Author: briantsims

Thanks to the amazing work and aid of Mami Wexler, our program has been granted a substantial amount of money to purchase new uniforms for our program. More information to come on this soon.

I also wish to send a huge thanks to all those that helped with our recent car wash as we did very well and the kids had a great time. Special thanks to Breanne Bozant for getting pizzas for the kids and Sherry Coates for helping get fruit and water for the kids as they washed cars and played on the sidewalk to the traffic on Poplar.

Also, a huge thanks to the Boosters as a whole and Graciela Pagin for helping to set this up, create the flyers and get us moving again after a quiet winter. It is nice to see the kids working together as they were Saturday. More car washes will be on the horizon – keep an eye on this site for more information.

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.

The most important piece at the moment is ensuring ALL students have completed the online contract. If not, they may be sent home and not allowed to participate. Also, many students still have not paid the $55 to the school to cover the cost for the convention. If you do not pay in time, I will share with the board that they need to call up the next alternate in line and your child will not participate. If you have financial needs, and require aid, or cannot pay in time, please let me know as soon as possible. Also, all students participating should have band fees fully paid in full before attending the convention. Update, all students should wear the same clothes they wear for our concerts. The Jazz Band is specifically all black, typically with a black coat if available. Transportation is not provided by the school. All students will need to be dropped off and picked up for the clinic. I cannot provide a bus for everyone during this clinic as I have to be there during hours when several are not needing to be there.

The following is current information from the WTSBOA website for those parents that have students attending All-West. Meals are available at the concession stand (shown below), but many students choose to go off site to eat at nearby restaurants. I am happy to chaperone students to meals, but please share with your child to never go off without being in a group, or an adult. If you wish your student to eat on site, they may and can bring their own food but we have been asked to not have students bring food into the Convention Center. All food needs to be consumed off site, or purchased from the provided vendor.

Please note that all students must have a stand and their own music for the event. I will provide stands to those that do not have their own – just ask! Brass players will need to be aware and take mutes as needed, Jazz performers especially. Percussionists will need to take any instruments listed on the given sheet that came with your music.

Students in the jazz ensembles need to be aware of their start times and when they need to be on site. Concert members also need to be aware they should arrive by noon to be registered. I have already done the paperwork side of things, but I need to pass out the tags and any new information for the event. Blue Jazz members should not be late at all as it could not only cost you the chance to audition for All-State, but it could cause you to lose your place at All-West altogether. I will meet everyone in the lobby to get things started. Parking is available underneath the Convention Center, and is usually $10, but the gate is typically open during the convention times – not the concert. There is also parking in lots for cheap nearby, but do not park in the slots in the hotel across the street as you will either be towed, or your car can get a boot placed on it keeping you from getting home.

Click to access All-West-schedule-2023.pdf

• The only instruments provided will be Vibes for Aux Percussion Players. All Rhythm Players must provide their OWN bass, amps, keyboards, congas, drum set, cymbals, sticks, cords, etc.

• Brass players (except Bass Trombone) will need cup mutes for their All-State Jazz Auditions. CHECK their music to see what other mutes they need for their All-West Jazz Band Performances.

• Auditions are scheduled to start AT 8 AM on Thursday in room 108 in the Convention Center. Students should be there already warmed up/set up BEFORE 8 AM.

• All students need their OWN stands for rehearsal.

Concessions will be available for purchase in the Renasant Convention Center during the lunch break Friday afternoon. See below for the menu and prices. No outside food or drinks are allowed in the Renasant Convention Center.

White Station High School Band

Starting this Tuesday until November 28 our students have another opportunity to raise money individually while shopping for the holidays.
Money raised can be used for all music needs, to cover band fees or the band trip cost. Money raised this year will stay in the student’s account until graduation and can be used anytime. To start your individual online store, go to: https://www.boonsupply.com/collections/618596-white-station-high-school-band

Tuesday rehearsals are off for the next two weeks. The next two Thursdays will have rehearsals from 2:30-4:30. Senior Night is this Friday versus Germantown (@ Kirby HS). Seniors will be recognized during half time with family. We are in full uniform for the last two games and will plan on performing our show each game.

Seniors, for those who still have not completed the information form, please follow this link and complete the form ASAP: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=lBwpK7Bet0SJ6kuvFuzEqW3-KdU9–pCkht4BkdV0bBUQVlXRFVRTlJXQ0cxQVdGTk02WTQxWE5QOS4u

For those who have raised money through the popcorn fundraiser and would like to use it for the band trip, or anything else, email the boosters through this site: About Us tab, Director and Booster Leaders, scroll to the bottom and leave your message. The sooner you get the information to them, the faster they are able to send a list to the travel agency and move forward.

The Jazz Band has been asked to perform at the University of Memphis, Holiday Inn Hotel for a special function. They will be leaving school to play around 11am and playing at 11:30. This is only the beginning of opportunities for everyone who wishes to get out in the community to perform. I would like to introduce a coffee house experience in the future for students to perform in classical and jazz formats, either solo or in combos, for an array of people. I am trying to provide opportunities for everyone to play while also involving our neighborhood in what we do. Keep your eyes and ears open for this in the future as well.

Questions about anything, email me directly or the boosters. Have a great day and rest of the Fall Break!

There will be no practice or sectionals today after school, or Thursday. I am also calling all sectionals to be cancelled by section leaders as well so everyone can focus on completing class work for all classes before grades are posted. Focus on the concert tonight and grades for the remainder of the week. Symphonic Band does not have to attend the concert tonight.