During the spring, the MAJOR event for our band is the Music Performance Assessment.  Think of this music festival as “Band FCAT, or FSA, or whatever they’re calling the testing these days”.   As a band, we will perform for a panel of judges to compete for comments and an overall rating.  This is a BIG deal for our band program and school.
 
Due to the high level of music making that needs to be achieved, we will be having after school sectionals and full band rehearsals (just like last year!) to bring in extra help and clinicians to work with our students.  
 
Please communicate any conflicts with that after school rehearsal to me as soon as possible, email is best.  These are required events, but I will excuse students with an appropriate reason to not attend.
 
CONCERT BAND DATES:

Monday, March 12th -- Full Concert Band Rehearsal #1 (after school until 5:45pm)
Monday, March 26th -- Full Concert Band Rehearsal #2 (after school until 5:45pm)
Tuesday, April 2nd -- Full Concert Band Rehearsal #3 (after school until 5:45pm)
Music Performance Assessment Dates (Mark all as potential performance dates):  April 5-7th 
*NOTE* -- The past two years, Concert Band has performed on Thursday. Though it is not guaranteed that we will be scheduled for this date, there is a very high probability that the same schedule from the past two years will not be altered and we will be performing on Thursday the 5th.

SYMPHONIC BAND DATES:

Monday, January 29th -- Woodwind Instrument Sectional (after school until 5:45pm)
Wednesday, January 31st -- Brass Instrument Sectional (after school until 5:45pm)
Monday, February 12th -- Woodwind Instrument Sectional (after school until 5:45pm)
Thursday, February 15th -- Brass Instrument Sectional (after school until 5:45pm)
 
Tuesday, February 27th -- Full Symphonic Band Rehearsal #1 (after school until 5:45pm)
Tuesday, March 13th -- Full Symphonic Band Rehearsal #2 (after school until 5:45pm)
Tuesday, March 27th -- PRE-MPA Performance Rehearsal & Concert (@ Lyman HS) Time: 5:45-8pm
Music Performance Assessment Dates (Mark all as potential performance dates):  April 5-7th 
*NOTE* -- The past two years, Symphonic Band has performed on SATURDAY. Though it is not guaranteed that we will be scheduled for this date, there is a very high probability that the same schedule from the past two years will not be altered and we will be performing on Saturday the 7th.
 
Thank you for adding these dates to your calendar!
 
Joshua Autrey
Director of Bands
Milwee Middle School
www.milweeband.com

Greetings Milwee Band!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday break! Before we left for vacation, band students were handed information about an upcoming opportunity to participate in a music festival called Solo and Ensemble Festival. Participation in this festival not required but will assist in making your student a MUCH stronger musician.
For your convenience, I’ve added some information about the importance of the festival below, but you can find this same information (and more!) on the S&E Sign Up Page. 
STUDENTS MUST SIGN UP BY JANUARY 15th, online, if they wish to participate in the festival this year.

Most students were took a packet containing 5-7 solos before the holiday break – students can choose any solo in these packets. Instructions on how to sign up is also listed on the front page of each packet.
Please email me if you have any further questions.


Regards,


Joshua Autrey
Director of Bands
Milwee Middle School




Solo and Ensemble Festival is an opportunity for students to perform a solo piece (one student plus piano accompaniment) in front of a judge for feedback and growth.  All Students in Symphonic Band participate in this event as part of their course grade, as it is THE BEST way to develop independence while playing and confidence in performing!  Though it is NOT required as part of the BAND 1 &2 curriculum, I am strongly encouraging many beginners and concert band members to participate in this event and I have been very impressed by the amount of interest garnered from our students.

Students who are interested were given a packet of five to seven solos from which to choose, and I have told students to please decide by the time we return from the holiday.  Please sign up online – there is a google form that takes about 5 minutes to fill out. CLICK HERE to sign up.  The final sign up day is Monday, January 15th

Students who are participating in this event must have a piano accompanist to play with them during their solo slot.  Students may arrange to find their own accompanist, or they may request that I find one for them.  The accompanist that I find will charge $30 which will cover a rehearsal and the performance at the festival itself -- this is a very competitive rate for accompanists in the area.  Please communicate any hardships to me directly, and I will work with you to arrange a way to have your student still participate in the festival -- one of the program goals at Milwee is to never hold back a student due to financial hardship -- we will find a solution!

Lastly, here are the dates for the festival -- please add them to your calendar now -- your performance time will be scheduled about two weeks before the event, so keep both dates clear!

District 8 Solo and Ensemble festival at Deltona High School on Friday, February 23rd and Saturday, February 24th.