​Playing an instrument is like keeping fit for a sport.  If we all don’t practice until August, we will be very out of shape and may even forget important concepts!  Returning a rental may also void any rent-to-own contracts – check with the store you are renting from on this.  Try practicing at least an hour weekly.  Students that have school owned horns may sign out their instruments over the summer.

What can I practice?

Summer private lessons are very beneficial!  Contact Zeagler’s or Alison’s.  Lessons are also available at EAHS by contacting Nicole.Mlynczak@apsb.org or Patricia.Roussel@apsb.org

Come to Band Camp June 13-17!  Contact Ms. Codina at katie.codina@apsb.org or visit www.cmsmustangband.com/camp.html for information.​

Unsubscribe from your current Remind account by texting “Unsubscribe @cmband6” or “Unsubscribe @cmband7” to 81010

​Sign-up for your NEW Remind texts:

• 7th Grade - Text @cmband7 to 81010
• 8th Grade - Text @cmband8 to 81010
• Band Camp - Text @cmbandcamp to 81010

The Mustang Bands performed in their last concert of the year on Wednesday, May 18th.  The concert featured some of the band's award winning festival music as well as some popular movie themes.  8th Graders Emma Cockum and Amanda Hall emceed the event.  Special awards were also given.  Thanks to all of the parents who came out, it was a packed house!  

​Dear Parents,

Our last major event of the year, our Spring Concert, is this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.  Please share the attached JPEG with family and friends, we’d love for them to come!

Here are the details:

Wednesday, May 18th in the CMS Gym, 6:30 p.m. Concert Starts
Students Report by 6:00 p.m. SHARP in the gym

Rehearsals
6th Grade – Full band during class elective time Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 
7th Grade & 8th Grade – Full band after school Monday and Tuesday until 4:00 p.m. (if all goes well on Monday, Tuesday may be cancelled), and during class elective time Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 

Uniform
Maroon Band Polo, black pants, black belt, black TALL socks, black shoes

Instrument Cases
Small instrument cases should remain with parents or in the car.  Only students with large instruments should enter the band room to assemble instrument before and after the concert.

Grade based on:

• On time attendance
• Appropriate dress
• Musical preparation
• Participation which includes staying for the ENTIRE concert!  The whole concert should take approximately 45 minutes.
• Appropriate concert etiquette/behavior while other bands are performing.  Students will be required to sit with their band when not performing.
• Students should NOT have cell phones during the concert. 

Breakdown After Concert
6th Grade – Stack chairs 
7th Grade – Bring music stands to band room and stack neatly along walls
8th Grade – Move large equipment to band room 

Superior Solo & Duet Medals 
We are hoping to have the superior solo and duet medals in by Wednesday, if so, we will hand them out at the concert!

Video/Photography Media Disclaimer
While we know you are all excited to share your child’s performance with family and friends, remember that copyright laws and school media release laws prohibit the sharing of any photographs, visual or audio recordings publicly on sites such a YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

After the Concert Celebration
All band members are invited to the band room Thursday morning after the concert for a donut party during Advisory/breakfast time!

All School-Owned instruments that students have at home should be returned this week!

Band Camp Registration Deadline has been pushed back to this Friday, May 20!  Hoping all of our upcoming 7th and 8th Grade students for 2016-2017 can attend!

Looking forward to a fantastic movie-themed concert!

Congratulations to all the performers who played today at the District IV Solo & Ensemble Festival!  This festival is design for students to perform solos and/or duets for assessment.  The students selected their own music and did much of the preparation on their own.  We are very proud of how well prepared they all were!  

Everyone who performed today either received a 1 or 2 out of 5, the two highest ratings!  ​Great job Mustang Band!

Why should I encourage my child to participate in the E.A. Band?
For several reasons, most important being that the Band at EA is a close-knit group of extremely successful and hardworking students who can help your child make a smooth  transition into high school…which can be a very intimidating experience for 8th graders! We are a family here in the EA Band program!

Are there academic advantages to my child being in band?
YES…studies have proven that test scores rise proportionately higher with the length of  time spent studying music in school, and our Band program has a history of outstanding students who place at the top of their class!

I’m not sure whether I will like band or not. What should I do?
All students are encouraged to – at the very least – try band for the summer band practices. Most students find once they try it and get over the summer camp experience, they love it!

Can my child participate in the Band and sports at E.A.?
Our Band students participate in every sport at E.A., and we make it work! We will communicate with the coach and “share” the student without allowing him/her to become overwhelmed. We promise, IT WORKS!!

If I am in band, can I also belong to other student clubs?
YES! In fact, most of the EA Band students belong to several student organizations!!  If   you can think of a club, organization, sports team, or extra-curricular activity on our campus, you will find an EAHS High Band member participating. We have football   players, cheerleaders, color guard members, athletes, and other club participants as  members of our band. Band  is a class just like any other at EAHS.

Do I have to audition for the Marching Band?
No. Everyone in the band program participates in the marching band regardless of  marching or playing    ability. You will be placed in the band class for your ability level/instrument. Part assignments (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) and alternates will be determined during summer band camp. 

How much does Band cost?
Not as much as many other organizations on campus…there is a $50 Band fee every semester ($100 total), along with a $50 “fair share” requirement. Students will be provided with opportunities to fund- raise for their fair share and their second semester band fees (jambalaya sales, candy sales, volunteering at band events, etc.).

Can I be in band all four years?
Yes! You only need 24 credits to graduate, and band does count as a fine arts, P.E., and  elective credits, all of which you need for graduation and TOPS.  And since we are on a block schedule, you will get to take band all year while fulfilling requirements in other areas, allowing you to maximize your elective choices. You will also earn your letterman  jacket in band for participating all four years!

What scholarship opportunities does Band provide?
Several of our band students graduate every year with music scholarships to various colleges—and they don’t have to major in music! Also, being in band fulfills the Fine Arts requirement for TOPS. Band students are very attractive to colleges when handing out scholarship money and acceptance letters!

How does marching band help students earn P.E. credits?
In the fall semesters, students earn either a half credit of band or a half credit of P.E.— whichever they    need. Over the course of three years in band, students will meet all of  their P.E. requirements for graduation through participation in band.

Does the EA Band take trips?
Yes! Every year all of the bands at EA take trips to District and State Festival! Every other year, we take bigger, out-of-state trips. We encourage everyone to go on the band  trips, and we do fundraisers to help offset the costs.

How can I get my other questions answered?
If you still have questions or concerns, please contact one of the band directors listed in the contact section, and they will be happy to find all of the answers you need.