"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 1/23-1/28
Upcoming Events
1/31 - 8th Grade Band Meeting @BHS Band Room
2/3 - Old High MS Pep Rally 7:45a
2/9 - WJHS Pep Rally 2:45p
Greetings Wildcat Band Family,
This week we kicked off our final fundraiser of the year to help families cover the costs of our spring trips as well as for band supply fees and school instrument rental fees. The due date of the shopfund/Believe Kids fundraiser is Friday, February 3rd. We will also be taking a mostly volunteer group of students to play a pep rally for Old High Middle School 6th Grade Band Students the morning of February 3rd. There is a google form posted to google classroom for students to fill out by the end of this week to indicate if they are interested in going. We will need to meet at 7:45am on the 3rd for those wanting to go since their classes are first thing in the morning.
We ended the week with an INCREDIBLE All-Region Jazz Band Clinic at BHS! If you missed the performances, you really missed out. What these students can do with only 7 hours of rehearsal is absolutely incredible! I hope you'll make time this coming Saturday to come check out the All-Region Band Concerts at Bentonville West beginning at 1:30pm.
This Thursday, January 26th 5:30-8:00pm, 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, barrel, or mouthpiece at discounted rates. We will have 14 representatives available for families to talk with and plenty of instruments for students to try out. Even if you aren't in the market yet to upgrade your student's instrument, come out, get information to help plan for the future of your student's musical growth and success.
8th Grade band and Jazz Band, please remember to be making your spring trip payments. We have 2 partial trips and 2 full trips paid. The cost per student is $330. We have one more fundraiser to roll out in a couple of weeks to help families raise funds to off set their cost. Please let me know how I can help your
family. Since we are competing we need all of our students in the 8th grade band and jazz band there to be successful. Not to mention, just to get to have a lot of fun with friends the week after state testing! :)
Please take a few moment to review the information below so you are fully prepared for the week ahead.
This week:
Monday - A Day (Classes 1-4 and Advisory)
Ruth Barker 5th Grade Instrument Fitting Night. If you know a 5th grader at Barker, encourage them to come to the fitting night to join band!
Tuesday - B Day (Classes 6-8 and Priority)
Open band during Priority Time
Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:45-7:30p
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Wednesday - A Day (Classes 1-4 and Priority)
Flute sectional during priority time with Mrs. Richardson
Band Room closes at 4:00pm
Thursday - B Day (Classes 5-8 and Priority)
Open band during Priority Time
Instrument Step-Up Night 5:30-8:00p at WJHS
Friday - A Day (Classes 1-4 and Engagement Friday)
All-Region Band Clinic at BWest. Students will take 1st lunch then load the bus. Permission slip and itinerary handed out last Tuesday.
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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 | ​ |
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You can find a complete copy of this year's calendar of events here.
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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)
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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,
