Greetings Milwee Band Family,
 I hope you are doing well. I’m sorry this email is so long, but there is SO MUCH information to review as there are a lot of things going on over the next few weeks!
 OVERVIEW:

1. Spring Concert Details
2. Wednesday Pep Band Opportunity (girls basketball team)
3. Reward Trip to Islands of Adventure reminder
4. Summer Band Camp reminder

1. Spring Concert Details
 Just reminder that our Spring Concert for all students is on Wednesday, May 8th at 6:30pm in the Lyman High School Auditorium. ALL students report time is between 5:30 and 6pm: beginning band will go directly to the stage and Concert/Symphonic band students will assist getting ready for the concert or sit in the auditorium with their families plus instrument and music in hand.


Students should NOT to bring their instrument case into the auditorium this concert
-- students should keep their instrument cases in the car and only bring their instrument and music into the auditorium.  All Milwee owned instruments may be turned in after the concert at Lyman HS -- students who have a home tuba, baritone, french horn, or any other wind instrument MUST check their instrument in with Mr. Autrey after the concert before leaving. If you wish to check in your instrument on the night of the concert, we will take care of transporting the instruments back to Milwee from Lyman, on your behalf.

 All students are to wear the same uniform that was utilized to at the Winter Concert.
For beginners,  please wear the green Milwee Band T-Shirt with black pants, black socks, black shoes, and a black belt.

Concert Band, please wear the uniform polo shirt, black pants, black shoes, black socks, and black belt.

Symphonic Band and Jazz Band students should wear the tuxedo uniform.

Thank you all for your hard work and support this year! The students and myself are very excited to share our final concert music with you, it’s going to be a fun show! We expect the concert to conclude at 8pm, with clean up/inventory drop to be concluded just after 8:15pm.



 2. Wednesday Pep Band Opportunity (girls basketball team)


Last year, the Milwee band started a fun tradition of playing at the school basketball games near the end of the season to support our Milwee peers. We had a blast shouting and playing for our team!I am so excited to announce that we will have another opportunity to perform for the girls basketball team again this Wednesday, April 24th.  All Band Members invited! All you need to do is show up with your instrument and music, to the band room after school on Wednesday. We will be wearing the green Milwee Band T-Shirt. Pick up will be after the varsity game is over, around 6:30pm. Pick up should be no later than 7pm.

​

 3. IOA Field Trip - Trip Date is May 18th (Payment Due FRIDAY, APRIL 26th!)

Our IOA Studios student and chaperone payment deadline is fast approaching! 
Please visit our band website (www.milweeband.com) if you need another copy of the IOA trip form.

All registration forms and payments are due FRIDAY, April 26th! If you have signed up and paid to chaperone, thank you so much for your service on this FUN DAY!


We are now accepting ONLINE PAYMENTS for this trip from our band website. Please visit there if you turned in your form and have not paid. Remember ALL students going must pay and turn in the trip form.


 4. Middle School Summer Band Camp Info

Reminder that Registration for the Milwee MS Band program’s Summer Band Camp is OPEN!

We offer classes for beginners, students wishing to learn a second instrument, advanced concert band, and jazz band! opportunity!
This years camp theme is DISNEY! featuring selections from movies being released this summer.


Please visit 
https://sites.google.com/markhamwoodsband.org/lml-band-camp/summer-band
to view our website, see information/dates/times, and register your student.
 We are also ready to accept all forms of payments!! Online payment can be found at the website listed above, but you may also make check and cash payments directly to the band safe, located in the Milwee band room. If you already registered and have not paid, we appreciate you making payments as soon as possible so we can order our camp t-shirts for the students!


Regards,


​Joshua Autrey
Director of Bands
Milwee Middle School

I can’t wait to see your refreshed and smiling faces tomorrow! We’re going to work hard on our Spring Concert music over the next few weeks so get ready and get practicing!!!!!
 
3 Quick things: 
 
1.  SUMMER BAND CAMP – Information and how to sign up can be found on our website:
www.milweeband.com – there is a link to the camp webpage from our main home page (Just scroll down!). Summer Camp dates are June 3th thru 13th, all events are at Lake Mary High School.
 
Summer band is an AWESOME music camp for middle school students that takes place right after school gets out. Students learn musical selections every morning for two weeks (Monday thru Thursday) and perform a concert on the last evening. Simply put: IT’S A BLAST! Last year, we had 100 Milwee students participate! We hope you can join us for this really cool opportunity to continue music into summer.
 
2. END OF THE YEAR REWARD TRIP  Attached to this email is a letter with information for the Milwee Band’s annual Reward adventure to ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE. We work so hard ALL year to make music together, this trip is an opportunity to build our band family in a different yet totally FUN way. We hope you can join us this year for our trip to IOA. Saturday, May 18th (See the attachment). SPOTS ARE LIMITED – Sign up is Due by Friday, April 26th.
 
3. SPRING CONCERT – Our next big concert for beginning band is our last concert of this year! It’s their “Beginning Band Graduation Ceremony!” ie. Our Spring Concert! The concert, much the same as the winter concert, will be held at Lyman High School’s auditorium. The date is set for WEDNESDAY, MAY 8th at 6:30pm. Please save the date – more details will come at the end of April.
 
 
 
Thank you all! I hope you had a great spring break!
 

ATTENTION to all students using a school owned instrument: The School District will be conducting our inventory check on Wednesday, February 6th and 7th.

This means that ALL school owned instruments MUST be returned to Milwee on either Monday, February 4th or Tuesday, February 5th to be checked off the school districts list and may be picked up at the end of the school day on Thursday the 7th.

I am available to check in your school owned instrument from 8:45am until 4:30pm, daily. If you can drop off your instrument in that time frame, there is no need to make specific arrangements.

I am also happy to get to school early/stay later by appointment, so please simply email me to make arrangements that will meet your schedule. No big deal at all! The most important thing is to get these instruments back!

Thank you for your cooperation with this! This inventory check is way earlier than normal, but should be the only time you need to return the instrument until the last week of school.

Thank you again!

Joshua Autrey
Director of Bands
Milwee Middle School

​

Greetings Milwee Band!


I hope you had a wonderful holiday break! Before we left for vacation, band students were briefed with  information about an upcoming opportunity to participate in a music festival called Solo and Ensemble Festival. 
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 Wednesday JANUARY 16th, on the S&E Sign Up page online, if they wish to participate in the festival this year.


Solos can be found near the back your Milwee band book, students can choose any solo in these packets. If you were assigned a Solo by your private instructor, please stick with that solo as they have an individual lesson plan targeted for your growth for this festival.
Please email me if you have any further questions.


S&E DETAIL INFO:
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 where to find solos in their Milwee band books, 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 Wednesday, January 16th


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 6 Solo and Ensemble festival at Hagerty High School on Friday, February 22nd and Saturday, February 23rd.


Thank you everyone and GOOD LUCK BAND!!!!!


Joshua Autrey

Greetings Milwee Band Parents and Students,
​
Thank you for taking the 2 minutes to read this email concerning the WINTER CONCERT! 
Sorry it’s so long! I’ve read it about ten times and timed myself, 2 minutes TOPS!
 
This FREE concert is on 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5th at 6:30pm in the LYMAN HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM.
All are invited to attend, All Milwee Bands will be performing.
 
 
FIRST, GET A FREE PORTRAIT TAKEN OF YOUR STUDENT! 
We will be having one of our amazing band parents and professional photographers, Ms. Anna Jannotti, take a picture of your student with their instrument in their uniform. This is a FREE service that Ms. Jannotti donates her time and energy to help our program! She does AMAZING work and touches up small spots on the photos before she shares them out in January!
Band Photos will be set up to the right of the auditorium lobby as you enter, down the hall.
Please read below for your report times so you can have your picture taken at the correct time!
Don’t miss this opportunity! 
Also! Please help me in thanking her for her service and donation when you see her at the concert!
 
 
Students should report to the auditorium,
fully dressed with their instruments and music at:
Jazz Band – 5:30 to 5:45pm. Take Band Portrait, then move quickly to set up in the Auditorium.
 
Beginning Band – Between 5:45 to 6pm, go directly to your seat on stage. You will take your Band Portrait after your performance, during the concert.
 
Concert and Symphonic Band – Between 5:30 to 6:00pm. When you arrive, make your way to the Photo Booth to have your professional Band Portrait taken for this year. All photos should be finished by 6:25, please take your seat for the start of the concert at 6:30pm.
 
Parents, Siblings, Friends, Guest, Neighbors – Doors are open for everyone upon arrival. Come in and have a seat. Make sure your student knows where you are sitting so they can find you after their performance. Jazz Band will start playing music at 6:15pm as a pre-concert treat!
The concert will conclude no later than 8pm, and we will need some great helpers to stay and help clean up. Otherwise, students are dismissed after Symphonic Band performs. 
All students must stay for the entirety of the concert to receive full credit for the concert.
 
 
 
What are we wearing for the concert?
All students are to wear the same uniform that was used for the fall concert:
Beginners – Hunter Green T-Shirt, Black Pants, Shoes, Socks, Belt
Concert – White Polo Shirt, Black Pants, Shoes, Socks, Belt
Symphonic – Tuxedo Uniform

OPTIONAL FUN THING! Students may also chose to wear some fun holiday headgear such as a Santa Hat, Reindeer Antlers, Yamaka, Grinch Hat, or another holiday festive cap.  Have fun, get creative – school appropriate, of course.  Please refrain from wearing anything that jingles or lights up as it is distracting to other performers!
 
What equipment does my student need to bring?
Lyman High School will provide chair, stands, and many percussion instruments.  Otherwise we will need to bring our own equipment and music, which varies by instrument – here is a quick run-down per instrument group:
Woodwinds:  Instrument (leave case in the car) and Music Folder w/ music.  Any students who use a different instrument at school must bring their instrument from home to the concert (Bassoons, Some Saxophones).
Brass:  Instrument (leave case in the car) and Music Folder w/ music.  All students must have their own mouthpiece and any students who use a different instrument at school must bring their instrument from home to the concert (Tubas, Baritones, French Horns).
Percussion:  Music Folder w/ music. Beginners need to bring their mallet bag from home.  Lyman will have all the percussion equipment there for us to borrow.
 
Do we need help/volunteers?
 
ABSOLUTELY!  
Please sign up for the volunteer job by using the following link. Job descriptions are listed below! Thank you for helping, we can’t have a smooth concert (there will be so many people!) without MUCH help from AMAZING PARENTS!
 
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER, CLICK HERE!
Door Ushers/Program Distributers:  Parents who will stand at the door, keeping people from entering during the performance of a song as well as hand out our concert program to guests. We will need two teams of 4-5 parents to assist with this so that every parent can be in the audience for their own student’s performance.
 
Photo Helpers: Parents who can help keep the line moving for our FREE professional photo portrait (BIG SHOUTOUT TO Ms. Jannotti!). Beginners will be taking their pictures after their performance. Advanced students will be taking their pictures BEFORE the concert. We will need help from a few parents before the concert at 5:45 for the advanced bands, and during the concert for beginning bands.
Stage Managers: Parents who can help Move Chairs and stands for each group.  This helps the stage look “clean” for each group – extra chairs often look tacky – nothing but the best for our students!  We will need about 2-3 parents for this – if you’ve worked around a stage before, that would be helpful!!!
 
“Silence Please!” Poster People: Okay Golf fanatics, this is your big moment! We’ve had a lot of success in the past when hold some reminder signs for the audience, as to when to get quiet as  a band about to perform. We have pre-made signs that we ask you to hold up right before the band performings to remind others how to create the professional atmosphere (AGAIN –- Nothing but the BEST for our kids!!!)  3-4 parents for this VIP job!
 
Clean up Crew: We need about 4-6 parents to help tear down the stage and load a few cars/trucks full of our equipment to transport it back to Milwee! 
If you own a truck/mini-van, and can spare a half-hour after the concert, please let us know that you can help move some equipment back to the school – we need about two or three trucks to get everything. LET ME KNOW if you can spare your truck!
Thank you all for your help!!!!
Please do not hesitate to contact me for further guidance if you have any questions.

​With our Fall Concert coming up in two weeks (Thursday, October 25th!), I wanted to share some FAQ’s about the concert.  I went over most of these points in class with students over the past few days.


TUBA and HORN students-- You will need to bring your tuba/horn from HOME for this concert. The classroom set of tubas/horns are too small for our beginner band students to use! Thank you!

When and where is the concert, what time should I have my student report?

Concert Date: Thursday, October 25th -- This FREE concert is at 6:30pm in the Milwee Middle School Gym.  Students should report to the gym, fully dressed with their instruments and music by:

REPORT TIME: Beginners  – 6:00pm.
The concert will conclude just after 7:10, and we will need some great helpers to stay and help clean up. Otherwise, students are dismissed after Symphonic Band performs.  All students must stay for the entirety of the concert!

What are we wearing for the concert?
Beginning band members will be wearing their hunter green Milwee Band T-Shirt, tucked into a pair of black dress pants, black shoes, and black socks with a black belt.  Please wear closed toe shoes, I recommend black flats for female band members.   

What equipment does my student need to bring?

Woodwinds:  Instrument and Music Folder w/ music (please leave your instrument case in the car, or band room cubby!) Folding Wire Music Stand from home.
Brass:  Instrument (leave case in car or band room cubby!) and Music Folder w/ music.  All students must have their own mouthpiece and any students who use a different instrument at school must bring their instrument from home to the concert (Tubas & French Horns). Folding Wire Music Stand from home.
Percussion:  Music Folder w/ music -- beginners need to bring their mallet bag from home.

With our Fall Concert coming up in two weeks (Tuesday, October 23rd!), I wanted to share some FAQ’s about the concert. I went over most of these points in class with students over the past few days.

When and where is the concert, what time should I have my student report?

This FREE concert is at 6:30pm in the Milwee Middle School Gym.  Students should report to the gym, fully dressed with their instruments and music by:

Concert Band  – 6:10pm. (Percussion, if you can arrive at 5:40 to help move equipment, that would be very helpful!)

The concert will conclude just after 7:10, and we will need some great helpers to stay and help clean up.  Otherwise, students are dismissed after Concert Band performs.  All students must stay for the entirety of the concert!

What are we wearing for the concert?
Concert band members will be wearing their white uniform polo shirt (ordered from band boosters), tucked into a pair of black dress pants, black shoes, black socks, and a black belt.  Please wear closed toe shoes, I recommend black flats for female band members.

What equipment does my student need to bring?

Woodwinds:  Instrument and Music Folder w/ music (please leave your instrument case in the car, or band room cubby!)
Brass:  Instrument (leave case in car or band room cubby!) and Music Folder w/ music. 
Percussion:  Music Folder w/ music -- come early to help move equipment/set up please!

Please do not hesitate to contact me for further guidance if you have any questions.

​With our Fall Concert coming up in just two weeks (Thursday, October 25th), I wanted to share some FAQ’s about the concert. I went over most of these points in class with students over the past few days.


When and where is the concert, what time should I have my student report?

Concert Date: Thursday, October 25th.  This FREE concert is at 6:30pm in the Milwee MS Gym. Students should report to the auditorium, fully dressed with their instruments and music by:

Symphonic Band – 6:00pm (help beginners set up, you have to set the example!)
Percussion – If you can arrive at 5:45 to make sure we haven’t missed any equipment, that would be SUPER HELPFUL!

The concert will conclude just after 7:15, and we will need some great helpers to stay and help clean up.  Otherwise, students are dismissed after Symphonic Band performs.  All students must stay for the entirety of the concert!

What are we wearing for the concert?

Symphonic/Jazz band members are wearing their tuxedo uniforms (same as last year!)
*** Our tuxedos will arrived on MONDAY, October 8th, students were given their tuxedo to take home to try on ASAP.  Please try on the uniform ASAP as we can have adjustments made if needed before our concert.  
If you have any issues with your uniform, please email me and bring the uniform item that doesn’t fit to school in a bag with your name on it. It also helps to to include a note that says “too big in arms, too small in waist”, be specific, the more details the better.

What equipment does my student need to bring?


Woodwinds:  Instrument and Music Folder w/ music (please leave your instrument case in the car) .

Brass:  Instrument (leave case in car) and Music Folder w/ music.  
Tubas/Horns: You will be using our set of concert instruments. You will only need to bring your music/mouthpiece from home.

Percussion:  Music Folder w/ music, plus any accessories we will need (we will organize the mallet bag in class on Wednesday)

With our Fall Concert coming up in just two weeks (Tuesday, October 23rd), I wanted to share some FAQ’s about the concert.  I went over most of these points in class with students over the past few days.


When and where is the concert, what time should I have my student report?

Concert Date: Tuesday, October 23rd.  This FREE concert is at 6:30pm in the Milwee Middle School Gym. Students should report to the auditorium, fully dressed with their instruments and music by:

Jazz Band – 5:45pm if you can help set up! 6pm is the LATEST!

The concert will conclude just after 7:10, and we will need some great helpers to stay and help clean up.  Otherwise, students are dismissed after Symphonic Band performs.  All students must stay for the entirety of the concert!

What are we wearing for the concert?

Symphonic/Jazz band members are wearing their tuxedo uniforms (same as last year!)
*** Our tuxedos arrived this week, and were distributed to students on MONDAY, October 8th.  Students took their uniform home with them at the end of the school day, Please try on the uniform ASAP as we can have adjustments made if needed before our concert.
If you experienced a problem with your uniform, email me ASAP!


Leave instrument cases in the car please! Don’t forget your music!

1st, we want to invite you to our upcoming Band Booster Meeting on Tuesday, October 16th at 6pm in the band room!

As we announced at the Band Social, the entire band board are made up of 8th grade parents who are leaving us at the end of this year! If you have a just a few hours per month to help out serving the band and learning how this incredibly important organization works, we’d love for you to come out and see what we’re about! All parents are welcome, the meetings last no longer than 1 hour -- lots of great discussion with what is going on in our band -- we need help! THANK YOU!

I am SOOO excited to announce that our partnership with Lyman HS’s band program is continuing this year by offering Milwee students a chance to get free private help from Lyman HS band students.


Starting on Tuesday, October 16th, Lyman High School band students will be visiting our campus to help our students learn their SCALES, ALL-COUNTY MUSIC, FALL & WINTER CONCERT MUSIC, and other FUNDAMENTALS of performance. Students will also be able to ask for help on any other assignments and “PASS OFFS” that need to be completed.

All Grade levels, classes, and ability levels are encouraged to attend (Beginners, Concert, Symphonic, and Jazz!)


Don’t miss this opportunity to get free, and very useful help on your instrument. I will be on site the entire time, rotating around and helping students/mentors throughout the process. It’s a great chance for students to improve and learn from really talented High School Musicians. Plus ITS FREE!!!!


We will be meeting on Tuesday’s between October 16th and November 13th (with a break on Election Tuesday, November 6th). The times will be from 4pm until 5:30pm, weekly.


No pre-signup is necessary, just show up to get extra help!

 LAST Fundraiser Turn-In Day #3 is Monday (Today!).

Don’t forget your money and order form. Students will get a new order form when they turn any completed orders on Monday. We’re off to a SOLID start, there’s still lots of PRIZE TICKETS to win (including the 50 & 100 CANDY ticket). Students who sell 10 items are invited to our fundraiser pizza party. Students who sell 30 items receive a free ticket to our end of the year Reward Trip to Islands of Adventure Theme Park!

Thank you for your support!


Weekly Agenda/Performance Goals​

Beginning Band: Here is what we are working on this week and next week (10/1-10/5)

1. Keep working on the mouthpieces! This is SOOOOO important to producing beautiful tone quality. Sustain a steady tone on the mouthpiece for 10 seconds. We are also now checking for the correct pitch; Flutes on A, Clarinets on F#, All Brass on F (students know what this means).
   
   
   
2. We are now ready to play through the entire Second Study & Third Study in the beginning band book. The Third Study is just combinations of the first and second study, it’s basically just review! The hard part is reading notes as they change on the same song line in the book. Practice with a tuner and metronome to check for the correct IN TUNE pitch. There are practice tracks for each line of the EACH Study which can be found by scanning the QR code found on page 4 of band book.
   
   
   
3. TWO “Assessments” This week:
   1. Students made flashcards last week for each of the first fives notes on their instrument. They will have a test on Wednesday or Thursday in which they must quickly identify the note name of each of the first 5 notes on the staff. Practice with the flashcards! Parents, help your students!!!!
      
      
      
   2. Students will have a CHECK UP on the first two lines of the Third Study Thursday or Friday. Students will be performing in small groups. This is the first Performance Pass off of this year, it is officially due to be completed next Monday (10/8).

As a review of student “norms and expectations outside of class”: Students should be practicing for 20-30 minutes per day that they do not have a block band class, plus one additional practice session on the weekend or Monday. Total weekly practice should be between two and three hours per week, outside of class.



Concert Band: Here is what we are working on this week and next week (10/1-10/5)

1. We are working on our Scales in preparation for our pass-offs. Concert Bb, Eb, and F were due in past weeks. This week’s scale is Ab. Please practice this scale and submit a recording, on eCampus, of the All-State Pattern scale by the end of this weekend.

1. Students received Skeletons in the Closet, our final song for the fall concert. Our goal is to be able to play through all three songs by the end of next week! We need to master master the notes and rhythms to make quicker progress. Once we have that, we can start to make it musical, emotional, and exciting! Keep WORKING, you will get there!!!!

As a review of student “norms and expectations outside of class”: Students should be practicing for 30-45 minutes per day that they do not have a block band class, plus one additional practice session on the weekend or Monday. Total weekly practice should be between two and three hours per week, outside of class.


​Symphonic Band: Here is what we are working on this week and next week (10/1-10/5)

1. We are working on our Scales in preparation for our pass-offs. Concert Bb, F, Eb, Ab, C, and Db were due in past weeks. This week’s scale is G. Please practice this scale and submit a recording of the All-State Pattern scale by the end of this weekend.
   
   
   
2. Keep working on SNAKES! and Chester Variations for our fall concert. We are doing really well in this department: 2 songs that we can play thru already is a great start! Once we master the notes and rhythms, we can start to make it musical, emotional, and exciting! Keep up the GREAT WORK!
   
   
3. All County Assignment Information: There will be a separate email sent out with information regarding this semester's BAND 3 Project Assignment. 
   
   
   

As a review of student “norms and expectations outside of class”: Students should be practicing for 30-45 minutes per day that they do not have a block band class, plus one additional practice session on the weekend or Monday. Total weekly practice should be between two and three hours per week, outside of class.

We hope you can make it to our ICEBREAKER POTLUCK SOCIAL!Saturday, September 22nd. 11am - 2pm @ Secret Lake Park in Casselberry.Food, games, sports, socializing! It should a great time getting to know each other!
Don’t know what to bring, or need more details? Click this link and scroll to the bottom.
 Fundraiser Turn-In Day #2 is next Monday.Don’t forget your money and order form. Students will get a new order form when they turn any completed orders on Monday. We’re off to a SOLID start, there’s still lots of PRIZE TICKETS to win (including the 50 & 100 CANDY ticket, and $50 ticket!). Students who sell 10 items are invited to our fundraiser pizza party. Students who sell 30 items receive a free ticket to our end of the year Reward Trip to Islands of Adventure Theme Park!

Thank you for your support!


Weekly Agenda/Performance Goals

​Beginning Band: Here is what we are working on this week and next week (9/24-9/28)

1. Keep working on the mouthpieces! This is SOOOOO important to producing beautiful tone quality. Sustain a steady tone on the mouthpiece for 5-10 seconds (depends on instrument). We are also now checking for the correct pitch; Flutes on A, Clarinets on F#, All Brass on F (students know what this means).
   
   
   
2. We are now ready to play through the entire First Study in the beginning band book. Practice with a tuner and metronome to check for the correct IN TUNE pitch. There are practice tracks for each line of the First Study which can be found by scanning the QR code found on page 3 of band book.

As a review of student “norms and expectations outside of class”: Students should be practicing for 20-30 minutes per day that they do not have a block band class, plus one additional practice session on the weekend or Monday. Total weekly practice should be between two and three hours per week, outside of class.
The students who are displaying the best musical skills are practicing a little bit every day, not just days they don’t have band. You get out of band (how much fun class time is), what you put into band (practicing at home).


Concert Band: Here is what we are working on this week and next week (9/24-9/28)

1. We are working on our Scales in preparation for our pass-offs. Concert Bb and F were due in past weeks. This week’s scale is Eb. Please practice this scale and submit a recording, on eCampus, of the All-State Pattern scale by the end of this weekend.

1. Students received SHOCKWAVE, our second song for the fall concert. Our goal is to be able to play through 2 songs by the end of next week! We need to master master the notes and rhythms to make quicker progress. Once we have that, we can start to make it musical, emotional, and exciting! Keep WORKING, you will get there!!!!
   
   
   
2. Next week we will receive our final song for the fall concert as well as move on to our fourth scale for this quarter: Concert Ab. Students will be practicing the scale in class and at home to submit a recording on eCampus using the All-State Pattern. We will also be focusing on ARTICULATION (tonguing correctly).

As a review of student “norms and expectations outside of class”: Students should be practicing for 30-45 minutes per day that they do not have a block band class, plus one additional practice session on the weekend or Monday. Total weekly practice should be between two and three hours per week, outside of class.

​
Symphonic Band

1. We are working on our Scales in preparation for our pass-offs. Concert Bb, F, Eb, and Ab were due in past weeks. This week’s scale is C. Please practice this scale and submit a recording of the All-State Pattern scale by the end of this weekend.

1. Keep working on SNAKES! and Chester Variations for our fall concert. We are doing really well in this department: 2 songs that we can play thru already is a great start! Once we master the notes and rhythms, we can start to make it musical, emotional, and exciting! Keep up the GREAT WORK!
   
   
   
2. Next week, we will be working on ARTICULATION, how to tongue properly and in various styles.

As a review of student “norms and expectations outside of class”: Students should be practicing for 30-45 minutes per day that they do not have a block band class, plus one additional practice session on the weekend or Monday. Total weekly practice should be between two and three hours per week, outside of class.

We had our BAND FUNDRAISER KICK OFF yesterday! We will be selling our usual cookie dough and cheesecake that we have done in the past. Students were given a very nice brochure and information sheet regarding fundraiser information, prize information, collection day procedures -- please review this with them at home tonight! Please direct questions regarding this fundraiser to myself or Ms. Kilby. See the attached FLYER for more information and contact info!

Our first turn-in day is next MONDAY, September 17th, and features a “double prize pulls” for students; for every item sold or $10 worth of donations students bring in, they will receive two chances to win our grand prize, this first week only! Parents, tomorrow might be a great day to bring your packets to work! Thank you for your support of our program as we are looking to pay for a few new stands, instrument repair bills, and purchase a few new instruments as well.


**PLEASE NOTE** – We ask that students pay $25 as an “Activity Fee” to be in our program; this helps defray our start up costs for the year such as purchasing shirts, music, and books before our fundraiser begins but does not come close to covering our yearly costs of repairing instruments, purchasing music, paying for festivals/buses, and hiring guest clinicians to work with our awesome students. 
Many schools charge anywhere from $100-150 just to be in band per school year.  In lieu of charging a band fee, we ALL participate in this fundraiser to cover a students “Fair Share”. A student’s fair share is to sell TEN items, or bring in a donations totaling $100. We have had amazing success every year reaching this goal and I want to thank you in advance for helping us reach our goals!

Beginning Band:

1. Sustain a steady tone on the mouthpiece for 5-10 seconds (depends on instrument). We are also now checking for the correct pitch; Flutes on A, Clarinets on F#, All Brass on F (students know what this means).
   
   
2. Put the entire instrument together! And play the first note, Concert F, steady and sustained for 5-10 seconds (again, depending on which instrument)
   
   
3. Learn the second, third, and fourth notes on your instrument. We must know the fingering/slide position, note name, and can hold each note with a steady tone for 5-10 seconds.

Concert Band

1. We are working on our Scales in preparation for our pass-offs. Concert Bb and F were due in past weeks. This week’s scale is Eb. Please practice this scale and submit a recording, on eCampus, of the All-State Pattern scale by the end of this weekend.
   
   
2. We are continuing to also focus on playing on just the mouthpieces – woodwinds have an assigned note that is slowly getting better, but the progress is a little too slow for our goals this quarter. Please keep working EVERY DAY on the mouthpiece for 2-3 minutes, then MAKE A TRANSFER (what did you do to fix it) to the rest of your practice and class studies.
   
   
3. Students received SHOCKWAVE, our second song for the fall concert. Our goal is to be able to play through 2 songs by the end of next week! We need to master master the notes and rhythms to make quicker progress. Once we have that, we can start to make it musical, emotional, and exciting! Keep WORKING, you will get there!!!!
   
   

Symphonic Band

1. We are working on our Scales in preparation for our pass-offs. Concert Bb, F, and Eb were due in past weeks. This week’s scale is Ab. Please practice this scale and submit a recording of the All-State Pattern scale by the end of this weekend.
   
   
2. We are continuing to also focus on playing on just the mouthpieces – woodwinds have an assigned note that is slowly getting better, but the progress is a little too slow for our goals this quarter. Please keep working EVERY DAY on the mouthpiece for 2-3 minutes, then MAKE A TRANSFER (what did you do to fix it) to the rest of your practice and class studies.
   
   
3. We will be getting our third song this week for the fall concert. We are doing really well in this department: 2 songs that we can play thru already is a great start! Once we master the notes and rhythms, we can start to make it musical, emotional, and exciting! Keep up the GREAT WORK!

​You are all cordially invited to our first annual Band Icebreaker Social!
 
Band kids are a special bunch: they walk to class together, sit at lunch together, do homework together, practice together; basically do EVERYTHING together! By the time your younger student is in 8th grade, they will have made TONS of friends that are in our band family – in fact, most would say their closest friends are only in band. This is a great opportunity for us all to get to know each other!
 
 
Details:
 
Saturday, September 22nd at SECRET LAKE PARK in Casselberry from 11am-2pm.
We have rented a large pavilion to and there is a nice green space to play: tennis courts, basketball court, a “kickball field”, and a big lake! I’m looking forward to doing some games & activities with you all, it should be a blast! Bring some sporting equipment if you want to play!
 
This is a family event! Everyone in your family is invited!
 
What to bring for the potluck?
 
Feel free to bring anything you like to share (special family recipes are always a treat!), but if you’re not sure what to bring and to put a little bit more structure to ensure we don’t end up with a million bags of chips here’s some ideas:
 
Woodwinds – Protein/Main Dish
Brass – Sides/Salad/Appetizers/Chips&Dips
Percussion – Drinks & Desserts
 
The band boosters will be providing the “hardware”: utensils, plates, cups, napkins, ect.
 
 
Looking forward to this very much! See you on the 22nd!