Tuesday, December 12, 2017 6th Grade – 6:00 pm – Students Report 5:45 pm 7th & 8th Grade – 7:00 pm – Students Report NLT 6:40 pm Family and friends are invited! Uniform: Black dress pants (NO faded black jeans, leggings, or joggers), black belt, TALL black socks, all black shoes, maroon band polo (available for $20) tucked in. Please leave instrument cases in the car or with parents. Only students with large school owned instruments will be allowed in the band room before the concert. Graded performance based on:
Concert Etiquette Our students have been working very hard in their preparation of this concert. So that audience and performers alike can have an enjoyable musical experience, we have also been practicing appropriate concert etiquette in class and hope that our audience will support us in our efforts!
Seeking Donations:
Donations will be taken at the door to help support our instructional staff. We’ve been fortunate to have instructors come and work with the kids in all areas of the band. This has helped us to break up our very large classes so that we can give more individualized instruction. We are interested in seeing this program grow and flourish as we are seeing the results in our kids’ performance. Please donate if you can to help us sustain this. Many of the instructors are paid $25 per class they teach, so please consider “sponsoring a class”. If you would like to donate to this cause before the concert, you are welcome bring cash or a check made out to CMS Booster Club. District IV Honor Band Auditions are on December 9 at East Ascension High School. Students that pre-registered have been given an audition time which is below. Late Registration: Students that do not have a time but still want to audition can late register between 8:00-10 am the day of the auditions. Bring:
Dress is casual but keep in mind many band directors have told their students to dress nice, so you may want to as well. Many instruments audition in two rooms. For example, they may play their scales in one room and their etude and sight-reading in another room. These rooms will be next door to each other and clearly labeled. Tutoring/Help Sessions Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday next week. Pick up NLT 3:45 pm. Sign-up in the band room. Audition Times Students should arrive 20-30 minutes before their scheduled audition time to check-in and warm-up. Nervous?
The best way to not be nervous is to be prepared. Spend this last week practicing everyday! Some other tips:
Thanks to those who came out last night to the booster meeting! These are the big “take-aways” if you missed it: Christmas Parade - 7th & 8th Grade
Honor Band Auditions - 7th & 8th Grade
Winter Concert - All Grades
Other thoughts:
Thanks again for all you do to support your child in their musical endeavors. Please let me know if you have any questions! ![]()
GONZALES CHRISTMAS PARADE Sunday, December 10, 2017 Report by 11:15 at CMS
![]()
To encourage at-home practice over the Thanksgiving Break, the students have been assigned a PRACTICE CHALLENGE (attached). They can choose activities on each day of Thanksgiving Break with the goal being to accomplish as many activities as possible. A minimum of 12 will be required to receive an "A”. A parent signature will verify completion of the activities. Prizes will be given for students going above and beyond the requirement! Just in case you will be out of town for Thanksgiving week, students can begin now and this chart will not be due until December 1. The activities can be completed in any order and on any day, the calendar is just a suggested timeline. The activities are designed to encourage repetition – an important component of practice – but also to encourage them to explore some new music. Hopefully they will have fun with this assignment! They will receive a copy of this assignment in band class, but it is also attached. ************************** Other Reminders:
Download below: ![]()
The 8th grade band will be performing in our 2nd annual Fall Concert. Students and audience members are encouraged to dress in costume for this concert! Prizes will be given for the best dressed. Students NOT wishing to dress in costume can wear their regular band uniform (maroon band polo, black pants, tall black socks, black belt, black shoes).
Student Costume Regulations: Be creative and have fun! But remember costumes need to be in accordance with school dress down day. No under garments are allowed to be visible, no spaghetti straps, sleeveless shirts, midriffs, or shorts and skirts that are too short. You can make any costume stay within the parameters of dress code by adding a shirt underneath or leggings to a costume. Do not attempt to wear anything that could be considered provocative. Students will face disciplinary actions, be asked to leave and receive a zero for the performance. Masks or fake teeth/fangs are NOT going to be allowed due to the restraint over eyes & mouth. Faces can be decorated with paint or make-up; HOWEVER, make-up needs to stay off of mouth area and hands. Anything that can damage an instrument should not be worn; therefore, any costume that is bloody or gory should be avoided. Costumes that have flesh wounds, fake blood, guts, brains, or other oozing items should not be worn to the concert. Remember: this is a concert for your family and for children so you don’t have to be scary! If you need help with a costume or want the band director to approve your costume ahead of time, please ask! Costumes are to be worn to the concert only, not to school during the school day. I would like to encourage our 7th & 8th graders to sign up to audition for the District IV Middle School Honor Bands. This is a unique opportunity for selected students to perform with outstanding musicians from throughout the Greater Baton Rouge area. Membership in these prestigious groups is a great addition to any young musician’s resume! Composer William Owens will even conduct this year’s top honor band. Audition Information
If Selected for the Band Rehearsals and the concert are held during “Honor Band Weekend” (no school missed) on the campus of Southeastern University in Hammond. Students spend the weekend overnight there. The CMS Booster Club provides chaperones and arranges hotel and transportation accommodations. Students will be required to pay a portion of the hotel fee, approximately $50-75, TBD. Students must be present for 100% of all rehearsals and the concert in order to participate.
If you would like to sign up for the auditions, please sign the form below and send with the $10.00 audition payment (cash or check to CMS Band Boosters) before Nov 1! ![]()
Our next two games and the pep rally will include the 7th graders! Remember, these performances are mandatory and a grade.
***We are in need of a few volunteers to help out during the game. Please e-mail [email protected] if you are able to volunteer! Game Day Instructions:
8th Grade Night at East Ascension High School is coming up on Friday, September 29th. All 8th grade band students are required to attend, this is a performance grade. This is a fun and exciting opportunity for the students to sit with the EA Band in the stands at the football game and perform with them. Here are the details:
Parents,
Thanks so much for the show of support last night at the parent meeting!!! We will be sending out the full minutes once they are available. The most pressing business is the game tomorrow, so please read on: ***We are in need of bottled water and snacks for the next 4 home games. Please drop off in the band room if you are able to donate. ***We are in need of a few volunteers to help out during the game. Please e-mail [email protected] if you are able to volunteer! Game Day Instructions:
Please let me know if you have any questions! E-mail [email protected] Our meeting scheduled for August 29 that was cancelled due to weather has been postponed to Tuesday, September 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the band room! We would love to see you!
Topics will include:
Reminders:
6th Grade Only:
7th & 8th Grade Only:
Today we had a very ENLIGHTENING moment: The importance of regular practice!
Students will be graded at least once a week on their individual playing of their parts for performances. These regular playing tests (called “Down the Row”) are usually ONLY 2 measures, or 8 beats of music. These tests will be assigned the class before the test is given so the students will have at least 2 nights to practice. If the student “chunks” the part, which means to play it many times in a row until they “can’t get it wrong”, it should only take a few minutes. For example, we “chunked” the 7th grade woodwind test today 10 times and it only took 1 minute and 9 secs! Of course, students may need to do this more in order to play the part correctly, but the idea is that with focused practice it should not take them long. Students are responsible and should be accountable to each other to carve out some time in their week to spend on practice! Some tips:
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns in developing a regular practice routine! And one final thought… “Some where out there someone else is practicing, and when you two meet, THEY will win.” - That quote has always motivated me to practice! Great job to all of the drummers who came out today to audition for the drumline. We were VERY impressed with how well prepared everyone was!
Below are the part assignments for the 2017 Football Season. Snare - Eddie C. Snare - Tru H. Snare - Larry B. Snare - Cade S. Quads - Cameron C. Quads - Bryson H. Bass - Analee S. Bass - Allie T. Bass - Ethan L. Bass - Chase B. Remeber, the drumline will practice on Mondays after school during Football Season with Ms. Wilson: August 21 August 28 September 11 September 18 September 25 October 2 (we may or may not need all of these dates, but please block them off) Talk with Ms. Codina if transportation is an issue and we will try to find a solution. If you want to be able to play at the Football Games, you must attend after school rehearsals. This is the ONLY way we can combine all the drummers from 7th and 8th grade. We can be flexible if you need to miss one, but please check your calendar to make sure you can make these, and talk with Ms. Codina AHEAD of time!! SPECIAL NOTE: The first two games September 7 and September 14 are Optional for 7th Grade on the Band Calendar but ARE NOT optional for those playing drumline! 7th and 8th Graders have the opportunity to apply for leadership roles within their sections and their band class. Applications are due by August 16. The positions students can apply for are: Section Captain, Band Captain (8th Grade Only), and Librarians. The roles and duties of our band leaders include:
The application is below! I look forward to reading your responses! ![]()
The drum line for Football Season will be set at our after school auditions on Monday, August 14.
Once the drum line is set, rehearsals will be the following Mondays after school with Ms. Wilson: August 21 August 28 September 11 September 18 September 25 October 2 (we may or may not need all of these dates, but please block them off) ***Auditions and Rehearsals last until 3:45 p.m. Please pick up no later than 4:00 in the back parking lot by the band room.*** Talk with Ms. Codina if transportation is an issue and we will try to find a solution. If you want to be able to play Snare, Quads, or Bass Drum at the Football Games, you must audition and attend after school rehearsals. This is the ONLY way we can combine all the drummers from 7th and 8th grade. We can be flexible if you need to miss one, but please check your calendar to make sure you can make these! SPECIAL NOTE: The first two games September 7 and September 14 are Optional for 7th Grade on the Band Calendar but ARE NOT optional for those playing drumline!! GOOD LUCK! We are looking forward to welcoming back our Mustang Band members at Prep Day this year on Tuesday, August 3rd!
Don't forget to stop by the band room! 8:30 a.m. - 6th Grade 12:30 p.m. - 7th & 8th Grade Be prepared to:
Special Note for 6th Graders: No need to purchase or rent an instrument now! We will go through the instrument selection and try-out process during the first two weeks of school. We will have a 6th Grade Parent Meeting TBA to discuss purchasing/renting an instrument. -- Special Note for 7th & 8th Graders: Yes! Bring your instrument on your first day of band classes! Be sure to restock on reeds, valve oil, sticks, etc. before school begins! Check the instrument supply list online at http://www.cmsmustangband.com/instrument--supply-list.html Start to practice now! NEW Football music is available on our website under the Music tab. Check out newly added ESPN, Iron Man, and the Immigrant Song. -- Stay Connected!
Check the website calendar and news section often for important updates! E-mail [email protected] with any questions! Sincerely, KATIE M. CODINA Band Director Central Middle School [email protected] On May 10th, the 8th grade band traveled to Nicholls University to perform at the LMEA State Festival Assessment. The band advanced to state after their Sweepstakes Superior performance at District Festival in March. On their stage performance of three pieces, the band received overall Superior Ratings, or 1's, from all three judges. The band performance Epic Venture by Tyler S. Grant, As Tears Fall on Dawn's New Light by Richard Saucedo, and Pevensey Castle by Robert Sheldon. The students have been working extremely hard since District in rehearsals to refine their music and it showed as they played their hearts out on stage! Every judge commented on their mature tone qualities and high level of musicality! In Sightreading, where they band plays a piece they have never read before, the band received an Excellent Rating, or 2.
We would like to give a big thanks to the East Ascension Band Directors who came with us on the trip and who spent hours helping to prepare the band for this performance. Ms. Patti Roussel, Ms. Leah Schmidt, Mr. Brett Storms, and Ms. Mimi Webb - thank you!! We would also like to thank Mrs. Froisy and Mrs. Jones for organizing pizza for us afterwards. Two CMS faculty members also were a huge help on the trip, Ms. Viator and Ms. Jennings, who took these beautiful pictures! Finally, a big thanks to our supportive administration, Mrs. Monica Hills, and new assistant principal Mrs. Amy Gayle. We appreciate what you do for our program! We are very proud of the band's performance at State Festival and look forward to sharing with everyone the beautiful music they played at the Spring Concert on May 18 at 6:30 p.m.! Thursday, May 18, 2017 Students report time no later than 6:00 p.m. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. in the CMS Gym - Family and friends are invited! Uniform: Black dress pants (NO faded black jeans, leggings, or joggers), black belt, TALL black socks, all black shoes, maroon band polo. Please leave instrument cases in the car or with parents. Only students with large school owned instruments will be allowed in the band room before the concert. Graded performance based on:
Concert Etiquette Our students have been working very hard in their preparation of this concert. So that audience and performers alike can have an enjoyable musical experience, we have also been practicing appropriate concert etiquette in class and hope that our audience will support us in our efforts!
Student Donut Party to celebrate a Great Year!!! Friday, May 19 during advisory 8th Grade Slideshow
We are seeking digital photographs documenting our 8th graders’ three-year journey in band for a special slideshow at the end of the concert. Please e-mail the photographs to [email protected] NO LATER THAN Sunday, May 14. Thanks so much to the following parents for volunteering their time to serve on our Band Booster Board for the 2017-2018 school year!
Denise Holladay, President Julia Hamilton, Vice President Yvette Froisy, Treasurer Opel Martinez, Secretary Carmen Stepter, Recorder Angela Stanga, Member-at-Large Any questions? Please e-mail [email protected]. ---- We would also like to give a BIG THANKS to the wonderful people who served for the 2016-2017 school year and did a fantastic job in making sure all the details were taken care of for field trips, football games, and concerts. You are a huge part of our success this year! Eddie Holladay, President Denise Holladay, Vice President Yvette Froisy, Treasurer Jill Jones, Secretary Betty Cabrera, Recorder/PR Connie King and Pauline Lambert, Members-at-Large |
Archives
December 2022
Categories |