Traveling in the Fast Lane!

Seems like ever since we got back from Spring Break, we've been on the fast track to our BIG concert on May 19! We're very busily preparing our 4 full-length feature pieces and 1 more full-length Family Band piece. Those band members who have family members that play instruments will want them to join in on the last song of our concert for something we call "Family Band." It's where family members will join in with the 5th and 6th graders! More information will be coming home about this soon. Please make sure that you have this concert marked on the calendar. Although there have been some optional performances lately, this concert is not optional. We need everyone there. The next few weeks, the bandlings will be coming home with quite a few papers. Here's a list of papers to be looking for within the next three weeks: 6th grade Band registration form: I'd love to see all the kids stick with band next year! It's such a great way to transition to a new school. With so many new and uncertain things in their middle school schedule, band is a place where they're sure to feel some familiarity and lots of friends! Band Camp flier and registration: The NMS band director (Mr. Nowickas) and I run a concert band camp for 6th-8th grade band members for one week in July (date still TBA) It runs Monday-Friday from 8am-Noon with a concert to showcase all that was worked on during the week on Friday evening. It's a great way for the 5th graders to meet some of the other incoming 5th graders and get to know Mr. Nowickas and the band room at NMS. I really hope you consider signing your bandling up for this great summer activity. Summer Private Lessons registration: All of the music staff in the district offer private lessons to those who are interested during the summer. Family Band participation: The last song that we play for our big concert on Thursday, May 19 will performed by a family band. This means that all family members that play a band instrument will be invited to join in! Turn this form in by the due date so that I can get music to those band members that would like to participate. Permission Slip for Bus Ride to NMS: On the day of the big concert (May 19...have you memorized that yet?) All of the 5th grade bandlings will take a bus after lunch and travel to NMS to have a combined rehearsal. The concert will not feature two 5th grade bands, but one hugmongus 5th grade band! We'll need to rehearse together once to get used to how it sounds. It's such an exciting time for us! I can't wait! If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to let me know.

This week in Band

This started off on a great NOTE when about 25 band members met at Richmond-Burton High School for our 2nd Band Buddies meeting. The buddies met for about 30 minutes for small group lessons and then we all came together to run through our concert pieces. I received positive feedback from both elementary AND high school students as to how the afternoon went. Mr. Stiles (RB band director) and I would like to plan one more meeting for late April. Specific information TBA soon.

This week I also handed out permission slips for a performance opportunity at a nursing home in Lake Geneva on Saturday, April 9 at 10am. The slips are due next week so that I can hand out music for the performance next week and be able to hear the students play once before Spring Break. If you haven't been able to find the permission slip in your bandling's back pack, click HERE for an electronic copy.

This weekend I'm going with the NMS 7th/8th grade band to a Middle School Band contest at Mchenry Middle School. They perform at 9:30 am and many other area middle school bands will be performing all morning and afternoon. There is probably a small charge to get in the see the bands, but if you're free and want to see and hear some great music performed by middle schoolers, you should come. Mchenry Middle School is across the street from the Mchenry Drive-In theater on Chapel Hill Rd.

Have a great week! RGS parents please remind your children to wear their band t-shirts on Wednesday for our in-school concert!

DATE CORRECTION!

I'm sorry everyone! But the dates for the inschool concerts are NOT in April...

The correct dates are as follows:

RGS: Wednesday, MARCH 16, 2011 at 2:45pm

SGS: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 2:45

Sorry for the confusion!

We're Going Out On The Road!

I've set up a date for those bandlings who are interested, to play at Geneva Lake Manor Senior Housing Facility in Lake Geneva on Saturday, April 9 at 10:00am. I'll send home a permission slip with more details next week. The students have been anxiously asking about this ever since I mentioned it and I can't wait for them to be able to perform for the residents! Please mark the date on your calendar if your child would like to participate.

Next week the 5th graders will be taking ISAT tests in the morning. We will still have lessons and full band. We can't afford to lose any rehearsal time because we have concerts coming up! The RGS band will perform for the 3rd-5th graders on Wednesday, April 16 at 2:45. The SGS band will perform for the 3rd-5th graders on Tuesday, April 22 at 2:45. We will perform two full band pieces and each section of instruments will play separately so that the audience can hear what each instrument sounds like. This is a great recruitment tool. We're really trying to get the 4th graders excited about band for next year. Although I know it isn't possible for everyone, parents are more than welcome to attend the afternoon concerts. Everyone should wear their band t-shirts.

Don't forget that our next Band Buddies meeting is on Monday from 4:30-5:45 at Richmond-Burton High School. Permission slips have already been turned in and hopefully reminder notes went home in today's back-pack. I know a lot of the 5th graders are excited to meet up with the high schoolers again!

I hope you have a great weekend! Encourage your children to practice!