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.
8th GRADERS GO TO THE CAROWINDS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC THIS SATURDAY!
I will send out an itinerary for this Saturday, May 12, soon. We will meet in the band room at 8:00am on Saturday.
The weather forecast looks great right now, about 90 degrees and no rain. Please join me in telling your kids to stay hydrated throughout the day (water, not just soda).
Please make sure you have your blue band t-shirt.
5th GRADER INSTRUMENT TRYOUT NIGHTS NEXT WEEK
We have scheduled more "Band Parent Meeting and Instrument Tryout Nights" for incoming 5th graders for May 14 and May 21 at 6:00pm. Our original dates got snowed out. Please help me spread the word to any 5th graders who may be coming to Hawley next year. Thank you!
"ROOKIE CAMP" FOR 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS INTERESTED IN MARCHING BAND
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.
8th GRADERS GO TO THE CAROWINDS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC THIS SATURDAY!
I will send out an itinerary for this Saturday, May 12, soon. We will meet in the band room at 8:00am on Saturday.
The weather forecast looks great right now, about 90 degrees and no rain. Please join me in telling your kids to stay hydrated throughout the day (water, not just soda).
Please make sure you have your blue band t-shirt.
5th GRADER INSTRUMENT TRYOUT NIGHTS NEXT WEEK
We have scheduled more "Band Parent Meeting and Instrument Tryout Nights" for incoming 5th graders for May 14 and May 21 at 6:00pm. Our original dates got snowed out. Please help me spread the word to any 5th graders who may be coming to Hawley next year. Thank you!
"ROOKIE CAMP" FOR 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS INTERESTED IN MARCHING BAND
7th and 8th grade band parents, next year, your child is eligible to be a member of the South Granville High School Marching Band. SGHS hosts a "rookie camp" where beginners learn how to march, meet the student leaders in the marching band, and have fun learning the basics of marching band. This is not a commitment, this is an opportunity to come and learn about marching band, but I think your child will love it (like I did) once they try it.
The "Marching Band Rookie Camp" is at SGHS May 21-24 from 4:00-6:30. Your child will need a ride. If you cannot provide transportation, please let me know ASAP and I am sure we can arrange something. We do not want anyone to miss this opportunity just because they could not get a ride.
Yes, 7th graders can be in the SGHS marching band next year as an 8th grader.
BAND CONCERTS ARE NEXT THURSDAY & FRIDAY!
Please see the calendar for details: http://hawleyband.blogspot.com/2018/04/20180426.html
E.O.G. PROCTORS NEEDED
Our school needs many volunteers to proctor the exams. If you are willing to help, even for just one day, please call the school at 919-528-0091. Thank you!
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
We will be working on our concert music in all classes this week. We will spend a lot of time recording ourselves, and listening to / evaluating that recording to determine what we need to improve before the concerts next week.
Students may make up outstanding playing tests when they have practiced and are prepared, they just need to let me know.
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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.
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