Scenes from our annual caroling trip

It's Concert Week!

5th-8th Grade Concerts are 

Wednesday, December 16.  

Grades 5 and 6- 5:30 start, 5:10 call time.

Grades 7 and 8 (and Stage Band)- 7:15 start, 6:50 call time

concert dress 

Students will also perform during the school day.

Please wear black bottoms and your performing arts t shirt during the school day.  

Caroling Trip Information

     Some of our musicians have elected to work toward a holiday caroling trip on Monday, December 21. Our itinerary is listed on the permission slip sent home.  

     Students that attended two rehearsals  last week are eligible to go on  the trip if they complete these 2 remaining tasks by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18.

     The tasks are:

1) Fill out the online lunch order http://goo.gl/forms/uOLqWJvif0

2) Hand in permission slip AND lunch money together.


     PLEASE WEAR YOUR PERFORMING ARTS SHIRT ON THE TRIP. YOU ARE WELCOME TO ADD FESTIVE ACCESSORIES!  

Why music?

#sackbut!

Thank you to Chapin Kaynor for introducing us to the sackbut this morning! The sackbut dates back to the 1500s and evolved into the modern day trombone. 

We heard a quality performance, learned about the history of the sackbut and asked meaningful questions. 

Thank you to Chapin, Jim and Jenna! 

Successful Beginner Band Demo Performance

Thanks to these great musicians for speaking and playing so well at the beginner band demo. I received a lot of feedback from other teachers stating how impressed they were with how articulate and knowledgable our students were. Great work! 

Cool Music in Our Cool School

                    Thank you students for representing us so well on live TV! 

                                                     Check it out here!

           

Performing Arts Shirt Orders

Performing Arts Shirt Orders

All 5th-8th grade performing arts students will wear a WCS Performing Arts shirt  on concert days and to field trips and other organized events. These looked great in past years!      

    You do not need to buy a new shirt if you still have one from last year that fits. If you need a larger size, or are new to 5th-8th grade band and/or chorus, please order your shirt here and send in payment (cash or check to WCS) by Friday, October 30, 2015. Shirts are $8 and financial support may be requested.  Questions? Please check in with Karla Kennedy or Kim Thompson.

Concert Band Lessons

     Did you know that most Concert Band students have lessons on Wednesdays? We lay the foundation for our individual instrumental skills and offer the most individual attention and differentiated instruction in these lessons. Most students have established their routine and are attending lessons.  There are a few students working on finding a system or strategy to remember to attend and/or check the schedule in the morning.

     Attendance is documented in Jupiter Grades weekly for parents to see. Parents, please ask your child  how they are doing managing this schedule and let Mrs. Thompson know if you need some  help creating strategies to remember to attend lessons. 

Wind Ensemble News

Friday, 9/25's rehearsal and lessons are canceled.
Next week's schedule will be available soon.

Symphonic Band News

All Symphonic Band members will use the book, Tradition of Excellence, Book 1 this year. This is the same book we started as beginners last year. If you child has lost their book, please replace it so they can practice at home.

The book can be purchased through Ellis Music as well as many online businesses that sell music supplies or books. Please contact Kim Thompson if financial assistance is needed.

Welcome Back!

The WCS Performing Arts kick off meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 9/1 at 11:50. See you there!

Eighth Grade Silly Awards

Congratulations to this outstanding group of silly, smart, kind and dedicated graduates! 

WCS Music will miss you! 

missing from photo: Makenzie and Graham 

Photo Fun!

Here is what happens when we have a fire alarm during a concert: 

Photo creds to Kiley! 

Success at the CSSU Jazz Fest!

The WCS Jazz Band represented our school so well last night at the CSSU Jazz Fest. Compliments were flowing from CSSU teachers and students. Great work!


Warming up in the CVU chorus room:

Beginner Band Concert

Beginner Band Concert

Thursday, June 4, 2015                 

              We have two exciting performances on this day. The details for each performance are different so please read carefully.

School day concert:     We will perform during the school day for our peers and teachers. Due to the June heat, the dress code for the day is DIFFERENT from the evening.     Please be sure to wear something cool and as neat as possible. Please avoid clothing with large logos.     ***Remember to bring your instrument and music to school on this special day!

Evening concert: Performance time is  6:30 pm. Please arrive between 6:00 and 6:10. dress: boys: long pants, shirt with collar, matching footwear  and  tie. girls: dressy bottoms (skirt or dress preferred) with appropriate top. (auditorium should be air conditioned) Shorts, t shirts, hats, athletic wear, and jeans are not appropriate. Please do not wear them. If you need to borrow clothing, please contact Kim Thompson asap. (kthompson@cssu.org)

Another Masterpiece!

Congratulations to Ethan for having another masterpiece featured in another professional  concert this week.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f2M7Tq9B4kY&feature=youtu.be

JAZZ FEST 

IS OFFICIALLY ON!

Who? WCS Jazz Band

When? Thursday, 5/14 at 7:00 pm. 

Arrive at 6:30 pm please.

Where? CVU

What to wear? black pants, blue “Jazz Band” shirts.

                                  Please wash and  return these by  

Monday, 5/18.

Please honor this commitment. 

We are a small group and everyone is needed!

Our remaining schedule: Monday, 4-27- rehearsal 2:50-3:45 Monday, 5/4- rehearsal 2:50-3:45 Monday, 5/11- rehearsal 2:50-3:45 Thursday, 5/14- JAZZ FEST (info above) Monday, 5/18- rehearsal 2:50-3:45 Wednesday, 5/20- school day concerts-  wear black pants and “Performing Arts” shirt. Thursday, 5/21- evening concert start time is **5:30  (formal concert dress)                           **7th graders- please note that  Jazz Band will play in the 5:30 concert!

Concert photos!

Backstage phantoms! 

Our assistant director in action!

Lights, sound and camera experts!

Peer and self reflections leading up to the concert. 

Working out the final details 

Dress rehearsal 

Concert day! 

Concert details!

Please make sure you have all required clothing in school by Tuesday at the latest.

Black shoes (or the darkest you have) 

Black socks 

Black pants (any style) 

Black shirt (any style) 

Blue performing arts tshirt 

Here's a sneak peek! 

See you at the concert!! 

7th and 8th grade concert is close!

The 7th and 8th grade concert is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18. Details here.

Clothing needed for dress rehearsal and all performances:

2 shirts: 1 black shirt AND 1 performing arts shirt   black pants black socks black shoes additional: accessories assigned to individuals.

Tues, 3/17 dress rehearsal 8:15-12:30

Wed, 3/18 concerts! (DAY AND  EVENING) 9:30am 1:15pm 7pm (6pm call)

Thurs, 3/19 snow date for evening performance 7pm (6pm call)

Fri, 3/20 snow date for day performances

National Anthem at WCS Student Faculty Basketball Game

Congrats to Ethan and Kai! Excellent job!! 

WCS Mardi Gras Parade!

2015 District Music Festival Success!!

Congratulations to all students that represented WCS in the district (Chittenden County) music festival band this weekend. Your excellent musicianship, maturity and discipline was evident throughout. You are amazing kids and we look forward to your leadership in Wind  Ensemble! 

March Concert theme and jobs announced!

This year's March concert theme is BROADWAY!!

Students applied for leadership jobs and the results are:

Researchers:  Zanna Branicki, Jimmy Jiang

Assistant Directors: band- Ryan Underhill
                               chorus- Bree Kolibas

Stage Managers- Zanna Branicki, Jessica Gagne, Camille Menard, Bree Kolibas

Production Assistants- Jimmy Jiang, Nicole Eaton
                                 
Photographer/Editor- band- Aaron Dempsey
                                 chorus- Gabby Beaulieu
                                 asst- Hugo Serinese

Costume and prop master- Grace Colbeth

Choreographers- Hannah Bohmann, Reagan Dufresne, Nicole Eaton, Bree Kolibas, Sophie Roy

Speakers- Adele Jennings, CJ McDevitt, Olivai Varricchione, Eryn Erdman,

Light Tehcnicians- Adam Zuchowski, Jimmy Jiang

Artsist- Adele Jennings, Gabby Beaulieu, Sophine Beliveau, Sydney Glickman, Maggie Warren

Successful trip to CVU!

Our eighth grade musicians visited CVU yesterday. We rehearsed with other CSSU eighth graders and many CVU musicians. We also got familiar with  Mr. Miskavage and the details of the HS band program. 

It was a fun and meaningful way to make music with new and old friends and learn about our opportunities next year. Keep playing those instruments! HS band is even better than middle school!

Congratulations to Ethan!

Did you know that Ethan D is an active and award winning composer outside of WCS? The Vermont Symphony Orchestra will perform a premiere of one of his compositions on Wednesday, 1/21 at 7:30 pm at the Vermont State House. This is huge and we are so proud of you Ethan! 

Please check out these links for further details.

http://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/All-SgtArms-Documents/Farmers-Night-Schedule.pdf

http://www.vermontsymphonyorchestra.blogspot.com/2015/01/artist-bio-ethan-duncan.html

8th grade trip to CVU

All CSSU eighth grade musicians are headed to CVU on Thursday, 1/15 from 11:30-2:30. The purpose of this event is to  get acquainted with the music program available to them next year. They will meet Mr. Miskavage,  play music with their  peers from across the  district and get lots of questions answered. We want all eighth graders in attendance on this trip. Permission slips were sent  home with students and need to be returned asap.