Weekly Update (5/11- 5/15)

This is your weekly MUSIC DEPARTMENT update!

Hello Folks!

This is the LAST Weekly Update of the school year!!

There are still things to do, but the end is in sight!!

Don’t forget about Rookie Camp starting on 6/3 at 8am! Everyone is welcome to attend but it’s only required for New Marchers, Colorguard, Majorettes, and Leadership.

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Before you get it in your brain that you’re putting your horn away for the summer, READ THIS!

Summer is THE WORST time to put away your instrument. It’s roughly two months without any learning (!!!).

Consider that even a WEEK without playing your instrument negatively impacts your embouchure and technical ability. After putting so much effort into growing as a musician, why let your ability dwindle? I’d be annoyed having to relearn things over the summer if I were in your shoes.

I get it— after an intense year of band, you want to take a break. I think that’s fair. Rather than putting your instrument all the way away, think about purchasing a book with recreational tunes to play. They sell books with popular music and disney music very cheap for your instrument on jwpepper or in music stores. You can also find decent pieces to play on musescore.

Give yourself 30 minutes at least every two- three days (at best, every day) and keep yourself fresh on your instrument. Warm up with some long tones and a scale or two, and chip away at your disney song or something fun.

If you’re feeling more aggressive, prepare your Show Music when it come out! Or if you’re really up to it, prepare an All State audition! Even if you don’t take it to All State Auditions, you come out a better musician for having prepared it.

If you’re getting ready to be a senior, have you started putting together a college audition?

WHATEVER YOU DO, KEEP PLAYING!!! 😭😭😭

Everyone is welcome to rookie camp! Everyone is encouraged to attend a Summer Music Camp like the ones at UNF, FSU, and Stetson.

Over the summer, I plan to offer two Music Theory Classes (optional) for anyone to learn a little more about music.

I’m also looking at offering some (not a lot of) individual and group lessons to willing participants on certain days— it would be an opportunity to take advantage and learn some methods to improve your playing.

If you play a large instrument, let’s talk toward the end of the year about how you can borrow an instrument over the summer.

Let me know how I can help!

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Weekly Walkthrough 🧩

Monday, we have a Drumline Morning Performance 7am Call Time. We also have a Leadership Meeting from 3pm to 5pm for all those who have received a contract and accept or plan to accept.

Tuesday, we have a Drumline Morning Performance 7am Call Time. We also have a Band Graduation Rehearsal from 4pm to 6pm. During in between (2:30pm- 4pm), if there are any remaining Jazz Auditions, we’ll take care of those then.

Wednesday, we have a Drumline Morning Performance 7am Call Time. After School, all members of the 26-27 Executive Council have a Code Meeting from 3pm to 5pm. Other than those students, the band room will be closed.

Thursday, we have Band Graduation Rehearsal from 4pm to 6pm.

Friday, we have Graduation. Call Time is 6:30pm and Concert begins at 8:00pm. It is important to note that starting this year students cannot leave/ walk around/ or move equipment during the ceremony. We will need all hands on deck to stay until the end of the ceremony and LOAD THE TRAILER WITH ALL EQUIPMENT BEFORE GOING FOR PICTURES. If we cannot do this properly, myself and the band are facing serious consequences. I understand this will make things take a little longer and it’s inconvenient, but I need your support to make this work.

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Countdowns ⏳

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April/ May at- a- glance 🔎

Events:

Leadership Meeting– May 11th- 3:00pm- 5:00pm

Code Meeting (For Executive Council)– May 13th- 3:00pm- 5:00pm

Band Goes to School Board Meeting– May 18th- 5:30pm (Starts at 6pm)

Rehearsals:

Graduation Rehearsal (9th- 11th Grade Band/ 8th Graders)– May 12th- 4:00pm- 6:00pm

Graduation Rehearsal (9th- 11th Grade Band/ 8th Graders)– May 14th- 4:00pm- 6:00pm

Performances

Graduation – May 15th- 5:30pm Call Time (At Stadium)

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Things to Note 🎵:

Band Checklists

Band, the time is fast approaching for Band Checklists to be turned in! Your forms will be passed out on Monday, 5/11. Please complete them by 5/20 or receive a performance grade zero.

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NO WEEKLY UPDATE QUIZ THIS WEEK

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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. To do this: Go to our Band App> Settings (Cog on Top Right)> Set Profile> Show My Birthday> Anyone)

According to Band App, there are no birthdays this week… 😔

Let's have a great week everyone!

And GOOOOOO WILDCATS!