PRaise-Audition info. update

Praise and important upcoming information

First, I wish to send a praise to all of our students that made All-West, and those moving on to All-State. At the All-West Clinic, during the concert on Saturday, Ellie Pappas was awarded the Ralph Hale Scholarship ($1000) for her perseverance in academics and music, coupled with her desire to continue music in college. Congratulations, Ellie!!! I also wish to recognize Catherine Cheng who also was announced as one of the soloists that won the solo/ensemble competition during the All-West clinic and will now be performing and competing with her piece at All-State in Nashville, performing against the other top soloists in the state. Catherine was also selected to perform in the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. These are all huge honors and it is so wonderful to see students pushing themselves, performing at such a high level. Please congratulate them, and everyone else, when you see them next-a little praise goes a long way for all of their hard work.

Regarding All-State, information will be coming soon for those that are participating. These concerts highlight the top young musicians from each region of the state to form select ensembles. Parents may, but do not have to take their students to the Gaylord Opryland for the clinic, as Dr. Palmer and I, along with some other parents, will be transporting them to Nashville for the clinic. Parents will need to pick their child up, or arrange transportation back from the event.

Band Camp information for next year: At the moment, so parents are best able to plan events over the summer before school starts, the tentative dates for band camp are as follows (depends on teacher in-service and the scheduled first days of school): July 12-14 is only for Band Leadership (no band practice), July 17-18 is only the Freshman and Leadership (other band members may join but not required), July 19-21 and July 24-28 (8-5pm each day) is full band (everyone in attendance). More information will be coming as the year closes and we approach summer so everyone can plan accordingly.

8th Grade Band Camp at the High School: As we did this year, we will be hosting an 8th grade band camp at the high school for those students that wish to see what it is like at the high school level, play some of the music with existing band members, and ask as many questions about the high school ensembles as can be thought up to help the transition to the high school be as smooth as possible. We will, at the moment, assuming testing is not an issue for either middle or high school, hold this April 4-6 and April 11-13 after school each Tuesday-Thursday from 3-4:30. Bring your instrument and prepare to have a lot of fun with us. Attend as many of the days as you are able – no requirement. This is meant to help dispel the fear and intensity of playing music at the high school level and dealing with Marching Band.

Audition deadlines for the High School will be due on May 1^st. All auditions will be done online using Seesaw. The current code will be provided each week as it expires regularly. Sign up as a student for the High School Auditions page and use the code MFBS EALO. This will expire soon – email me to get the most recent code. Students will audition if they plan on trying to enter the Wind Ensemble, or Jazz Band. Those wishing to go straight into Symphonic Band with no audition do not need to enter but do need to reach out to me so I know to expect you. Auditions will consist of playing a full octave chromatic scale, as many of the major scales as you are able to play (hopefully, all twelve), and the All-West audition music from this current year (the entire page of music).

AP Music Theory Review information to be coming soon. I will be hosting those students from across the district that are wishing to partake in a review for the AP Music Theory Exam.