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.
We are in the final "push" towards our end-of-the-year concerts! Here's the plan...
8TH GRADE $94 FOR CAROWINDS IS DUE WEDNESDAY
Checks may be written to "Hawley Middle School". I have to order the tickets this week. If you ordered a blue band t-shirt last week, it should be here this week.
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
6th grade will work on their second piece of music, which I handed out last week, "Caribbean Delight" by Victor Lopez. Our goal is to be able to play it completely by the end of the week, and we will have a playing test on it next week. Then we will add at least one more (hopefully two more, time permitting) song for the concert.
7th grade will start learning their fourth and final piece for the concert, "Long Day's Journey" by our friend James Swearingen. Our goal is to be able to play it by the end of April. We will also have a playing test this week on the Chromatic Scale that we recently added to our Fundamentals routine.
8th grade will learn the fourth movement to the "Ocean Voyage" piece that we performed at our last concert. As you may remember, we only had time to learn the first three movements thanks to the many snow days. We will add the fourth movement and give an even better performance of this piece in May. Expect a playing test on this piece next week.
Jazz Band has their performance at the "Fun Run" this Saturday, April 14. We will learn one more quick song this week, maybe "Bye Bye Blackbird", and get organized for the performance. ***I may need some help transporting the drum set. If you can pick it up on Friday and bring it on Saturday, please let me know ASAP.***
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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 12, 8th grade only, Carowinds Festival of MusicMay 17, 7:00, 6th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 18, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS auditorium