Dear band parents,
This is Justin Dickson, band director at Hawley Middle School. Every week I will send out a message like this to communicate what is happening this week in band class, upcoming events, and other announcements.
5th GRADER RECRUITING
We got snowed out Monday. In case your friends ask, we will schedule more dates in April / May.
N.C. SYMPHONY THIS FRIDAY
Students who contributed $100+ in our donations drive fundraiser will attend the NC Symphony concert at 12:00 on Friday. I will send home a permission / medical release form tomorrow, please return it to me before Friday.
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
6th grade will continue working on their first piece of concert music, "Union March" by Mekel Rogers. We will do a playing test this week on the first section of this piece, so please make sure your child is practicing and is prepared. My goal is for the band to be able to play this entire piece by the end of this week.
7th grade will continue learning their third piece of concert music this week, "Honor Roll March". We will do a playing test this week on the first section of this piece, so please make sure your child is practicing and is prepared. My goal is for the band to be able to play this entire piece (even if it is rough) before we leave for Spring Break.
8th grade will continue learning "Imperium", one of our selections for Carowinds. We will do a playing test this week on the first section of this piece, so please make sure your child is practicing and is prepared. I am not just listening for right notes... the dynamics and articulation must be correct also. Attention to detail is the way to earn the Superior rating at the festival.
Jazz Band learned two new songs last week. My goal for this week is to assign solos to everyone who wants one on these two songs. We may have time to start a new song this week too.
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OLD BUT STILL RELEVANT INFO
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PLEASE SIGN UP FOR TEXT ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have not already done so, please sign up to receive text message announcements from me via the Remind app. You do not have to download the app. Just sent a text message to phone number 81010 , and the text message should say...
... @HawleyBa18 for fifth grade, next year's sixth grade
... @HawleyBa17 for sixth grade
... @HawleyBa16 for seventh grade
... @HawleyBa15 for eighth grade
8th GRADE PERFORMANCE AT THE CAROWINDS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC!
8th grade band only. In case anyone needs it again, here is the paper with all of the information about the Carowinds Festival of Music event: http://www.justindickson.com/band/stuff/carowinds-letter.pdf
TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE LEARNING EASIER
By now, most of you know that I designed a free mobile app for my students called Bandmate Chromatic Tuner (www.bandmatetuner.com). I highly recommend that you download it, or that your child downloads it on their phone / tablet if they have one, because it makes it so much easier for kids to learn their notes while they are practicing at home.
The Bandmate Tuner app is a big deal because it gives personal feedback to students while they learn. It lets students see what note they are playing, so that they can check for themselves if they are playing the right note or not. It has made it so much easier for my students to learn, and people all around the world have discovered it and are using it in their own music programs.
FLUTES, CLARINETS, AND SAXOPHONES NEED A SWAB
If your child plays a woodwind instrument (flute, clarinet, or saxophone), they need a swab so they can clean out their instrument every day before putting it back in the case. You can order one from Hills Music Shop if you do not have one.
If woodwinds are stored in the case without swabbing, moisture causes the pads under the keys to wrinkle and be ruined. This costs $100-200 to fix, depending on the extent of the damage. A swab costs $5. Please make sure your child has a swab.
FACEBOOK
Our band program has a Facebook page. You can "like" it here: www.facebook.com/HawleyBandRoom
9th GRADE BAND REGISTRATION
Yes, it's already time for our 8th graders to start thinking about their 9th grade class registration! Mr. Maston and I put together a document to help you understand which band classes are available to you at SGHS next year. Just go to the "SGHS" page on my website (click here), and click on "Information about 9th grade band registration".
CONCERT CALENDAR
October 26, 6:30, 8th grade only, at Hawley
December 12, 7:00, 6th grade only, at Hawley
December 15, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS audition
March 8, 7:00, 8th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 17, 7:00, 6th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 18, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS auditorium