"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 8/22-8/26

Upcoming Events

Greetings Wildcat Band Family,

The first week was a HUGE success! By Friday all classes had played at least once and we are already sounding great! It is going to be a good year.

Reminder that instruments go home EVERY night. This week we will start documenting instruments left. After the 3rd time an instrument is left students start receiving detention. Beginning last week, students have something to practice between each class.

All-Region sectionals kick off this week. Please remember that these are required for all 8th grade band students. GREAT effort was taken to schedule it around individual student schedules based off of feedback last spring. 7th graders who would like to be challenged to learn the all-region audition music and more than welcome to attend.

Our online apparel store is open and ready for you! The required t-shirt for all band students was ordered in bulk Friday so there is nothing required for students on the store. Just awesome swag! http://wjhsonlinestore.deco-apparel.com Order deadline is September 7th. Spend $60 get 10% of your order.

8th Grade band kicked off the Dominos Slice the Price Fundraiser on Friday. Every student needs to sell at least 15 cards. That comes out to 1 card per day. Cost is $15/card. Profit is $7.50/card sold. Doing so gives each student a profit of $112.50 which pays for the first 2 payments towards the St. Louis trip AND gives every student a free shirt we will get to design for the trip. More info can be found with the handout given to your band student on Friday or here: https://slicethepricecard.com/37592

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)

• First playing assignment assigned to all classes (due next Monday)

• 8:00am - Band Room opens for student to practice/help setup

• 3:45-4:30 - Clarinet All-Region Sectional (required for 8th graders)

• 4:50pm - Band Room Closes

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

• First playing assignment assigned to all classes (due next Tuesday)

• 3:45-4:30 - Euphonium Sectional (required for 8th graders)

• Virtual - Trombone All-Region Sectional (this week only)

• Watch instructional video in gclassroom and complete assignment

• 4:50pm - Band Room Closes

• Wednesday (A Day - Classes 1-4 and Advisory)

• 8:00am - Band Room opens for student to practice/help setup

• 3:45-4:30 - Saxophone and Tuba All-Region Sectional (required for 8th graders)

• 4:50pm - Band Room Closes

• Thursday (B Day - Classes 5-8 and Advisory)

• 4:00pm - Band Room Closes

• Friday (A Day - Classes 1-4 and Advisory)

• 8:00am - Band Room opens for student to practice/help setup

• 3:45-4:30 - Trumpet and French Horn All-Region Sectional (required for 8th graders)

• 4:50pm - Band Room Closes

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Below is the schedule for required sectionals for 8th grade band for the year that begins THIS WEEK. 7th graders are welcome to attend sectionals first semester if they want to be challenged to learn the all-region honor band audition music. Auditions occur in December and are required for all 8th Grade Band Students and 7th Grade Percussion.

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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! 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

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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.

Have a band-tastic week everyone!

Musically Yours,