Notes from the Band Room #21
March 22, 2015
This Week In Band
Please make sure to follow the lesson schedules VERY carefully. Due to the PARCC schedule for the entire school, your regular time may be changed this week.
You can always check the morning rehearsals on our website: calendar (make sure to refresh your screen)
iPad users can sync the band calendar to the iCal app! Here it is: BOC Calendar
THE FIRST DAY BACK AFTER SPRING BREAK IS AN L DAY -- Concert Band will rehearse.
You can always check the morning rehearsals on our website: calendar (make sure to refresh your screen)
iPad users can sync the band calendar to the iCal app! Here it is: BOC Calendar
THE FIRST DAY BACK AFTER SPRING BREAK IS AN L DAY -- Concert Band will rehearse.
Enjoy Spring Break!
What a busy (and fun!) Music In Our Schools month we've had:
The Concert Band is busily preparing for our spring concert - they're even ready to start a new method book after spring break.
The Symphonic Band worked hard on their contest music. Now they will get some new pieces to work on for our spring concert.
The Wind Ensemble will continue to work on our contest pieces (we swapped one piece for something new) as we prepare for the IGSMA State Contest. They also performed the overture for Attea's Sound of Music production.
CONGRATULATIONS to the entire cast and crew of Sound of Music. It was so fun to see our multi-talented band students on stage and behind the scenes.
You've all grown so much - relax over break - and return ready to make some more music!
The Concert Band is busily preparing for our spring concert - they're even ready to start a new method book after spring break.
The Symphonic Band worked hard on their contest music. Now they will get some new pieces to work on for our spring concert.
The Wind Ensemble will continue to work on our contest pieces (we swapped one piece for something new) as we prepare for the IGSMA State Contest. They also performed the overture for Attea's Sound of Music production.
CONGRATULATIONS to the entire cast and crew of Sound of Music. It was so fun to see our multi-talented band students on stage and behind the scenes.
You've all grown so much - relax over break - and return ready to make some more music!
Important Info for 8th Graders:
Did you know that next spring the GBS BAND will be going to Hawaii??!!
Details are currently in the works for this amazing band trip, but some highlights will include our band performing at Pearl Harbor and the world famous Ala Moana Mall. Our current band students have been busy this year fundraising and we wanted to give your incoming 8th graders a chance to start collecting for their private band accounts. Our spring plant sale earns 40% profits on everything sold and delivery is in time for Mother's Day. It is one of our easiest and biggest sales of the year. We encourage all of your graduating students to start selling and building funds in his/her account.
Sales packets will be available at school before spring break.
P.S. It's always nice to ask Mrs. Reatherford to chaperone :)
Details are currently in the works for this amazing band trip, but some highlights will include our band performing at Pearl Harbor and the world famous Ala Moana Mall. Our current band students have been busy this year fundraising and we wanted to give your incoming 8th graders a chance to start collecting for their private band accounts. Our spring plant sale earns 40% profits on everything sold and delivery is in time for Mother's Day. It is one of our easiest and biggest sales of the year. We encourage all of your graduating students to start selling and building funds in his/her account.
Sales packets will be available at school before spring break.
P.S. It's always nice to ask Mrs. Reatherford to chaperone :)
Speaking of Hawaii...
This April my brother will be getting married in Hawaii! This means I will be out of the band room on 4/15 for a district meeting, then will be on vacation for his wedding from 4/16 until 4/24.
Mrs. Wojcik, our regular band substitute is available for the entire time I will be away. Many students know Mrs. Wojcik as she has subbed for the days I have been busy at committee meetings. Mrs. Wojcik is a retired band director (from Springman) and comes with many years of expertise. I am positive our band students will work hard and learn lots while I am away.
Unfortunately, that means I will also miss the IGSMA State Contest. Luckily, Mr. Wojcik (the GBS Band Director -- and Mrs. Wojcik's brother-in-law!) will be working with and directing the Wind Ensemble at the IGSMA State Contest. Mr. Wojcik was happy to help us out and I know the Wind Ensemble will continue to do great things under his direction. Wind Ensemble families: as soon as I have the schedule, I will send emails detailing the help we'll need with the logistics of traveling to contest.
While I hate to miss this time of year, I cannot complain too much!
The students will be under great musical care with Mrs. Wojcik and Mr. Wojcik.
Mrs. Wojcik, our regular band substitute is available for the entire time I will be away. Many students know Mrs. Wojcik as she has subbed for the days I have been busy at committee meetings. Mrs. Wojcik is a retired band director (from Springman) and comes with many years of expertise. I am positive our band students will work hard and learn lots while I am away.
Unfortunately, that means I will also miss the IGSMA State Contest. Luckily, Mr. Wojcik (the GBS Band Director -- and Mrs. Wojcik's brother-in-law!) will be working with and directing the Wind Ensemble at the IGSMA State Contest. Mr. Wojcik was happy to help us out and I know the Wind Ensemble will continue to do great things under his direction. Wind Ensemble families: as soon as I have the schedule, I will send emails detailing the help we'll need with the logistics of traveling to contest.
While I hate to miss this time of year, I cannot complain too much!
The students will be under great musical care with Mrs. Wojcik and Mr. Wojcik.
Careers in Music
Did you know my brother is a professional oboe player in the U.S. Army?
Sergeant Michael Cohen is a soldier in the Eighth Army Band located at US Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, Korea.
If you want to learn more about what he does, listen to his ensemble and see some sights of Seoul, take a look at this video he made:
Sergeant Michael Cohen is a soldier in the Eighth Army Band located at US Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, Korea.
If you want to learn more about what he does, listen to his ensemble and see some sights of Seoul, take a look at this video he made:
The Han Trio
Band is on Schoology
All kinds of important and fun things are shared with your children through Schoology: IGSMA Schedules, recordings of our band pieces, homework, etc. Using your parent access code, make sure you're checking out all we're up to in the band room.
Don't Abandon Your Instrument This Summer
It's February: time to plan your most musical summer, yet!
Make music and new friends this summer by signing up for camp.
My favorite music/band camps are:
U of I: ISYM
UW Whitewater
UW Madison
Illinois State
Blue Lake
Interlochen
Or sign up for private lessons. It's a great way to improve on your instrument. Lessons are offered through GBS and local music stores. If you need some recommendations, please email me.
Make music and new friends this summer by signing up for camp.
My favorite music/band camps are:
U of I: ISYM
UW Whitewater
UW Madison
Illinois State
Blue Lake
Interlochen
Or sign up for private lessons. It's a great way to improve on your instrument. Lessons are offered through GBS and local music stores. If you need some recommendations, please email me.
Parents are invited to visit the band room.
Parents are encouraged to attend any rehearsal from 7:20-8:15 to see exactly how middle school band musicians learn and rehearse music. Even if your child is less than eager to practice at home for you, visitors will see how much our musicians love playing their instruments with a group. An audience makes it even more fun!