Dear Band Parents,
Here is the plan for this week in band at Hawley Middle School.
The next 4 weeks
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Our final concert of the year is 4 weeks away. I am going to push the kids hard to make this the best concert we have ever done. Please make sure your child is practicing their instrument at home every week!
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: We need to do a playing test on "To A New Beginning". We will do that on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Remember that in addition to using Bandmate to check their notes, students can listen to the recording of the music online to hear if they are playing it correctly: https://www.jwpepper.com/2472517.item
We will review and rehearse all four of our concert pieces this week, in addition to this test. I am really proud of how well this group did with our new 4th piece last week!
7th Grade: Our goal this week is to be able to play our 4th piece, "Corps of Discovery", from beginning to end with correct notes and rhythms, by the end of the week. This is an achievable goal if everyone works hard in class and practices at home. Expect a playing test next week.
8th Grade: We have five pieces of music for our final concert: the three we are taking to the Carowinds festival, and two by James Swearingen. We will do a playing test on "Gates of Orion" this week. Our other goal is to be able to play "Carolina Legend" with correct notes and rhythms, from beginning to end, by the end of the week. Expect a playing test next week.
Jazz Band: I have another song I would like to add this week, "The Band Room Smells Weird Blues". We will work on it this week, and start learning about improvising blues solos.
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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.