Into Quarter 3 We Go
January 2024
Congratulations 5th and 6th grade bands!
5th and 6th grade bands presented their winter concert on Thursday, November 30. Wow did they do an amazing job! Not only did they play well, but their concert etiquette and performance behavior was spot on. I'm so proud of each of them and hope they felt good about their concert. It keeps getting better from here!! Each concert we have more ability and more skill, so the music just keeps getting more fun to perform =)
Ensemble Unit Comes to a Close in MS
Students were assigned groups and music and the learning was put into their hands! They were in charge of preparing a performance in 7--8 rehearsals. They had to learn not only the notes and rhythms, but begin adding in dynamics, articulations, and more of the musical elements we discuss regularly in middle school. The groups performed for the class in a mini recital type setting, then took it on the road, performing for grades K-2. I am so impressed with the preparation as well as the process. So many groups worked so well together to ensure all parts came through! Way to go, middle school band!
Congratulations DVUSD Honor Band!!
Students in grades 6-8 learned and prepared scales and etudes for our annual DVUSD Honor Band. Historically, this group has been a nomination group. However, this year, students could audition to be in the group and had to score in the top for their sections to be accepted. This event is on Monday, February 12 at BCHS. Students accepted have new music to learn and will spend all day at BCHS putting the music together from other DVUSD north region schools. Congratulations to all our members of this prestigious group!
Mia, Vivian, Logan, Xander, Sam, Brody, Cason, Gideon, and Cole will represent our 6th graders while Kaitlynn, Mason, Kiley, Jordan, Tori, Paige, Peter, Colin, David, Andrew, Susan, and Mason will all represent our middle school. There are a few students who auditioned into the alternate role. Should any student on the roster not be able to fill their slot and withdraw by Friday, January 5, these students will be called in... Olivia, Riley, Reiley, Justin, Caden, and Maya.
WAY TO GO on your amazing auditions. I'm so proud of you and excited that you'll get to participate in the first every DVUSD auditioned Honor Band.
Quarter 3 begins upon return..
Can you believe it is almost winter break, and with that, the first semester of school ends?! It feels like we just started our 23-24 journey together just yesterday. Upcoming things for the bands:
- Regular assessments -- students should be prepared for assigned work, as small assessments will occur weekly. Many of these will be homework grades in the gradebook, but assessments that count as true test grades will occur. I am listening for correct notes, correct rhythms, and fantastic tone on their instrument. There are other gradable factors, especially 6th grade and beyond: articulations, dynamics, pulse, balance and blend.
- Canvas is being heavily utilized in 6-8th grades. In many cases, assignments are already published with dates. Students will have UP TO 2 WEEKS after the given due date for make ups!
- Schedules return to normal! -- 5th and 6th grade will be back to the schedule laid out in October.
- 6th grade has ONE modification, communicated in class and via Canvas Q3 syllabus. Full band will not occur every week, rather a rotation of smaller group instruction will occur. Please see the syllabus in Canvas for exact schedule for Q3. Full band will return regularly Q4!
- Middle school has a LOT going on...
- DVUSD Honor Band - this is for accepted students only
- BCHS concert band feeder night - concert in February will take place on the stage at BCHS. Students will be preparing 2 songs for that performance.
- ABODA Area Festival - we will travel to Centennial HS to perform our annual festival performace for a group grade.
- NAU Band Clinic - I am in the process of finalizing all details for this and getting full pricing information. Friday, April 26-Saturday, April 27 -- we will travel up to NAU and have a clinic with band director Dr. Stephen Meyer on the NAU stage! We will have small group masterclasses with collegiate level students, eat lunch at the union in a college setting, travel to hotel for some down time before dinner and the NAU Wind Symphony (band) concert that night. Saturday morning, I'm hoping to have a team building time at Flagstaff Xtreme (obstacle and zipline adventure). Detailed information and pricing will come out soon!