Greetings Wildcat Band Family,
The first week back from break has been terrific! The students are working hard and our concert preparations are well underway. All classes are playing the music well but as always individuals need to be practicing on a regular basis so that the ensemble has the best possible performance! Learning an instrument is a skill, not a talent. In order to improve a skill it must be regularly practiced. This quarter we are asking students to document practicing NO LESS than 15 minute per day, 5 days per week. This is the absolute minimum for students to be able to maintain their abilities and be most prepared for class. Ideally, student SHOULD be practicing 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week. This practice schedule makes it possible for students to grow exponentially on their instrument. The better we get on our instrument, the more we enjoy playing. The more we enjoy playing, the more we practice! :)
As we prepare for the upcoming weeks please be sure to take a look at the events below. It is important for students to stay focused and organized. All classes are wrapping up the semester meaning that all assignments are due before Winter Break that begins on December 23rd. Any missing band assignments must be turned in no later than December 18th so we have time to grade them before going on break.
Assignments Due:
7th Grade High Winds (1st Period)
8th Grade Band
Sightreadingfactory.com assignment #3 (playing on instrument) PAST DUE
Mock Audition #1 (was due last week via sectionals)
If student missed their sectional they will need to complete it via google classroom this week.
Mock Audition #2 will be this week during sectionals
Sightreadingfactory.com assignment #4 due Thursday, Dec. 9th)
All-Region Auditions on Saturday at Fulbright JH (info here)
7th Grade Low Brass (3rd Period)
Sightreadingfactory.com #3 Due Friday, Dec. 10th (playing on instrument)
7th Grade Clarinets (7th Period)
7th Grade Percussion
All assignments turned in as of 5:00pm Friday, December 3rd have been graded and put into HAC. Please note that this quarter students can only turn in the initial assignment 3 weeks after the due date.
Grading Reminders (Click to expand)
Concert Info:
December 21st
5:30p - Jazz Band Arrives to setup
6:15p - 7th Grade Band Arrives
6:30p - 7th Grade Band Warm-ups up on Stage at Arend Arts Center located @BHS
6:45p - 8th Grade Band Seated in Audience as a band
7:00p - 7th Grade Band Concert Begins
7:40p - 8th Grade Band Concert Begins
8:10p - End of Concert
ALL 7th and 8th grade students must help strike the stage. Parents and older siblings may come on stage and assist with moving equipment back to band room/loading into truck.
Concert Black
Concert Black Ideas from Local Stores and Online
How to Practice
All-Region Sectionals
Flutes Monday - 3:45-4:30
Saxophones & Euphoniums - Tuesday Priority Time
Clarinets - Tuesday 3:45-4:30
Trombones and Percussion - Wednesday 3:45-4:30
Trumpets, Horns and Tubas THURSDAY Priority Time
It's time to start looking ahead to January. In January we regroup our sectionals to make it more helpful to students. This schedule is based upon the responses back August. Please take a look at it to update your student's schedule for January.
It is also 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 and short week everyone!
Musically Yours,
