Upcoming Events
Greetings Wildcat Band Family,
I certainly enjoyed the snow a couple of weeks ago and the one day out, but 5 days of ice, not so much. I hope everyone was safe and warm during the last week and are unthawing a bit this weekend! Please remember that posted AMI day assignments are due Tuesday night for all class periods from last Tuesday and Wednesday. These assignments count as your student's attendance for those days. For Thursday and Friday, attendance was based on your student being in the scheduled google meets. If you lost power or wifi during those times, please let your student's teachers know.
Due to the weather last week the 8th grade band meeting was rescheduled to this Thursday in the BHS Band Room at 6:30pm. Mr. Hendrix will talk in depth about the high school band program, what the audition process will look like, how marching band works, exemption options and so much more. Even if your student is currently considering not doing band in high school, I urge you to attend the meeting to learn more and bring your student with you. EVERY year, we have students in the winter slump who change their mind and decide to continue with high school band later this semester who scramble to get this info. Please please plan on attending this 1 hour event.
Due to the uncertainty of weather this time of year, we have postponed the instrument step up event to Tuesday, March 14th. If you are in the market to upgrade your student's instrument sooner, you can reach out to Saied and they'd be more than happy to work with you before then.
8th Grade band and Jazz Band, please remember to be making your spring trip payments. We have 12 partial trips and 30 full trips paid. The cost per student is $330. 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! :)
I am excited to announce a BRAND NEW offering for this June. The Junior High Bands are offering a 1/2 day All-City Summer Band Camp June 12th-16th 8:30a-11:30a. Cost is $75 and includes a camp shirt, daily snack, instruction and a concert at the end of the week. Students who are CURRENTLY in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade are welcome to attend. More information will be available from the district on how to sign up soon!
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)
Band Room Open until 4:30 for students to complete assignments/get help
8th Grade Band Check in #1 Past Due
Grades are posted to HAC for those who have completed it
Z= assignment turned in but didn't meet requirements/incomplete
N =nothing turned in
Blank = not past due for that student yet
If turned in today students can earn a max of 70%
Please note that students with IEPs giving them extended time on assignments, will have until Friday to turn it in and still be able to earn full credit.
Tuesday - B Day (Classes 6-8 and Priority)
Open band during Priority Time
8th Grade Band Check in #1 Due for Percussion Students without deduction
Band Room until until 4:30 for students to complete assignment
Wednesday - A Day (Classes 1-4 and Priority)
Flute sectional during priority time with Mrs. Richardson
Band Room closes at 4:00pm
Old High MS 5th Grade Instrument Night
If you know a 5th graders at Old High, encourage them to attend the instrument fitting night and find the PERFECT fit to join the Bentonville Band Family!
Thursday - B Day (Classes 5-8 and Pep Rally)
Pep Rally
8th Grade Band Required to participate
If you want to play but are not in the 8th grade band, please complete this form so I can get you excused from class to get ready.
Grey band shirt must be on prior to 4th period
No band shirt? Will be sent back to class and grade reflected appropriately.
Friday - A Day (Classes 1-4 and Priority)
Students with extended time for assignments should have their 8th Grade Check in #1 turned in by 11:59p to earn full credit.
8th Grade Band Rehearsal 3:45-5:00pm
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 | |
You can find a complete copy of this year's calendar of events 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 $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)
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,
