Band Room Update
December Edition
Welcome to 2nd Trimester Band!
Pep Band
All students in band must earn a minimum of 2 pep band credits for their trimester band grade. This means that students need to plan to attend and perform for two different sporting events outlined on the pep band schedule (handed out in class). Each event carries a value of 50 points within the category of GROUP PERFORMANCE which is 25% of their grade. Students who choose to attend more than the minimum may qualify for lettering in pep band for the season. To letter in pep band, the student needs to attend all scheduled pep band appearances minus one. So, if there are 7 scheduled pep band events, a student would need to attend and perform for 6 to letter in pep band.
The only two seasons that we perform with the pep band are Fall and Winter. There are no Spring pep band performance requirements. (No Activity Fee)
Winter Season Schedule:
Dec 11, 6:30-9:00 pm, Pep Band @ Boys Basketball
Dec 17, 5:00-7:30 pm, Pep Band @ Girls Basketball
Dec 17, 7:30-9:00 pm, Pep Band @ Boys Basketball
Dec 22, 6:30-9:00 pm, Pep Band @ Girls Basketball
Jan 8, 6:30-9:00 pm, Pep Band @ Boys Basketball
Jan 14, 5:50-9:00 pm, Pep Band @ Boys Hockey (Bus Departs at 6:10 pm)
Jan 21, 6:30-9:00 pm, Pep Band @ Girls Basketball
Jan 28, 6:30-9:00 pm, Pep Band @ Girls Pasketball
Feb 1, 5:50-9:00 pm, Pep Band @ Boys Hockey (Bus Departs at 6:10 pm)
Feb 19, 6:30-9:00 pm Pep Band @ Boys Basketball
Instrument Rent
Mystery Tour 2016
We have offered this kind of experience before and students truly enjoyed the surprise of each day being a new adventure. Guidelines will be published for students to make sure they have the correct clothing, daily needs, etc.
Below is the information about how to register for this tour. I look forward to this marching band adventure with many of you! Start planning now to participate!
Save the Date!
The date is Saturday, February 6, 2016. The concert will be at 7:00 pm. There is no admission fee, however, they do accept donations to help defray their travel expenses. We will need to provide a supper meal for them. Information about a potluck meal will come your way in the January Band Room Update. For now, we hope to fill the auditorium with family and friends to hear this wonderful band perform.
New Instruments needed!
As we approach the end of the year, some of you may need to make a tax deductible donation to benefit their income tax status. I would encourage anyone in this situation to consider making a donation to the band program to help with our purchase of new instruments. While one donation of $100 doesn't feel like it can do much, the culmination of several people contributing something does add up. Some examples of the prices for quality instrument for our students include the tenor sax at a price tag of about $2700. The baritone sax that we need to purchase has a price tag of about $4000 and the mallet frames that need to be replaced cost about $900 each. We have 7 percussion mallet instruments that need new frames.
If you would like to make a contribution, please send it to SRRHS Bands, c/o Instrument Replacement Donation, 1835 Osauka Road NE, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379. Thank you for considering this option and your ongoing support of the SRR Band Program!
Concert Band Performance
In visiting with Dr. Haberman (Concordia Band Conductor) about the day, he was very willing to open up opportunities for our band students to work along side their band students in a cooperative manner with the solos/ensembles that our students have been preparing for the 8AA contest! This is a fantastic opportunity for our students!
We will also need to ask all students in Concert Band to assist with providing a pot luck supper for the musicians of the Concordia Band. Details about this will be offered both in class and in the January Band Room Update.
My wish for all students and families is to know that night will be one of the deepest musical experiences that I can offer our community! These visiting musicians have achieved an inspirational level of performance. I hope that we can offer them a full house, filled with people who appreciate music being performed at the highest level.
Band Expectations
1. Practice
2. Participate
3. Perform
Practicing (or the lack of) becomes evident by the instrument being left in their band locker at school. It also becomes evident by the lack of progress in daily rehearsals. This expectation is a fundamental component to improvement and therefore, it is expected that all students practice. It also can be observe when musical range, articulation, technical abilities and more become more advanced. Let's all practice on our instruments so we advance together!
Participating is the active process of doing what is asked during daily rehearsal. Students that multi-task do not receive the full benefit of being engaged in learning as a community of musicians. Listening, comparing, adjusting, imitating, etc., all find their way into our consciousness when we participate with 100% of our attention. This basic expectation is an important component of learning and growing. It is, therefore, an expectation.
Performance is the outcome part of what we do. All musicians should live to perform. The process of performing demonstrates learning and skills. Whether the performance is for chair testing, classroom "snapshots", sectional work or concerts, every student needs to be fully committed to making the performance their big moment.
These concepts also apply to the other work that is assigned to students as well. Students who choose not to complete their work let down themselves and the others around them. Students who don't complete a performance test impact the progress that can happen in the classroom. Please note, students who do not complete assignments in Trimester 2 band will be communicated to and may not be accepted into band for Trimester 3. The act of being disciplined in completing work directly effects the self-discipline of improving in band. Those that do not complete their work, diminish the ability for others to push the ensemble further with their skills and talents.
This is an important concept for band and for their school work in general. For many of our students, this isn't a concern. For some, please focus on working hard to find your strengths so you can build on them. Also know that an expectation that is either confusing or scary simply needs for you to take time to communicate to your peers or your teacher for assistance. Growth in every person begins by taking a step outside of your comfort zone so that you can branch out beyond your abilities. You all are gifted, talented students! Let's make this an amazing year in band by working together by completing every assignment and every expectation!
Chair Testing
All information is embedded in Schoology. The assignment detail, an instructional video and even learning tracks for students to model. Our Varsity Band students are further along in the testing process than the Concert Band. Their test is due to be completed by Monday evening and the Concert Band's test will be due on Friday, December 18.
Please visit with your son/daughter about their chair test recording and encourage them to complete the test on time. Should there be any questions, challenges, complications, etc., please have them communicate with me and we will do our best to help them complete their performance chair test.
Communcation
The band program has chosen to try to reach a majority of students and parents by inviting everyone to join our Facebook group, follow our Twitter feed, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. If there is a better email for us to use for sending you information about band news, please email Mr. Campbell at the information below.
To join our Facebook band page, search for SRRHS Bands and request to join. To follow our Twitter feed, search for @srrhsband. We look forward to sharing the joys of the classroom, performances and more through these entertaining and informative outlets.
Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Bands
Email: scott.campbell@isd47.org
Website: www.srrmusic.com
Location: 1835 Osauka Road NE, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
Phone: (320) 258-1772
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/475056325861162/
Twitter: @srrhsband