Brooks Bands, Week of 4/25 - 4/29

7th/8th Grade Band Placements 2011-2012 School Year

This week, 6th grade students will be accomplishing their final performance assessment for band placements for the 2011-2012 school year. This will be accomplished in class throughout the week. All current 7th grade students will be placed based on all of their performance so far this school year. All students are placed into an ensemble based on their performance skills, daily participation/preparation, weekly homework requirements (practicing/music theory) and sectional participation (7th graders only).

When it comes to band placements, we are looking at providing a well balanced band program which will offer all of our students the opportunity to become successful and gain a positive learning experience. With this in mind, we are looking for well balanced music ensembles in both of our two 7th/8th grade bands including balanced instrumentation needs. Students will be notified in early May of their band placement for the 2011/2012 school year.

For the 2011/2012 school year, our 7th and 8th grade bands will assume new names. Our most advance ensemble will be called the Wind Ensemble (our current Symphonic Band). This group currently performs literature that is at an advance middle school/intermediate high school level. Many of our students in this ensemble are currently in 8th grade with a handful of 7th grade students that are performing at a very high level of musicianship. Our 7th/8th grade intermediate ensemble will be called the Symphonic Band (our current Concert Band). This group currently performs literature that is at an intermediate/advance middle school. Many of our students performing in this ensemble are currently in 7th grade with a handful of 8th grade students that are performing at the middle school level. The change of ensemble names are being made to help align with our ensembles at Percy Julian Middle School. There will be no change for the names of our current 6th grade bands.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 8 is due on Monday, 4/25.

Music Theory: There will be no music theory homework for 6th grade due to the performance testing this week. All 7th/8th graders do not have music theory due to our current marching band/concert performance requirements.

Marching Band Music Memorization Testing (7th/8th Grade)

All 7th/8th grade students will be accomplishing their music memorization test during their band sectional this week. This will be accomplished as a section and students will be individually assessed. If a student cannot attend their sectional this week, they are highly encouraged to make it up by attending another sectional.

3rd Trimester Portfolio Assessments:

This was started last week during 7th/8th grade band sectionals and in class for 6th graders. If a student has not had a chance to accomplish this assessment may do so by the end of this week. Please read previous posts for more detailed information on this assessment.

ETHNIC FESTIVAL PARADE, SATURDAY MAY 7TH

All 7th/8th grade students are currently preparing for our marching band to perform in the Annual D97 Ethnic Festival Parade at Julian Middle School. The parade will start at 10 a.m. and students will need to report to Julian Middle School at 9:15 a.m. The parade should be done by 11:00 a.m. Unfortunately, due to budget cutting costs, the Multicultural Department will not be providing t-shirts for our students. Since we were recently notified of this, we have decided for students to wear any of the following: New BRAVO T-Shirts (Black), blue Brooks wear (t-shirts, sweatshirts) or blue t-shirts. Ideally, we would prefer everyone to be uniform but do not want to burden families in purchasing t-shirts just for this event. Students can also wear jeans or shorts and closed toe street shoes/gym shoes.

This is a required event for all 7th/8th grade band students and families should notify Mr. Barnard two weeks in advance of any event if there are conflicts. Also, most families should be able to work out sports related conflicts and should contact Mr. Barnard to see how they can be worked out.

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Ensemble rehearsals Tuesday and Thursday 8:00-8:50 a.m.

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