Congratulations To Our Solo & Ensemble Participants –
64 of our 7th and 8th grade band members participated in the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival and I am so proud of them all. Our students combined to bring home 63 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal last Saturday.
Annual Butter Braid Sale Started Feb. 12 –
Butter Braid time has rolled around again. This band fundraiser is the most anticipated and profitable fundraiser of the year. People are always asking about this sale. The kids are not required to participate, but if we could get participants to just sell 3 – 4 butter braids we will have a tremendous sale. It takes a lot of resources to keep a program of nearly 300 operating and this sale is a big part of meeting that need.
The sale will run from Feb. 12 to Feb. 24. The delivery is set for Wednesday March 18. There is also a chance for sellers to earn a $1000 scholarship.
Still Not Too Late For IU Young Winds –
The 2015 Indiana University Young Winds program has just begun. It is a program designed for middle school instrumental students as a supplement to the instruction they receive in school. The program focuses on small-group lessons as well as a full band experience for students surrounding the Bloomington campus. It is a wonderful program. Many of our students have participated over the years. I can’t speak highly enough about this opportunity and the benefits of participating. More information is available at www.music.indiana.edu/precollege/year-round/wind/. The program meets on Saturday mornings this spring and has a $15 registration fee and $75 program fee.
8th Grade Tubing on Feb. 20 –
The 8th grade tubing trip to Paoli Peaks will be after school on Friday, Feb. 20th. The 8th grade band members look forward to this trip every year and we have a great time. The fee is $30 to cover tubing costs, pizza after school, and bus transportation. Students that sold the cookie dough fundraiser in the fall pay $20. Parents will need to fill out, initial the arrows, and sign the Paoli Peaks tubing release form. The release form can be found at http://paoli.peakresorts.com/cmsfiles/file/Tubing%20Release%20Form.pdf
Student of the Month –
The Related Arts Team at BMS is selecting a student of the month during the 2014 – 15 school year. The band student for the month of January is Jenna Blackwell.
Jenna is a great musician and plays the clarinet. Jenna stepped up to perform in place of a missing trio member the day of the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival. Jenna helped the trio achieve a Gold Rating and also performed her own solo to achieve an additional Gold rating.
Congratulations to Jenna and thanks for taking the time to help your classmates out on such short notice. I am very proud of you.
After School Lessons –
I am available many days after school for free lessons. There are often playing tests for the bands during class time. The students are welcome to practice in our practice rooms. Mr. Appelman and I can float around to help them with the music they are working on. Next week I plan to be available after school on Monday Feb. 9 until 4 pm, Tuesday Feb. 10 until 4 pm and Thursday Feb. 12 until 4:00 pm.
Have a great week!
Bedford MS Bands 