"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 4/10-4/15
Upcoming Events
4/3-5/28 - See www.bentonvillepride.com/calendar for marching band clinics for 8th graders going into high school band
4/14 - BHS Band Audition Music Due
4/15 - Jazz Band Performance for ARKU Jazz Festival at Thaden
4/28-4/30 - 8th Grade Band and Jazz Band St. Louis Trip
5/2-5/3 - Composer Randall Standridge mini-Residency
5/3 - Spring Jazz Band Concert at Old High
5/12 - 7th and 8th Grade Bands Spring Concert at Arend Arts Center
5/13 - Silver Dollar City Reward Trip
5/22 - All School Owned Instruments Due Back
Greetings Wildcat Band Families,
The 4th quarter is always one of my favorite of the year and the most challenging for students. The weather is FINALLY getting nice again and all we all want to do is get out to enjoy it. This makes being focused in class and being prepared for class more of a challenge. Things families can do to help their student. 1) Insist on a regular time to do homework, study for tests and practice their instrument (outside if possible) 2) regular bed time for a good night's sleep and 3) to start the day with breakfast and not just an energy drink/Frappuccino that I see so many students doing. All of this will attribute to less stress on their part and help them to be more successful while allowing all of the adults in their life to keep what sanity we have left. :)
Please be sure to review our calendar for the rest of the semester located here.
7th Grade Families, here is our initial calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. You will see several events on the calendar without dates. These are events we typically participate in but we do not have dates yet. As they come available I will update it.
This quarter the band room will open at 7:45am each day. All students should enter the school through the main doors. The back band room door will not be used as an entrance; it is exit only. Students in the room before school have 2 options: 1) practice current music or 2) work on homework/study/read. Fridays are open for students to just hang out. Students will be reminded once of the procedure. The second time they will be required to go to the commons until the 8:28 bell.
DUE THIS FRIDAY
8th grade band students should be practicing concert music and the BHS Audition Music daily. Help videos have been posted to our google classroom for Exercise A and Exercise B. The audition music is NOT whether a student will be in the BHS Band but to put them in a like-ability based band. Audition recordings should be turned in absolutely no later than 11:59pm on Friday, April 14th. Instructions to do so correctly are specific and listed in the assignment in the BHS Band Audition Google Classroom.
Students who fail to submit an audition recording will have band dropped from their BHS Schedule for next year at the end of May.
Winter band photos are NOW AVAILABLE for purchase from: https://snapped4u.com/galleries/18912. They are $10 each and will be available for you to download immediately after purchase.
8th Grade band and Jazz Band, please remember to be making your spring trip payments. Thank you to every
one making payments as we are well on are way to being caught up!! We are currently $527 short to pay our upcoming invoices for the trip. Please remember that these payments are now a week past due.
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! Registration opens Monday, April 10th!
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 opens at 7:45am
Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:50-7:20pm
Tuesday - B Day (Classes 5-8 and Priority)
Band Room opens at 7:45am
7th Grade Band Leadership Rehearsal during Priority Time
Band Room Closes at 3:40 (Mr. Jones has a committee meeting 3:45-5)
Wednesday - A Day (Classes 1-4 and Priority)
Band Room opens at 7:20am for those who would like to practice/get help on BHS Audition Music
Must be practicing if you intend to come in early
Band Room Open until 4:45pm for those who would like help with BHS Audition Music
Good luck Track!!!
Thursday - B Day (Classes 5-8 and Priority)
Band Room opens at 7:20am
Symphony Rehearsal during priority
Band Room Open until 4:45pm for those who would like help with BHS Audition Music
Friday -A Day (Classes 1-4 and Engagement)
Band Room Opens at 7:20am
Band Room Open Until 4:45pm for those who want help on the BHS Audition Music.
Saturday
UARK Jazz Festival @Thaden
9:30a Equipment Crew Meet to Load
10:40a Meet at Thaden to watch bands (in concert black)
11:05a Prep/Warm-Up
11:30-12p Perform
12:15p Watch BWest Jazz Band
1:00p Watch NWACC Jazz Band
1:30p Dismissed to go home (students are welcome to stay and watch more jazz bands)
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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 -21st - Mandatory Pride Band Members Music Sectional 1:00p-5:00pm
For full calendar, please see www.bentonvillepride.com |
​July 31st- Low Brass and Low Reeds Sectional (Bass Clarinets, Saxophone, French Horns, Trombones, Euphoniums and Tubas) | July 24th-August 4th - Mandatory Pride Band Members Rehearsal 8:00am-5:00pm
For full calendar, please see www.bentonvillepride.com |
August 1st - High Woodwinds and High Brass Sectional (Flutes, Clarinets and Trumpets) | August 7th-15th - Mandatory Pride Band Members Evening Rehearsals Beginning at 5:00pm. End time varies depending on day.
For full calendar, please see www.bentonvillepride.com |
August 2nd - Percussion Sectional | ​ |
August 3rd - Full Band Rehearsal | ​ |
August 4th - Full Band Rehearsal | ​ |
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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!
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
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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.
Musically Yours,
