"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 4/24-4/30

Upcoming Events

Greetings Wildcat Band Families,

It was another GREAT week for WJHS Bands! In the midst of ACT Aspire testing our students brought their "A" game every day to the test and to their classes in the afternoon. I KNOW testing wears on everyone and I am proud of the perseverance to still make progress in afternoon classes. All classes improved on our music and some with a focus on how to be better people.

The St. Louis trip is just 5 days away and we can't wait!! To help keep students fed and hydrated during the trip, we are asking for some donations. If you are able, please consider signing up here. Our biggest need is 40 packs of water. Detailed and live itinerary We will update this itinerary throughout the trip so you can see what we've done and what's next!

8th Grade band has marching band auditions after school this week at BHS 4:30-6:00p. Coach Roughly has agreed to drive a bus so our students can easily get over there. THANK YOU COACH!!!! Students need to wear a white shirt (can have words/graphics), athletic type shorts/pants (no jeans) , athletic type shoes, sunscreen, hat/sunglasses (if desired) and bring a bottle of water each day. Students will meet in the BHS Band Room first each day. If you aren't taking the bu over, please plan ahead to BE ON TIME (meaning arrive by 4:20 at the latest). Construction on 'J' street definetely slows down traffic this time of day. *Side note. I'm beginning the process to get a CDL so I can drive a bus to shuttle our students to BHS for events when needed next year.*

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. Please be sure you get the July 31st-August 4th dates on your calendar for summer band rehearsals. These are timed carefully to not overlap with other WJHS Summer Activities and are required for band students. 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.

Winter band photos are AVAILABLE for purchase from: https://snapped4u.com/galleries/18912. They are $10 each and will be available for you to download immediately after purchase.

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 is now OPEN!

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

• Be prepared to practice concert music or work on homework. Not a hangout in the AM.

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

• Marching Band Auditions 4:30-6:00 @BHS

• White shirt, athletic type pants/shorts, sunscreen, hat/sunglasses (if desired), bottle of water

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

• Band Room opens at 7:45

• Deadline for Silver Dollar City Ticket Orders

• 7th Grade Band Rehearsal during Priority time

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

• Marching Band Auditions 4:30-6:00 @BHS

• White shirt, athletic type pants/shorts, sunscreen, hat/sunglasses (if desired), bottle of water

• St. Louis Virtual Parent Meeting 5:30p-6:00

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

• Band Room opens at 7:45

• St. Louis - students needing medications - turn in medications to Mr. Jones no later than today.

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

• Marching Band Auditions 4:30-6:00 @BHS

• White shirt, athletic type pants/shorts, sunscreen, hat/sunglasses (if desired), bottle of water

• BHS Synth Audition at 4:30pm at BHS

• Forensics students released at 5:40 to get back to WJHS

• Break a leg Forensics!

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

• Band Room opens at 7:45

• St. Louis - Drop Luggage off in locker rooms/tag luggage

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

• Marching Band Auditions 4:30-6:00 @BHS

• White shirt, athletic type pants/shorts, sunscreen, hat/sunglasses (if desired), bottle of water

• Final day for us, be focused and work hard!

• Friday -B Day (Classes 1st-4th and Engagement Friday) ST LOUIS TRIP BEGINS

• Band Room opens at 7:15

• Trumpet/French Horn class will combine with percussion class 8th period

• Band Room closes at 3:40pm

• St. Louis

• Depart @8:00a

• City Museum

• Golden Corral

• Art Museum

• Saturday

• Music in the Parks Performance/Competition

• Six Flags

• St. Louis Symphony

• Sunday

• The Arch

• Return to WJHS

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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 -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,