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Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 1/31-2/4



Upcoming Events

Greetings Wildcat Band Family,


It was been a fantastic week of individual and musical growth that was capped off with an AH-MAZING All-Region Honor Bands Clinic and Concert at Bentonville West!


The main focus in classes this past week were were:

  • 7th Grade Brass and Woodwind Classes - Continuing to improve the the Concert Ab (clarinets) and F (all other brass and woodwinds) 2 octaves while sight reading new songs our of our Essential Elements Book #2 and beginning one of our spring concert songs, "High Voltage."

  • 7th Grade Percussion - Percussion Ensemble and more Green Scales

  • 8th Grade Band - Articulation, tuning, flexibility and technical exercises in our new Essential Elements book #3 while turning in our 4th practice record of the year and 3rd sectional assignment.

8th Grade Band will finish sectionals this week following the schedule available below. Flutes, Oboes and Clarinets will be in person Monday until 4:30pm Alto Saxophones, Trumpets and French Horns will be in person Tuesday until 4:30pm Percussion will meet Wednesday until 4:45 Bari Sax, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba will meet Thursday until 4:30


Beginning Tuesday, February 8th, the 8th Grade Band will have weekly full band rehearsals after school until 5:30. These are required and every student needs to make arrangements to attend. Please remember that regularly scheduled doctor's appointments are not excused. If your student needs help finding a ride home after these rehearsals, this is a great week for them to start talking with friends to carpool home. For our first 3 after school rehearsals we have guest clinicians coming in to work with us on our music so it is vital every student is in attendance with their instrument, music, pencil and a positive attitude ready to work hard! :)


Please remember that if your student is quarantined but not ill they are expected to attend out google meet during their regular class time. Here is the link: meet.google.com/bwe-itdm-ujr. Students should plan to join it with their instrument so that they can play along with the class during class times. This to help them stay caught up as per district expectations, they are to get their assignments turned in on time.



On January 31st, there is a mandatory 8th grade band parent and student meeting at the Arend Arts Center beginning at 6:30pm. If at all possible at least 1 parent or guardian and the student should be present. If the student is unable to attend do to another responsibility, it is important for a parent or guardian to be in attendance. We understand that there is a basketball game that evening so if at least one parent or guardian can be in attendance at the meeting, that would be fantastic! Masks and social distancing are highly encouraged for attendees. We are expect approximately 300 in attendance and the Arend seats 1200 so there will be plenty of space for families to space out.


Stay healthy, stay well and have an awesome week!


-Mr. Jones

 

Homework Assignments this Week

Click the arrow next to a class to expand the homework for the week. Not everything is required to record or turn in for a grade. This is simply a list of items students should be working on during their practice sessions throughout the week to continue growing on their instrument and to be prepared for class.


ALL CLASSES WEEKLY PRACTICE RECORD:

Student need to complete their weekly practice record consisting of 4 days of practice for 20 minutes each. It is important student complete it correctly and turn it in on time. Practice records will not be accepted more than 1 class day late for credit. Concept Checks and Sectional Assignments will not be accepted more than 2 weeks after the due date for credit. Students who are sick for multiple days are excused from band assignments with a doctor's note turned in to the school for the week they are out.

7th Grade High Winds (1st Period)

8th Grade Band (2nd Period)

7th Grade Low Brass (3rd Period)

7th Grade Clarinets (6th Period)

Jazz Band (7th Period)

7th Grade Percussion (8th Period)

 

7th Grade Band Family

The first week of August the 8th grade band (currently 7th graders) will have 1 sectional and 1 full band rehearsal to knock off the summer rust, start preparing for the school year, and learn all of the pep music we will perform at pep rallies, Natural's Game, and other public performances the first quarter. Like last year 7th graders (current 6th graders) are welcome to attend!


I have spoken with all the coaches at WJHS and have crafted a schedule that does not overlap with any other activity that week and gives students some time between activities for those who are involved in multiple ones that practice this week.


These sectionals and rehearsals are essential as we will not learn this music once school starts. We will clean it up but not learn any of it from scratch. So please, put these dates on your calendar so your band student can be there.


August 1st 12:00p-3:30p: Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba Sectional.

August 2nd 12:00p-3:30p: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, and Trumpet Sectional.

August 3rd 12:00p-3:30p: Percussion Sectional

August 4th 12:00p-3:30p: Full Band Rehearsal

 

We will be using a program called "Band" app to communicate important reminders and updates. This is similar to Remind 101 but better suited for groups such as band. This also allows us to share photos and videos that we may not want public on our social media channels. Lastly, it is a one stop location for access to our calendar and other resources.

Grading Reminders (Click to expand)

 

It is important to review our calendar dates for the spring. The most updated calendar can be found linked 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 $1000 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 were not in class the last year and a half due to covid.

  • 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

 

Support the WJHS Band AND make your life easier! It's a win-win for everyone. Fundshine is an online service that allows you to purchase paper and plastic goods that will shipped directly to your home. Spot checking prices come in a little cheaper than from local stores plus a portion of sales comes back to the band twice a year. Even better, you can sign up to have recurring shipments so you get set it up and forget about it. Also, family and friends can use this service anywhere in the US! :)


Check it out by going to www.fundshine.org,support the band and make sure your pantry is always stocked!

 

To stay in the know be sure to follow us on your social media platform of choice: Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - @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.


Have a band-tastic week everyone!


Musically Yours,







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