"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 12/5-12/10
Upcoming Events
Dec. 14th - Old High Recruitment Performance arrive @WJHS by 7:45a
Dec. 19-22 - Band Directors Out to Midwest International Band Conference
Dec. 22-Jan. 4 - Winter Break
Upcoming Concert Opportunities
Dec. 7th - FJHS Band Concert, 6:30pm @BHS
Dec. 8th - BHS Winter Band Concerts 7:00p @BHS
Dec. 16th - LJHS Winter Concerts, 6:30p @BWest
Greetings Wildcat Band Families,
There are quite a few events this week for our Wildcat Musicians. Please be sure to check the schedule below and have all the times and dates on your calendars.
During the holiday season, many families like to get cute music related gifts for their student. I have a stocking stuffer+ list of ideas from fun things to items that will help your student out. Here is that list for you.
Itineraries for Upcoming Events: (UPDATED MEET TIME: 7:45am)
Dec 7 - Ruth Barker 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)
All-Region Permission Slip Due - handed out last Tuesday to students
No Clarinet Sectionals
Winter Jazz Band Dance/Concert @BHS North Building (Opposite the Arend Arts Center)
6:00p - Sound Check for Sing Sing
6:15p - Sound Check for full Jazz Band
6:30p - Dance/Concert Begins
8:30p - Approximate end time
Concert Black with splash of color
Tuesday - (B Day - Classes 5-8 and Priority)
Priority Time - Trombone Sectional/Mock Auditions
3:45-5:15 - 7th Grade Band Rehearsal
Quiz Bowl students at tournament excused. GOOD LUCK QUIZ BOWL!!!!
Wednesday - A Day (Classes 1-4 and Priority)
Barker Recruitment Performance - see itinerary
Arrive no later than 7:50am
Grey Band shirt and nice pants/jeans. NO HOLES
8th Grade band and a few 7th graders who already have music
Priority Time - Flute Sectionals
3:45-4:30 - Saxophone and Tuba Sectionals, Euphonium Lessons/Mock Auditions
Thursday (B Day - Classes 5-8 and Priority)
4:00pm - Band Room Closes
Friday (A Day - Classes 1-4 and Engagement Friday)
CONCERT DAY - Each student will have their photo professionally taken with their instrument prior to the concert according to the schedule below. Percussion needs a pair of snare sticks
5:00p - 7th Grade Percussion, Tuba, Trombone, and Euphonium Pictures and setup
5:15p - 7th Grade French Horn, Clarinet, and Flute Pictures
5:30p - 7th Grade Trumpet, 8th Grade Percussion and 8th Grade French Horn Pictures
5:45p - 8th Grade Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba Pictures
5:55p -8th Grade Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone Pictures
6:00p - 7th Grade Seated on Stage
6:20p -8th Grade seated in auditorium to watch 7th grade
6:30p - 7th Grade Performs
7:00p - Approximate 8th Grade Performance (7th grade will stay to watch 8th grade)
7:30p - All band students help strike stage
No One's time is more important than another's. We will all stay to help clean up.
7:45p - Students dismissed
Saturday - All-Region Auditions
Grey Band Shirt OR Black Jazz band Shirt and nice pants
Required for all 8th Grade Band Students
Required for all 7th Grade Percussion Students
A handful of 7th graders who have been attending sectionals, taking lessons and working on the music are also going
Be sure you are signed up in our Band App for updates throughout the day:
7th Grade Band
8th Grade Band
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Attire for the concert is CONCERT BLACK.
Please note that sweat pants, sweat shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, athletic wear, etc... are not acceptable forms of concert black.
Jazz Band on Monday and 8th Grade Band on Friday may wear a splash of color. We will also wear Santa Hats for recruitment concerts and Friday's concert. I have ordered 48 hats that will be in Tuesday. If your student owns a Santa hat, they are more than welcome to wear that. Or, they can buy one from me for $1. FCFS
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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 a few days later depending on which calendar option is adopted. | 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,
