"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 5/15-5/19

Upcoming Events

Greetings Wildcat Band Families,

Happy Mother's Day to all of our wonderful band moms!! I hope you have been treated like royalty today. :)

I cannot be more proud of all the band students these past few days. Both bands had incredible performances on Friday night and behaved exceptionally well!! On Saturday, we took 73 band students to Silver Dollar City and once again, they represented the band program, Washington Junior High and Bentonville Schools exceptionally!!

7th Grade Brass and Woodwind Classes will have an end of year proficiency exam based on an excerpt of next year's all region music. This test will occur the week of May 15th with all retakes needing to be done by May 25th.

All school owned instruments must be returned no later than Monday, May 22nd. Students needing/wanting an isntrument over the summer will have one signed out to them by Thursday, May 25th.

All band fees need to be paid ASAP. I will email out a current balance sheet this week. Please get any unpaid supply fees or instrument rental fees in as soon as possible.

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.

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

• 7th Grade Proficiency exams begin

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

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

• Band Room opens at 7:45

• Marching Band Spring Rehearsal 4:30-6:00 @BHS

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

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

• Band Room opens at 7:45a

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

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

• Band Room opens at 7:45

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

• Marching Band Spring Rehearsal 4:30-6:00 @BHS

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

• Friday -A Day (Classes 1st-4th and Engagement Friday)

• Band Room opens at 7:45a

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

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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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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,