Jared Jones
- Sep 9
- 6 min read

"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 9/11-9/15

Upcoming Events

Greetings Wildcat Band Families,

It was such a fantastic, albeit, short week. All classes are moving along, getting stronger with a new focus to make our fundamentals perfect. We are counting rhythms and sight reading in all of our classes while getting faster at recognizing and vocalizing note names. All 7th grade classes had their first recorded assignment due last week and will have their second one due this week. Jazz Band had their first recorded assignment due last week with 13 missing assignments as of Saturday night. HAC is up to date for all classes except percussion. Percussion grades will be updated early this week.

Students are doing a GREAT job taking instruments home as they should. I really apprecaite everyone's help in establishing good habits early in the year to help ensure student success. Starting this week we will also be checking that band binders are going home. All of our practice assignments include handouts and exercises out of our book so it is not possible for students to be practicing the right things without their binder. Binders left will follow the same procedure as instruments being left beginning this week. Students will have a grace period Monday and Tuesday to get into that habit. Beginning Wednesday, leaving binders will count as a strike.

This the final week of our Fall Mums Fundraiser. Orders MUST be submitted via this form: https://form.jotform.com/232243853235150 We have limited quantities and need to be sure we don't over sell any particular color. RED mums sold out in the first 3 days of the sale this year. These mums are HUGE!! Every year families are surprised by how large they are, how long they last and the vibrance of the color. Order early to be sure you get yours! Cost is $25 each earning the student $12 per mum sold to their band related expenses. If they sell 4 mums they will earn $48 towards their band related expenses. If they sell 10 mums they will earn $120 towards band related expenses.

We really really need YOUR help on Friday, October 27th to work in the BHS Concession Stands while the Bentonville Pride is in St. Louis at Bands of America Super Regional Contest. The junior high bands will already be there performing so it's a great time to volunteer. You can sign up in the following link. Just be sure to scroll down to the 27th. Each student can have up to 2 adults volunteering earning them up to $50 toward band related expenses. These funds can be applied DIRECTLY to the St. Louis Trip. If a family work 10 shifts, this season that would fully pay for the trip. :) https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=s.signup&urlid=10c0f4daaab2fa7fbc25-friday&useFullSite=true#/

If you wanna get reminders, weekly over views and inside scoop on what's happening in our classes, be sure to check out some of the pics on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

Thank you to everyone who has been sending in the band supply fees! That is a huge help! Band Supply Fees are all setup in MyPayments Plus and are available if you prefer to pay online. If you do this, you will have to search for 'WJHS Band' and find the appropriate fee. Fees SHOULD be modified accordingly for students on free or reduced lunch. If that is not that case, please email me so I can look into it as we have had a couple of coding issues in the system to show you the correct fee. You can stillI send in cash or check made out to "WJHS Band." Thank you for your help!!

2 weeks ago we sent home copies of the BSD Junior High Band Handbook Signature Form most of our classes. Please take a few minutes to scan the QR codes on the handbook and calendar to review the information. Then sign and return the form with your student to school. Every student must have this signed and returned. You can review our handbook here. Our calendar can be found here in spreadsheet form.

ATTENTION 8TH GRADE BAND AND JAZZ BAND STUDENTS

This spring we will travel to St. Louis for 3 days and 2 nights with the 8th grade band and advanced jazz band. To streamline this process we are working with Bob Rogers Travel company. A tour company created by band directors for band directors. Please create your account by going here: https://bobrogerstravel.groupcollect.com/admin/trips/7438

TRIP ID: WASHINGTON0065

Deadline to register is September 15th

First trip payment is September 15th

Full payment due by December 15th

Need financial assistance in addition to the fundraisers? Please contact Mr. Jones ASAP. We will make it possible for every student who wants to attend to be able to .

If your family, business or you know a business owner who is able to make a tax deductible donation to help students attend this incredible trip, please contact Mr. Jones.

Additional documents and information about the trip can be found here.

I greatly appreciate everyone getting signed up for your group the last couple of weeks. Right now we are missing quite a few 8th grade and jazz band students who need to sign up. Parents have signed up but students with phone access need to sign up as well.

Click the appropriate link(s) to download the app and join our groups (Bands).

8th Grade Families - https://band.us/n/aba79ez9XbYfi

7th Grade Families - https://band.us/n/acae96z4X2Y47

Jazz Band Families - https://band.us/n/a7ab96zbYaJeY

Concession Volunteer Opportunities!

Monday Shifts
Thursday Shifts
Friday Shifts (REALLY NEED HELP OCT 27)

H ere is our PDF calendar for the 2023-2024 school year.

You can view and subscribe to our Google Calendar of events here.

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 1-3, Advisory, 4th)
Band Classes that Meet on "A" Days
7th Grade Trombones (Low Brass)
Jazz Band
7th Grade Flutes and Saxophones
7th Grade Clarinets
7:45am - Band Room Opens
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
Good luck Volleyball!! Beat Ramsey!
Tuesday - "B" Day (Classes 5-7, Priority, 8th)
Band Classes that Meet on "B" Days
8th Grade Band
7th Grade Trumpets (High Brass)
7th Grade Percussion
7:45am - Band Room Opens
Priority Time - Open practice for brass and percussion
Trumpet to French Horn Switch Begins!!! :)
We will have 8 students switching to french horn. The most WJHS has ever had!!!
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
Good luck Volleyball!!
Wednesday - "A" Day (Classes 1-3, Priority, 4th)
Band Classes that Meet on "A" Days
7th Grade Trombones (Low Brass)
Jazz Band
7th Grade Flutes and Saxophones
7th Grade Clarinets
7:45am - Band Room Opens
7th Grade Low Brass and Hight Winds - Habits #71 Due
7th grade clarinets - Habits #65 Due
Priority Time - 7th Grade Tuba Switches
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
Thursday - "B" Day (Classes 5-7, Priority, 8th)
Band Classes that Meet on "B" Days
8th Grade Band
7th Grade Trumpets (High Brass)
7th Grade Percussion
7:45am - Band Room Opens
Priority Time - Open practice for woodwinds
7th Grade High Brass - Habits #71 Due
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
Good Luck Football!!!! Beat Lincoln!
Friday - "A" Day (Classes 1-3, Clubs, 4th)
Band Classes that Meet on "B" Days
7th Grade Low Brass
Jazz Band
7th Grade High Winds
7th Grade Clarinets
7:45am - Band Room Opens
4:30pm - Band Room Closes

I know we JUST started the school year but I want to put a few AWESOME summer band camps on your radar as it seems we all begin planning and booking vacations earlier and earlier each year. :)

Typically 2nd Week of June - University of Central Arkansas Dixie Band Camp in Conway

June 10th-14th - Bentonville All-City Band Camp (1/2 Day in the morning) at BHS

June 10th-14th - Bentonville All-City Jazz Band Camp (1/2 Day in the afternoon) at BHS

July 7th-12th - University of Arkansas Band Camp in Fayetteville

Also, for our 7th grade families to plan, we will have required summer band rehearsals approximately 2 weeks before school begins. I will be able to give exact dates once the 2024-2025 calendar is approved later this semester; usually around October. The past several years it has been the first week of August.

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

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,

"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 9/11-9/15

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