Washington DC trip Update –
The rehearsals have started and will lead up to trip. The band rehearses after school on Mondays and Fridays until 5:00 pm and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. There will not be any rehearsals on Wednesdays.
We will have a trip meeting for parents to attend on March 13th at 8:00 pm to receive final itineraries and luggage tags. We will also present a concert on March 20 at 7:00 pm in Schafer Auditorium to perform the music being played in Washington D.C. for family and friends to hear.
I’m really excited about this trip and the band couldn’t be more balanced. The instrumentation is ideal and the kids seem to have a pretty good grasp of the parts. Now is when we will begin making music of all those notes and rhythms. These rehearsals are crucial to the success of our performance.
6th Grade Band Fine Arts Festival April 8 –
I am excited to announce the 6th Grade Band will be combined with the bands from Shawswick and Oolitic to perform at this year’s NLCS Fine Arts Festival. The festival will be at the BNL Performing Arts Center from April 7th to 10th .
The 6th grade band will perform on Tuesday, April 8. The students will ride buses to BNL the morning of the performance to rehearse together for the concert that night. That night the students will report to BNL at 6:30 pm to prepare for the concert at 7 pm. Permission forms and information were passed out this week in class. Here is a link to the information and form: https://bedfordmsband.com/6th-grade-fine-arts-festival-information/. These forms and fee are due back by March 12.
BNL Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble Auditions –
The BNL Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble audition materials are available. 8th grade students can take advantage of many opportunities to receive help with the audition material. Students can stay after school or come to the band building during advisor time when I am available to get some help. There are also great private lesson opportunities available through our program here at BMS. We’ve got some very strong candidates and the process is upon us. There is more information and a form that needs signed available at the band office. Students do not need to audition for the White Band (freshman band), the Red Band or the Marching Band. Good luck!
Private Lessons Becoming Popular and Expanding –
I have offered free help after school for years. Some afternoons I’ll have just a few students and some afternoons I’ll have several. The amount of time I spend with the students varies on how many are at the band building and what they are working on. These free help sessions are great, but they don’t replace a true weekly lesson. I know I was fortunate to take lessons in middle school when I was much younger and I am sure many of our band parents benefited from private lessons too. Private lessons help struggling students catch up, advanced students find challenges, and the average student continue to improve. All our students would benefit from private lessons. I will continue to offer free help sessions, but I would encourage students to develop the habit of practicing regularly and taking lessons.
These lessons will be offered from trained music teachers with years of experience. If you would be interested in having a child participate in lessons just drop me an email or leave a voice message on our BMS voice mail. (extension 11506). The cost will range from $5 to $15 a half hour.
Weather has really disrupted our usual flow and has caused delays and cancellations over the past few weeks. Schedules should become more consistent with the arrival of Spring.
Percussion Lessons –
Mr. Jones has percussion lessons available after school on Thursdays. Percussion students are starting to take advantage of this great opportunity. Contact the band office if you are interested in advancing your percussion skills and performance opportunities.
Flute Lessons –
Mrs. Jones is offering flute lessons at BMS after school on Thursdays. She also offers flute lessons at BNL (Mondays and Tuesdays) and at Oolitic MS (Fridays). The cost is $5 for 30 minutes. Mrs. Jones has been teaching flute for 20 years and has a music education degree form Ball State University. Please contact the band office if you are interested in taking lessons or participating in a flute choir. A letter to our flute students from Mrs. Jones was sent home with our flute students detailing more information and a sign up form.
NLCS Flute Choir to Begin –
The first meeting of the NLCS Flute Choir will take place on Wednesday, March 12 at 3:45 in the BNL band room. All flute players from NLCS are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate. The flute choir will be under the direction of Mrs. Heather Jones and will offer great insight to improving as a flautist and provide the opportunity to perform some great flute literature.
Alto Sax Lessons –
We have a BNL high school student interested in offering 30 minute alto sax lessons to students for $5. If interested please contact the band building at 279-9781 ext 11506.
Oboe Lessons –
We have a BNL high school student interested in offering 30 minute oboe lessons to students for $5. If interested please contact the band building at 279-9781 ext 11506.
After School Help and Open Band Practice Time –
I will be directing several band rehearsals the next few weeks after school and in the evenings to prepare for the Washington D.C. trip. Times can be scheduled with me around these rehearsals to receive extra help by calling me at 279-9781 (ext. 11506), emailing me at school, or just simply having your child ask me for available times.
Good Luck to the Lady Stars –
We would like to wish the BNL Basketball Lady Stars the best of luck this weekend in the State Championship Game. It wasn’t too long ago some of them were sitting in the band building playing in the BMS band.
Moments come along in life that define us. We hopefully live our lives and work hard to be ready when the moments arrive. This is one of many moments in life to come. The players and coaches have worked hard to prepare for this. Grab the moment and bring the title back to BNL. We are all very proud of you and say, “Good Luck.”
Have a great week!
Bedford MS Bands 