Highlights from the Music Through the Decades Concert!

March Concert Information

Our March concert is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21 at 7pm.  (Call time is 6 pm.) This is a special 7th and 8th grade concert that celebrates a different theme each year. This year’s theme is music through the decades.

In preparation, students have been empowered to choose their music, rehearse themselves collaboratively in small groups, and make costume and choreography decisions.  

There are a few items all students will need to bring in from home. If you need support in attaining any of these items, please let me know as soon as possible and I will make the time to help.

All Wind Ensemble members need:
black pants and a WCS Performing Arts t-shirt

Additionally, some instrument sections have added on the the following:

Clarinets: one bed pillow with or without a pillow case.

Brass: black shirt

Percussion: black shirt, white shirt (with black tie for guys)

Wind Ensemble Potluck breakfast

Many hands make light work. Great clean up and treats for breakfast!

Performing Arts Spirit Day

In celebration of the upcoming concerts, today was Spirit Day. 

Looking for holiday gift ideas for your band student?

Looking for  holiday gift ideas for your band student?

Consider the following:

• Reed players can always boost their reed supply. (generally speaking, grades 4 and 5 use strength 2 ½, grade 6 uses strength 3 and grades 7 and 8 use strength  3 or 3 1/2) Feel free to check in with Mrs. Thompson if you want some guidance.
• Reed guard or reed case
• a music stand for home practice
• a collapsible instrument stand. (provides a safe way to put the instrument down when it is not in the case)
• padded neck strap for sax and bass clarinet players
• Silk cleaning swab for woodwind players (these last for years- a great investment!)
• Mouthpiece cushions for sax and clarinet players
• CD featuring a musician soloing on your child’s instrument (or downloadable music card intended for this music)
• cork grease for clarinet and sax players
• valve oil for trumpet and baritone players  (something many of our brass players need more of!)
• Slide grease for trombone players
• books containing solos for your child to play (be careful to choose an appropriate difficulty level) Feel free to check in with Mrs. Thompson if you want some guidance.
• Small electronic metronome
• electronic tuner
• new drum sticks - so many fun styles available!
• stick bag for percussionists
• mutes for brass players (straight mute is the most practical to start with, but they are all useful)
• Upgraded mouthpiece for reed players. Feel free to check in with Mrs. Thompson of you want some guidance. Good choices for alto sax are: Selmer C star, Vandoren AL3

           Tenor sax: Vandoren TL3, Fobes Debut

           Clarinet:  Vandoren B45, Vandoren M13, or Fobes Debut,

           Bass clarinet: Fobes Debut

• Upgraded ligature (Rovner is great brand)
• Mouthpiece brush for brass players (to clean those mouthpieces!)
• Spitballs for trumpet players. (fun way to clean the inside)
• Mini screwdriver set for woodwind players

*If  you order a gift from Ellis Music to be delivered to school (free delivery), let me know and I will hold it for you and NOT give it to your student.  

Concerts are coming!

5th-8th Grade Concerts are on Wednesday, 12/20/17.

Students will perform in school on 12/20. Please wear black bottoms and your blue performing arts shirt.

Evening concerts: Please wear concert dress.

• Grades 5 and 6: 5:00 call, 5:30 concert
• Grades 7 and 8 (and Stage Band) 6:50 call, 7:15 concert

Creative Musicians, Silly Flutes