Sunday, 10 January 2010 00:00 Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 06:37
Dear MdN Band Families,
Happy 2010! May this year be filled with memorable experiences and easier times for everyone in your family. It’s high time that I write you all a letter – perhaps a resolution…? I am very excited to begin this spring band semester, jam-packed with oodles of goodies. Many opportunities have already been presented to students of the program this year, but several arrive in the springtime. With the onset of the New Year, and with the continuation of the Concert Wind Bands and Percussion Ensemble, students have the ability to audition for the All-Region Band and/or perform a solo, duet, trio, or larger ensemble for Solo/Ensemble weekend. In addition, the Symphony Orchestra will be in full-force by February; the Jazz Band kicks off their rehearsals this week; High School Musical’s pit orchestra along with the cast/crew is prepared to begin their rigorous season of laborious rehearsals and performances (for a great cause though!); “Night of Symphonic Ensembles” – what is that??; the month of recruiting for our incoming Class of 2014 is upon us!; a new parent Executive Board will be elected; brainstorming for next year’s marching season/band camp is readying its fortitude (already?! ☺); and, most thrilling of all is the beginning of the return of the Marcos de Niza Winter Percussion Line. Please read on for many details regarding the above…
- All-Region Band & Solo/Ensemble: If you resource the official Band Handbook from the beginning of the year, you will find information regarding this activity. Each student was asked to choose one or the other (or both) to participate in this school year. By doing so, it will allow the necessary out-of-school discipline to grow as a musician to ensue and as a student in this program. The weekend of auditions/performances is January 29 or January 30, and your child will receive his/her performance or audition time slot this week. Once again from the handbook, the fee for All-Region Band is $15, a solo is $10, and an ensemble (duet, trio, or more) is $5 per student participating. The preferred way of payment is cash in an envelope and brought to Mr. Burr during school time. If paying via personal check, please address check to “MdN Band.” You also have the ability of accessing money from your child’s band account. Deadline for payment: Thursday, 1/28
- Symphony Orchestra: Each year, the orchestra department asks me to provide them with a certain number of wind instrumentalists and percussionists to the Symphony Orchestra. If you attended the Varsity Christmas concert, this is whom you saw perform. This spring the Orchestra has a special engagement and will perform at the Tempe Center for the Arts on Thursday, March 4, 7:00p as part of their prep for the AREA Concert Festival on Monday, March 8 at Gilbert High School.
- Jazz Band: This year, I have decided that anyone interested in learning jazz music, improvisation, or the like, may join the jazz band. Rehearsals will begin this week (typically, after school from 3-5p on Tuesday/Thursday – calendar of rehearsals forthcoming to members) and concerts will ensue through the semester. “Evening of Jazz” will once again be presented on Tuesday, February 9, 7:00p in MdN Auditorium, featuring the MdN Chamber Jazz vocalists, McClintock Chanticleer, and Phoenix Vocal Jazz. The Jazz Band will join the Symphonic and Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble for our annual “Springtime” concert on Thursday, March 25, 7:00p, and “Night of Memories” on Wednesday, May 12, 7:00p.
- High School Musical: Come and “GETCHA' HEAD IN THE GAME” March 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, and 13 at 7:30p in MdN Auditorium. The pit orchestra will be in true rock-band style, with 2 electric guitars, a bass guitar, 2 drum-sets/marching percussion, and 2 keyboards!
- “Night of Symphonic Ensembles”: During my student teaching, I had an idea to bring all district top wind bands together and perform under one roof. Whenever I was appointed a position, I would investigate this possibility with my school district. Well, 4 years later, I have finally presented it to my fellow district band directors and they’re all for it! On Thursday, February 4, 7:00p, the top wind ensemble from Tempe, McClintock, Corona, Desert Vista, and Mountain Pointe High School’s, along with the MdN Wind Ensemble, will perform on one stage, one night. THIS CERTAINLY WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!
- Recruiting the Class of 2014: The kids heard it from me last week and will continue to all month long – “the program only grows larger with YOUR help.” It’s time to turn up the “fun-o-meter” and sharpen the “continue-band-after-middle-school” chants! Fees received their registration packets last week and KMS gets their packets this week. The 8th grade Feeder Concert featuring the MdN Wind Ensemble is slated for next Wednesday, January 20 at 7:00p in MdN Auditorium and the 8th grade Orientation Night will be Monday, January 25. Additionally, the Marching Band will be recruiting the Class of 2017 (yes, that means THIS year’s 5th graders who directly feed Fees Middle School) in a brand-new event this Thursday night (January 14) at Fees from 6:30-7:30p. Come join us for pizza and door prizes, along with the Fees MS Jazz Band, as we inspire the elementary kids of the true nature of BAND!
- Band Booster Meeting: TONIGHT, 7:00p, in Auditorium. Executive Board elections, recruiting information, discussion of this spring’s opportunities, fundraising, next year’s events, etc. JOIN US!
- Winter Percussion Line: the most exciting piece of news to come out of the program recently! These students deserve massive commending. They are working VERY hard to make this an unforgettable season, rehearsing nine hours a week, a few Saturday’s, and un-scheduled sectionals on their own. I am VERY proud of this group so far and look forward to their great success this year. This exciting activity takes place on a gym floor and brings to life the visual interpretation of their music through complex and unique forms called "drill". The elements of rhythmic music and high-energy visuals evoke a powerful and enjoyable experience. I hope you can join us at our 4 competitions this season:
- Evaluation Show – January 16 (performance time: 4:15p at Higley HS)
- Millennium HS Show – February 13 (perf. time: TBA at Millennium HS)
- WGI Regionals – March 13 (perf. time: TBA at Highland HS)
- WGAZ Championships – March 27 (perf. time: TBA at Phoenix Coliseum)
As much as I love all the extra-curricular groups that I instruct, administer, or supervise outside of the school day (along with all the events and gatherings mentioned above), please know that the BEST part about my day is the time I share with your child. That being said, the home concerts are the best opportunity for YOU to see their extreme talents in their natural state.
So, please join us at 7:00p for:
- Showcase Concert – February 11 (SB/CB, PE)
- Springtime Concert – Thursday, March 25 (WE, SB/CB, PE, JB)
- Night of Memories – Wednesday, May 12 (WE, SB/CB, PE, JB)
As always, thank you for your commitment and dedication to the MdN Band Program. I look forward to seeing you at the Booster meetings held each month or a home concert. Look for more material regarding this semester and next year on our website or in our email newsletters. See you soon!
-Mr. Burr