pre-medical track may do so by following the recommended course work listed below. The following track helps students not only receive their bachelor of music, but also fulfill the course work requirements to apply for medical schools upon graduation with their bachelor degree. Students are expected to enroll in all required tracking courses for music and integrate the science courses below in order to complete both the music degree and the pre-medical track courses in four years."
Thank You
Upcoming Assignments
Breezin' Thru Theory
Drills Due
End of quarter check - 10/11/2018 (33 drills)
Playing Tests
Scales Test
Ab & Db - 10/20/2018
Guard Routine Checks
Your Song
All - 10/11/2018