"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 9/12-9/16
Upcoming Events
September 13th - Perform at Arkansas Natural's Game (8th grade band/pep band)
October 12th - 8th Grade Band and Jazz Band Fall Concert
October 14th - 8th Grade Band plays for BHS Football Game
Oct. 15-19 - Fall Break
Greetings Wildcat Band Families,
Students are doing a MUCH better job of getting their instruments home each night. Labor Day weekend there were 6 instruments left. This past weekend, just 2. Please help your student setup reminders on their google calendars to pickup their instruments, especially after athletic practices after school, as well as calendar reminders to get their instrument to bring to school on the day of their band class. With all the tools at our disposal, there is little reason for students to not have a process to be sure they have everything they need each day to be successful.
HAC has grades updated for any assignment turned in up to Thursday, September 8th.
7th grade classes have assignments due this Monday that were assigned last week. Please help remind your student to practice and turn them in for those who don't want to play the assignment during class. Recordings MUST have an audible metronome for them to be graded. An online metronome is linked in the google classroom assignment.
Monday is also the last day 8th grade band students may turn in W2 All-Region Week 1 assignment for credit.
All-Region sectionals continue 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. 8th grade assignments this semester are based off what is taught during the sectionals. 7th graders who would like to be challenged to learn the all-region audition music and more than welcome to attend.
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)
8:00am - W4 assignments due for Low Brass, High Winds, Jazz Band and Clarinets
8:00am - Band Room open for students to help setup/practice
Priority Time - Flutes with Mrs. Richardson
3:45-4:30 - Clarinet All-Region Sectional
4:45 - Band Room Closes
Tuesday (B Day - Classes 5-8 and Priority Time)
8:00am - W4 All-Region Week 3 Assignment Due for Trombones, and Euphoniums
8:15-8:30 - Drop off instruments in band room
Priority time - Trombone Sectional with Mr. Pierce
Natural's Game After School - Permission form and Itinerary
Wednesday (A Day - Classes 1-4 and Priority)
8:00am - W4 All-Region Week 3 Assignment Due for Flutes, Saxophones and Tubas
8:00am - Band Room open for students to help setup/practice
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 Priority)
8:00am - W3 All-Region Week 2 Assignment Due for Oboe and Percussion
8:15-8:30 - Drop off instruments in band room
4:00pm - Band Room Closes
Friday (A Day - Classes 1-4 and Engagement Friday)
8:00am - W4 All-Region Week 3 Assignment Due for Trumpets and French Horns
8:00am - Band Room open for students to help setup/practice
3:45-4:30 - Trumpet All-Region Sectional (required for 8th graders)
3:50-4:40 - French Horn All-Region Sectional (required for 8th graders)
5:00pm - Band Room Closes
Below is the schedule for required sectionals for 8th grade band for the year that continues 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.
You can find a complete copy of this year's calendar of events here.
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)
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,
