6th Grade Playing Test

The 6th grade playing tests will be held January 17-19.  Please prepare the following:

1.  Bb Major Scale  (from scale sheet or p. 42 in your blue book)
2.  Chromatic Scale  (from scale sheet or p. 15 in your blue book)
3.  #50 and #98 (from your blue book)

These exercises have been picked to allow you to showcase many different skills you have learned this year.  Please pay close attention to the following when you're preparing in order to get the best grade possible:
- Quality of Tone- Always work for beautiful playing!  Think an "Oh" shape, avoid an "Eee" shape.
- Dotted rhythms
- 16th note rhythms (1e&a or 1 &a)
- Tonguing and Slurring
- Check all key signatures
- Phrasing- breathe only when marked
- Mapping- follow all repeats, 1st and 2nd endings, DC al Coda, etc.
- Tap your foot and keep a steady tempo

PERCUSSION:  Please be prepared to play the same scales as everyone else on the mallet instrument of your choice.  Also be prepared to play Mr. Miller's snare drum warm-up.  You do not need to prepare #50 nor #98.

Tuesday instruments:  Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, and French horn
Wednesday instruments:  Tuba, Baritone, Trombone, and Tenor Sax
Thursday instruments:  Percussion, Trumpet, and Alto Sax

Jazz Band Schedule- 2nd Semester

Welcome back!  Now that we've all had a very restful break, it's time to get back in the swing of things with Jazz Band!  (Haha... "swing" of things... get it? :)

It is important that every member of the jazz band is at each rehearsal.  Our rehearsal time is limited, so please let Mrs. Baker know in advance if you should have a conflict with a rehearsal.

7th Grade Jazz will meet every Wednesday morning starting on January 11th at 7am in the band room.  We will rehearse every week up through May 9th.

Our schedule for 8th Grade Jazz will be as it was first semester- we'll meet Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the semester with a few exceptions for weeks that have altered schedules.  During the week before President's Day weekend and Good Friday, we will meet Tuesday and THURSDAY since there is no school Friday of those weeks.  

Important Dates
Augie Jazz Festival:  March 6th

Turkey Supper:  April 14th

Spring Concert: May 11

FOR EVERYONE:  Should we happen to have a snow day or a late start due to bad weather, jazz band is cancelled on that day.

Any questions?  Please let Mrs. Baker know.

8th Grade Jazz Music Listening Links:
http://www.jwpepper.com/10188511.item
http://www.jwpepper.com/2433787.item
http://www.jwpepper.com/2481488.item
Hakuna Matata coming soon...

Jazz Band

Spring Jazz Band will start on FRIDAY, JANUARY 6th for 8th Grade Jazz Band.

7th Grade Jazz Band will start on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11.

All rehearsals held are in the MS Band Room at 7:00am.

Jazz Tour

We'll be leaving at 8:10 from school and going to all four elementaries.

Fred Assam:  9:15
Brandon Elementary: 10:30
Robert Bennis: 1:00
Valley Springs:  2:15
Return to MS at 3:00.

Remember to bring money for lunch ($7.00 plus tax).
Attire:  Black top (any kind without writing), jeans, and Santa hats.

6th Grade Winter Concert

Tuesday, December 20th - 7:00pm - BV PAC

Warm up at 6:15 in the HS Band Room

Dress Clothes
No Jeans or Shirts with writing
Ladies, shoulders must be covered and skirts/dresses must be an appropriate length.

Music for Jazz Band

Here you go, guys!  Enjoy your Thanksgiving breaks!  See you all Tuesday morning.

Click on the "Play" button in the audio bar on each page to hear the song you want.

http://jwpepper.com/10277448.item
http://jwpepper.com/2445658.item
http://jwpepper.com/2473682.item
http://jwpepper.com/2439123.item

Middle School All-State Band Information

We know you’ve been working very hard to prepare your All-State band material.  Can you believe that auditions are coming up in only a few weeks?  There are a few things you and your parents need to know as we close in on audition day.  Please read over all of this information carefully with your parents so you can be well prepared for your audition.

Extra Help

If you would like additional one-on-one help in preparing for your audition, please sign up for a time on the white board in the band office.  Mrs. Baker has times available every night after school.  You may sign up for up to two lessons per week, but please space them out so that you will have time to practice in between.  Also, please sign up for the earliest available time on the day you are planning to get help.  Mr. Miller has times available most days after school and many days before school.  Please contact him directly for available times.

 Auditions

Auditions will be recorded in the Middle School Band Room.  The two options for audition times are :

1.  During the school day the week before Thanksgiving break (November 21-23)

2.  After school the week after Thanksgiving break (November 28-December 1)

If you have a preference for which day you record, please let Mrs. Baker know as soon as possible.  If not, we will assign groups for each day.  The recordings take about 25 minutes for each person, so we will need quite a bit of time to get all students recorded. 

Auditions must be performed in the following order:  Scale sheet in the order written, starting with chromatic, 6/8 Etude, 4/4 Etude.  Percussionists must perform scale sheet in the order written, mallet etude, timpani etude, snare rudiments in the order written, snare etude.  Mallet etude and scales may be performed on marimba, xylophone, or bells. 

Fees

There is a $9.00 fee to audition for All-State band.  We will need to send in one check as a school, so please bring $9.00 in cash to Mrs. Baker or Mr. Miller.  We will combine all money into one check to send in to SDMEA. 

Lodging

We have received word that lodging in Pierre may be difficult to come by this year due to a number of events being held on the same weekend.  Please call to reserve your room now to ensure that you and your family have a place to stay should you be selected!  You can cancel later if you are not selected.  Room blocks have been reserved at several hotels.  See www.sdmea.net/ms-all-state-band.html and click on the 2012 Lodging Link for more information. 

All-State Weekend

All-State band will be held in Pierre on March 2nd and 3rd.  All rehearsals are held at T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre.  Since this is NOT an activity officially sponsored by the Middle School, each student will need to make their own travel plans with their families.  More information will be available as the date gets closer for those selected.

Once again, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication in preparing for this event!  We appreciate the time and work you have put in to make yourselves better players and are proud of your efforts and achievements.  Our entire band has benefited from your hard work and dedication.  Thank you!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Baker and Mr. Miller