Belton MS Band - Week of Sept. 5
2022-2023 School Year
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 towards the bottom.
After you've read through everything, feel free to contact a director if you have any questions. All of our contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.
BMS Open House
We hope to see all of our parents at Open House this Thursday, September 8 from 5:00-7:00pm!
September 15 Deadline
This date is the deadline for many things that are due, which includes the following:
- Uniform Shirt Order - Click on the link to order a shirt for your student (if you haven't already), and one for you as well! We encourage all our parent chaperones to wear these when they are helping at our events. Put the word "Parent" next to the name so we know it's not for the student.
- Parent Chaperone Sign-Up - Make sure to sign up to become a chaperone at BOTH the link and the district volunteer background check. Instructions for this process can be found here.
- Then, be sure to join our Remind texts for Band Chaperones here.
- Payments for shirts, auto decals, and instrument usage fees are also due by September 15, either by cash or check made out to BMS with a valid phone number. You can also pay for them online, at this link: tinyurl.com/beltonmsbandstore
Band Calendar
Alternatively, you may prefer the List of Band Events format that can be found clicking on the link.
Last Week
This Week
This week, we will begin instruction on mini-instruments, which is the part of the instrument that creates the sound (headjoint for flutes, reed crowing for double reeds, mouthpiece & barrel for clarinets, mouthpiece & neck for saxophones, mouthpieces for all brass, and strokes with practice pads for percussion. Parents: Please help your student memorize the "Staff Chant", which we will use all throughout this school year. Listen and learn from the recording here!
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.
Last Week
We had a great first week of sectionals, and thank you parents for making this successful!
This Week
This week, we will continue our sectional schedule as listed below with the exception of Monday's group due to Labor Day. These students will be excused from their sectional for this week. Football students who have their first game this Tuesday or Wednesday will be excused from their sectional if it conflicts with their game. Please note that Percussion sectionals now go until 5:15pm for this Fall semester.
Here is the Sectional Schedule in effect for August 29 to October 28:
- Mondays: Bassoons (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Trombones & Euphoniums (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Tuesdays: Saxophones (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Trumpets (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Wednesdays: Clarinets (Ensemble Room with Trahan), Tubas (Cafeteria with Pulley), AND Percussion (Band Hall with Smith)
- Thursdays: Flutes (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Horns (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Oboe: During rehearsal once a week with Pulley
First Playing Assignment this Thursday
Members of the Symphonic Band will have their first Playing Assignment of the year over the concert Bb scale this Thursday, September 8 during rehearsal. The music for the scale is on their Region Scale Sheet, and may be one or two octaves. The scale does not need to be memorized and is for a minor/daily grade.
Sign Up for Remind Texts for Symphonic
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.
Librarians & Loading Crew Named
Congratulations to the following students were named Librarians in Symphonic Band:
- High Woodwinds (flutes, oboes, & clarinets): TJ Henderson
- Low Woodwinds (bassoons & saxophones): Lizzie Stewart
- High Brass (trumpets & horns): Layla Morton
- Low Brass (trombones, euphoniums, & tubas): Teagan Pierce
- Percussion (mallets & drums): Peytyn Sanderford
Congratulations to the following named Loading Crew members from Symphonic Band:
- TJ Henderson
- Bailee Heltness
- Teagan Pierce
- Cooper McDonald
- Peytyn Sanderford
Loading Crew members and their parents should sign up for Remind texts for Loading Crew here.
Last Week
We had a great first week of sectionals, and thank you parents for making this successful!
This Week
This week, we will continue our sectional schedule as listed below with the exception of Monday's group due to Labor Day. These students will be excused from their sectional for this week. Football students who have their first game this Tuesday or Wednesday will be excused from their sectional if it conflicts with their game. Please note that Percussion sectionals now go until 5:15pm for this Fall semester.
Here is the Sectional Schedule in effect for August 29 to October 28:
- Mondays: Bassoons (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Trombones & Euphoniums (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Tuesdays: Saxophones (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Trumpets (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Wednesdays: Clarinets (Ensemble Room with Trahan), Tubas (Cafeteria with Pulley), AND Percussion (Band Hall with Smith)
- Thursdays: Flutes (Ensemble Room with Trahan) AND Horns (Band Hall with Pulley)
- Oboe & Bass Clarinets: During rehearsal once a week with Trahan
First Chair Test!
Wind Ensemble has their first chair test (major grade) of the year this Wednesday, September 7 during rehearsal. Students should "Be Prepared" to play either their concert Ab or C scale (director choice) MEMORIZED as notated on their Region Scale Sheet. Chair tests determine students' seating order in their section, and determine which part of music they play in the group.
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.
Librarians & Loading Crew Named
Congratulations to the following students were named Librarians in Wind Ensemble:
- High Woodwinds (flutes, oboes, & clarinets): Maddie Thornal
- Low Woodwinds (bassoons & saxophones): Kenna Cushman
- High Brass (trumpets & horns): Jesus Espinosa
- Low Brass (trombones, euphoniums, & tubas): Aubrey Edwards
- Percussion (mallets & drums): Anthony Anderson
Congratulations to the following named Loading Crew members from Wind Ensemble:
- Shyam Ramani
- Coco Byrkit
- Reed Vance
- Jaden Albalat
- Jesus Espinosa
- Claire Brown
- Alayna Sevey
- Logan Bausch
- Graham Chambley
- Tyler Eschete
Loading Crew members and their parents should sign up for Remind texts for Loading Crew here.
This Week
This week, we are continuing to learn how to play "swing 8th notes" in a jazzy style using the first few pages of the red Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble. Your student should be practicing these first few pages of the red book at home. Jazz Charts are coming soon!
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.
Librarians & Loading Crew Named
Congratulations to the following students were named Librarians in Jazz Band:
- Saxophones & Rhythm Section (drum set, vibes, & piano): Iris May
- Brass (trumpets & trombones): Ana Perez
Congratulations to the following named Loading Crew members from Jazz Band:
- Jaden Albalat
- Jesus Espinosa
- Reed Vance
- Claire Brown
- Lizzie Stewart
Loading Crew members and their parents should sign up for Remind texts for Loading Crew here.
Meet the Directors
Mr. Pulley
Wind Ensemble
Jazz Band
Brass Specialist (trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, & tuba)
Mr. Trahan
Symphonic Band
Woodwind Specialist (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, & saxophone)
Mr. Smith
Percussion Specialist (mallets & drums)
This is for the Belton Middle School Band (Belton ISD) in Belton, Texas.