8th Grade Band
1st Day with Instruments-August 30
The 8th grade band will begin playing on Thursday, August 30. All students should have their instruments ready to go!! I can't wait for our first class/rehearsal as an 8th grade band!
Your child should have their instrument in class on August 30. They should bring it directly to the band room the morning of Aug 30 and place it in their band locker!
Required Performances!
Our 8th Grade Band has six required performances:
Sept 27, WMS 50th Anniversary Celebration, TIME- TBA
Monday, December 18, Holiday Concert, NHS Auditorium, 7:00p
Friday, December 22, Holiday Assembly, 150p, WMS
Thursday, February 29, Pre-Festival Concert, NHS Auditorium, 7:00p
Thursday, Friday or Saturday, March 7, 8, 9 - MSBOA Band Festival, Site-TBA
Tuesday, June 4, Band Spectacular Concert, NHS Auditorium.
Polo Shirts - Ordering Information
POLO SHIRTS WILL BE ORDERED IN LATE SEPTEMBER. We are using the same shirt/uniform as in past years! More info to come home soon!
Band Uniform
The 8th Grade Band Students will wear the following at all band concerts:
WMS Band Polo Shirt
Black Dress Pants or Black Skirt
Black Socks or Leggings
Black Dress Shoes
Our band families will order the polo shirts in late September. More information will be coming home soon!
CHS Band Night - September 15
Our 8th grade band students will have the opportunity to perform with the CHS Marching Band! The event will take place at McCamley Field, on Friday, September 15, from 6-8:15p.
REHEARSAL - Thursday, September 14, 6-730, CHS
More information will be sent home soon! I hope many of our students, regardless where they will attend HS, will take part in this amazing opportunity!
All students who perform at the CHS Band Night will be able to skip one playing assignment and automatically earn 3 points toward becoming a Band Olympian!
Supplies
All 8th Grade Band Students Need
the Following Items:
1. An instrument in good working condition!
2. "Sound Innovations" Intermediate Method Book-
this will be passed out to our students! We will use
the method book daily in class!
In addition, plan on providing the following items both in class and at home:
FLUTE: cleaning swab and rod (a handkerchief will do for a swab) & polishing cloth
CLARINET: 3 reeds in good condition (Mitchell Lurie #3 or 3.5, or, VanDoren V21 #3), cork grease, cleaning swab, mouthpiece brush
BASS CLARINET: 3 reeds in good working condition (LaVoz Medium), cork grease, cleaning swab, mouthpiece brush
OBOE: 3 reeds (Jones Brand medium are great), swab, reed case , cork grease, small water-tight container for water
BASSOON: 3 reeds (Jones Brand medium are great), swab, reed case , cork grease, small water-tight container for water
ALTO SAX: 3 reeds in good condition (VanDoren #3 or 3.5), cork grease, cleaning swab, mouthpiece brush, neck cleaner, body cleaner (pad saver)
TENOR SAX: 3 reeds in good condition (LaVoz Medium), cork grease, cleaning swab, mouthpiece brush, neck cleaner, body cleaner (pad saver)
BARI SAX: 3 reeds in good condition (LaVoz Medium), cork grease, cleaning swab, mouthpiece brush, neck cleaner, body cleaner (pad saver)
TRUMPET: valve oil, tuning slide grease (I use petroleum jelly), mouthpiece brush, snake and a soft cloth
FRENCH HORN: rotary valve oil, tuning slide oil or petroleum jelly, mouthpiece brush and a soft cloth
TROMBONE: slide oil or slide cream (I love super slick), tuning slide oil or petroleum jelly, mouthpiece brush, and a soft cloth
BARITONE: valve oil, tuning slide oil or cream (I use petroleum jelly), mouthpiece brush and a soft cloth
TUBA: valve oil, tuning slide oil or cream (I use petroleum jelly), mouthpiece brush and a soft cloth
PERCUSSION: See attachment at bottom of web page!
HONOR BANDS
7th & 8th Grade Band Students have the option to participate in two honor bands this year:
1. District XI Honors Band: Tuesday, November 7 @ Plainwell HS. Auditions must be recorded in early October, either at school or at home.
2. MSBOA All-State Honors Band: Takes place in mid-January in Grand Rapids (Devos Hall & Amway Grand Plaza Hotel). Students will audition either on October 21 or 22 (audition site to be determined - in the past, auditions have take place at Mattawan High School).
Stay tuned for more information!
NHS BAND NIGHT - OCTOBER 20
Our students will be able to perform with the NHS Marching Band on Friday, October 20, at Huskie Stadium!
The event is open to all 8th grade students, regardless of where they will attend high school.
The students will report at 6p at the NHS Band Practice Field (near the tennis courts/pool). We will be dismissed after halftime (typically between 815-830p).
All students who perform at the NHS Band Night will be able to skip one playing assignment and automatically earn 3 points toward becoming a Band Olympian!
Band Officer Elections
Band Officers will be selected in class the week of Sept 11.
The following positions are available:
1. President (the band president assists the guest teacher when I am absent, and in some cases, will direct the band). In addition, the president helps take attendance and plan band celebrations.
2. Officers (officers take attendance, pass out music, collect music and aid the guest teacher when I am absent). In addition, the officers help plan concert celebrations and stack chairs/stands.
BAND LOCKERS
Students will select a band locker (located in the band room) the first week of school. Your child can keep their band instrument & supplies in the band locker any time the instrument is not being used.
The lockers can be secured with a master-lock. Please have your child bring one from home. This will keep your investment safe!
Students who play clarinet, oboe, flute & percussion can keep their band instrument (percussion - mallets & sticks) in their coat locker, which is adjacent to the band room. This is optional.
Jazz Band Auditions!
Our students can audition for the William Short Jazz/Rock Ensemble!
Auditions will be pre-recorded (using Flipgrid) and are due on or before September 27.
Audition music is available now! You can download the music on the jazz web page, Google Classroom, or, see your band director!
Check out the Jazz Band Webpage for more info!