This is your weekly MUSIC DEPARTMENT update!
Hello Folks!
Congratulations on your first showing! We were highly successful, given that there was little chance we were going to overcome Orange Park. I’ve been saying : “2nd place to Orange Park is really 1st Place”, so Good for us!
Looking only at scores, I’ve assessed the following within our class:
We were 3rd in General Effect, but it was very close (.075 pt diff from 2nd). We have good ideas, but they need better execution. We need to capitalize here and make sure all ideas are executed sincerely instead of them being contrived.
We tied for 2nd in Music with Nease. I’m recognizing significant intonation issues. There are also palpable issues with notes/ rhythms, articulation, dynamic contrast, and expression. Judges consistently also had something to say about front to back timing (something we knew would be an issue). We’ll need to start doing runs without percussion to help secure the pulse.
We were 2nd in Visual (.15 pt diff from 3rd).....but we were 4th in individual visual. If we were able to clean this, it would be the biggest bang for our buck. Individuals need to execute our postures and our look to the same degree. Most glaringly, we need to address the feet issue, but as some of you know I have no more ideas on how to address it in any meaningful way. Tons of inconsistency here.
We were 3rd in Colorguard (and Majorette) (.25 pt diff from 2nd) I believe this issue here is finesse. Do we just walk or run to equipment changes or from spot to spot? Or are we performing our movements? When we hit our dot, are we arriving securely? Or are we checking our spacing/ looking around? This is just what I’ve observed.
We were 2nd in Percussion (.30 diff from 3rd and interestingly .85 or less than a point away from 1st). I haven’t listened to the tape yet, but would suspect there are issues with tempo and timing, particularly on Drum Set fills. We also tend to rush syncopated figures. Finesse in technique is also going to be an issue from player to player.
If everyone is aware of these issues, wee can move faster with cleaning. Unfortunately, we only get one day this week to make adjustments, so it's going to require sharpness from everyone to make adjustments that are meaningful.
As a reminder,
There are 5 rehearsals remaining until Music Performance Assessment. You need to be present.
YOU NEED TO BE PRESENT.
Your presence makes a difference at these rehearsals, people. We want to be really polished so that we can earn our desired ratings at MPA. This is only possible if we are present to get the job done.
Senior Wills
Seniors, each year, a publication of the Senior Wills goes out for students to read on the bus ride to MPA. You should submit your Senior Will using the link on the band app (or the link HERE). You can leave funny or meaningful things to any student or staff member in the band. What you bequeath does not have to be a real item—it can be a joke, or a sort role you played in the band (ie. The math wiz, or the comedian).
Playing Tests this Week
Wind Ensemble:
Chair Tests begin the Week of October 17th! To Include:
Major Scales: G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db (performed within 2 minutes) (Can be found HERE)
Chromatic Scale
North Florida Honor Band Prepared Piece (Printed and can be found in the hallway OR in the Music Folder HERE)
No tests this week-- Make up your tests by this Friday!
Symphonic Band:
None-- Make up your tests by this Friday!
Percussion:
Countdowns
Weekly Walkthrough
Monday, there will be no after school activities. Go home and get rest.
Tuesday, there is a Leadership Meeting from 2:45pm to 3:45pm. We also have an After School Rehearsal from 4pm to 7pm. This rehearsal is important because it will be our only rehearsal to make show changes before competition on Saturday. It is also the only rehearsal we will have to practice for the parade.
Wednesday, there are no activities scheduled.
Thursday, we have two parades—the NEFSH Parade and the Homecoming Parade. One will be during the school day, and the other is after school.
NEFSH Parade-- I will have you called to the band room (around 9 or so) for the NEFSH Parade. We will don our Uniforms and then bus over to the Florida State Hospital to perform. We will perform then head back to the high school. Please come to school dressed as closely to your under uniform (Band Shirt, Band Shorts, Black Socks, Band Shoes) as possible. I understand we may not wish to wear band shorts and shoes to school, which is fine, but you need to be able to change QUICKLY into them. These events get too hot to be wearing anything else under your uniform.
Homecoming Parade-- After School, your call time for the parade will be 4:00pm behind the old courthouse which you can find near the corner of E Shuey Ave and S Second Street. Uniforms will be donned here, and then we will warm up and march the parade. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT STUDENTS DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND HYDRATE BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE PARADE. WATER IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL WE ARRIVE AT THE FOOTBALL STADIUM. Once we arrive at the football stadium, we will perform at Cat Growl
Friday, we have HOME vs. Yulee HS. We will be wearing full uniform, so arrive at call time dressed in under uniform. We will not perform post game, since we are performing for Cat Growl, and since we will have an early call time the next morning.
Saturday, we have our second competition at Fleming Island HS. Check the itinerary for details.
Leadership Meeting Info
Reading: Everyone needs to have read Mortar 9- The Apex.
Please communicate matter you want to discuss with the QM BEFORE the day of the meeting so we can discuss it altogether. This just helps everything run more smoothly.
October at- a- glance
Events:
Homecoming Week – October 9th- 13th
Jazz Chair Tests – October 9th- 13th
Leadership Meeting – October 10th- 2:45pm- 3:30pm
Teacher's Planning Day – October 16th
Wind Ensemble Chair Tests – October 17th- 20th
Leadership Meeting – October 19th- 2:45pm- 3:30pm
Baker County Fair Fundraiser – October 23rd- 29th
Leadership Meeting – October 26th- 2:45pm- 3:30pm
Leadership Meeting – November 2nd- 2:45pm- 3:30pm
Rehearsals
After School Rehearsal – October 10th- 4pm- 7pm
Woodwind Sectional – October 17th- 2:45pm-3:45pm
After School Rehearsal – October 17th- 4pm- 7pm
After School Rehearsal – October 19th- 4pm- 7pm
After School Rehearsal – October 24th- 4pm- 7pm
After School Rehearsal – October 26th- 4pm- 7pm
Wind Ensemble Rehearsal – November 2nd- 4pm- 6pm
Performances:
BCHS Homecoming Parade – October 12th- 4pm @ Old Courthouse (Corner of E Shuey Ave and S Second St)
HOME vs. Yulee HS – October 13th- 4pm
Show Day! @ Fleming Island HS (Link to Itinerary)– October 14th- 9am
HOME vs. Jackson HS (Rookie Night/ Senior Night) – October 20th- 4pm
MARCHING MUSIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (Link to Itinerary)– October 28th- 9am
Things to Note 🎵:
FSU Prism Concert
Information/ Permission slips for FSU Prism Concert on Thursday, November 30th can be found on the bottom box of my door.
There are 50 available spots. Spots are first come first served. You must turn in monies and form at the same time.
Price is $85 per student. Includes Ticket, Charter Bus, and Dinner on campus at FSU. Price remains the same even if a chaperone does not ride the bus or do seminole dining.
Go Noles!
FSU Band Day
FSU Band Day (A separate event from FSU Prism Concert) is Saturday, November 18th.
FSU Band Day is different from UF Band Day in that there will not be any element of performance, but you will get to watch the FSU Band and go to an FSU Football Game (vs. North Alabama). It's a good time!
Like UF Band Day, to sign up to go to FSU Band Day, you will need to pay a $20 Commitment Fee to the band. We have 80 spots available, that are first come first served. Everyone in the band could go!
THIS LINK is where an itinerary will eventually be posted. Itinerary will be posted whenever the time for the game is released by athletics.
Student Meals @ Home FB Games
Parents/Students-- This year we are offering student meals for $5. These meals will include either a hot dog or a hamburger, chips and a drink. We wanted to try something new this season, in the past some students weren't able to get food because the concession lines were so long that they would be late getting back to the stands. We are pre-selling these meals until noon the day of the game. You may prepay for a meal by going to the band website bakercountybands.org/events. If you go to the website to order make sure you are purchasing under the high school band.
You will have the choice to buy a ticket for a meal for each game if you would like. Unfortunately, you will have to purchase each game meal individually. Each week, we will have a list of the students that have purchased meals and pack them up and deliver them to the stands during 3rd quarter. Each week I will put out a reminder to give everyone a chance to purchase a meal. Students, if you purchase a meal, please make sure you send me a message or leave a comment on the reminder of what you would like to have as your drink. If you have any questions please reach out.
Marching MPA Traditions
MPA—The itinerary for this event is posted HERE. You should plan to bring money to spend on concessions. About $20 to $30 is plenty. I have not received a concessions menu from Santa Fe. Chaperone spots are limited and will be going first to parents who volunteer at the band concession stand. I believe ticket purchases will be done in person.
MPA is important because there are so many traditions that happen that day. We will be spending a lot of time together as a band that day, so please plan to be present the whole day.
Pasta Potluck—Please sign up HERE to bring something to the Pasta Potluck! This is staple MPA tradition where our band families bring pasta and desserts for us all to enjoy together. It connects our households and our hearts. Please be sure to sign up if you plan to bring something. We would like to avoid too much of the same thing being brought to the potluck. A reminder: You don’t need to bring a band sized portion of pasta. Just cook enough for your family and maybe just a little more than that. If the sign up fills up, that should be plenty of food. If you sign up to bring bread, bring enough for 2 families (we like to eat bread). If you sign up to bring soda bring at least two 2 liters or 2 boxes of cans. If you sign up to bring dessert, bring enough for 1 family. If you sign up to bring paper products, bring enough for 1 family.
Senior Speeches—Seniors, each year, each student in the band’s the senior class gives a speech to the band. These speeches can be funny or sentimental. It’s our seniors’ last opportunity to address the band and say something meaningful. The only rule is that you may not be disrespectful. Take the time to think about what you want to say. You can write it down. Don’t plan on not doing a speech—the band probably won’t let you not speak. Parents, please understand that if individual Seniors wish to kick adults out of the room, that is a courtesy that has always been extended to them, and we will respect it if they wish.
Senior Wills-- Seniors, each year, a publication of the Senior Wills goes out for students to read on the bus ride to MPA. You should submit your Senior Will using the link on the band app (or the link HERE). You can leave funny or meaningful things to any student or staff member in the band. What you bequeath does not have to be a real item—it can be a joke, or a sort role you played in the band (ie. The math wiz, or the comedian). Be sure you submit this before Friday!
After School Activities this Week:
Monday
No Activities Scheduled
Tuesday
After School Rehearsal – 4pm- 7pm
Wednesday
No Activities Scheduled
Thursday
NEFSH Parade-- During School
BCHS Homecoming Parade – 4pm @ Old Courthouse (Corner of E Shuey Ave and S Second St)
Friday
HOME vs. Yulee HS – 4pm
Saturday
Show Day! @ Fleming Island HS (Link to Itinerary)– 9am
Birthday Announcements!
By the way, I base birthday announcements on what I can see on the Band App, so if you would like to be recognized for your birthday on the weekly announcements, please make sure your Birthday is set to PUBLIC on the Band App.
According to Band App, there is one birthday this week!!
Happy Birthday to James Green (10/12)!
Let's have a great week everyone!
And GOOOOOO WILDCATS!