"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 5/8-5/13

Upcoming Events

Greetings Wildcat Band Families,

Last night I had the honor to "DJ" the BHS Band Banquet Dance. As I was at the awards ceremony and year-in-review slide show I was in awe of the incredible growth all the students had experienced. The comradery is unmatched by any other group I see. The depth of committment by each and every individual to be the best they can be, to contribute to something bigger than themselves is truly inspiring. To see so many Wildcat Alumni earn prestigious awards for their accomplishments in music and to be able to honor the seniors moving on to college and life in a few short days who have become successful through their time in the band program, made my heart full! There are former Wildcat going to Berkley School of Music, Jacobs School of Music, University of Arkansas majoring in engineering, medical sciences, computer programming, business, and playing in the band to help pay for their education. I love each and every one of our band students but to see that half of the seniors were former Wildcats reaffirms my belief that music is important. Not important for the sake of just making music but to help students find out who they are and to be a small part in helping guide them during this time of their lives to be amazing humans. The banquet resounded with educators whose focus is kids and families first in all decisions made. Students don't always agree with these decisions or actions but when do adolocents like boundries? :) I am proud to be a part of the Bentonville Bands team and can guarentee with 200% certainty that your family will feel the same way continuing to be a part of this incredible organization!

As the school year begins to wind down we still have 3 band events all this week. Please look over the weekly overview below to be sure you don't miss anything. 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.

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.

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

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

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

• Band Room opens at 7:45

• 7th Grade Band Rehearsal 3:45-5:00pm

• 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)

• 8th Graders Job Shadowing

• Band Room opens at 7:45a

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

• Symphonic Orchestra Concert 6:30p at Arend Arts Center

• Band students in this should

• Arrive by 6:00p

• Concert Black

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

• 8th Grade Job Shadowing

• 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 -B Day (Classes 5th-8th and Engagement Friday)

• Band Room opens at 7:45a

• 8th Grade Band Rehearsal during Priority

• Band Room closes at 4:00pm

• Spring Concert

• 6:15p - 7th Grade meets in BHS Band Room

• 6:30p - 7th Grade Warms-up

• 6:30 - 8th Grade percussion arrives to get needed equipment moved

• 6:50p - 8th Grade arrives to uncase in BHS Band Room

• 7:10p - 8th Grade Seated as a group in Arend Arts Center with instruments

• 7:15p - Concerts Begin (7th grade then 8th grade. All students will be present for all concerts)

• 8:30p - Approximate end time.

• EVERY band student will help strike the stage and clear the band room.

• 7th Grade will stack all chairs and stands in the band room.

• 7th Grade Percussion will help move percussion (make no less than 3 trips back to the stage to help move equipment)

• 8th Grade will stack, rack and move all chairs from stage back to band room

• 8th Grade Percussion will move percussion (make no less than 3 trips back to stage to help move equipment)

• No student should leave until dismissed by a band director. We are all in this together and we will all work together to take care of the equipment.

• Saturday

• Silver Dollar City Trip

• Band shirt and comfortable pants/shorts

• MUST WEAR THE BAND SHIRT. Students who arrive at WJHS without the band shirt will be sent home without refund

• 6:30a- Band room opens

• 7:00a- Buses Leave

• 9:30a- Approximate arrival time at SDC (buses will take route via Springfield, MO)

• 6:30p - Meet by main gazebo for attendance to move together to buses

• 7:00p - Load Buses to Return to WJHS

• 9:30p - Approximate arrival time at 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,