"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 11/14-11/18

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Concert Opportunities

Greetings Wildcat Band Families,

It has been an incredible week of growth, even through the craziness of the lunar eclipse and weather change!

Thank you to everyone who made the extra effort to get your band student to school EARLY this past Wednesday for the Choose Love Pep Rallies!!! The students at Apple Glen could not have been more excited!!

As we move into the holiday season, I have updated the "Upcoming Dates" above to reflect all events from now until Winter Break. I have also added a "Concert Opportunities" drop down that lists band concerts throughout the district that you all may enjoy attending. There is a good deal going on, so please check these dates on your calendars.

We do have 2 early meet times that we need everyone to be aware. Dec. 7th and Dec. 14th - 7:45am - Loading buses to perform at Old High and Barker for their 5th grade students to demonstrate what band is as they make their decisions for 6th grade. Grey Band Shirt and jeans/nice pants. I will be working with BHS to get school business for our geometry students on these days so they can join us. For those who want to pick up your student from BHS and get them to Barker on Dec. 7th and Old High on Dec. 14th, they'd need to be with us no later than 8:50am. That would give them almost half of the class time before needing to leave.

Itineraries for Upcoming Events:

Dec 7 - Ruth Barker Recruitment

Dec 10 - All-Region Auditions

Dec 14 - Old High Recruitment

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 Pep Rally)

• 8:15-8:30 - Drop off instruments in band room

• 2:30 - Dismissed from 4th period. MUST HAVE BAND SHIRT ALREADY ON

• 3:45-8:00 - All-Region Jazz Band Auditions

• NO CLARINET SECTIONAL DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST

• If we don't get any winter weather I'm taking credit for it. :)

• Tuesday - (B Day - Classes 5-8 and Priority)

• 8:15-8:30 - Drop off instruments in band room

• Priority Time - Trombone and Clarinet Sectional

• 3:50-7:20 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

• Wednesday - A Day (Classes 1-4 and Priority)

• 8:15-8:30 - Drop off instruments in band room

• Candle Fundraiser Due

• Priority Time - Flute Sectionals

• 3:45-4:30 - Saxophone and Tuba Sectionals, Euphonium Lessons

• Thursday (B Day - Classes 5-8 and Priority)

• 8:15-8:30 - Drop off instruments in band room

• 4:00pm - Band Room Closes

• Friday (A Day - Classes 1-4 and Engagement Friday)

• 8:15-8:30 - Drop off instruments in band room

• 3:45p-4:30 - Trumpet and French Horn Sectionals

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It's time to begin looking for concert black for upcoming performances. All Band students need to secure their concert black no later than Dec. 1st. Looking early is key to finding the appropriate attire. Sweat pants, sweat shirts, athletic wear, etc... are not acceptable forms of concert black.

PLEASE, please reach out by Nov. 17th if you need help acquiring the appropriate attire. We have funds set aside for families in need.

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Current 7th Grade Band	Current 8th Grade Band
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. These dates could be moved back to August 7th-11th depending on when school begins.	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.)
​July 31st - Low Brass and Low Reeds Sectional (Bass Clarinets, Saxophone, French Horns, Trombones, Euphoniums and Tubas)
August 1st - High Woodwinds and High Brass Sectional (Flutes, Clarinets and Trumpets)
August 2nd - Percussion Sectional
August 3rd - Full Band Rehearsal
August 4th - Full Band Rehearsal

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Please be sure to look at the change of sectionals beginning in January. This is to help facilitate a change in student schedules in the spring semester as well as a new focus on larger group. This was created based on student and parent feedback in the spring and summer of 2022.

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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.

Have a band-tastic week everyone!

Musically Yours,