WPS Middle School Band Newsletter

January Edition!

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لترجمة هذه الرسالة من المدرسة ، اضغط عليها ثم استخدم الرابط الموجود على اليمين.

Այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք այն, ապա օգտագործեք աջ կողմում գտնվող հղումը:

Чтобы перевести этот бюллетень, нажмите на него, затем воспользуйтесь ссылкой справа.

Bu bülteni çevirmek için üzerine tıklayın ve ardından sağdaki bağlantıyı kullanın.

I will always add links to specific events and lessons to the newsletters; however, in order to add these to your personal calendar, you must subscribe to the FAPA calendar (linked above). You can hide the FAPA calendar so your personal cal is not clogged by superfluous events, while only adding the band events to your cal when the links are shared in the newsletters. Let me know if you have any questions about this!

Our 3rd payment for families who opted for the payment plan are due on Friday, February 14th!

1/15 4pm-5pm All-City Band Starts (4-12)

3/11 7pm Band-a-rama Concert (4-12)

4/5 All Day MICCA Festival (7/8th Grade Band)

5/16 Music in the Parks Field Trip (for 7/8 Band + Jazz Band)

5/26 11:30am Memorial Day Parade

This year we are streamlining a few things to make everything more efficient. These are the materials that each student needs to bring to class:

-Pencil

-Instrument/Sticks

-3 Ring Binder (to put music in)

-Music (which is provided)

-Valve oil/slide oil (for brass players)

-3 good reeds for clarinet/saxophone (bassoon/oboe only need two)

In Middle School, our concert attire changes. The recommended concert attire is:

Tops- Black dress shirt or blouse

Bottoms-black dress pants, or black skirt that goes below knees

Friends of Watertown Music

The Friends of Watertown Music is a parent organization that has been a major supporter of the fine arts program in Watertown for over ten years. FoWM is beginning to plan for our first MusicFest since 2019 and invites all parents who would like to help in any way. Email HelloWatertownMusic@gmail.com or call Chris Lowry at 617-923-0502 to learn more.

Practicing

We recommend students play their instrument 3+ times a week for at least 100 minutes in total time throughout the week to build muscle memory and reinforce habits taught in class.

Private Lessons

Want to be get better, quicker? PRIVATE LESSONS are the way to go!

Here is a great resource for private lesson instructors in the area. Private lessons are the quickest way for your budding musician to grow!

You can also check out Powers Music School in Belmont (on Concord Street near Belmont Center).

Clarinet and Saxophone Players-Reed Talk!

As we all are getting settled into school, one of the quickest ways for clarinets and saxophones to instantly sound better is to have a set of quality reeds.

Being a saxophone/clarinetist myself, it's important for how good each person sounds so they can work on other things. Having a set of quality reeds makes that easier!

Here are the only type of reeds that I recommend:

Clarinet Reeds

Elementary strength 2.5, 6th Grade strength 3, 7th-12th strength 3.5

Bass Clarinet Reeds

Strength 3

Alto Saxophone Reeds

Elementary/6th strength 2.5, 7th-12th strength 3

Tenor Saxophone Reeds

Elementary/6th strength 2.5, 7th-12th strength 3

Gift Items for the Band Student

Here are some ideas if you are thinking of getting your band student some quality goods.

September

October

November

December

January

Maxwell Thew, a Band Director, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Idaho and a Master's Degree in Music Education from the American Band College at Central Washington University. He has taught in Oregon for 4 years and in Massachusetts for 5 years. During his time in Oregon, he successfully led his groups to the OSAA state band for 2 years and jazz band for 2 years. He is recognized for his ability to facilitate rapid growth in the programs he oversees. His primary focus is on instructing musicians of all levels to succeed and nurturing the development of well-rounded individuals.

Mr. Spano teaches general and instrumental music at Lowell as well as MS Jazz Band, where he's worked for over 17 years. He studied saxophone at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and has a Master's in Music Education from Boston University.

Lauren Girouard is a passionate music educator and performer in the Boston area. As an educator, she has served as the Percussion Teaching Assistant for music education at Boston University, where she is pursuing her Master’s degree in Percussion Performance and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Percussion Performance in 2023. Lauren has performed with a variety of ensembles around the area, including the Boston University Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, Kendall Square Orchestra, and the Quincy Symphony. When she’s not playing music, Lauren enjoys taking scenic walks and going to Red Sox games. She is excited to begin her time in Watertown teaching percussion to all ages!