Brooks Bands, Week of 8/29 - 9/2

Hello Band Families,

This is the first of weekly posts I will be displaying on our band blog to help inform band students and their families on band related events, practice records, music theory assignments, co-curricular ensemble schedules, etc., etc.

For the first full week of school. We will be gradually be getting into our routine, including keeping track of our practicing and acquiring needed books and supplies for the year. We are asking that all students to have all of their required books and 3-ring binder no later than this Friday, 9/3. The required books are the following:

6th Graders: Standards of Excellence Bk 1 & 2 and Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory Bk 1. The Standards of Excellence Bk 1 will be for review and we plan to quickly get into the Bk 2 within the next week or two.

7th/8th Graders: Standards of Excellence Bk 3 and Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory Bk 2.

8th graders should be all set with their books if they still have them from last school year.

All Band Students are required to have a 1 inch, 3-ring binder that will be used as our everyday folders to keep track of sheet music, handouts and supplementary exercises. Students will also keep their PRACTICE RECORD JOURNAL in their 3-ring binders as well. We also recommend that students get plastic sheet protectors which will help keep papers from ripping out of the binders. A package of 25 should be plenty to get through the school year. Once every trimester we will be doing Portfolio Assessments which will be checking to see that our students are keeping their current music, music theory and handouts in order as well as having their required books.

BAND STUDENTS ALWAYS BRING PENCILS TO CLASS.

Please check out the previous post for all required supplies and equipment students need in order to participate in band.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Record Journals (Due every Monday):

Students will be receiving their Practice Record Journals on Tuesday and will start keeping track of their practice minutes as well as what materials they are practicing throughout the week. The Practice Record Journal is a new concept to band students since not only will they be recording their practice minutes, they will also write down what they are practicing. This will help students set practice goals and routines as well as help parents and teacher know how they are practicing.

On the outside of the Practice Record Journal cover is the standard practice chart where students will be keeping track of their practice minutes for each week. Besides keeping track of minutes there are two other pages that will be filled out as part of the practice record requirement.

The first page is what we call a detailed practice journal. Here they will write down what what they are practicing. The are boxes that cover the following: Scales, Long Tone or Rudiments for percussion, technique exercises & etudes, Band Music and lastly for any jazz related or supplementary solo work practice. In each box they will simply write down what scales, technical exercises (usually out of their Standards of Excellence Book), band and/or jazz band repertoire they may practice for each section. We will practice in class for the next few weeks how to fill this out!

The second page is the Practice Assignments & Goals. Here students will write down what they are assigned to practice for band class and jazz band. Students also have space to reflect on what they have learned or can now do, what they need more practice on, what they may need more help with and any questions they may have for their teacher. The bottom of this page as well as the outside cover (Practice Record Chart) will need to be signed by a parent/guardian. I will use some of this feedback to make any teaching adjustments and see what areas may need more review. The majority of this page should be filled out every week in class!

Each week students will receive two practice grades. One grade will be for the practice chart on the outside cover. The other grade will be for the journal entries for each week.

Again, the purpose to using the Practice Record Journal is to help students and their families see what and how they are practicing. I will be sending out examples via email to help students and families understand what we are doing in class.

Since we are getting back into the groove so to speak. This week's practice minute goals will be the following:

Week 2

6th Graders: 90+ minutes = A, 60-89 minutes = B, 30-59 minutes = C, 29- minutes = D.

7th/8th Graders: 120+ minutes = A, 90-119 minutes = B, 60-89 minutes = C, 30-59 minutes = D, 29- minutes U.

Because of the Labor Day holiday, Practice Record Journals will be collected on Tuesday 9/6.

Music Theory:

We will start music theory next week to allow students and their families to get their needed music theory books. Since we have band five days a week, we do take the time to learn and study music theory to help develop music reading skills as well as break down the theory behind rhythm, scale construction and harmonic theory used in music theory composition and performance. The main goal for every student is to become fluent in reading music and for our more advance students to take this knowledge in order to create their own music. Music theory lessons are typically on every Wednesday and any homework assignments are due by that Friday. These assignments are started in class and many students either complete it our get most of it done in class.

After each Unit of the Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory Book. Students will take a Unit Test to assess their knowledge on those music theory concepts covered. These tests are typically twice a trimester.

BAND HANDBOOKS:

Later this week, all band students will receive our band handbook which will help both students and families understand the overview of the band program. Students and their families are to use the handbook for information regarding grading policies, concert attire, class descriptions, co-curricular opportunities, band event calendar and help looking for enrichment opportunities such as studying privately, etc. In the back of the handbook are copies of forms we will use throughout the year. Students and their families should become familiar with these forms and can copy from these sheets if needed. We may add a couple more scoring guides soon and will forward them out to parents via pdfs to download and use.

Along with the handbooks students will receive a student contract/video usage agreement form that will be completed by both the student and their parent/guardian. The video usage agreement allows us to show students video clips of music related topics including recorded performances of school and professional music ensembles for critique and comparison.

This contract/video usage agreement form will be due no later than Friday, Sep. 9th.

JAZZ PROGRAM

Jazz Ensemble (7th/8th Graders): The jazz ensemble meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. Students are selected into this group by audition and audition material was available at the end of last school year and will be available for students to pick up this week if they need another copy. The instrumentation of the jazz ensemble is similar to a traditional big band (saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, guitar, bass, drum set, and we have added vibraphone which can be used in the traditional big band setting. Flute and clarinet players have been encouraged to pick up saxophone as a secondary instrument. They may however audition in jazz ensemble on their primary instrument but will be competing for a spot in the saxophone section.

Auditions and workshops for the jazz ensemble are the following:

Mon. 9/12: Saxophone, trombone, trumpet workshop, 8:00-8:50 a.m.

Rhythm Section workshop(piano, guitar, bass, drumset, vibes) 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Tues. 9/13: Rhythm Section workshop 8:00 - 8:50 a.m.

Saxophone, trombone, trumpet workshop, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Thurs. 9/15: Saxophone, trombone, trumpet auditions 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Students will

need to sign up for a specific audition time.

Fri. 9/16: Rhythm section auditions 8:00 and if needed 3:30 p.m. Students will need to sign up

for a specific audition time.

All students auditioning need to have a signed permission slip for the jazz program before auditioning. NO EXCEPTIONS. Audition results will be posted on Monday, Sep. 19th and the first rehearsal starts Tuesday, Sep. 20th.

Jazz Lab Band: Is primarily our 6th grade jazz band and is open to all band students. Students that play oboe and french horn are encouraged to join jazz lab band on another instrument (i.e. piano, bass, guitar, etc.) Since this is an introductory level jazz band, students do not audition in order to participate. The jazz lab band rehearses every Friday morning from 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. and will start on Sep. 23rd.

All students that want to participate will need to have a signed permission slip in order to participate.

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.

The jazz participation flyers are available for pick up in the band room (D110) and I will also email this form out to parents to download. Please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org if you have any questions regarding the jazz program.

OPRF MARCHING HUSKIES 8TH GRADE NIGHT, Friday, Sep. 9th:

All 8th grade band students are invited in this event to learn more about the OPRF Marching Band as well as the OPRF Band Program as a whole. Participants will have the opportunity to be a part of the Marching Huskies for the night by being a part of their pre-game show (yes on the football field), play in the stands during the first half, and watch the Marching Huskies perform their halftime show. Students will walk from Brooks over to OPRF with Mr. Barnard right after school or can meet the group at the marching band practice field, located at Lake and Scoville by 4:30 p.m. Pizza dinner will be provided and students will have a great opportunity to socialize and learn a little bit about the band program and high school from the high school students.

After the half-time show, students will be released and will need to have tranportation arrangements made with their parents (approx. 9 p.m.). Permission slips are available in the band room (D110) and will need to be turned into Mr. Barnard no later than Sep. 6th.

2011-2012 Books & Supplies

BAND EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY LIST

Parents are responsible in providing their student with an instrument, books and accessories needed in order to participate in the instrumental music program in District 97. Students that qualify for the federally reduced lunch program may receive assistance through one of our community organizations, PING (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation), for a nominal fee. For more information about the PING organization go to www.pingoprf.org.

6^th Grade Required Books:

Standards of Excellence Book I (for review)

Standard of Excellence Book 2

Alfred Music Theory – Book 1

7^th & 8th Grade Required Books:

Standards of Excellence Book 3

Alfred Music Theory – Book 2

Refer to music vendors on the last page for book purchases. BRAVO! does not pre-order books.

All band students are required to have a 3-ring binder, 1” with side pockets, for securing music and books. All students are also required to have a pencil in class for marking music, taking notes and working on music theory assignments.

Flutes: A cleaning/tuning rod with a small handkerchief. Polishing cloth for outside

finish. Optical size screw driver for adjusting loose screws.

Oboes/Bassoons: An oboe swab, oboe reeds; medium-soft or medium (6^th graders),

medium or medium hard (7^th/8^th graders). Optical size screw driver for adjusting

loose screws. Small pipe cleaner for cleaning ½ hole vents (optional). A good

quality store bought reed is Jones reeds; if you are studying privately, talk with

your private instructor for suggestions.

Clarinets: A clarinet swab, reeds: 2 ½ (6^th graders) 2 ½ or 3 (7^th/8^th graders). I

recommend Rico Royals, Mitchell Lurie or Vandoren Reeds. If purchasing Vandorens please be aware that you might want a lower number reed because they are much denser than other brands. A reed holder/protector that holds 4 reeds for proper storage. All students should have 4 playable reeds at all times. An optical size screw driver for adjusting loose screws. Bass clarinet students must purchase their own mouthpiece with ligature and cap. (Recommend Yamaha Stock)

Saxophones: A neckstrap, a saxophone swab, reeds: 2 ½ (6^th graders) 2 ½ or 3 (7^th/8^th

graders). I recommend Rico Royals or Vandoren Reeds. If purchasing

Vandorens please be aware that you might want a lower number reed because they are much denser than other brands. A reed holder/protector that holds 4 reeds for proper storage. All students are required to have 4 playable reeds at all times. An optical size screw driver for adjusting loose screws. Tenor and baritone saxophones must purchase their own mouthpiece with ligature and cap. (Recommend Yamaha 4C or Selmer C-star)

Trumpets: Valve oil (Alcass), slide grease, trumpet snakes for periodic cleaning,

mouthpiece brush. A straight mute (stone-line brand most affordable) to be used

periodically in performance.

French Horn: Rotary Valve Oil, slide grease, French horn snakes for periodic cleaning,

mouthpiece brush.

Trombone: Superslick or trombotine slide grease, tuning slide grease, trombone snake,

mouthpiece brush. A straight mute (stone-line brand most affordable)

Baritone/Euphonium: Valve Oil (Alcass), slide grease, baritone snakes for periodic

cleaning, mouthpiece brush. All students must have their own mouthpiece

with a mouthpiece pouch to protect it. Each student should have a euphonium at home as a practice instrument. Recommend Bach 6 ½ AL for mouthpieces.

Tubas: Valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush. All students must have their own

mouthpiece with a mouthpiece pouch to protect it. Each student should have

a euphonium or tuba at home as a practice instrument. Recommend Bach 12

for mouthpieces.

Percussion: Stick bag, snare drum sticks (Vic Firth SD1 or standard 2B), Bell Mallets

(plastic heads), Timpani Mallets (Vic Firth Generals) and medium yarn mallets. Some companies do sell a complete percussion bag full of these items at a reasonable price.

All percussionists are required to have a percussion kit with bells and practice pad for at home practice.

Optional Accessories for everyone!

Electronic Metronome: Used for providing a steady rhythmic pulse and is good for

developing accurate technique.

Tuner: Important tool to help students play in tune and develop good intonation skills.

This is highly recommended for double reed students.

Jazz Program

All students are required to have a copy of Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble, by Mike Steinel. This book is the primary book for 6^th graders and will be used continually for improvisation study throughout the jazz program.

Guitar/Bass: patch chords ( 2 recommended ), extra set of strings, electronic tuner.

Drumset: a pair of 5A or 7A sticks, a set of wire brushes.

Vibraphones: 2 pairs of chord mallets (med.)

Instrument Rentals & Purchases

It is extremely important when you make a decision to purchase an instrument that you speak to either your child’s band director or private instructor. We want you to invest in a high quality instrument that will perform well for your child and will stand the test of time. We recommend that you do not purchase instruments from internet sites, at garage sales or at non-music retail outlets such as warehouse clubs, without speaking to a band director first. What may look like a good instrument and a good deal can really be an instrument with many flaws. Please consider the following recommendations when renting or purchasing a quality student instrument.

Flute/Piccolo: Gemeinhardt, Armstrong, Yamaha

Oboe: Selmer, Yamaha, Buffet

Clarinet: Vito, Selmer, LeBlanc, Buffet, Yamaha

Saxophone: Conn, Vito, Selmer, Yamaha, Cannonball, Jupiter

Trumpet: Bach, Holton, Yamaha, Getzen, Jupiter

French Horn: Holton, Conn or Yamaha

Trombone: Bach, Yamaha or King, Conn, Jupiter

Euphonium/Tuba: King, Bach, Holton, Jupiter, Yamaha

Percussion: Ludwig, Yamaha Percussion Kits, Drumset: Ludwig, Pearl, Yamaha

Please contact your band director or private instructor when deciding to purchase a step up or professional level instrument for further recommendations.

Local Music Vendors

Austin Music Center Band Source

6815 North Ave. 2309 Maple Ave.

Oak Park, IL 60302 Downers Grove, IL 60515

708/ 383-1961 630/447-0426

www.austinmusiccenter.net www.bandsourcecompany.com

Kagan & Gaines Music Music & Arts Center

7655 Roosevelt Rd. 907 W. Irving Park Rd.

Forest Park, IL 60130 Itasca, IL 60143

708/771-2152 630/258-1485

www.kaganandgaines.com www.musicarts.com

Quinlin & Fabish Music Woodwind & Brasswind (online)

166 Shore Dr. 4004 Technology Drive

Burr Ridge, IL 60527 South Bend, IN 46628

630/654-4111 800/348-5003

www.qandf.com www.wwbw.com

ONLINE SHEET MUSIC/BOOKS

J.W. Pepper Music Company

www.jwpepper.com

Prima Music Company

www.primamusic.com

GBMS does not carry accessories such as valve oil, slide grease, reeds, sticks, etc. and it is the responsibility of the student and their parents to purchase these items.

INSTRUMENT REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

Students and their families are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of their instruments and should have any repairs taken care of in a timely manner. In the case that an instrument may have some problems it is the responsibility of the student to inform the band director and he/she will take a look at it and if possible fix the problem.

If the repair requires taking it to a certified repair shop (music store), the band director will write a repair slip describing what the problem may be and what he/she tried to do in order to try to fix the problem. This will help both parents and the repair technician know what to look for and will help speed up the repair process.

Parents are responsible for taking the instrument in for repairs. If a student is renting an instrument from our district’s main supplier (Music & Arts Center) a phone call to the Itasca store can schedule a pick up at our school on Friday mornings. If any family is still renting an instrument from a local music store it is recommended to ask if you can check out a loaner instrument while your child’s instrument is being repaired. Most instrument rental agreements offer a loaner instrument for repair situations.

Brooks Bands, Week of 5/16 - 5/20

Spring Concerts This Week!

7th/8th Grade Bands, Tuesday, May 19th @ 7 p.m. in auditorium
5:30 p.m. Jazz Ensemble Sound Check
6:40 p.m. report time for all Concert Band & Symphonic Band

6th Grade Bands (with Elementary Bands) @ 6:30 p.m. in auditorium
7:00 p.m. report time for all 6th graders (Jazz Lab Band, Cadet Band, Intermediate Band)

Both concerts should finish around 8:30 p.m. and all students are expected to stay for the entire concerts.

Concert Attire for evening concerts are the following:

Boys: White button down dress shirt, black slacks, black necktie (or bow tie), black dress shoes (no jeans or gym shoes).

Girls: Solid White Blouse Top with sleeves, black slacks or skirt that is knee length when sitting down, black dress shoes (closed toe prefered). No jeans or gym shoes.

Jazz students will wear black & white (no Brooks Jazz T-Shirts).

Families please make sure your child finds/tries on their clothes now since they are growing by the minute! This will allow you some time to go out and get new pants, shoes, etc. if needed.

8th Grade Graduation Ceremony, June 6th @ 5:00 p.m., OPRFHS Auditorium
The band will be represented at our annual 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony, consisting of 6th & 7th grade volunteers. We will start rehearsing the music in all of our band classes right after our concerts and a sign up list will be posted in D110 for those students that would like to participate.
Students need to be able to get to OPRFHS by 4:20 p.m. and be there until approximately 6:30 p.m. in order to participate.

Since this is a formal event, we are requiring that students dress formally just like we would for any other evening performance. However, since it is leading up to the summer, we will not be requiring students to wear black and white. More information about what to wear will be available soon for our student volunteers.

HOMEWORK:

3rd Trimester Outside Concert Summaries: Due no later than Friday, May 27th. The forms can be downloaded via link on the right side of this blog.

Practice Records: Week 11 is due on Monday 5/16

Music Theory:

There will be no music theory this week or next week due to Spring Concerts.

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Ensemble: Rehearsal Tuesday only, 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. in auditorium. Concert Sound Check at 5:30 p.m.

Jazz Lab Band: Rehearsal Monday & Thursday, 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. in auditorium.

Don't forget to register for the D97 Jazz Camp, August 1st-6th. Forms can be download via link on this blog!

Brooks Bands, Week of 5/9 - 5/13

Congratulations to all of our 7th/8th grade students that participated in the Ethnic Festival Parade at Julian Middle School this weekend! Also that you to all those parents that helped juggle this event into an already busy weekend for most of our students. This event is a big deal for our program since many people at this event only hear our bands here.

Spring Concerts Around the Corner!

Our spring concerts are literally right around the corner, starting with our 7th/8th Grade Band Concert on Tuesday, May 17th at 7 p.m. in the GBMS Auditorium. The event will feature our Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble. The 6th Grade Spring Concert is on Thursday, May 19th, starting with our elementary bands performing at 6:30 p.m. The 6th graders should perform at approximately 7:15 p.m. This concert will feature all of our 6th grade bands and Jazz Lab Band.

Concert Attire for evening concerts are the following:

Boys: White button down dress shirt, black slacks, black necktie (or bow tie), black dress shoes (no jeans or gym shoes).

Girls: Solid White Blouse Top with sleeves, black slacks or skirt that is knee length when sitting down, black dress shoes (closed toe prefered). No jeans or gym shoes.

Families please make sure your child finds/tries on their clothes now since they are growing by the minute! This will allow you some time to go out and get new pants, shoes, etc. if needed.

8th Grade Graduation Ceremony, June 6th @ 5:00 p.m., OPRFHS Auditorium
The band will be represented at our annual 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony, consisting of 6th & 7th grade volunteers. We will start rehearsing the music in all of our band classes right after our concerts and a sign up list will be posted in D110 for those students that would like to participate.
Students need to be able to get to OPRFHS by 4:20 p.m. and be there until approximately 6:30 p.m. in order to participate.

Since this is a formal event, we are requiring that students dress formally just like we would for any other evening performance. However, since it is leading up to the summer, we will not be requiring students to wear black and white. More information about what to wear will be available soon for our student volunteers.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 10 is due on Monday 5/9

Music Theory:

There will be no music theory this week or next week due to Spring Concert Preparation.


JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Ensemble: Rehearsals Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 - 8:50 a.m.

Jazz Lab Band: Rehearsal Friday, 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. Added rehearsals scheduled for 5/16 (Monday) and 5/19 (Thursday) for upcoming spring concert.

Brooks Bands, Week of 5/2 - 5/7

DISTRICT 97 ETHNIC FESTIVAL PARADE, SAT., MAY 7TH @ JULIAN M.S.
All 7th/8th grade band students are participating in this Saturday's Ethnic Festival Parade at Percy Julian Middle School. All students will need to report to the Julian Main Gym at 9:15 a.m. for attendance, warm up and parade lineup. At this time, any students that have conflicts should have contacted Mr. Barnard in writing/via email. If there is a conflict, please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org. Students will need to wear one of the following: BRAVO T-Shirt (black), any blue Brooks Wear, or a blue t-shirt, along with jeans/shorts and closed toe shoes (gym shoes preferred). All students are responsible for bringing their instrument to this event with the exception of our sousaphones and drumline equipment. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and we should be done no later than 11 a.m.

BAND PLACEMENTS FOR 2011/2012 SCHOOL YEAR will be posted early next week for current 6th/7th grade band students. All 6th grade students are doing their final performance assessment this week in class, all 7th graders have already been assessed through weekly band sectional performance assessments. Please read the previous post for more information. If anyone has any questions please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org.

8th GRADE INFORMATION REGARDING OPRFHS BANDS:

Wind Ensemble/Wind Symphony Auditions: May 12th or 13th at Brooks, Mr. Svejda will be coming over to audition students during band class. Some students may need to come from another class due to the number of auditionees. This will be address earlier in the week.

OPRF Marching Huskies: Students interested in participating in this Fall's Marching Huskies Marching Band should have turned in a registration form along with a $60 deposit to either Mr. Svejda or Mr. Barnard. If this has not been done please do so immediately.

OPRF Drumline Workshop & Auditions:
Friday, May 6th at 4:00 p.m. is a workshop open to everyone that is interested in participating. Everyone should go to this if you plan on being in drumline in high school.

Friday, May 20th at 4:00 p.m. is the auditions. Both the workshop and audition are at OPRFHS.

OPRF Jazz Ensemble Auditions:
Wednesday, June 1st at OPRF, after school. Any student interested in auditioning for this group needs to confirm with Mr. Barnard and he will submit your name to Mr. Svejda. Mr. Svejda will assign specific audition times for each confirmation.

Those students pursuing jazz band in high school but cannot commit to jazz ensemble may participate in the 2nd Jazz Band at OPRF. They meet once a week in the evening on Tuesday nights.

If anyone has questions about the OPRFHS Band Program, please contact Mr. Svejda at asvejda@oprfhs.org .

HOMEWORK:
Practice Records: Week 9 is due on Monday 5/2

Music Theory: Wednesday 5/4
6th Graders: Unit 5 Ear Training and Unit 5 review, Alfred Bk. 1

3rd Trimester Outside Concert Summary:
Due no later than Friday, May 27th.

REMAINING BAND EVENTS:

Ethnic Festival Parade: Sat., May 7th @ 10 a.m., Percy Julian Middle School (all 7th/8th
grade band students)

7th/8th Gr. Spring Concert: Tues., May 17th @ 7 p.m. (Concert Band, Symphonic Band,
Jazz Ensemble)

6th Gr. Spring Concert: Thurs., May 19th @ 7 p.m. (Cadet/Intermediate Bands, Jazz Lab
Band)

8th Gr. Graduation Ceremony: Mon., June 6th @ 5 p.m., OPRFHS (6th/7th grade
volunteers) Sign Up sheet available soon in D110.

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Ensemble: rehearsals Tuesday & Thursday @ 8 a.m.
Jazz Lab Band: rehearsal Friday @ 8 a.m.

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.

Brooks Bands, Week of 4/18 - 4/20

Congratulations to all of our jazz ensemble members that performed at PING's Fundraiser Event on Sunday to help raise money for such a great organization! Also thank you to guest musicians, Chris Weller and Mark O'Connor for performing with our group.

HOMEWORK:

Practice Records: Week 7 is due on Monday, 4/18.

Music Theory:
6th Graders: This Tuesday-Lessons 20-21 in Alfred Bk. 1 and worksheet 5-3 due on Wed. 4/20.

7th/8th Graders do not currently have music theory due to marching band and concert repertoire preparation.

3rd Trimester Portfolio Assessments:
6th graders will have their band binders assessed this Tuesday, 4/19 in class. All 7th/8th graders will have their band binders assessed during their group lessons this week. Since we have a shortened school week, some students will not have a group lesson until next week and will accomplish this then. All students should have the following for a successful portfolio assessement.

1. A three ring binder with their name labeled on the outside cover.
2. Both books required for band, Standards of Excellence & Alfreds Essentials of Music Theory, with their name labeled on them.
3. All current sheet music secured on the 3-rings. Plastic page protectors are recommended but not required. Any marching band music can be in the side pocket of the binders.
4. All current music theory assignments secured on the 3-rings.
5. Practice record secured on the 3-rings.

This assessment is simply designed to help teach our students organizational skills and be prepared for daily band rehearsals and weekly lessons. The assessment is 10% of each student's total band grade.

3rd Trimester Outside Concert Summaries: are due no later than Friday, May 27th. Students are required to attend one music or fine arts event each trimester as an audience member and fill out the Outside Concert Observation Form and have it signed by a parent/guardian. A ticket stub or program from the event should also be attached. Events that students are a participant in cannot be used. A copy of this form can be downloaded through the link in the upper right hand corner of this blog. Please contact Mr. Barnard at jbarnard@op97.org if there are any questions.

Events for the Remainder of the School Year:
These events are required performances as part of our curriculum which totals 25% of each student's grade. If there are family conflicts, families must contact Mr. Barnard at least two weeks in advance of any event.

Sat., May 7th: Ethnic Festival Parade @ Percy Julian
All 7th/8th Grade Band students will participate as our Marching Band for this parade which will step off at 10 a.m. and should be completed no later than 11 a.m. All students should report to Julian at 9:15 a.m. (exact location TBA). Families, please check important events to help workout conflicts and notify Mr. Barnard ASAP.

Tues., May 17th: 7th/8th Grade Spring Awards Concert @ Brooks, 7 p.m.
Concert Band, Symphonic Band & Jazz Ensemble will be performing.

Thurs., May 19th: 6th Grade Spring Awards Concert @ Brooks, 7 p.m.
Cadet Band, Intermediate Band and Jazz Lab Band will be performing. Both Cadet and Intermediate Band will be performing as a combined group.

Mon., June 6th: 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony @ OPRFHS, 5 p.m.
This event will consist of a volunteer band of 6th/7th grade students from our band program and is not a required performance. Any student that is interested in performing should sign up on the volunteer sheet which will be available in Mid May.

JAZZ PROGRAM:

Jazz Lab Band: Rehearsal on Monday, 4/18, 8:00 - 8:50 a.m.

Jazz Ensemble: Rehearsal on Tuesday, 4/19, 8:00 - 8:50 a.m.