WPS Middle School Band Newsletter
Week of 1/15
WPS Middle School Band Newsletter
Week of 1/15
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لترجمة هذه الرسالة من المدرسة ، اضغط عليها ثم استخدم الرابط الموجود على اليمين.
Այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք այն, ապա օգտագործեք աջ կողմում գտնվող հղումը:
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The All-CIty Band Returns!
The All-City Band is an afterschool group that is for all 4th and 5th graders in band from all three schools to learn more music than in the classroom. This happens on Wednesdays from 4:00pm-5:00pm (arriving at 3:55pm) at the WMS Band Room. This starts up on Wednesday, January 24th. This costs nothing to participate!
We would culminate this ensemble's work with a concert on Thursday, May 2nd.
This is a great opportunity for all musicians to join to learn more, quicker.
Please fill out this form if you are planning on having your musician participate in the All-City Band!
Music in the Parks Field Trip Friday 5/17 (7th/8th Grade and Jazz Band)
Dear WMS Performing Ensemble Families,
Each spring, the Watertown Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Performing Ensembles participate in a music festival in western Massachusetts. This year, the WMS 7th/8th Grade Choir, Band, Jazz Band, and Festival Orchestra will be performing at the for our Music in the Parks adjudication in May.
The date of the festival is Friday, May 17, 2023. We will leave Watertown around 7:30am and return approximately 8:00pm that evening. The general schedule of the day includes observing performances of other ensembles from around the New England area, as well as performing in the late morning/early afternoon. Each group will receive a rating based on performance criteria, and after the clinics, we will spend a few hours at Six Flags amusement park to celebrate our achievements.
The cost of the trip (including transportation and admission to the park) is $140 for students. This can be paid by check or by money order, with payment made out to City of Watertown. If your family can donate any extra funds to help a student in need, please add it to your check and make a note on the bottom of this permission slip.
Extra costs should run approximately $20 so your child can purchase dinner and/or souvenirs. Students should wear comfortable shoes, jeans, and the t-shirt (order forms to come after the first payment). Students should bring a packed lunch and a small bag to carry personal items (park money, water bottle, cell phone, etc). Instrumental students should make sure their cases are labeled with their names and taken home for the weekend after the festival.
Please fill out the second page of this form and return with payment by Thursday, February 15, 2024.
Thank You!
Culley Byham, Max Thew, and Michael Frontz
MusicFest 2024: Friday, March 15th
MusicFest is a lively and eclectic evening of music with performances on multiple stages, hosted by our very own Friends of Watertown Music! This year's MusicFest will take place on:
Friday, March 15, 2024 from 5:30 - 8:30 at WMS
What makes MusicFest so great is the participation of a variety of performers. We often have professional ensembles and students from local conservatories along with
high school bands, student ensembles and individual performers.
I will always add links to specific events and lessons to the newsletters; however, in order to add these to your personal calendar, you must subscribe to the FAPA calendar (linked above). You can hide the FAPA calendar so your personal cal is not clogged by superfluous events, while only adding the band events to your cal when the links are shared in the newsletters. Let me know if you have any questions about this!
Jazz Band!
Jazz Band is open to anyone who is in a performing arts group (band, choir, or orchestra). We learn the art of improvising and learning how to solo. We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. This does not cost to participate in. We hope to see you in Jazz Band!
Winter Clubs-Join us!
DRUMLINE
Welcome to Drumline! This is a high-energy group where we will be doing performances throughout the rest of the year. This is a great opportunity to delve into the world of Drumline. Drumline run on Mondays. We are excited for you to be in Drumline!
COLORGUARD
Welcome to Colorguard! Colorguard is an exciting fusion of dance, theatre, and athletic skill. We spin flags to almost every genre of music to put on unique, spellbinding performances. We will learn all of the basics together- no prior experience required! You’ll be able to show off your new skills by performing with the band during the Memorial Day parade. We are excited for you to be in Colorguard!
Join us on Remind!
We are going to be using Remind this year to communicate as well. I would recommend at least one parent and student (if they have a cell phone) to join their respective class.
6th Grade text w6band to 81010
7th/8th Grade text w78band to 81010
Performances
Tuesday, 3/12 Bandarama 7pm
Saturday 4/6 MICCA
Tuesday 4/9 Jazz @ WPS Art Show
Thursday 5/9 Band Concert 7pm
Friday 5/17 Music in the Parks (7/8 + Jazz Band)
Monday 5/27 Memorial Parade (7/8)
Other Stuff
Friends of Watertown Music
The Friends of Watertown Music is a parent organization that has been a major supporter of the fine arts program in Watertown for over ten years. FoWM is beginning to plan for our first MusicFest since 2019 and invites all parents who would like to help in any way. Email HelloWatertownMusic@gmail.com or call Chris Lowry at 617-923-0502 to learn more.
Practicing
We recommend students play their instrument 3+ times a week for at least 100 minutes in total time throughout the week to build muscle memory and reinforce habits taught in class.
Private Lessons
Want to be get better, quicker? PRIVATE LESSONS are the way to go!
Here is a great resource for private lesson instructors in the area. Private lessons are the quickest way for your budding musician to grow!
You can also check out Powers Music School in Belmont (on Concord Street near Belmont Center).
Clarinet and Saxophone Players-Reed Talk!
As we all are getting settled into school, one of the quickest ways for clarinets and saxophones to instantly sound better is to have a set of quality reeds.
Being a saxophone/clarinetist myself, it's important for how good each person sounds so they can work on other things. Having a set of quality reeds makes that easier!
Here are the only type of reeds that I recommend:
Elementary strength 2.5, 6th Grade strength 3, 7th-12th strength 3.5
Strength 3
Elementary/6th strength 2.5, 7th-12th strength 3
Elementary/6th strength 2.5, 7th-12th strength 3
Gift Items for the Band Student
Here are some ideas if you are thinking of getting your band student some quality goods.
Previous S'mores
Meet the Teacher!
Mr. Maxwell Thew
Maxwell Thew, a Band Director, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Idaho and a Master's Degree in Music Education from the American Band College at Central Washington University. He has taught in Oregon for 4 years and in Massachusetts for 5 years. During his time in Oregon, he successfully led his groups to the OSAA state band for 2 years and jazz band for 2 years. He is recognized for his ability to facilitate rapid growth in the programs he oversees. His primary focus is on instructing musicians of all levels to succeed and nurturing the development of well-rounded individuals.