Congratulations to the students who represented CMS in the first ever Solo & Ensemble Recital!  We are so proud of you and your performances!

Now it is time to move into our next major preparations – District Festival Assessment performances!  This is a two-part performance:

Pre-Festival Concert
Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30 pm
Students report at 6:10 pm in Band Uniform
East Ascension High School New Cafeteria *location change* 

For this performance we will play the same 3 pieces that we will be playing at the District Festival at the end of March.  There will be a panel of judges there to give us feedback so we can continue to grow in our rehearsals for the big performance at District Festival.  Students will be able to see the high school bands perform and get some inspiration!  

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District IV Large Ensemble Festival Assessment
Thursday, March 28 at approx. 10:00 am (TBA)
Field trip to Zachary High School
Chaperones will be needed

This school-day field trip will be our biggest performance of the school year.  This is the band at its very best as we compete to see if we can take home superior ratings on stage and in sight-reading.  

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After-School Rehearsals
2:30 – 4:00 pm
Friday, March 8
Monday, March 11(track will need to coordinate with Ms. Codina and coaches)
Tuesday, March 19 (boys trying out for soccer will need to coordinate with Ms. Codina and coaches)
Thursday, March 21
Tuesday, March 26

This year we will need to have some after-school rehearsals.  There are a few sections of the band that need a few more players in order to cover all the parts necessary to perform at the competitive level that we are accustomed to.  We will need to bring up a handful of very talented 7th graders to help fill those gaps.  The only way that we can make that work is through some after-school rehearsals.  Quite honestly, with how bad the flu and other sicknesses have effected the attendance of our 8th graders on a daily basis, we need the time now more than ever for everyone!  I’ve have tried my best to work around track and the other sports (which is why there is a Friday rehearsal, sorry!).  In the event that there is a conflict, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure they communicate with both the coach and myself.  We are definitely willing to work cases out depending on who is needed more where and split time when necessary.

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Please remember that all rehearsals and performances are mandatory and for a grade.  Please communicate with me far in advance if there are any issues that need to be resolved (I.e., student needs a ride, conflicts, etc).    

I appreciate all of your support and I look forward to seeing how far these students will rise with the very difficult program of music we are preparing for District Festival this year!

We have narrowed down the list of our superior rated students to a select few that will perform on the February 26th Solo & Ensemble Recital.  We will have a short Booster Meeting starting at 6:30 pm (all invited!!!) in the CMS Cafeteria and the recital will follow directly after and should last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

2019 Solo & Ensemble Recital Performers

• Aiden Krass
• Avery Ockman
• Beau Tadlock
• Cadence Van Atta
• Caymen Tureau
• Cole Hewitt
• Colin Lapour and Joselyn Rebollar
• Diego Cruz and Joshua Harvey-Lutur
• Eddie Calderon, Cameron Cardello and Cade Sholar
• Evangeline McCoy
• Hannah May and Makenzie Waggenspack
• Jacob Aucoin and Ty Vaughn
• Jaylen Jones
• Kaden Armand and Austin Bryant
• Kaylee Stevens
• Keshaun Bridgewater
• London Greenfield
• Luke Chapman
• Martin Garza
• Maura Colligan
• Mia Jordan and Alaina Perkins
• Morgan Vincent and Caroline Beck, Payten Wagner and Maegan Jackson
• Rylee Brown
• Tanner Stanga

Congratulations to the following students for earning Superior Ratings during our Solo and Ensemble Festival!

It’s Fundraiser Time!  Some of the items and events we are raising money for include: Upcoming band trips to festivals (competitions), the remaining amount needed for additional chairs, updating of the music library, new instruments and equipment, repairs on current equipment, and specialized instructors (who pull individuals and small groups on a regular basis).
 
At the last meeting we talked about changing the items up that we would sell. During this fundraiser you will have the option to sell Chocolate Covered Almonds, Variety Chocolate bars (Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Almonds, Chocolate Crisp, or Chocolate Caramel), and/or *new* Variety Box of Chocolate Caramel Whirls, Chocolate Meltaway Mint, Chocolate Covered Raisins.  The Fundraiser will start at the beginning of March, Exact date TBA.
 
Each student will be required to sell TWO boxes of chocolate.  Each box costs a total of $60.00.  We profit $30.00 per box sold.  This will benefit all of the band members so we are asking for full participation from everyone in order to make this a success.
 
Opt-out Fee:  Students not wishing to sell may choose to pay an opt-out fee of $60.00, due by the end of the fundraiser.  Students must participate in the fundraiser, or pay the opt-out fee, in order to participate in their grade level trip.
 
Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.  We thank you so much for your support of the Central Middle School Band!
 
Katie Codina                                                Yvette Froisy                                              Kayla Lafleur
Band Director                                              Booster Club Treasurer                            Booster Club President
katie.codina@apsb.org                                yfroisy@yahoo.com                                klafleur614@yahoo.com

The students have been preparing Solos, Duets, and/or Trios to perform for this year’s LMEA Solo & Ensemble Festival.  This Festival will be held here at school on February 19-20 (*date change*) during the child’s class.  

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.  Student that receive a “Superior” rating will receive a medal on our Spring Concert and will have the option of performing at our Solo & Ensemble Concert on February 26 that 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!  The performance opportunity and feedback that they will receive from the judge is extremely valuable.  It is also very important that they are practicing their music as being prepared is the best way to help out confidence on the day of a performance!

We will hold several OPTIONAL after-school help sessions that students are welcome to attend.  All sessions are 2:30 to 4:00 and students may be picked up at or before 4:00 in the back by the band room.

Woodwinds:
Tuesday, February 5
Monday, February 11
Wednesday, February 13
Monday, February 18 (not a WW class that day so don’t forget instrument, festival the following day)

Brass & Percussion:
Wednesday, February 6
Friday, February 8
Thursday, February 14
Tuesday, February 19 (not a Brass class that day so don’t forget instrument, festival the following day)

Please let me know if you have any questions about this upcoming event!