Jared Jones
- Sep 3
- 7 min read

"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 9/4-9/8

Upcoming Events

Greetings Wildcat Band Families,

If the first 2 1/2 weeks are any indication, we are in for an incredible year! We are down to only 1 or 2 instruments being forgotten at school. We've also only had 3 students so far forget to bring their instrument on a band day. Let's keep this up and get those numbers down to 0! :) It is absolutely impossible for students to get better if they aren't practicing the skills we are learning in class. Now that I have fully assessed every student in every class, I know where we are skill wise and classes will begin moving quicker with regular homework practice assignments students will need to do between classes to be successful.

The 8th grade band will begin all-region pass offs this week. To complete a scale pass off the scale must be memorized and played without more than 1 mistake in a one octave scale or 2 mistakes in a two octave scale. All-Region Etudes can be played looking at the music. All pass offs must be done in person for Mr. Jones, Mr. Moore, Mr. Fernandez or one of our wonderful adjunct staff members. Students should have at least 5 scales and 2 etudes passed off by the end of the first quarter.

This week we are kicking off our Fall Mums Fundraiser. An informational form will go home with students on Tuesday and Wednesday. 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. 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 will have a virtual Parent Meeting for the spring St. Louis trip this Tuesday at 7:00pm. All 8th grade AND jazz band students should have at least one parent/guardian in attendance. IF your 7th grade student isn't currently in Jazz Band but are planning to audition for the Advanced Jazz Band, please be in attendance to learn more about the trip.

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 beginning Tuesday if you prefer to pay online. You can stillI send in cash or check made out to "WJHS Band." Thank you for your help!!

Last week 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.

Band Apparel Store Closes in 5 days!!!

Our new band apparel store is now open until September 8th! Everything in the store is optional but a great way to show your pride for the WJHS Band! The required band t-shirt and jazz band t-shirt will be ordered in bulk by Mr. Jones. You do NOT need to order the required shirt here unless you want an extra.

This year we are also offering a couple of options for the top part of concert black attire through this store.

Please note that we cannot reopen the store after it closes. If your student wants a hoodie, now is the time to order it for the winter.

Visit our store here: bit.ly/wjhs2324

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

We will have a virtual parent meeting this Tuesday, September 5th at 7:00pm via google meet to discuss this in detail. Link to the meeting was sent out last week and we will send it out again Tuesday afternoon.

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.

We have almost all of our families signed up for the app and it is already being utilized well! If you haven't signed up, please do so. It is also important for students to be a part of the app. Students without a phone should still sign up as they can receive notifications by keeping a tab open on their computer and can also set their settings to receive email notifications.

One thing I LOVE about this app is that parents/students can ask a question to everyone in our group and anyone can respond. This is great when parents ask a question and I'm in class and unable to respond. Often times another parent is able to answer the question lickety-split. You can also create a private chat with me to send a message if you don't want it broadcast to everyone.

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 - NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY
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
Fall Mums Fundraiser Kick Off
Priority Time - Open practice
Good luck Volleyball!!!
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
7:00pm - St. Louis Trip Meeting via Google Meet
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
8:30am - Band Room Opens
Delayed opening due to Faculty Meeting
Keep instruments with you until room is unlocked
Go to commons (don't wait in hallway)
As soon as the meeting is over we will open the room for you
Fall Mums Fundraiser Kick Off
7th grade clarinets - Finger Exercise 1 and 2 Due
Priority Time - Open practice for brass and percussion
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
Good luck Volleyball!!!
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
4:30pm - Band Room Closes
Good Luck Football!!!!
Friday - "B" Day (Classes 5-7, Priority, 8th)
Band Classes that Meet on "B" Days
8th Grade Band
7th Grade Trumpets
7th Grade Percussion
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) 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 9/4-9/8

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