Sunday, January 29, 2012

Brooks Bands, Week of 1/30 - 2/3

Parent Teacher Conferences, Feb. 2nd:
Due to all teacher staff participating in the portfolio conferencing process, Mr. Barnard will have the following open office hours for band parents to visit and discuss their child's progress in band. This will be on a first come first served basis.

1:00 - 2:00, 2:45 - 4:00, 5:45-6:45, 7:00-7:30

If parents would like to see Mr. Barnard and cannot make it within these times they may request an appointment at a later date by filling out the conference request sheet attached to their child's band progress portion of their portfolio conference folder and turning it into the main office on Feb. 2nd.

Wind Ensemble/Jazz Ensemble Field Trip, Feb. 16th to Elmhurst College

Members from Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble will participate in rehearsal clinics on Thursday, Feb. 16th on the campus of Elmhurst College. Students will work with Dr. Judith Grimes, Director of Bands at Elmhurst College and Doug Beach, Director of Jazz Studies at Elmhurst College as well as an award winning composer/arranger. Schedule permitting, students will observe a rehearse of on of Elmhurst College's chamber student groups. Emails have been sent out about the online permission slip have been sent out to families. A link for the permission slip can also be located on the right side of the band blog.


UPCOMING EVENTS:


*Saturday, Feb. 25th: BRAVO Annual Pasta Night and Music Showcase, 4-9 p.m., GBMS Auditorium and Commons (specific performance times TBA). Cadet &
Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and select small ensembles from Wind Ensemble.

Pasta Night Dinner Fundraiser Flyers should be available online this week for families to make reservations (optional). Reservations can also be made online through the D97 Revtrak system. All reservations need to be made in advance since seating is limited and fills up quickly. The Pasta Night Fundraiser helps support our music programs purchase much needed equipment and supplies. Space is limited and does fill up fast. All band families should not make reservations during the 6 p.m. seating since it is during the same time the Band Showcase is in the Auditorium. Band families should make reservations for either the 5 p.m. or 7:15 p.m. seatings.

Concert Attire:
Boys: White button down dress shirt, black dress pants, black dress shoes, solid black necktie.
Girls: White blouse top that covers the shoulder, black dress pants (no skirts), black dress shoes.

Jazz students will not wear their "Brooks Jazz" t-shirts for this performance but will stay in formal concert attire.

Please refer to the band handbook if there are any questions/concerns or contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

*This event is the required performance event for 2nd trimester for all academic bands. Please contact Mr. Barnard in writing (email preferred) no later than two weeks before this event if there is an important family conflict.

Monday, Feb. 27th: BRAVO Preview, during the school day.
6th Grade Bands and Jazz Ensemble only perform for 5th graders from our four feeder elementary schools. Students can wear normal everyday school clothes for this performance. BRAVO, Brooks wear is encouraged!

ST. LOUIS MUSIC TOUR (7TH/8TH Graders)
At this time we are no longer accepting the Oak Park Township Youth Services Applications. Notification for the OPRF Financial Assistance Program should be available by mid-February.

Feb. 8th: $150 payment due, please make online payments through Revtrak or make checks payable to BRAVO and have you child turn it into Mr. Barnard or the BRAVO office. Chaperones also need to submit their 1st $110 payment by this date. Please contact Mr. Barnard if you have submitted for being a chaperone and you have not heard from anyone.

7th/8th Grade St. Louis Tour Raffle Ticket Fundraiser:
The raffle ticket fundraiser kicks off on Tuesday, Jan 17th. All students that are participating in this trip that has not marked "NO" for fundraising on their "Letter of Intent" form will have 10 tickets reserved for them. All students that do plan on fundraising will sign for their initial 10 tickets. Students may receive more tickets once their original 10 ticket stubs w/ money is turned into Mr. Barnard. Students that do not want to participate in the fundraiser do not need to take any tickets.

All ticket stubs and money collected are due no later than Wed., Feb. 1st. Any unsold ticket should be turned in by this date as well. Each ticket that a student sells is 100% profit to go into their individual trip account. If students raise more money than is needed, their family will receive a refund of their deposit to make up the difference. Any money raised over $380 will be used for the BRAVO scholarship fund for the tour. If a student would like to sell raffle tickets to help raise money for the BRAVO scholarship fund, their parents should contact Mr. Barnard or the BRAVO office to make sure the funds does not go into their trip account.

The drawing for the raffle prizes will happen on Friday, Feb. 10th before the 6th Grade Play Edwina just before 7 p.m!

HOMEWORK:
Practice Record Journals
Week 9 Due Monday, 1/23
Please make sure that the practice journal is also signed on the inside of the booklet as well as the front cover.

Practice records that are not turned in on time do receive a 10 point penalty each day it is late and will not receive credit if it is not turned in within the week. Make sure that both the cover as well as the assignments and goals page are signed to receive credit.

MUSIC THEORY: Wed.
6th Graders: Lesson 18
7th/8th Graders: Lessons 28, Activity Worksheet 7-2 (Symphonic) Tetrachord Supplement (Wind Ensemble).

2ND TRIMESTER PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENTS
2nd Trimester Portfolio Assessments were accomplished last week. If your student has not accomplished this assessment it must be accomplished this week! The portfolio assessment is 10% of the overall trimester grade. For more information regarding the Portfolio Assessment please check the band handbook for the scoring guide located towards the back of the booklet.

2nd TRIMESTER OUTSIDE CONCERT SUMMARIES, Due Feb. 27th
Students in any academic music elective are required to attend one live performance of a music, dance or theatrical event each trimester and fill out the Concert Observation Form based on what they saw at the event. A copy of the program or ticket stub from the event will need to be attached and the form requires a parent signature for credit.

Students can attend any event that is school related or out in the community (i.e. OPRF Concerts, community concerts and recitals, events in downtown Chicago such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Broadway in Chicago productions, etc.). Copies of this form can be downloaded from the link provided in the upper right hand corner of the band blog.

Concert Summaries are 5% of the total band grade so please do not forget to accomplish this assignment.

JAZZ PROGRAM

Jazz Ensemble (7th/8th Graders):
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal
Thursday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Jazz Lab Band:
Friday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal
Please anticipate added Monday morning rehearsals Feb. 13th and 20th in preparation for Pasta Night!

All jazz students, 6th-8th grade, will need to have the Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble book which will be used all three years of their jazz experience at brooks.

If students or families have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Brooks Bands, Week of 1/23-1/27

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Saturday, Feb. 25th: BRAVO Annual Pasta Night and Music Showcase, 4-9 p.m., GBMS Auditorium and Commons (specific performance times TBA). Cadet &
Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and select small ensembles from Wind Ensemble.

Pasta Night Dinner Fundraiser Flyers should be available online this week for families to make reservations (optional). The Pasta Night Fundraiser helps support our music programs purchase much needed equipment and supplies. Space is limited and does fill up fast. All band families should not make reservations during the 6 p.m. seating since it is during the same time the Band Showcase is in the Auditorium. Band families should make reservations for either the 5 p.m. or 7:15 p.m. seatings.

Concert Attire:
Boys: White button down dress shirt, black dress pants, black dress shoes, solid black necktie.
Girls: White blouse top that covers the shoulder, black dress pants (no skirts), black dress shoes.

Jazz students will not wear their "Brooks Jazz" t-shirts for this performance but will stay in formal concert attire.

Please refer to the band handbook if there are any questions/concerns or contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

*This event is the required performance event for 2nd trimester for all academic bands. Please contact Mr. Barnard in writing (email preferred) no later than two weeks before this event if there is an important family conflict.

Monday, Feb. 27th: BRAVO Preview, during the school day.
6th Grade Bands and Jazz Ensemble only perform for 5th graders from our four feeder elementary schools. Students can wear normal everyday school clothes for this performance. BRAVO, Brooks wear is encouraged!

ST. LOUIS MUSIC TOUR (7TH/8TH Graders)
Information regarding the BRAVO scholarship has already gone out to students. Deadline for the BRAVO scholarship applications is January 23rd. This fund is limited and it is important for applications to be on time. A committee of BRAVO staff members will read through the applications and will award recipients in mid-February. At this time we are no longer accepting the Oak Park Township Youth Services Applications. Notification for the OPRF Financial Assistance Program should be available by mid-February.

7th/8th Grade St. Louis Tour Raffle Ticket Fundraiser:
The raffle ticket fundraiser kicks off on Tuesday, Jan 17th. All students that are participating in this trip that has not marked "NO" for fundraising on their "Letter of Intent" form will have 10 tickets reserved for them. All students that do plan on fundraising will sign for their initial 10 tickets. Students may receive more tickets once their original 10 ticket stubs w/ money is turned into Mr. Barnard. Students that do not want to participate in the fundraiser do not need to take any tickets.

All ticket stubs and money collected are due no later than Wed., Feb. 1st. Each ticket that a student sells is 100% profit to go into their individual trip account. If students raise more money than is needed, their family will receive a refund of their deposit to make up the difference. Any money raised over $380 will be used for the BRAVO scholarship fund for the tour. If a student would like to sell raffle tickets to help raise money for the BRAVO scholarship fund, their parents should contact Mr. Barnard or the BRAVO office to make sure the funds does not go into their trip account.

The drawing for the raffle prizes will happen on Friday, Feb. 10th before the 6th Grade Play Edwina just before 7 p.m!

HOMEWORK:
Practice Record Journals
Week 9 Due Monday, 1/23
Please make sure that the practice journal is also signed on the inside of the booklet as well as the front cover.

Practice records that are not turned in on time do receive a 10 point penalty each day it is late and will not receive credit if it is not turned in within the week. Make sure that both the cover as well as the assignments and goals page are signed to receive credit.

MUSIC THEORY: Wed & Fri. We will be doing supplementary music theory on Friday due to Portfolio Stuffing happening throughout the school day.
6th Graders: Lessons 16 & 17, Fri. Activity Worksheets
7th/8th Graders: Lessons 26 & 27, Fri. Activity Worksheets 7-1, 7-2

2ND TRIMESTER PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENTS
2nd Trimester Portfolio Assessments were accomplished last week. If your student has not accomplished this assessment it must be accomplished this week! The portfolio assessment is 10% of the overall trimester grade. For more information regarding the Portfolio Assessment please check the band handbook for the scoring guide located towards the back of the booklet.

2nd TRIMESTER OUTSIDE CONCERT SUMMARIES, Due Feb. 27th
Students in any academic music elective are required to attend one live performance of a music, dance or theatrical event each trimester and fill out the Concert Observation Form based on what they saw at the event. A copy of the program or ticket stub from the event will need to be attached and the form requires a parent signature for credit.

Students can attend any event that is school related or out in the community (i.e. OPRF Concerts, community concerts and recitals, events in downtown Chicago such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Broadway in Chicago productions, etc.). Copies of this form can be downloaded from the link provided in the upper right hand corner of the band blog.

Concert Summaries are 5% of the total band grade so please do not forget to accomplish this assignment.

JAZZ PROGRAM

Jazz Ensemble (7th/8th Graders):
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal
Thursday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Jazz Lab Band:
Friday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

All jazz students, 6th-8th grade, will need to have the Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble book which will be used all three years of their jazz experience at brooks.

If students or families have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Brooks Bands, Week of 1/17-1/20

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Saturday, Feb. 25th: BRAVO Annual Pasta Night and Music Showcase, 4-9 p.m., GBMS Auditorium and Commons (specific performance times TBA). Cadet &
Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and select small ensembles
from Wind Ensemble. (Jazz Lab Band may perform as well, confirmation to come!)

*This event is the required performance event for 2nd trimester for all academic bands. Please contact Mr. Barnard in writing (email preferred) no later than two weeks before this event if there is an important family conflict.

Monday, Feb. 27th: BRAVO Preview, during the school day.
6th Grade Bands and Jazz Ensemble only perform for 5th graders from our four feeder elementary schools.

ST. LOUIS MUSIC TOUR (7TH/8TH Graders)
Information regarding the BRAVO scholarship has already gone out to students. Deadline for the BRAVO scholarship applications is January 23rd. Also please check out the OPRF Youth Township Financial Assistance program to see if your family qualifies for this program. Complete applications for the OPRF Township need to be turned into the BRAVO office as soon as possible. Funds for both financial assistance programs are very limited and it is important to have applications turned in on a timely manner.

7th/8th Grade St. Louis Tour Raffle Ticket Fundraiser:
The raffle ticket fundraiser kicks off on Tuesday, Jan 17th. All students that are participating in this trip that has not marked "NO" for fundraising on their "Letter of Intent" form will have 10 tickets reserved for them. All students that do plan on fundraising will sign for their initial 10 tickets. Students may receive more tickets once their original 10 ticket stubs w/ money is turned into Mr. Barnard. Students that do not want to participate in the fundraiser do not need to take any tickets.

All ticket stubs and money collected are due no later than Wed., Feb. 1st. Each ticket that a student sells is 100% profit to go into their individual trip account. If students raise more money than is needed, their family will receive a refund of their deposit to make up the difference. Any money raised over $380 will be used for the BRAVO scholarship fund for the tour. If a student would like to sell raffle tickets to help raise money for the BRAVO scholarship fund, their parents should contact Mr. Barnard or the BRAVO office to make sure the funds does not go into their trip account.

The drawing for the raffle prizes will happen on Thursday, Feb. 9th!

HOMEWORK:
Practice Record Journals
Week 8 Due Tuesday, 1/17
Please make sure that the practice journal is also signed on the inside of the booklet as well as the front cover.

Practice records that are not turned in on time do receive a 10 point penalty each day it is late and will not receive credit if it is not turned in within the week. Make sure that both the cover as well as the assignments and goals page are signed to receive credit.

MUSIC THEORY: NO MUSIC THEORY THIS WEEK!

2ND TRIMESTER PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENTS
2nd trimester portfolio assessments will be accomplished this week for all band students. 6th graders will have portfolio assessments this Wednesday, 1/18 in class and all 7th/8th graders will have portfolio assessments throughout the week during their scheduled band sectional. A copy of the scoring guide on the portfolio assessments can be found towards the back of the Band Handbook.

2nd TRIMESTER OUTSIDE CONCERT SUMMARIES, Due Feb. 27th
Students in any academic music elective are required to attend one live performance of a music, dance or theatrical event each trimester and fill out the Concert Observation Form based on what they saw at the event. A copy of the program or ticket stub from the event will need to be attached and the form requires a parent signature for credit.

Students can attend any event that is school related or out in the community (i.e. OPRF Concerts, community concerts and recitals, events in downtown Chicago such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Broadway in Chicago productions, etc.). Copies of this form can be downloaded from the link provided in the upper right hand corner of the band blog.

Concert Summaries are 5% of the total band grade so please do not forget to accomplish this assignment.

JAZZ PROGRAM

Jazz Ensemble (7th/8th Graders):
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal
Thursday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Jazz Lab Band:
Friday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

All jazz students, 6th-8th grade, will need to have the Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble book which will be used all three years of their jazz experience at brooks.

If students or families have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Brooks Bands, Week of 1/9 - 1/13

WELCOME BACK!
We hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable winter break!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

*Saturday, Feb. 25th: BRAVO Annual Pasta Night and Music Showcase, 4-9 p.m., GBMS Auditorium and Commons (specific performance times TBA). Cadet &
Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and select small ensembles
from Wind Ensemble. (Jazz Lab Band may perform as well, confirmation to come!)

*This event is the required performance event for 2nd trimester for all academic bands. Please contact Mr. Barnard in writing (email preferred) no later than two weeks before this event if there is an important family conflict.

Monday, Feb. 27th: BRAVO Preview, during the school day.
6th Grade Bands and Jazz Ensemble only perform for 5th graders from our four feeder elementary schools.

ST. LOUIS MUSIC TOUR (7TH/8TH Graders)
Information regarding the BRAVO scholarship has already gone out to students. Deadline for the BRAVO scholarship applications is January 23rd. Also please check out the OPRF Youth Township Financial Assistance program to see if your family qualifies for this program. Complete applications for the OPRF Township need to be turned into the BRAVO office as soon as possible. Funds for both financial assistance programs are very limited and it is important to have applications turned in on a timely manner.

Raffle Ticket Fundraiser:
We are still looking for donations for prizes to help our Raffle Ticket Fundraiser. If anyone would like to donate gift certificates or would like to help contribute to larger prizes can contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org no later than Wed., Jan 11th. The raffle ticket fundraiser will kick off on Tuesday, Jan 17th.

HOMEWORK:
Practice Record Journals
Week 5 & Weeks 6 & 7 Combined Due Monday, 1/9
Please make sure that the practice journal is also signed on the inside of the booklet as well as the front cover.

Week 5 Practice Journals along with the Winter Break Practice Journal (Weeks 6 & 7) combined, are due on Monday, January 9th. Practice requirements for for winter break will be a total of 150 minutes for both weeks 6 & 7. This will allow for student that may be out of town a portion of the winter break to complete their practice requirements. If any student is going to be out of town for the majority or whole winter break, please notate the days you are out of town on the practice record (outside cover) of your practice journal and students will be excused for this assignment. Parents will still need to sign the record to verify. As for the assignment & goals page, students will only need to fill out the Week 5 page for parents to sign. However, students still need to fill out the practice journal portion for each week of practicing (weeks 5, 6 & 7). The easiest way to do this is to make sure for each day they record their practice minutes on the outside cover they need to write down what they practice inside the journal. We will be going over this in class early this week to help students know what is expected.
Students need to have the Practice Record (outside cover) Practice Journal and Weekly Assignments and Goals filled out for full credit. Parents need to sign two signatures, one on the outside cover and one in the Weekly Assignments and Goals is required for credit.

Practice records that are not turned in on time do receive a 10 point penalty each day it is late and will not receive credit if it is not turned in within the week. Make sure that both the cover as well as the assignments and goals page are signed to receive credit.

MUSIC THEORY: NO MUSIC THEORY THIS WEEK!

2ND TRIMESTER PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENTS
2nd trimester portfolio assessments will be accomplished this week for all band students. 6th graders will have portfolio assessments this Wednesday, 1/18 in class and all 7th/8th graders will have portfolio assessments throughout the week during their scheduled band sectional. A copy of the scoring guide on the portfolio assessments can be found towards the back of the Band Handbook.

2nd TRIMESTER OUTSIDE CONCERT SUMMARIES, Due Feb. 27th
Students in any academic music elective are required to attend one live performance of a music, dance or theatrical event each trimester and fill out the Concert Observation Form based on what they saw at the event. A copy of the program or ticket stub from the event will need to be attached and the form requires a parent signature for credit.

Students can attend any event that is school related or out in the community (i.e. OPRF Concerts, community concerts and recitals, events in downtown Chicago such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Broadway in Chicago productions, etc.). Copies of this form can be downloaded from the link provided in the upper right hand corner of the band blog.

Concert Summaries are 5% of the total band grade so please do not forget to accomplish this assignment.

JAZZ PROGRAM

Jazz Ensemble (7th/8th Graders):
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal
Thursday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

Jazz Lab Band:
Friday 8:00 a.m. rehearsal

All jazz students, 6th-8th grade, will need to have the Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble book which will be used all three years of their jazz experience at brooks.

If students or families have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.