Band Parents,

I certainly miss making music with our students each day in the band room.  I hope this email finds all of you healthy in these very unusual times.  It has been a learning curve figuring out how to teach music virtually but I applaud our students for diving right in.  Daily I am reminded just how resourceful and creative they are when I am listening to videos or on a zoom call.  Please read carefully for some important updates regarding the band

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Assignment Expectations
Students can expect one to two video assignments a week.  Assignments are all listed in the "Classwork" tab of Google Classroom.  Students should expect 9 grades this quarter.  As long as the students are making efforts to do their best in their video and attaching it in google classroom, they will receive an A.  Any missing assignments will be marked as an F (missing). When a late assignment is received they will receive their full credit for it.  No need to email me to tell me why something will be late or to ask for extensions.  ​
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District IV Large Ensemble Festival
7th & 8th Grade Bands
Zachary High School
Friday, March 13, 2020
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The festival is an opportunity for the band to perform three prepared pieces and sight-reading in front of a panel of judges to receive assessment and feedback.  Bands are rated on a scale of 1 to 5, and the highest rating a band can receive from a judge is a “1” or “Superior”.  Receiving this rating from the entire panel of judges is called a “Sweepstakes”.  The students have been working extremely hard to prepare for this event so we are looking forward to a great field trip. 

We are seeking chaperones! 

DRESS: 
​Maroon band polo TUCKED IN THE ENTIRE TIME, black pants with belt loops, black belt, black TALL socks, all black shoes (no joggers, leggings, or tall boots)

The 6th grade band students just finished up two days of solo and small ensemble performances at our annual LMEA Solo & Ensemble Festival.  Students selected and prepared classically inspired pieces to present to a professional musician for feedback and adjudication.  We had over 70 events perform and were so proud to hear how well prepared all of our musicians were!  Students were assessed in categories such as tone, intonation, technique, rhythm, tempo, and musicality.  They were then awarded an overall rating of 1 to 5, with 1 or "Superior" being the highest rating.  

The following students received the highest ratings of a 1 or "Superior", congratulations!  

WHAT IS SOLO & ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL?​
An opportunity for students to do something outside of the large ensemble experience, this festival allows students to pick a solo and/or a duet or trio to rehearsal and perform.  Choosing from a wide library of classical music solos and small ensembles, students can pick the repertoire they perform.  Students will have some time in class to work on their repertoire and receive feedback from one of our instructors, however, the bulk of the responsibility is on them to work up the music.

On the days of the festival, we bring in a judge who will listen to the students perform.  The judge will offer critiques and award a rating of 1 to 5.  1, or “Superior”, is the highest rating.  Students that receive a “Superior” rating will receive a medal on our Spring Concert.  From those students, a select number will be invited to perform at our Solo & Ensemble Recital on April 15.  Performing on the Recital is completely optional but a great experience they won't want to miss out on!  The Concert will follow a quick 6:30 pm Booster Meeting.  

Students can sometimes be nervous about doing this festival.  I try to remind them that they will perform for one judge in a room with no audience, which is much less intimidating than any check-off or playing test they do on a regular basis in front of the entire class!  The lessons learned and pride taken in preparing music on their own, along with feedback that they will receive from the expert judge is invaluable!

• *Optional* but highly recommended for all 7th & 8th and all ability levels
• No auditions required to participate
• Parents complete online registration on LSU's website
• $75 fee to participate

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This combines all the best elements of an Honor Band and Band Camp into a three day event.  Our students that have attended have had a great experience performing in the LSU facilities, seeing the LSU Wind Ensemble perform, and being coached by LSU staff and students.  This year's middle school conductor will even be Ms. Patti Roussel, retired EAHS Conductor! 

There is no audition to make the group, you must simply sign-up and pay the registration fee ($75) no later than January 22.  Once registered, there will be a seating test when you get there to determine what part you will play in the ensemble.  

• *Optional* but highly recommended for top performers in 7th & 8th grade
• No auditions required to participate
• E-mail Ms. Codina to be nominated
• $60 fee if selected

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This is a summer honor band/band camp event in which students rehearse and perform with a band of the best middle school students from throughout the State of Louisiana.  This is widely regarded as a step-up from District Honor Band.  Band Directors are asked to nominate their all-star students and then LBA chooses, based on a point system, who will participate in the band.  Students accumulate points for superior solo performances, participation in honor bands, superior band performances, etc.  Nomination is not a guarantee for selection.
 
Unlike District Honor Band, you are completely on your own to organize accommodations and transportation for this event.  Many students are usually selected from CMS, so carpooling is a possibility.  Students selected are responsible for the costs of hotel, meals, transportation, and the participation fee of $60 per person
 
I have sent students for years to this honor band and they truly enjoy it.  I will notify you if your child is selected sometime in March/April.  All I need from you at this time is a commitment for your student to participate in this event IF your child is selected.  
 
E-mail Ms. Codina at katie.codina@apsb.org NLT than January 24 to be nominated!

Route Change
Please note that last year the route changed.  From EA, the parade takes a LEFT onto Burnside and end at the Eastbank Shopping Center on HWY 30.  

7th & 8th Grade Band students are strongly encouraged to audition for the District IV Middle School Honor Bands, which rehearse and perform the weekend of January 16-18, 2020 at Southeastern University in Hammond.  The Mustangs who have been selected in the past have had an unforgettable experience participating in a fun overnight trip, performing new and challenging music, meeting other musicians, and learning from an accomplished band director.  Earning membership in these prestigious groups is a great addition to any young musician’s resume.  Last year we had the highest number of students from an Ascension Parish Middle School make the band and we hope to keep the record this year! 
 
Students are already preparing the audition music and scales in class as part of their final assessments for this semester -- so let’s push them to take the extra step to go for excellence and represent at a District level!

 WHAT TO BRING TO THE AUDITION:

• Instrument (percussion should bring all required mallets and tubas and baritones are responsible for bringing their own instrument)
• Audition music (Scales & the Etude) – yes you can bring your book in the room and yes you can use your fingering chart if you’d like!
• Optional: Water bottle and a jacket or sweater in case the room is cold

 
WHAT TO WEAR:  Dress nice!  The judge will see you and you want to make a good impression.  There is no dress code, so use your best judgement. Make sure whatever you wear you feel comfortable playing in it.
 
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET THERE:

1. Check in at the pre-registration table to get your audition ticket
2. Go to the warm-up room.  Play through all of your audition music (slowly, take your time and remember to breathe!!!).
3. Approximately 5 minutes before your audition time, find your first room.  Many instruments audition in two rooms.  For example, they may play their scales in one room and their etude and sight-reading in another room.  These rooms should be next door to each other and clearly labeled.
4. When you walk in the room, politely say “Hello” to the judge and hand them your ticket.  No other talking is necessary!  No excuses!  No freak outs!  Show the best version of yourself!
5. When you are done, you may leave.  Results will be posted at www.districtiv.org

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Nervous?
The best way to not be nervous is to be prepared.  Spend this last week practicing everyday!  Some other tips:

• Focus the most on the parts you feel the least comfortable with
• Practice with a metronome (scales at 72) online
• Play your full audition for someone
• Listen to and play along with the recordings online at www.districtiv.org
• DON’T DRINK CAFFEINE and have lots of sugar the morning of the audition.  Some even say bananas help to calm nervous. 
• On the day of the auditions, avoid listening outside the door of the audition room and worrying about what you hear others play in the warm-up room! 

GRADING POLICY:
​​All performances are mandatory and for a grade, based on:

• On time (or EARLY!) attendance
• Appropriate dress
• Musical preparation
• Appropriate concert etiquette/behavior - including NO CELL PHONES

The 6th Grade Beginning Band is getting ready for their debut performance at our Beginner Demonstration Concert in October!  We will show off the very first songs that we have learned on our band instruments.  This educational concert will be a treat for not only our audience but also for our first time performers!

Friends and family are invited to attend and admission is free.  We will collect monetary donations at the door.  Please consider giving to help support our instructor fund.  This fund pays for our specialty instructors that work with the students in small group settings.

Students should arrive no later than 6:10 pm in their band uniform with their music book and instrument assembled (leaving their instrument cases in the car OR with their parents).  Percussionists will use school equipment that will be set-up.  The concert will be approximately 45 minutes.  
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