May 13-17

Happy Mother's Day!

Did you get a chance to check out the 2013-2014 ensemble lists? Click here.

Remember that your Live Review is due on Friday! This is an important part of your grade! For concerts this week, click on the Live Music page. If you choose to review a concert that is 5/17-19, I will accept those papers on Monday, 5/20 with no deduction. Otherwise, all Live Reviews must be submitted by Friday!

Finale Concerts are May 22 & 23. Beginning Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band will perform on Wednesday the 22 while Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra will perform on Thursday May 23. I am sorry about the conflict that some families have with a Castillero concert, but we are unable to reschedule at this time. Both concerts are at 7:00 in the PAC and are free admission. Come and hear the culmination of the great work that the students have done this year!

March 11-15

Audition Information has been posted! Be sure to get the information and sign up for your audition time. Click here to go to my Audition Info page.

Come check out the Pioneer production of Hello, Dolly! this Friday and Saturday and next Wednesday through Saturday. Curtain is at 7:00 and tickets are available at lunch in the quad or at the door prior to each production.

The Jazz Band will be performing with Castillero for their annual "Jazz Around Town" fundraiser concert Saturday evening March 30 at San Jose State. I don't have the details yet, but anticipate the call time will be between 6-7 and the students should be done by about 9:30. For information about ticket orders, please contact me.

A gentle reminder as we get back into our Listening Logs; students who are absent are welcome to make up their work on Monday during S period. Also, if students need extra time or additional help with the writing process, they should come in during S period. This week, I will even grant an extension to those students who were in class, but just wasted time and didn't get the assignment done. Moving forward, however, students who are in class but don't do the assignment will not get any additional support. Students who are absent or students who need more support will always be welcome to come in during S period and complete their work.

Plan to join us on Wednesday, April 3 for our Spring Concert. Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band will be presenting all new music that we've been working on since the Benefit Concert. The program will begin at 7:00 and admission will be free.

I'd like to thank the following parents who are scheduled to chaperone our San Francisco weekend; Mr and Mrs Hubbard, Mrs Liebscher, Mrs Raimondi, Mrs Schumway Lipps, Mrs Yetkinler, Mrs Archambault, Mrs Thompson and Mr Carrillo. We are looking for one more dad who could travel with us. If you can join us, please contact me ASAP- chris_mccoy [at] sjusd [dot] org. If you have any payments left, please make those right away. If you need to extend your payments, do extra fundraising or need more financial help, let me know so that I can arrange that for you.

January 14-18

Band & Orchestra Benefit Concert- This week, students will get raffle tickets to begin selling. Tickets sell for $3 each or 4 for $10, and students make 80% of that as account credit. The grand prize this year is going to be an iPad! Raffle winner need not be present to win, so sell those tickets to friends, neighbors and anyone else who wants to support our program and have a shot at an iPad! In addition to the raffle, we continue to collect donations for our Silent Auction including dinners, hotel stays, golf, entertainment packages and more. If you would like to help us purchase some of the things that go with the raffle and auction, please consider sending in a $10 donation to "Pioneer Performing Arts" and we'll include a free raffle ticket! VIP tickets are sold out, but we have several reserved tables (seats 6) and plenty of individual seats available. Students earn $5 to their account for every ticket in advance.

Today, I saw Brian Hubbard (11th grade, French Horn) perform with the Santa Clara County Honor Band. What a great performance! If you attended, be sure you turn in your Live Review this week to get your extra credit! I will not give extra credit for honor band reviews beyond the one week deadline.

If you participated in the We Care Coffee fundraiser, please get your money turned in right away!

Musicians for Hello, Dolly! should check out the new page on my blog which includes rehearsal schedule and performance information.

Jazz Band will be performing at the 8th grade recruitment night Thursday in the gym. Call time is 6:00 and we'll perform from about 6:30-6:50. Students will be dismissed as soon as we are done cleaning up at about 7:00. Recruitment night is casual performance in jeans and band polo. For CMEA on Saturday February 2, we will meet at Santa Teresa HS at 8:10 am. We'll warm up, then perform at 8:50, then sight reading, then group photo and dismissal around 9:50 am. The Joint Venture gig downtown is Friday, February 8. We'll meet at school early at about 6:30 am and return to school for classes after lunch. We will need parent drivers that morning! Both the CMEA festival and the downtown gig are formal performing attire.

Spring Trip is coming up fast! There is still time to get your contract & deposit in this week. We need a few more chaperones! If you can help, please send in a contract and deposit, or if you have questions, send me an email. All the info is here.

January 8-11

Welcome to the Spring 2013 semester!

The Band & Orchestra Benefit Concert is in just 33 days (February 9, 7 pm)! Concert and ticket information is all online at the Benefit Concert tab at the top of the page. Be sure to get your tickets ordered in advance because your student earns an account credit for each ticket sold.


If you participated in the We Care Coffee fundraiser, you need to turn in your money this week! As a reminder, for each Gourmet Grab Bag you turn in $130 and make $50 account credit and for each Mini Grab Bag you turn in $52 and make $20 account credit. Checks should be payable to "Pioneer Performing Arts."

Sign-Ups for our Spring Music Trip are past due. We have over 75 students signed up, but there are more who still need to get their form and deposit turned in! Also, I am looking for about 3 more parents who would be willing to accompany us as a chaperone. Complete info, including the tour contract is on the Spring Trip 2013 tab above. We'll have a great musical experience with clinics and the SF Symphony and fun times as well. I hope all students in Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble and Orchestra are able to participate.

Jazz Band has a busy schedule this six weeks. On Thursday the 17th we'll be performing at the 8th grade recruitment night here at the school, details tba, but expect to be here from about 6-7:15. The CMEA Jazz Festival on Saturday, February 2 is at Santa Teresa HS. I have requested a morning time, but don't have the details from the host yet. Once I know more, I'll pass that along. On Friday, February 8 we will again be performing for the Joint Venture Silicon Valley State of the Valley conference downtown. We have the morning shift again and students should plan to miss periods 1-3 that morning. We will need parent drivers for kids and equipment that morning, with a possible window of 6:30 am to noon. Once I get our specifics, I'll let you know.

Students interested in performing as part of the pit orchestra for Hello, Dolly! need to let me know this week. We are looking for up to 3 violin, 1 viola, 1 cello, 1 bass, 4 reed players who can double (I fl, cl, alto; II cl, alto; III cl, tenor; IV cl, bass cl, bari), 3 trumpets, 2 trombone, 2 percussion and a guitar/ banjo. Look for rehearsals to begin next week. I anticipate one or two nights a week (about 6-9:30, based on student scheduling) until ski week. After ski week, rehearsal will kick into high gear with Monday to Thursday nights 6-10. Performances are March 15, 16, 20-23 at 7:00. While missing a performance is non-negotiable, it may be possible for a member of the pit to have conflicts the earlier rehearsals by advance notice. All student musicians are given a semester elective credit for their work in the production! I can also assure you that there are no rehearsals on Fridays, weekends, or over the ski week. The only Friday/ Saturday commitment is the performances themselves.

Extra Credit Live Review Opportunity- All band students can go to the Santa Clara County Honor Band performance on Sunday, January 13 at 2:00 at Evergreen Valley HS and earn double credit on their spring semester Live Review! Many students earned a lower grade in the Fall Semester because they simply chose not to do or turn in their written work. Don't let this happen to you- start the semester off strong!

Finally, if you've not looked at the 2012-2013 Performance Calendar, please do so. All of our events are scheduled in advance (most of them before the year even starts) so that you can plan accordingly.

December 17-21

Welcome to the last week of the Fall 2012 Semester! I wish that you all will be as successful on your final exams as you have prepared to be ;)

Only a few quick things to keep in mind this week-

If you have not yet turned in your Spring Tour contract and deposit (Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble & Orchestra), it is now past due. Please turn it in THIS WEEK! We are also looking for more parent chaperones. For more info, click on the Spring Trip 2013 page .

Tickets for the Band & Orchestra Benefit Concert on February 9 are now on sale! More info is on the Band & Orchestra Benefit tab above. VIP Tables are sold out and Reserved Tables are almost sold out, however there are plenty of individual tickets still available for purchase, as well as event DVD's and CD's. Don't forget to sign up for a volunteer shift when you order your tickets!

Live Reviews were due last Friday. Any student who still needs to turn theirs in should do so right away to minimize the late work deduction.

It is my goal to have students' grades nearly complete by the end of this week. I will post on Facebook as each class grades are complete. I plan to upload all class grades on Friday before taking time off for the holiday break. If they aren't, though, remember that I do have until our return in January to make sure everything is both accurate and complete.

From my family to yours, I sincerely wish you peace and joy this holiday season and many blessings in the new year.

November 13-16

The fall Coffee Fundraiser kicked off last week.  I can accept the signup forms until Tuesday but online sales are ongoing.  For more info, check out last week's post.

Please take a moment to review the information about the Band & Orchestra Benefit scheduled for February 9, 2013.  Parents who are interested in updates about what's going on can join us at our next Booster meeting on November 20 at 7:30 in my room. Calling all artists- I would like to include a student designed cover for the program. Check out the event page for more info.  I'll be updating that page with information as the event gets closer. I'm very excited for what promises to be a fun evening with engaging music, a raffle, a silent auction and more.

The Music Department is working with the Drama department to host the 5th annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, November 24 from 10-4 in the PAC.  The event features some 50 local craftspeople and vendors and is a great place to go shopping for holiday gifts and other needs.  This is also a fundraiser for us as each vendor pays a small fee to participate in the event.  Debbie Michels & Michelle Takeuchi are coordinating our efforts and will need a few volunteers during the event.  Please contact me if you would be able to help with this event in any way.

I have updated the Live Music page of my blog with some performances in November & December.  If you haven't yet turned in your Live Review, be sure you go and see one of the many great local music ensembles and turn the review in.  For those students with excused absences from prior events, you must submit your Live Review for the missed event to be excused.  Please note on the review which event you missed so I can clear it more quickly.

Our next Booster Club meeting is on Tuesday, November 20 at 7:30 in my room.  Please join us and keep up with all that's going on.

Our Winter Concerts are scheduled for December 5 (Beginning Band, Concert Band & Wind Ensemble) and December 6 (Orchestra & Jazz Band).  Both concerts are at 7:00 in the Pioneer PAC at 7:00 and admission is free.

October 8-12

Welcome Back!  I hope you have had a good time during your week off.

Booster Parents- be aware that we'll be having a Big Band & Orchestra Benefit planning meeting soon.  Once the date and time is set, I'll let you know.

Jazz Band will be performing at the Allen-at-Steinbeck walk a thon on Saturday, October 20 from 10:30-11:00 am.  The campus is the same as Castillero, and we will be performing on the outdoor stage just outside the band room.  Half of the band will meet at Pioneer before hand to load our equipment, while half of the band will return and unload.  Call time at Pioneer to load will be 9:30, our performance will end at 11:00 and those doing the unloading should be done at PHS before 12:00.

Also, Jazz Band will be participating in the West Valley Jazz Festival on Friday, November 2.  I hope to visit Castillero in the morning and then go to the festival after that, but will not know the details until I get them from WVC.

Fall Concert- is Wednesday, October 24 at 7:00 in the PAC.  Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band & String Orchestra will be joined by Castillero's Chamber Strings and Jazz Band.  This will be a wonderful joint performance and a great opportunity to welcome the Castillero students and families to Pioneer.  Please encourage your friends and family to arrive early as the concert will begin promptly at 7:00.

There are many performances to go see this month!  Look at the Live Music page and see if you can get to one of the many opportunities.  Remember that your Live Review is due within one week of the concert you attend.

I have posted a Tour 2013 update for Jazz Band.  Please review the details.  I will be posting information for Wind Ensemble and Orchestra as soon as I am able to confirm more details.  I hope to have these quite soon.

Finally, we will begin our next fundraiser soon with the We Care Coffee Company.  Look for a separate blog post later this week with more info.  In the meantime, you can check them out online.

September 24-28

We are now into the second grading period.  I am a bit behind in posting grades for some students, but all will be accurate before Tuesday at 4:00pm.  If you have grade questions, please hold off until that time so the grade will be accurate.

As you may have heard by now, we will not be taking a big music tour this spring because of low numbers.  I am working to plan a short, inexpensive trip so that all students will be able to participate.  This may be simply a day trip, or just one or two nights away.  I will hold onto deposits until such time as I can announce what the revised plan will be.  Thank you for your patience as I make these plans.  I will continue to update the Tour 2013 page as details are worked out.

Our first concert is coming up on Wednesday, October 24th at 7:00 in the PAC.  The Castillero Jazz Band and Chamber Orchestra will join the Pioneer Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble and String Orchestra.  This will be a great concert and I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Please remember that if you have not yet paid for your Entertainment Books, Pep Band attire or Dress, that money is past due.  Please make payment as soon as possible.  Checks can be made out to "Pioneer Performing Arts."  If you have a question about money you owe or have paid, email and I'll give you details for your student.

Jazz Band students have been invited to perform at the Allen at Steinbeck walk-a-thon on Saturday, October 20.  I don't have our performance time yet, but have asked that we be scheduled for the morning.  Once I confirm these details, I'll let you know.  This will be a great way for us to reach out to our community and support one of our SJUSD schools.

Finally, as September rolls to a close and October comes in, there will be many Live Review opportunities for you.  Please take a moment and review the Live Music page so that you can understand this assignment.  I have added details about some October concerts you may choose to attend.

August 27-31

Football season kicks off next week!  All members of the Pep Band (Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band) will be participating in the first game of the season next Friday, September 7.  Call time will be about 5:30.  Starting this year, we are going to be hosting a dinner fundraiser before the games.  This time around the Carrillo family will be hosting with burritos.  While the details aren't set, students will be able to purchase dinner before the game and the proceeds will benefit our program, rather than the athletic department concessions during the game.  Students will be able to sign up in advance and any extra meals that we have will be available to other band students and then to friends and family.  More info on this will be posted next week.

Did you turn in your Course Handbook form?  It is so important that every student gets this form signed and turned in.  Please check if you will need a tux or dress as well as your size information for polo shirts and jackets.  The polos and jackets are required of Pep Band and optional to others.  Read the handbook for more info.

Have you completed and turned in your first two Listening Logs?  I guide you through these assignments in class and give you time to complete them.  If you need extra help with these, or if you didn't do them yet, come in after school or during S period and I can make sure you understand how to complete these assignments successfully.  Check the PIV to see if you have any missing work to this point.

We will begin our first fundraiser this week!  Students will sell Entertainment Books for $30 each- of which about $10 is profit back to us.  Checks can be made to "Pioneer Performing Arts."  Money students raise can be used for a tuxedo, dress, polos, or even our trips.  While $30 may seem like an investment for coupons, remember that with $10 profit, it's only about a $20 book and that is easily made up by using just two of the restaurant coupons.  In addition to those, there are retail coupons, travel coupons and much, much more.  I have personally made great use of the Entertainment Book I got last year.

This week- bands will be getting ready for the football season, Beginning Band will be working on the brass family and continue note and rhythm reading, Orchestra will begin to do some playing tests, ensembles will finish student leadership and all classes will kick off the Entertainment Book fundraiser.

Finally, if you haven't taken time to look at the information for the 2013 Spring Tour, please do so.  I  hope to have as many students and parent chaperones participating as possible.  If you have any questions, let me know.

August 20-24

I am so glad for the great work we have already achieved in the first three days of class!  I will begin counting rehearsal points tomorrow, so all students should be prepared to play with reeds, valve oil, rosin or any other supplies needed.  Don't forget that the signature page for the course handbook is due this Friday.  Also, please take time to indicate sizes of polo shirts, jackets and need for a tuxedo or dress on the back page.

Listening Logs are due tomorrow.  If you have a question, or were unable to complete this assignment, I will be assisting students Monday during S period.  All journals must be turned in by the end of the day Monday.

All students who need to use a school instrument (except Beginning Band) this year should have already gotten a blue contract.  No student is allowed to take an instrument home without turning in this blue contract.  Families who are able to make the Instrument Donation are asked to make checks to "Pioneer Performing Arts."

Students are reminded to consider opportunities for student leadership this week.  I will meet with all candidates prior to elections.  In addition to the officers, as we begin to play, I will be working to determine section leaders for the year.

Due to a last minute personnel change, there is one sax opening in Jazz Band.  I will take time to hear every sax player in Wind Ensemble and Concert Band audition Monday as there may be some shuffling taking place this week.  Schedule changes will only be available with administrative approval because the school year has already started.

We will also begin our first fundraiser of the year- Entertainment Book sales.  Similar to last year, I ask every family to sell just two books.  If we do just that, we will raise about $4,000- most of which goes directly into student credit for performing attire, travel and more.  Books will retail for $30 with a profit of $10 each.  Checks can be made to "Pioneer Performing Arts."

Many students have begun to turn in tour contracts.  Please remember that there is a $250 deposit which must be submitted with the contract.  More information, and a tour contract are available on the Tour 2013 page of my blog.  This contract is due Friday, September 14 and checks should be made payable to "Pioneer Performing Arts."

5/14-5/18

The penultimate week of classes!  Before we are done, though- we have several very important things to take care of.  If you missed the tour information, get it here.  If you are looking for the ensemble rosters for next year, click here.  Also note that the 2012-2013 performing schedule is posted as well!

Your Live Review is due Friday!  If you've not done this yet- get all the info on the Live Music page and get out to a concert!

Finale Concerts- Wednesday & Thursday at 7:00 in the PAC, free admission.  Wednesday night will feature Beginning Band, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble.  Thursday night will feature String Orchestra and Jazz Band.  Call time for performers is 6:30.  Please be prompt and plan to stay through the duration of the concert.  Both concerts should be about an hour and a half in length.


BBQ Dinner Fundraiser- Wednesday the 23rd at Blue Rock BBQ.  Bring the flier and the band & orchestra will get 20% of your dinner bill.  Join us for great BBQ and support your student's music education at the same time.

Jazz Band @ Senior Awards Night- Thursday the 24th here at PHS in the quad.  Formal performing attire.  Seniors may dress as they will to attend the ceremony.  Call time 5:00 to set up, then we will perform from 5:30-6:00 to play families into the PAC.  We will not play at the end of the event as we did last year.

Graduation- Wind Ensemble students and those who are invited to join us- Thursday, June 1.  Call time at PHS will be about 3:30.  We will bus over to the rose garden and bus back after (approx. return time 7:30-8:30, depending on the ceremony and traffic).  All students performing with a school instrument MUST check the instrument in with me back at PHS after the performance.  Students with personal instruments or summer instrument contracts are not required to return to PHS.

Finally, if you are among the 22 students who owe the program a combined $1,578, please make your payments immediately!  I can no longer delay payments as we are at the end of the year.  If you have questions about your balance, contact me.  To those of you with a positive balance, you will carry that over to start next year.

5/7-5/11

Are you looking for the personnel list?  Check the post below

Congratulations to the Orchestra for a very strong performance on Friday night at the CMEA festival!

All band and orchestra families for next year are invited to an informational meeting about the spring 2013 tour on Wednesday night at 7:00 in the PAC.  Please join us as I share my vision for our possible spring music trip.

Finale Concerts are coming up next week!  Beginning Band, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will perform Wednesday night while Orchestra and Jazz Band will perform Thursday night.  Both concerts are at 7:00 in the PAC.  Both nights will feature some great music making so please invite your friends & family, arrive on time and plan to stay for the duration of the concert.  I will also have the opportunity to recognize outstanding members of the ensembles for their contributions throughout the year.  I hope to see you there!

Graduation is Thursday, May 31.  All current members of Wind Ensemble are required to perform, and those moving into Wind Ensemble next year are invited to join us.  We will depart PHS for the Rose Garden at about 3:30 and return following the ceremony.  Students may leave after the ceremony with family members with written permission in advance.  The bus should return to PHS at about 7:45.  Students are dismissed once they check their school instrument in with me or take a personal instrument home.

School instruments will be available for summer check-out to those students continuing in music at PHS in the fall.  Students must return a signed Summer Instrument contract after the Finale Concerts before they are permitted to take any instrument home.  Once the student has performed next week, all instruments are to stay at the school.

There are many live performances this week and next.  If you have yet to do your Live Review, get out to one of these concerts and get the assignment turned in.  All the info is on the Live Music page!

Finally, there are currently 34 students who owe the program money totaling about $2,414.  Families need to get any balance paid as students can not end the year with a negative balance!  Students who end the year with a positive balance, though, are able to keep that credit and start the year off with a credit!

4/23-4/27

Do you need to audition but haven't yet?  Check out the Audition Page for last minute sign-ups and information.  It is very important that all students who plan to join our program, or move up ensembles play an audition for me.  I have added times on Monday the 23rd as well as Tuesday the 24th.  Expect audition results to be posted on or about the evening of Friday, May 4.

We are hosting a Music In The Parks festival on Saturday here at Pioneer.  All parents and students who plan to help us on Saturday must attend our planning meeting Monday evening.  On the agenda will be things like job descriptions, what to expect, concessions planning, scheduling and much more.  The meeting will begin at 7:00 pm in my classroom and should be over within an hour (except for concessions planning).  There are about 5 parents who have contacted me to help- even if I've not responded to you directly, please do join us!  If you have questions, contact me.

The Jazz Band and Orchestra will be performing in joint concert Friday night with the Castillero Orchestra and Jazz Band.  The concert will begin at 7:00.  Student performers call time will be 6:15.  Part of our festival setup will include concert setup on Friday after school.

Orchestra will be participating in CMEA festival on Friday night, May 4.  Times have yet to be announced, but as soon as I know more, I will let you know!  Unfortunately, we were only able to secure a performance for Orchestra this year, and not for Concert Band or Wind Ensemble.  This is purely a schedule conflict, not because I wanted to avoid the performance- both bands are doing a great job this year!

It's almost time for our Finale Concerts!  In just 3 weeks, all 5 ensembles will be performing their last formal concert of the year (except for graduation).  Beginning Band, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will perform on Wednesday, May 16 while Orchestra and Jazz Band will perform on Thursday the 17th.  Both concerts will begin at 7:00 in the PAC.

Live Reviews are due on Friday, May 18.  Make sure that you take time if you haven't yet to get out and support live music!  More information is on my Live Music page.

Graduation will be Thursday evening, May 31.  All current Wind Ensemble students (non-seniors) and all students who are placed in Wind Ensemble for next year will be performing.  There will be a school bus to take students to and from the event and our approximate times are 3:00 to 7:00.

3/5-3/9

Jazz Gigs
Softball Gig- this Saturday 3/10. We will play 2 sets, one from 10:30-11:00 and a short set after the ceremony from about 11:20- 11:45.  Students will be required either to load equipment at PHS in the morning and do set-up or break down after the gig and return the equipment to PHS after.  Load in will begin at the band room at 9:45.  Break down will be immediately following the gig.  Call time for students not doing loading in the morning is at Graystone is 10:15.  We will be in jeans and our polo shirts for this gig.
West Valley College joint performance- next Friday 3/16 at 8:00 pm.  I don't know what time our sound check will be, but anticipate a call time at about 7:00 at the West Valley College theater.  We will not have to bring any of our equipment with us- students will just have to have their instruments and music.  We have 75 tickets to distribute for free- I will need to know from all students how many their family plans to use this week so I can distribute those.  There will be additional tickets available at the door for $10.  All tickets are general admission.  We are opening for the WVC Jazz Band, which will follow our performance.  I expect all performers and audience members to remain for the duration of the concert- it is poor concert etiquette to arrive late or leave early from any performance.  Plus, it's a great opportunity for a free live review!

Fundraiser
This week we kick off our spring fundraising efforts.  There will be two parts to this- the first is a regular $1 candy bar sale and the other is a catalog sale of frozen dessert and snack items.  The candy bars will net 50% profit (40% to the student) and the catalog will net 40% profit (30% to the student).  The candy bar sale will be ongoing for about 3 weeks and we can reorder as many as we need as long as students continue to sell.  Students will be allowed to take one box at a time and can check out as many more as they want when they return the $50 from the sale of the candy.  Students will take orders from the brochure for about 2 or 3 weeks.  Students should collect funds- cash or checks are fine- checks should be payable to "Pioneer Performing Arts."

Grading Update
This week, I am going to start Weekly Quizzes in each class.  This will give me an opportunity to check in with each student in each class at least once a week to monitor individual progress on whatever it is we happen to be working on at the time.  This will be a part of the students' performance grade.  While each week isn't going to be a huge grade, the cumulative result of a student's work will impact his overall grade.
Many students have not turned in their written work.  I will accept make up work without deduction until this Friday.  Beyond that point, the first 4 journals which we have done (in class, with much guidance from me, and with many opportunities for after school help) must be turned in, or they will be subject to a late work deduction.

West Side Story is kicking into high gear!  With rehearsals 4 nights a week this week and next, students should be reminded to make use of every available moment during the day to keep up with school work and other things.  Please be careful with your health, too, as a busy schedule can weaken your immune system.  Monday to Wednesday of this week, I am going to push our rehearsals from 7-9:30.  Starting Thursday, all rehearsals are scheduled 6-10 in the PAC with the cast.  We have already sold some $5,000 worth of tickets, so get your ticket order form in early to secure the best seats at your choice performance.

On Friday, April 27, we have a joint performance with Castillero at Pioneer at 7:00 in the PAC.  The Castillero Jazz Band and Chamber Strings will be joining our Jazz Band and Symphony (?) Orchestra.  We will need parent help to produce this concert.  If you are interested, let me know.

On Saturday, April 28, we will be hosting a festival for Music In The Parks.  Much of the set-up will be done Friday prior to our concert.  I will need many parents to help throughout the day to set-up, run various parts of the event and then work with clean up.  If you are able to help, let me know.  This event will raise at least $1,000 for our program- so let's make this a great event that we can use every year.

Program Notes

Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Jazz Band students are required to write program notes for our Fall Concert.  These are due this Friday, October 14.  Program notes should include a bit about the composer and a bit on the composition.  Information should be engaging to a non-musical audience and provide a bit of background and some insight in what to listen to in the performance.

Here is an example of what one could write about Frank Ticheli's piece, Amen

Frank Ticheli is one of the most prominent contemporary composers for band.  His works include those from younger bands to the most experienced.  “Amen!” takes on an upbeat, somewhat bluesy, gospel style, suggesting an impassioned preacher sharing some bit of good news. After an introductory “call to order,” our preacher (here the clarinet section) gives us the main tune over a series of simple, bopping quarter-note chords.  Later, the full ensemble bursts out in a fit of joy- the choir and the congregation have joined in, dancing and shouting in full agreement.  The good news is driven home in the concluding coda over a series of plagal (“Amen”) chord progressions, and one final joyful shout.

-Frank Ticheli (adapted)

Students should also include a brief personal statement about themselves and music.  This could be why they chose to play, what they love about playing or anything along those lines.  For example-

I love band!  I’ve been playing trombone since the sixth grade and can’t imagine life without music.  My joy is seeing young people learn about music and grow in their musical skills and develop their own love for symphonic music.

Orchestra as follows;
Allegro- 1st violin
Shepherd's Hey- 2nd violin
Four Royal Dances- viola
Lullaby- cello/ bass

Wind Ensemble as follows;
Belgian Paratroopers- A - DiLeonard
Sleepers, Wake- Dueck- Macdonald
Symphony #5- Macon- Z

Jazz Band as follows;
I Remember Stan- Robert, Ryan S, Natalie T
Jazz Police- David, Erica, Joseph

Love for Sale- Justin Victor, Elliot
Malaguena- Tatiana, Carl, Maria
Nardis- Alex, Steven, Ryan A
A Night in Tunisia- Mina, Mac, Meghan
Street Music- Jake, Noah, Natalie K