Dear Band Parents,
Here is the plan for this week in band at Hawley Middle School.
T-shirt and Sweatshirt Order due Tuesday
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We will do one more order of our band t-shirts and sweatshirts. Some of our 8th graders may need to order a shirt to wear at Carowinds. Anyone is welcome to add to the order. I have order forms in the band room, and they can also be printed from my website www.Justindickson.com/band/documents.htm
8th Grade Carowinds $95 due Tuesday
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Students going to the Carowinds Festival of Music need to turn in their $95 by April 4. Checks payable to "Hawley Middle School".
Jazz Band events!
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There are a few events in May at which our Jazz Band has asked to perform:
Thursday, May 18 is the spring Athletic Awards night at Hawley. The jazz band has traditionally played for about 20 minutes before the awards start, as people are coming in. Jazz band members can go home after we play, you do not have to stay for the awards if you are not involved in spring athletics.
Saturday, May 20, there is a community fun day (looks like a small fair type of thing) at Creedmoor United Methodist Church. This is going to be a big event, and we have been asked to be a part of it. I should have more details later this week.
5th Grader "Instrument Tryout Nights"
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If you or your friends have a 5th grader coming to Hawley next year, mark either April 27 or May 2 on the calendar. This is when we will host our "instrument tryout nights", in which 5th graders can try out all the instruments to see which one "fits" them the best. They do not have to come to both nights, just come to one or the other.
In the Band Room
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6th Grade: Because it is a short week (early release on Friday), we are going to punt our "To A New Beginning" playing test to after spring break. We need to play as much as possible this week. This weekend, I wrote a new song for this band, and we are going to give it a shot on Monday. It's been stuck in my head all weekend, which usually means it's a keeper.
7th Grade: I ordered a new piece of music for this band, and I am hoping that it will come in the mail this week. We have plenty to do in the meantime. Last week we learned the ending of "Cake", but we need lots of reps so we remember it. I am genuinely impressed that this band has been able to handle this very complicated piece. We will have playing tests on these pieces after spring break.
8th Grade: Because it is a short week (early release on Friday), we are going to punt our "Gates of Orion" playing test to after spring break. We need to play as much as possible this week. We will rehearse the four pieces we have, focusing particularly on the percussion section (please practice at home!!!). I also want to hand out one more piece by James Swearingen so that each of our bands are doing 2 of his compositions for the big concert.
Jazz Band: Over the past week, I wrote out 5 new solos for "These Foolish Things," so we will revisit that piece and add in the solos. We will also rehearse our entire book, which is up to about 6 songs.
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Old Stuff
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Sign Up To Receive Class Announcements By Text Message
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On your cell phone, send a text message to the phone number 81010
Send the message @HawleyBa16 to sign up for 6th grade messages
.............................. @HawleyBa15 to sign up for 7th grade messages
............................... @HawleyBa14 to sign up for 8th grade messages
Band Facebook page
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If you are an active Facebook user, please go here and "like" / "follow" our band page: www.Facebook.com/HawleyBandRoom
Download This App, Please
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Students should download the free app Bandmate Chromatic Tuner on their Apple or Android phone, tablet, iPod, etc. This is an app I designed. We will use it regularly in class, and students should use it regularly at home while they practice to check if they are playing the correct notes.
Calendar
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Tuesday, April 4: 8th grade only, $95 for the Carowinds Festival of Music is due. Checks payable to "Hawley Middle School."
Thursday, May 11: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band Concert. Location is the South Granville High School auditorium. Students arrive at 6:30, concert starts at 7:00.
Saturday, May 13: Carowinds Festival of Music, 8th grade only. Students meet in the band room at 8:00am, will return around 10:30pm.