Welcome to the penultimate week of the school year!
What wonderful concerts last week. I'm proud of how well each group did and so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with you over the past three years. I know that we've done much work, but much is yet to do. Remember, making music isn't about any one individual- it's about the story we get to tell together and all that goes into the telling of that story. I am confident that as each of you continue in band or orchestra next year, that making great music will be your ultimate goal. And that you will work well with your peers and new director as you strive for musical excellence.
Finals- Students who have not yet performed for their finals will do so this week. Wind Ensemble students will be working on music for graduation, Jazz Band students will be doing scales and sight reading; Orchestra, Beginning Band and Concert Band students who did not do an audition for me in April will do their audition now as their final. It is my goal to have grades mostly complete by the end of this week. Any student who misses their final next week (or the graduation performance) will get a zero for their final and that will drop their grade. Even though we've done our playing, all students must continue to attend all classes.
Do you need a summer instrument? Students who are enrolled in band or orchestra next year may check out an instrument over the summer time. Ideally, each student will take home the instrument they are currently using. If not, I will be collecting instruments this week after students play their finals and getting them cleaned up for summer storage or summer use. Students must have a signed summer instrument contract to keep an instrument! If you have questions, let me know.
Graduation is next week! All Wind Ensemble students are required to participate and all students
moving into Wind Ensemble are invited to perform with us. Call time is
4:15 Thursday, June 6. Please dress in summer formal attire- boys should
wear slacks, a dress shirt (collared, button up) and dress shoes, girls
should wear something commensurate with the boys- girls who choose to
wear a dress or skirt must wear something that is knee length when
seated. It will most likely be hot and we'll be in the sun for about 90
minutes. Students may wear sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, etc. and should
bring water. We'll bus to and from PHS, but students whose families are
attending the graduation may make arrangements with me to ride with
family. Students who must check in a school instrument must do so
immediately following the ceremony back at Pioneer. The bus should have
us back to Pioneer before about 8pm.
