7th Grade Band
1st Day with Instruments-August 29
The 7th grade band will begin playing on Thursday, August 29. All students should have their instruments ready to go!! I can't wait for our first class/rehearsal as an 7th grade band!
Your child should have their instrument in class on August 29. They should bring it directly to the band room the morning of Aug 29 and place it in their band locker!
Required Performances!
Our 7th Grade Band has 5 required performances:
Thursday, October 24, Halloween Concert, 7:00p, WMS Gym
Thursday, December 12, Holiday Concert, WMS Gym, 7:00p
Thursday, February 27, Pre-Festival Concert, NHS Auditorium, 7:00p
Thursday, Friday or Saturday, March 6, 7, 8- MSBOA Band Festival, Site-TBA
Wednesday, May 28, Band Spectacular Concert, WMS Gym
Band Book
Our WMS 7th Grade students will use the Essential Elements-Volume 2 Method Book. We will use the books all year, both in class and at home. Books can be purchased at Marshall Music, Meyer Music or on Amazon.
CHS Band Night - October 4
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, October 4, from 6-8:15p.
REHEARSAL - Thursday, October 3, 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 7th Grade Band Students Need
the Following Items
1. An instrument in good working condition!
2. Essential Elements Band Method - Volume 2 (can be
purchased at Marshall Music, Meyer Music or on
Amazon.
3. A wire music stand to practice at HOME!
4. 1/2" 3 -ring binder (for music organization & storage)
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 webpage!
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.
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 5 @ Marshall 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 19 or 20 (audition site to be determined - in the past, auditions have taken place at Mattawan High School).
Stay tuned for more information!
NHS BAND NIGHT - SEPTEMBER 27
Our students will be able to perform with the NHS Marching Band on Friday, September 27, at Huskie Stadium!
The event is open to all 8th grade students, regardless of where they will attend high school.
REHEARSAL - Wednesday, September 25, 6-730, NHS
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 Uniforms (Polo Shirts)
All of our 7th & 8th grade band students will be wearing special “WMS Band Polo Shirts” as part of our uniform. The shirts will be worn at all performances throughout the school year. The shirts are royal blue, with the WMS logo in embroidered in white. We have used the same design since 2008. All families who already have a used polo shirt at home will not be required to order a new one. Please be sure the used shirt fits your child!
HOW TO ORDER: More info will be coming home soon! This students will be fit to a size in class, in September!
Our band uniform consists of:
WMS Band Polo Shirt
Black Dress Pants or Black Skirt
Black Socks or Leggings
Black Dress Shoes
Band Officer Elections
Band Officers will be selected in class the week of Sept 9.
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.
Jazz Band Auditions!
Our students can audition for the William Short Jazz/Rock Ensemble!
Auditions will be pre-recorded (using Google Classroom) and are due on or before September 25.
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!
