"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 1/1-1/6

Upcoming Events

Happy New Year Wildcat Band Family,

I hope everyone is enjoying time off, getting an opportunity to recharge and connect with friends and family! We've had the opportunity to visit with some of our extended family and help take care of my grandmother-in-law who recently broke her hip, getting her house in order for when she return from rehab in a couple of weeks. We also spent the last several days trying to declutter. It's amazing how much stuff we were trying to store and organize that hasn't been used in years. This was a little harder for Aria but quite therapeutic! As a family, we have decided 2023 is going to be a year based around experiences for time together to make it the best year yet!

I am for sure enjoying my time off, sleeping in, quietish coffee time in the morning but I am excited to get back to teaching music with THE BEST kids in the school! 2023 is going to be an incredible year!!

For 8th grade band I have a small calendar update. We will NOT have after school sectionals in January. I have been able to work out a schedule to do short sectionals during class with Mr. Moore, Mr. Pierce, and Mrs. Richardson as well as use some priority time to get to everyone. This will work but we will need every student practicing regularly outside of class time and sectionals to be prepared for class each day. I want students to be able to have time after school for their activities, homework, practice, private lessons (hint hint) and time to just be a kid.

For our 7th grade band students, I have been able to finalize the dates for our early week of Summer Band now that the school board has adopted the 23/34 calendar. We will have sectionals and rehearsals August 7th-11th as can be seen below. Please plan summer activities accordingly as we will use this time to learn all of our pep music for the school year.

On January 26th we are partnering with Saied Music to provide an opportunity for our students to step up to an intermediate or professional model instrument, head joint, barrell, or mouthpiece at discounted rates. More information coming on this soon!!

Please take a few moment to review the information below so you are fully prepared for the week ahead.

This week:

• Monday - NO SCHOOL WINTER BREAK

• Tuesday - NO SCHOOL WINTER BREAK

• Wednesday - NO SCHOOL WINTER BREAK

• Thursday - B Day (Classes 5-8)

• Advisory

• Band Room Closes at 4

• Friday - A Day (Classes 1-4)

• Advisory

• Band Room Closes at 4

---

Current 7th Grade Band Members	Current 8th Grade Band Members
Times will be determined once speaking with XC, Cheer, Dance, Volleyball and Football Coaches so that there aren't any conflicts. Typically, these are 12:30-3:30. For those planning to attend Camp War Eagle, please plan to do one of the early sessions.	July 17th - Expected Beginning of Daily Summer Pride Band Rehearsals (only for those who are in the BHS Pride Marching Band or Color Guard. (Could change depending on start of school dates yet to be released.)
​August 7th- Low Brass and Low Reeds Sectional (Bass Clarinets, Saxophone, French Horns, Trombones, Euphoniums and Tubas)	For full calendar, please see www.bentonvillepride.com
August 8th - High Woodwinds and High Brass Sectional (Flutes, Clarinets and Trumpets)
August 9th - Percussion Sectional
August 10th - Full Band Rehearsal
August 11th - Full Band Rehearsal

---

You can find a complete copy of this year's calendar of events here.

---

PRIVATE LESSONS ARE AWESOME! They are designed to be fun, engaging, supportive and focused on the individual student.

We have an awesome partnership with Arkansas Music Conservatory where your student can take a lesson or two on US to see what private lessons can do for your band student! We have set aside $1150 for lessons this year. We can also help pay for additional lessons and offset the cost of lessons for families who need financial assistance in this area.

Who should take private lessons:

• Advanced students who need to be pushed and challenged

• Students who need some 1-on-1 assistance to learn and master concepts covered in class

• Students who missed substantial class time due to illness

• Students who just began playing this year

• Students who want to get better

• EVERYONE

To sign up for a free lesson:

• Contact Mr. Jones so he can track who is taking the exploratory lessons

• Contact Arkansas Music Conservatory to setup a lesson 479-268-3307 (call) or 479-430-2226 (text)

---

To stay in the know be sure to follow us on your social media platform of choice: Facebook or Instagram - @wjhswildcatband and/or at www.wjhswildcatband.com

If you have any questions or concerns, please never hesitate to reach out. We are partners in your student's growth and need to work together for them to be as successful as possible.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Musically Yours,