November is here...

5th graders are doing such an amazing job navigating their new 2nd quarter schedule. Please always reference the day rotation (emailed out and paper copy handed out) to know their special area schedule. RTI days remain consistent throughout.

Special Areas Time:

Day 1 - Percussion

Day 2 - Brass

Day 3 - Woodwinds

Day 4 - Brass

Day 5 - Percussion

Day 6 - Woodwinds

RTI times

Monday - Flutes

Tuesday - Reeds

Wednesday - Percussion

Thursday - Brass

**Full band rehearsals coming up on November 15, November 20, and November 21**

All students need their instrument on full band days. These are concert preparation rehearsals.

5th graders have not only been navigating their schedules, but also the idea of playing alone in class. They have started playing alone, as well as with others, for better individualized feedback. Feedback is provided to assist all students in growing on their instruments. Items addressed include note reading, posture, embouchure (band face), air, tone, fingers, rhythm, etc.

CONCERT REMINDER!

Our first band concert is Thursday, November 21 at 5:30pm. Students should arrive around 5-5:10pm for attendance, instructions, and a short warm-up. They should be wearing their band shirts, jeans or black pants, and any shoes work. Hoodies should be left in the band room, so if it is chilly, plan a long sleeve shirt underneath their tee.

5th grade band performs first; 6th grade band performs second. The concert should be around 30-40 minutes in length.

Concerts are a required element of the course. There may be some nerves for the first concert, but I promise you, afterwards, they will be so happy and excited.

6th grade band has been working so hard on their Honor Band audition music as well as their first concert selection, Dragon Slayer. There has been so much growth made in this band, and we continue to work towards our best tone, increased note identificaiton, and differentiated articulations. Students all learned how to submit an audition, which requires a lot of focus, concentration, and preparation.

DVUSD Honor Band is a group comprised of students from across DVUSD, representing all schools with 6th grade students. Students across the district prepared the same audition. Each director could submit a given number per instrument for potential to be accepted into the Honor Band. This year, Honor Band will occur on February 12, 2025 at SDOHS. 6th grade band will be conducted by Mrs. Debbie Hutson, a very talented director and dear friend of mine. Selected students will prepared 3 selections, travel to SDOHS, put the 3 pieces together with all other students, then perform a night time concert for parents. We will know just prior to Thanksgiving if any of our 15 submitted student auditions were accepted! Best of luck to our 15!

CONCERT REMINDER!

Our first band concert is Thursday, November 21 at 5:30pm. Students should arrive around 5-5:10pm for attendance, instructions, and a short warm-up. They should be wearing their band shirts, jeans or black pants, and any shoes work. Hoodies should be left in the band room, so if it is chilly, plan a long sleeve shirt underneath their tee.

5th grade band performs first; 6th grade band performs second. The concert should be around 30-40 minutes in length. As you know, concerts are a required element of the course.

Middle School has been super busy! We celebrated our first quarter together with a donut party, which was a surprise to them.

We had our SDOHS Marching Band Feeder Night on October 25. This event was so much fun. Students got to interact and meet with the OC band members, as well as Mr. Cilone. It's hard to explain exactly what marching band is and how, yes, there is work involved, but it is fun and well worth it. If I'm being honest with you, I also was scared to do marching band and didn't want to. You see, back in 1997 in Cincinnati, OH, our high school was only grades 10-12 and our marching band was over 230 members that year. That is scary to a brand new high schooler! I am so glad I joined. I had friends in all grade levels, learned a lot about student leadership, and got to be a part of a very special program that I still remember like it was yesterday. Marching band runs July-November with only 2 rehearsals per week night. There are SOME Friday football games, usually just home games, and competition saturdays begin late September, sometimes October. The calendar is set prior the end of the school year, so there is a lot of notice of events.

• YES YOU CAN DO OTHER ACTIVITIES AND MARCHING BAND! It is definitely possible to do sports and band, which is the number one question we get asked. There are many photos of footballers in their uniforms marching the halftime shows floating around out there. It does take communication between programs, but it is possible. The only sport that overlaps is club soccer and school football.
• You learn in stages -- we don't place the kids on the field and say go. Everything is tiered. Students start with basic commands, how to hold the instrument for marching band, and basic marching style. From there, it grows and more is learned... just like 5th grade band into 6th grade band and middle school. The upperclassmen are the ones doing a lot of the teaching. There are also other staff members, not just the band director, all there to help the students.

There are many students that often shy away without knowing much about it, or they say they will join later... just join now! Please just try one year... if you don't like it after one year, you at least know you tried!

Middle School had their first concert with me on October 29 and boy did they sound amazing. I am so thankful for their hardwork, but also showing me the ropes here! It was so nice to say "hey show me how to set this up here" and they just did the things. I am so excited to hear their assessment performance coming up on November 14!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• November 8 Veteran's Day Assembly -- wear anything patriotic or band polo
• November 14 DVUSD Assessment -- travel with Dr. K to BCHS 10am-12:30pm for our graded performance. Wish us great skill!! FORMAL BLACK ATTIRE: Band Polo, Nice black pants/skirts, Nice SOLID black shoes, black accessories... shirts tucked in!
• December 17 Elevate Coffee Event -- students will be doing small ensembles and preparing fun holiday tunes. Come hear them at Elevate Coffee on December 17.

We are entering my favorite time of year, winter. I absolutely love everything about winter, especially here in Phoenix. I've experienced Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, and Montana winters, but Arizona tops my list. One thing that comes each holiday season is a gig that I perform each year, called Celebration of Christmas. Dream City Church puts this performance on each year and I'm lucky to have stumbled up on it. I have made amazing friends in the ensemble, but it is truly the only time I get to perform on my instrument. This year, I am performing 9 shows, plus 3 rehearsals to prepare. December is my busiest month... and I love it. The holiday season ends with my birthday... I'm a Jan 1 birthday!

As we enter Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years, I want to wish you all nothing but the best. This season is my personal favorite with decorations, amazing food, time with family, time away from work/school to be together... I wish you all nothing but the best and am thankful to be a part of the Stetson Hills family!