Friday, October 7, (required for all 8th graders, for a grade)

8th graders perform with the EA Band during the football game.  Students have a great time and get to experience what it is like to play at a high school football game!

• Students need to report to the Gonzales Primary Gymnasium by 5:45. 
• ​Parents should drop off the students at the Gonzales Primary Gymnasium at 521 N Burnside Ave, Gonzales, LA 70737. 
• Students need to wear band uniforms (band polo, black pants, black belt, long black socks, and black shoes). 
• Students need to bring their instruments, flip folders, lyres, and mouthpieces. Drum, baritone & tubas need to work with Ms. Codina to ensure that your instruments and equipment are transported to and from CMS. 
• EA will provide dinner to the CMS band students during halftime. 
• Students need to be picked-up at the end of the game by the Gonzales Primary Gymnasium (estimate 9:45). A text will be sent out at the end of the 3rd quarter, but please note that traffic may be heavy, so please allow time to arrive and park. To sign up for text alerts - Text @cmband8 to 81010 
• Band members will be able to attend the game for free. Parents are encouraged to stay, but will be required to pay $8 admission fee at the gate 
• Dance, Cheer, and Football should plan to split their time. Report to band first to make sure your instrument makes it to the stands. 
• Please note that this is an 8th grade band performance so it and is mandatory and for a grade. 

7th and 8th Grade Upcoming Events:

• 1st Booster Meeting – Tuesday, September 20, 6:30 p.m. in the band room.
  • Topics will include football games, Halloween Concert, Winter Concert, fundraising, etc.
• Football Band Practice – Wednesday, September 21 after school until 4:00 p.m. (optional, extra points will be awarded on the next playing test)
• Drumline Practice – Friday, September 23 until 4:00 p.m.
• Football Band Practice – Wednesday, September 28 after school until 4:00 p.m. (mandatory for a grade)
• 1st Game – Thursday, September 29 (mandatory for a grade)
  • Students go home and then report back to school at 4:15 p.m.  Students are strongly encouraged to find rides and go home after school to rest and complete homework (going home with a friend if necessary, etc.).  If a ride cannot be worked out, please contact Ms. Codina.
  • Games usually last until approx. 6:30 p.m.  A remind message is sent out when we are in the last quarter.  Sign-up by texting @cmband7 or @cmband8 to 81010
  • Uniform maroon polos, black pants, black tall socks, black shoes, and black belt required
• 2nd Game – Thursday, October 6 (mandatory for a grade)
• 3rd Game – Thursday, October 27 (mandatory for a grade)  ***GAME HAS BEEN MOVED TO EA STADIUM, REPORT NO LATER THAN 4:20 p.m. ***
• 8th Grade Fall Concert (Halloween themed) was originally scheduled on the October 27 date and will need to be rescheduled, we are scheduled for Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Students (and audience members) will be encouraged to wear a costume for concert!  Start thinking about what you want to wear now!
• 8th Grade Night at EA – Friday, October 7, (required for all 8th graders)
  • 8th graders perform with the EA Band during the football game.  Students have a great time and get to experience what it is like to play at a high school football game!
  • Report 5:45 p.m. at Gonzales Primary Gym
  • EA will provide pizza and water
  • Uniform maroon polos, black pants, black tall socks, black shoes, and black belt required

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Other Notes:

• All drop-offs and pick-ups are by the band room in the back parking lot.
• If you are able to donate bottled water, snacks (chips, cookies, crackers), or money towards the purchase of meals that are provided at the games, please send to the band room and contact Jill Jones at rjones@eatel.net  Thank you!
• All instruments should be going home on a daily basis.  Students should be practicing at least an hour a week.  There will be weekly playing test on Fridays.
• We are currently in need of paper towels, if you are able to donate.
• Band Fees are past due.  Letters have been sent home to all students still owing.  Please ask your child if they received a letter!
• We expect sweatshirts within the next few weeks.  We apologize for the delay.

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THANKS!
I have had a great turn out of 7th and 8th graders to my extra help sessions for the 6th graders.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!  The older students being so giving of their time, talents, and knowledge is already having a huge impact on the 6th grade.  Here’s who is meeting next week, if you are available to come out and help:

• Monday, September 19 – Saxophones
• Tuesday, September 20 – Trumpets
• Thursday, September 22 – Trombones

You can buy or rent instruments at several local music stores or online.  It is important to get a reputable brand from a reputable instrument dealer to insure your student the most success on the instrument and the least amount of time sending the instrument to the repair shop.  It is almost ALWAYS better to buy a quality used instrument or rent one then to buy a brand new instrument “cheap”.  

Locally we have Alison’s World of Music on Airline Highway and Zeagler’s Music on Florida Blvd.  If you decide to purchase, especially if you prefer to shop online, please contact Ms. Codina for specific instrument/website recommendations. 

Full Instrument Supply List is posted on our website.

**Reminder** French Horn, Baritone, and Tuba are school provided instruments, all you need to purchase is the mouthpiece!  The specific type is on the Instrument Supply List. 

Rentals

• Starting at $21 +tax per month at Alison's or Zeagler's​
• Should your child be unhappy with the instrument selection, most rental programs allow you to change the instrument out
• Ask about insurance options

Purchasing

• You can purchase a quality basic student instrument any where from $300 to $800 depending on the type of instrument and brand.  I recommend you go to the music store to buy or www.wwbw.com.  When buying, send a Remind text message or e-mail to Ms. Codina at katie.codina@apsb.org to confirm you are buying the correct thing.  AVOID Amazon!

​Brands to look for:  

• Flute - Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Emerson, Pearl, Haynes, Muramatsu, Armstrong
• Clarinet - Buffet, Yamaha, LeBlanc, Selmer, Vito, Bundy
• Alto Saxophone - Selmer, Yamaha, Conn, Keilwerth
• Trumpet - Bach, Yamaha, Getzen, King, Conn
• Trombone - Bach, Yamaha, Conn, Getzen, Jupiter

Brands/Features to AVOID (These instruments tend to be so cheaply made they often do not play easily, do not play in tune with the band, and break constantly.  Students become very frustrated and are less likely to be successful!): 

• ANY Colors other than silver
• “BRAND NEW” for under $300
• Etude, Allora, Mendeni, Glory, Lazzaro, among so many others!  

Special Note for Clarinet and Saxophone Players:
Remember to pick up quality reeds in the "blue" box!  Get only one box of Vandoren 2 (we will move out of this size very quickly) and a few boxes of Vandoren 2.5's and that should last you the year!  Please read this article to find out more about reed care.

Don't forget valve oil or necessary cleaning supplies!  Music stands are also highly recommended for at home practice.

The following websites have informative videos about assembly and playing your first note:

www.beginningbandbootcamp.com 
www.basicband.info 

Have fun and remember to contact Ms. Codina when in doubt!

Please find the results for our instrument selections below.  We have taken two weeks and a team of professional musicians to help find the instrument that your child will be most successful on!  We are excited to begin playing as soon as possible.  Please make every effort to attend the meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at school.  We will discuss how to get an instrument.  We will also post more information here on the website after the meeting.

Some students may need to switch their band day and their PE day.  That is also indicated.  We will switch beginning on Tuesday after Labor Day!

Looking forward to a great 6th grade class!