Dear Band Parents,
Here is the plan for this week in band at Hawley Middle School.
6th Grade Will Play For Incoming 5th Graders - Help Needed!
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Every year, the incoming 5th graders visit Hawley for a tour of the school. The 6th grade band traditionally performs for them, as a way to get them excited and recruit as many of them as possible. This is happening on Tuesday this week.
I need to set up the chairs and music stands in the gym on Monday after school. If I could get some help from some of our 6th graders, we could knock it out in just a few minutes. If your child would like to help, they can be picked up at 4:15. Thank you!
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.
If you know anyone who has a child in 5th grade, please tell them about this and encourage them to come learn about band. Word-of-mouth is the most powerful "advertisement", so you can really make a difference with our recruiting efforts for next year. Thank you!
Jazz Band events - changes!
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The athletic awards night date was changed to the same week as our concert, Carowinds trip, and hosting James Swearingen. As a result, we will not be able to play for this event as planned.
However we have been asked to play at another event. On June 5, Hawley is hosting an art show for the art club, and some language arts students will present their compositions. I will share more details about where and when, once I get them.
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.
Marching Band
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If your child is interested in being a member of the SGHS Marching Band next year, they need to attend the "Rookie Band Camp" at SGHS May 15-19 from 4:00-6:00. This is like how our athletic teams have "open practices" before tryouts. Your child will get to know Mr. Maston and the student leaders in the band, and they will be taught the basic skills of marching.
Everyone who wants to do marching band next year is expected to be there.
Please contact Mr. Maston at MastonBM@gcs.k12.nc.us if you have any questions. Thank you!
Last week I shared info about our 7th graders joining the marching band next year as 8th graders. You can see that info here:
You can now be in both band and chorus
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Dr. Carraway and I are excited to announce that Hawley is changing its policy about students being in both band and chorus. Starting next year, students CAN be in both classes!
The state law requires that students get a certain amount of physical activity in their schedule. Parents who opt to place their child in both band and chorus will do so with the understanding that the patio recess time fulfills this requirement.
Thanks to Dr. Carraway for giving Hawley students this opportunity in the arts!
In the Band Room
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6th Grade: We need to do a playing test on "Someone Stole My Music". We will do that on Wednesday this week. The test will be m. 33-end.
We will review and rehearse all four of our concert pieces this week, in addition to this test.
7th Grade: We need to do a playing test on "Tambora", which we are doing instead of "Corps of Discovery". We will do this Wednesday. A recording of the piece can be found online to help your child practice: https://www.jwpepper.com/10369911.item#/
And don't forget to use Bandmate to check your notes!
8th Grade: This week we will finish learning "Carolina Legend" by James Swearingen. We will have a playing test on Thursday. A recording of the piece can be found online to help your child practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M120QCl39Rk
And don't forget to use Bandmate to check your notes!
Jazz Band: This week we will assign solos for "The Band Room Smells Weird Blues". We will also continue learning how to improvise blues solos. We will also do some work re-arranging "Summertime" for a special guest vocalist for our May 20 event.
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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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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.