Jared Jones
- Sep 17
- 6 min read

"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 9/18-9/22

Upcoming Events

Greetings Wildcat Band Families,

I am absolutely LOVING these cooler temps and fall-like weather! As far as I'm concerned, it can stick around for as long as it wants. :)

We had another great week of classes. We continue to focus on the 3 most important fundamentals of music making in class every day: Tone (how do we sound), Rhythm and Notes. The second assignment of the year went REALLY well in all classes. I'm really proud of the growth of the students so far and know if we keep this trajectory that it will be THE BEST year of band at WJHS yet!!!!

This week, 7th grade classes have their third assignment due with a MAJOR focus on dynamics (louds and softs). The notes and rhythms of the assignment are all mastered by every student as they have demonstrated the last few few weeks. So, playing the dynamics correctly is worth 50% of the assignment. Even though I say it in class everyday, it wouldn't hurt to remind your students of that as they are practicing. :)

8th Grade Band pass offs are rockin' and rollin'!! We have 2 students who have passed off, by memory, all 14 scales on the all-region scale sheet!!!! Several more students have completed the 5 scales due by the end of the quarter. Students can do pass offs before school, 4th lunch, priority time, during their in class sectional or after school.

This week we officially switched EIGHT students from trombone to tuba. That is a district record!!! We also switched EIGHT trumpets to french horn, tying the district record and making it a school record! We are in the process of switching four trombone to euphonium and in the spring semester switching two flutes or saxophones to oboe and two to bassoon. To round out the switches to deepen the colors of sound we will be looking to switch 2 clarinets to bass clarinet and at least one alto sax to tenor sax as we already have an alto switching to bari. Folks, it's an awesome year!

Students are continuing to do an awesome job getting their instruments home! Great habits are being created and I know that has a lot with you all reminding your students to get their instrument. Thank you!

Our MUMS are SOLD OUT!! Thank you for your help in this. Mums will be delivered on Friday, September 29th. Our supplier had scheduling issues to get it to us on the originally agreed upon date of 9/25. We will need a couple of parents to volunteer on the afternoon of the 29th to help organize and hand out mums 2:30p-5:30p. If you are interested, please let Mr. Jones know ASAP. Students who help with this can earn volunteer hours. :) Our next fundraiser coming up will be Poinsettias and Candles, perfect for the Holiday Season!

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 still send in cash or check made out to "WJHS Band." Thank you for your help!!

3 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 22nd

First trip payment is September 22nd

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
8:10-8:22am - Roaming Pep Band (volunteers)
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
Good luck Volleyball!! Beat Lincoln!
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, saxophones and percussion
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
Good luck Volleyball!! Beat Lingle!!!
Have a GREAT Meet XC!!!
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
8:15am - Band Room Opens
Mr. Jones in a meeting
7th Grade Low Brass and High Winds - Habits #77 Due
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
PEP RALLY - Band dismissed at 2:40. Pep Rally begins at 3
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
Good Luck Football!!!! Beat Fulbright!
Friday - "B" Day (Classes 5-7, Clubs, 8th)
7:45a - Band Room Opens
Priority Time - Band Leadership Meeting
7th Grade High Brass - Habits #93 Due
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
7th Grade Clarinets - Habits #71 Due by Monday
Saturday
Good luck XC at Russellville!!

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 9/18-9/22

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