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NOTES FROM DIRECTORS |
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posted 3/10/10 Band Leadership: Band Student Leadership will meet next on Wednesday, March 17, at 8AM. Advanced Band LGPE: The Advanced Band will perform for LGPE on March 23 at 11:50AM at Benjamin E. Mays HS in Atlanta, Ga. Please see the music website for more details. Guest Clinician for Beginning and Intermediate Band: Gary Gribble, Director of Bands at Pope HS, will be working with the Intermediate and Beginning Band a few times during the month of March. As a band member, it’s always exciting to have a new set of ears and ideas on the podium. We look forward to Mr. Gribble sharing his expertise with our younger band members. posted 3/8/10 NEW INFORMATION: We have re-scheduled our ONE early morning rehearsal before LGPE (that was cancelled last week due to weather) for THIS THURSDAY, March 11, from 7:45-8:20. We asked the kids and this was the day they felt would be best, since it was a half day. Please make every effort to have your child at rehearsal. If they absolutely cannot attend due to a previous commitment, we will have to understand due to the short notice. Just a few reminders: LGPE Field Trip Forms Due TODAY, Monday, March 8 Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 9th * 7:30-9AM Uniform check-in * 3PM Kids report to bandroom, eat, change, warm-up * 5PM MAKE-UP Pre-LGPE concert (only 3 pieces) * 5:20'ish Strike CC and return equip to bandroom * 5:45'ish Should be done ***As of today, we are only 9 rehearsals (including the early morning one) away from LGPE. We have asked each student to practice their instrument AT LEAST 10 MINUTES EVERY DAY between now and LGPE. We do not feel this is too much to ask for such an important event for our band program. Remember, it is like our band's yearly "final exam". Please encourage your child to practice PRODUCTIVELY for a few minutes each day until March 23rd. Our suggestion was each day they work on a tricky measure, work through accidentals, play through a long phrase, work out some articulations......just choose one or two things each day to focus on a clear up. If each child did that, the band would get 31 times better every day. By LGPE, that will equate to exponential improvement. Thank you for your support of the band program. Sincerely, Paula Williams posted 3/2/10
Georgia All-State Band
Jake Parker will be representing High Meadows School as principal percussionist in the GMEA Middle School All-State Band this Thursday through Saturday in Savannah, Georgia. He will be joining other middle school musicians from around the state of Georgia, all of whom competed in two-rounds of district and state level auditions to earn their position as a member of the All-State Band.
Winter Band Concert
Congratulations to members of all three HMS Bands for their outstanding performances last week. Special kudos go out to the seven Advanced Band student conductors, Mike Bascle, Taylor Moore, Lillian Shoji, Harold Hernandez, Joseph Mitteldorf, Rachel Sewell, and Sarah Borozan, for their fantastic conducting debut. A special thanks to Ruby Zimmerman and Emily Kennerson for their help in making the Advanced Band performance a completely student-driven event. Last but not least, the program could not run without the help of parent volunteers. Thanks to all parents who chaperoned and assisted with last week’s band concert.
Drum Club Session III
Forms for the third and final session of this year’s Drum Club went home in backpack mail last week. The first meeting of Session III is NEXT Wednesday, March 10. Sign-up forms can also be downloaded from the music website, which can be accessed from the front page of the HMS portal.
Band Leadership Band Student Leadership will meet next on Wednesday, March 17, at 8AM.
Advanced Band LGPE
The Advanced Band will perform for LGPE on March 23 at 11:50AM at Benjamin E. Mays HS in Atlanta, Ga. Please see the music website for more details.
Guest Clinician for Beginning and Intermediate Band
Gary Gribble, Director of Bands at Pope HS, will be working with the Intermediate and Beginning Band a few times during the month of March. As a band member, it’s always exciting to have a new set of ears and ideas on the podium. We look forward to Mr. Gribble sharing his expertise with our younger band members. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE POSTING, AS IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS WEDNESDAY'S BAND CONCERT. Dear Band Parents, Hopefully it comes as no surprise to anyone that the HMS Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Bands have their Winter Concert THIS WEDNESDAY, February 24, at 5PM in the Community Center at High Meadows School. The students are very excited about this week's performance, as it has a few special surprises in store.
Band uniform check-in is Tuesday morning, February 23, from 7:30-8:45AM. Please send your student to school on TUESDAY with their complete band uniform for WEDNESDAY'S concert. Uniform details can be found on the music website or in your band handbook. Uniforms are the same as they were for the December concert. ***BEGINNING BAND MEMBERS Many Beginning Band members had uniform "issues" at the last concert, at the last minute. Please make sure all uniform issues are resolved before uniform check-in on Tuesday morning to avoid the last minute uniform scramble we had before the December concert.
All Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Band Members are to report to the bandroom IMMEDIATELY after school. Students will be fed pizza and water, change into their band uniforms, warm-up for the concert, then begin performances at 5PM. STUDENTS ARE IN PERFORMANCE PREPARATION MODE FROM 3-5PM. THEY ARE "IN-CLASS"; PARENTS NOT INVOLVED AS OFFICIAL BAND CHAPERONES PLEASE ALLOW YOUR CHILD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PREPARE FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE FROM 3-5PM WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, EXCEPT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. All students are well-taken care of and supervised from the moment they are dismissed from class at 3PM until they are dismissed after the concert. Please consider them as students in class during this timeframe. ***Community Center doors open to the audience at 4:45PM*** The concert will begin PROMPTLY at 5PM with the Beginning Band, then Intermediate Band, and concluding with the Advanced Band. The entire program should end around 5:45PM. At that time, the audience will be asked to remain in the Community Center while the students and chaperones strike the band set, and the students return to the bandroom and music room to gather their bookbags and clothes. ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO STAY FOR THE DURATION OF THE CONCERT. We look forward to seeing everyone at this Wednesday's Winter Band Concert. As always, please check the music website for detailed information. Sincerely, Paula Williams Music Director, High Meadows School posted 2/16/10 Music Department News District V Honor Band This Friday and Saturday, February 19 and 20, Jake Parker and Andrew Michael will represent High Meadows School and band as members of the District V Honor Band. They auditioned last December to earn a position in this ensemble made up of middle school musicians from public and private schools throughout District V. The band will meet for the first time Friday afternoon, and rehearse through the afternoon on Saturday. They will perform Saturday evening at Milton HS. HMS Band Concert Next Wednesday, February 24, all three HMS Bands will perform a Winter Concert at 5PM in the Community Center. Everyone is invited to attend. The concert will last approximately 45 minutes, and will feature the Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Bands. Please refer to the Music Department website for further details. Student Conductors 19 members of the Advanced Band participated in a conducting seminar over the last 6 weeks. Last Thursday, 13 of those members auditioned to be one of 7 student conductors on the upcoming Band Concert. The 7 student conductors (in no particular order) are: Mike Bascle, Taylor Moore, Lillian Shoji, Joseph Mitteldorf, Harold Hernandez, Sarah Borozan, and Rachel Sewell. The Advanced Band will be conducted by ONLY these 7 students at next Wednesday's performance. Drum CLub III begins March 10; sign-ups go home Wednesday 2/17/10 Session III Drum Club information will go home in backpack mail Wednesday, 2/17. Drum CLub Session III will begin on Wednesday, March 10, immediately after school in the bandroom. It is open to any student in grades K-2. Please consult the music website for more information. Band Mission Statement The 13 remaining Founding Members of the HMS Band program worked with Pope HS Band Director Gary Gribble to create a Mission Statement for the HMS Bands. It will be presented to the community as part of next Wednesday's band concert. LGPE; Advanced Band Only The Advanced Band will perform their Large Group Performance Evaluation on March 23rd at 11:50AM at Benjamin Mays HS in Atlanta, Ga. posted 2/11/10 Dear Advanced Band Families, We were told yesterday that our LGPE performance date and time is Tuesday, March 23, at 11:50AM. The event will be held at Benjamin Mays HS just south of Atlanta. Just like last year, we will be traveling as a band by charter bus to and from the event. While we should have all the specific details in place in the next week or so, I wanted to make sure everyone at least had this date and time. PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE ANYTHING ON THIS DATE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT WE HAVE ALL MEMBERS FOR THIS EVALUATED PERFORMANCE. More details to come. Sincerely, Paula Williams posted 2/8/10 GISA All-Select Middle School Band Over the past weekend, 5 members of the Advanced Band volunteered to participate in the GISA Middle School All-Select Band. Daniel Lopez, Andrew Michael, Joseph Mitteldorf, Jaxson Shickler, and Lillian Shoji joined with other Independent School band students and guest conductors, rehearsing Saturday and performing a concert on Sunday. Advanced Band: Sym Camp this Thursday, February 11 This Thursday, February 11, ALL Advanced Band members will report to the bandroom immediately after school for a snack in preparation for rehearsal from 4-6 with Dr. Scott Stewart of Emory University. Conducting Seminar This Wednesday morning (2/10) from 7:45-8:20 all conducting students interested in auditioning for one of 7 student conducting positions on the February 24 concert are invited to a conducting practice session in the music room. The auditions will take place during Advanced Band class on Thursday and Friday. Student conductors will be announced on Friday, February 12. Leadership Team The Band Leadership team will meet next Wednesday, February 17, from 8-8:25AM in the music room. All members are expected to attend. No Intermediate Band Wednesday, February 17 Band Concert Wednesday, February 24 ALL bands will perform on Wednesday, February 24, beginning at 5PM in the Community Center. Please check the music website and calendar regularly for the most up to date information regarding the music program. posted 2/3/10
Music Department News for Weekending 2/5/10
There is a lot happening in the Music department this month. Information is disbursed in many forms to assure that all members of the community stay informed, it is always discussed and clarified with the students during class and rehearsal times, posted here in the Meadow Messenger, emailed, and of course posted on the music website which can be accessed from the front page menu of the HM portal.
Charter Band Members to Create a Mission Statement: This week the charter members of the band program will work with Mr. Gary Gribble, Music Director for Pope High School to develop a Mission Statement for the band program. Students will meet in the band room from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Pizza, light snack and water will be provided for the students. Your student can be picked up in front of the CST building at 7:00pm.
3rd Annual GISA All-Select Band: Participants Daniel Lopez, Andrew Michael, Joseph Mittledorf, Jaxson Shickler and Lillian Shoji will be joining other Georgia independent school students this Saturday and Sunday, February 6th and 7th at the Atlanta Academy in Roswell to perform at the 3rd Annual GISA All-Select Band. A few weeks ago these students received music to practice on an individual basis for the concert on Sunday. On Saturday they will play this music with the other members of the GISA ensembles for the first time as a group at an all day rehearsal. After a brief morning of rehearsal on Sunday they will perform a concert at the Atlanta Academy. Ms Williams will be acting as Percussion Director for both of the GISA bands this weekend. We wish all the participants good luck and our thanks for representing High Meadows at this annual GISA event.
Advanced Band Camp: In preparation of the upcoming LGPE performance Dr. Scott Stewart, Music Director of Emory University, will be guest clinician for the Advanced band on Thursday, February 11th in the band room from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Students will be served pizza and water. Your student can be picked up in front of the CST building at 6:00pm.
Leadership Team Meeting: Wednesday, February 17th at 8:00 am in the band room. All members of the Leadership team are expected to attend.
NO Intermediate Band Rehearsal: Rehearsal of the Intermediate band will be cancelled on Wednesday, February 17th. Rehearsal will resume on Thursday morning, February 18th at 7:45am
District V Honor Band: Andrew Michael and Jake Parker will represent High Meadows at the (Fulton County) District V Honor Band Concert to be held at Milton High School on Friday and Saturday, February 19th and 20th
Upcoming Concerts: Our next band concert will be held in the Community Center on Wednesday, February 24th at 5:00 PM. ALL three bands will be performing and they will ALL be required to be in “formal” dress. Please refer to the band handbook that was distributed at the beginning of the year. Dress attire and concert information is also posted on the website. The music department website can be accessed from the High Meadows portal opening menu bar Music Department News for week ending 1/29: Conducting Seminar will conclude with an in-class demonstration by seminar members as they lead the Advanced Band in rehearsal on Tuesday, January 26th. We were very impressed with the enthusiastic response shown by the band members who participated. Understanding the conducting process will enable these students to better appreciate their contribution to the music performance as a whole unit. This experience will also provide the student a deeper understanding of the non-spoken communication / direction they receive from the conductor during a performance.
Leadership in Action: To the Advance Band members who have so graciously been attending Intermediate Band rehearsals in the mornings as mentors, we thank you for all you do to encourage and support your fellow band members and for your examples of leadership in action. We look forward to seeing you, as your schedule permits, at future Intermediate Band rehearsals.
Mission Statement Development Workshop will be held on Thursday, February 4th with Gary Gribble, Band Director at Pope High School. Charter members of the High Meadows band will develop a mission statement as part of the legacy they have created through their membership over the course of the last four years. The workshop will be held in the band room from 4:00-7:00 pm. We will serve pizza and provide light snacks and water to the participants.
GISA All-Select Band participants Daniel Lopez, Andrew Michael, Joseph Mittledorf, Jaxson Shickler and Lillian Shoji will be joining Georgia Independent school students next Saturday and Sunday, February 6th and 7th at the Atlanta Academy in Roswell.
Symphonic Band Camp will be held on Thursday, February 11th for the Advanced Band from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Dr. Scott Stewart, Director of Music for Emory University, will be working with Advanced Band members in preparation for the upcoming LGPE festival performance to be held at Mays High School. The session will take place after school from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Your student should bring a snack. We will provide water.
Leadership Team will meet next on Wednesday, February 17th at 8:00 am. All members of the Leadership team are expected to attend.
Upcoming Concerts: Our next band concert will be held in the Community Center on Wednesday, February 24th at 5:00 PM. ALL three bands will be performing and they will ALL be required to be in “formal” dress. Please refer to the band handbook that was distributed at the beginning of the year. Dress attire and concert information is also posted on the website. The music department website can be accessed from the High Meadows portal opening menu bar. posted 1.19.10
Music Department News for week ending 1/22:
This Week:
Wednesday 1/20:
- No Intermediate Band Rehearsal today, as emailed and posted on the website and calendar.
-Leadership Team meeting 8:00 AM in the band room. All members of the team are expected to attend.
Thursday 1/21:
-Intermediate Band Rehearsal @ 7:45 AM
-Conducting Seminar (AB band members) @ 3:00 -4:00 PM in the band room
Friday 1/22:
-Dr. Scott Stewart, Music Director at Emory University, Guest Clinician for Advance Band during AB class.
Guest Clinician, Dr. Scott Stewart of Emory University will join the Advanced band on Friday of this week to continue to fine tune each of the three band selections to be played at LGPE in March at Mays High School.
Conducting Seminar: We were very happy to see such strong interest from the Advanced band members who chose to participate in the Conducting seminar which began last week. Our second meeting is this Thursday after school in the band room upon dismissal from class. Students were assigned homework, so please bring the class packet that was distributed at our first meeting, your “homework,” and the enthusiasm that we saw last week.
All-State Update: Congratulations to Jake Parker for completing two rounds of auditions and winning first chair percussion in the 2010 Georgia Middle School All-State band. Jake will represent High Meadows School at the All-State performance to be held at the Savannah Convention Center the first weekend in March.
Upcoming Concerts: Our next band concert will be held in the Community Center on Wednesday, February 24th at 5:00 PM. ALL three of the bands will be performing and they will ALL be required to be in “formal” dress. Please refer to the band handbook that was distributed at the beginning of the year. Dress attire and concert information is also posted on the website. The music department website can be accessed from the High Meadows portal opening menu bar.
Music Department News for Week Ending January 15, 2010 posted 1/4/10
Band Students to Perform with District Honor Band
In December, Jake Parker and Andrew Michael auditioned alongside hundreds of other middle school band members from Fulton County/District V for the opportunity to perform as a member of the annual District V Honor Band. Any student enrolled in a band program at their public or private school could choose to audition. Jake and Andrew accepted the challenge of preparing the required scales, rudiments, etudes, and sightreading all auditionees were required to perform as part of the audition process. Jake Parker, a 7th grade Advanced Band member, won first chair percussion in the District Band. Andrew Michael, a 6th grade Advanced Band member, placed 4th chair trumpet in the District. Both students will rehearse and perform with other outstanding young musicians from Fulton county as members of the District V Honor Band February 19th and 20th at Milton HS.
Andrew Michael and Jake Parker will be entering round two of the audition process this weekend in Perry, Ga. as they compete against middle school band members from around the state of Georgia that also successfully advanced past the first round District auditions. The HMS music department wishes Jake and Andrew best of luck this weekend as they represent the HMS band program and school in the statewide competition to earn a position as a member of the 2010 Georgia All-State Band.
GISA All-Select Band
The 3rd Annual Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) All-Select Band will be performing on Sunday, February 7th at the Atlanta Academy in Roswell. The following five members of the Advanced Band that volunteered to participate will represent High Meadows School.
Andrew Michael, 6th grade – trumpet
Lillian Shoji, 6th grade - percussion
Daniel Lopez, 7th grade - percussion
Joseph Mittledorf, 7th grade – flute
Jaxson Shickler, 8th grade – percussion
Please join us in congratulating all of our band members and wish them well as they represent our school at these events.
posted 1/3/10 The next concert for the music department is February 24, 2010. It will involve ALL band levels. Information from the music department is always communicated to students and their families in numerous ways. To ensure you receive information regarding band or any music department activity please ask your student, check the music department portion of the Meadow Messenger on a weekly basis and, of course, you can always refer to the music department website for the most up-to-date information. All emails that are sent out to the High Meadows community from the music department are posted to the website the same day they are sent. Emails are posted by the appropriate sub-category. For example if an email applies to all levels of band the email will be posted to each page; beginning, intermediate and advanced. If you are having any problems or have questions, please always send either Ms Williams or Mr. Wright an email at: paulawilliams@highmeadows.org pwright@highmeadows.org As always, thank you for you continued support of the students and the music department.
Music Department |