Our meeting scheduled for August 29 that was cancelled due to weather has been postponed to Tuesday, September 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the band room!  We would love to see you!

Topics will include:

• Band “need-to-knows” such as necessary supplies, uniforms, practice tips, etc.
• Upcoming performances such as football games, 8th Grade Night at EA, Fall concert, Parade, and Winter concert
• Honor Band auditions
• Fundraising
• Volunteers opportunities 

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Reminders:

• $35 Band Fees are due, you can pay online at http://www.cmsmustangband.com/store/p2/Band_Fee_.html or send a check to school.  Students will not receive their band books until this has been paid, as this is one of the items that the band fee purchases.

• To know what day it is at school, A Day or B Day, check the front page of our website daily www.cmsmustangband.com.  There you will also see the latest remind messages.

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6th Grade Only:

• Deadline for Beginners to have their instruments is September 1, tomorrow!

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7th & 8th Grade Only:

• We will do a flip folder check for a grade next Tuesday & Wednesday after Labor Day.  All students playing in football band MUST have their flip folder, lyre, and their music organized in this order: Fight Song, Star Spangled Banner, then everything else alphabetical order.  Flip folders are available for $10 and lyre for $8 from school OR you can stop by Alison’s Music and get what you need.

• Our first game is next Thursday, September 7 at CMS.  Report time is NO LATER than 4:30 p.m. in full band uniform (black pants, black belt, black shoes, black socks, maroon band polo).  This game is optional for 7th graders to attend but mandatory for all 8th graders (and 7th grade drummers).  However, if they are planning to be there, they should plan to play in the band!  Thursday is a half day at school, so please make sure you’ve made arrangements for transportation.  Games last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, we will send a remind message during the last quarter to let you know when you can come and pick up.  Text @cmband8 to 81010 to sign up for our remind messages.

Today we had a very ENLIGHTENING moment:  The importance of regular practice!

Students will be graded at least once a week on their individual playing of their parts for performances.  These regular playing tests (called “Down the Row”) are usually ONLY 2 measures, or 8 beats of music.  These tests will be assigned the class before the test is given so the students will have at least 2 nights to practice.  If the student “chunks” the part, which means to play it many times in a row until they “can’t get it wrong”, it should only take a few minutes.  For example, we “chunked” the 7th grade woodwind test today 10 times and it only took 1 minute and 9 secs!  Of course, students may need to do this more in order to play the part correctly, but the idea is that with focused practice it should not take them long.

Students are responsible and should be accountable to each other to carve out some time in their week to spend on practice!  

Some tips:

• #1 - Take the instrument home!  Remember, no instrument should remain in the band room on the shelf overnight.  “Shelf” grades are given to see who is taking their instrument home!
• Ask Ms. Codina, or a classmate, if you would like some help after school
• Leave the instrument out and put together at home (esp. over weekends) in a safe place such as a dresser or instrument stand and play it for a few minutes when you pass by it
• Practice during commercial breaks
• Practice in between studying for different subjects
• Set a timer and practice intensely for that amount of time.  I suggest start with 15 minutes a day.
• Invite a friend over and play your parts together
• Brass players keep you mouthpiece in your pocket!  Buzz at the bus stop, in the car, or any time you are just standing around!  
• Bookmark “musictheory.net” on your phone and/or computer and instead of playing a game or checking social media when you have a quick second, practice your note naming!  There are also apps you can download to practice this.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns in developing a regular practice routine!

And one final thought…

“Some where out there someone else is practicing, and when you two meet, THEY will win.”  -  That quote has always motivated me to practice!

Great job to all of the drummers who came out today to audition for the drumline.  We were VERY impressed with how well prepared everyone was!  

Below are the part assignments for the 2017 Football Season.  

Snare - Eddie C.
Snare - Tru H.
Snare - Larry B.
Snare - Cade S.
Quads - Cameron C.
Quads - Bryson H.
Bass - Analee S.
Bass - Allie T.
Bass - Ethan L.
Bass - Chase B.

Remeber, the drumline will practice on Mondays after school during Football Season with Ms. Wilson:
August 21
August 28
September 11
September 18
September 25
October 2
(we may or may not need all of these dates, but please block them off)
 
Talk with Ms. Codina if transportation is an issue and we will try to find a solution.
 
If you want to be able to play at the Football Games, you must attend after school rehearsals.  This is the ONLY way we can combine all the drummers from 7th and 8th grade.  We can be flexible if you need to miss one, but please check your calendar to make sure you can make these, and talk with Ms. Codina AHEAD of time!! 
 
SPECIAL NOTE:  The first two games September 7 and September 14 are Optional for 7th Grade on the Band Calendar but ARE NOT optional for those playing drumline!

7th and 8th Graders have the opportunity to apply for leadership roles within their sections and their band class. Applications are due by August 16.  The positions students can apply for are:  Section Captain, Band Captain (8th Grade Only), and Librarians.  The roles and duties of our band leaders include:

• Being a model CMS Mustang Band student that values pride, discipline, and teamwork in our band family
• Willingness to help out section members that need help
• Communicating to your section when important messages need to be sent out
• Organizing the music library, copying music (librarians)
• Helping with inspections before performances (i.e., making sure everyone has their music, lyres, instruments, etc.)
• Assisting with the start of the year beginner sectionals after school
• Reading announcements at concerts
• Helping to organize the band room and set up for performances
• Assisting Ms. Codina when needed

The application is below!  I look forward to reading your responses!

The drum line for Football Season will be set at our after school auditions on Monday, August 14. 
 

• You can audition for Snare, Quads, and Bass Drum.  We have a limited number of spots available!
• You must play the parts from the two cadences DNK and Hand Clap (available here). 
• If you will be playing football, there is NO NEED to audition for a spot.  But do not worry, there will be opportunities later in the year for you to play on the drumline (i.e., Christmas Parade, Spring Pep Rallies, etc.)
• Don’t forget recordings of the cadences are online at www.cmsmustangband.com/music.html

 
Once the drum line is set, rehearsals will be the following Mondays after school with Ms. Wilson:
August 21
August 28
September 11
September 18
September 25
October 2
(we may or may not need all of these dates, but please block them off)
 
***Auditions and Rehearsals last until 3:45 p.m.  Please pick up no later than 4:00 in the back parking lot by the band room.***  Talk with Ms. Codina if transportation is an issue and we will try to find a solution.
 
If you want to be able to play Snare, Quads, or Bass Drum at the Football Games, you must audition and attend after school rehearsals.  This is the ONLY way we can combine all the drummers from 7th and 8th grade.  We can be flexible if you need to miss one, but please check your calendar to make sure you can make these! 
 
SPECIAL NOTE:  The first two games September 7 and September 14 are Optional for 7th Grade on the Band Calendar but ARE NOT optional for those playing drumline!!

GOOD LUCK!