Bedford MS Bands

6th Grade Beginning Band Concert Dec. 10 –

The 6th grade bands will present a concert on Monday, Dec. 10 in Schafer Auditorium at BMS. The students should arrive at 6:30 and report to the stage in Schafer Auditorium. The concert will begin at 7:00 and there is no admission fee charged for the concert. The students should try to look nice. Most of the guys will wear a nice shirt or sweater with dress pants or a nice pair of jeans. The girls usually wear a nice outfit or dress.

The kids are really fired up about this first concert. The brass, woodwinds and percussion will all be featured. I’m very excited with the progress and enjoy working with the band every morning.

Cookie Dough Sale Comes To An End –

The 2012 Band Cookie Dough Sale has come to an end. All money should be in now and we are in the process of closing down the project. Please resolve any remaining accounts right away. Checks can be made out to BMS Bands. We will do the cash prizes after all the money has been collected and turned in. Thanks again for all the support and time. I know it took a lot of work and sacrifice. I am truly humbled by all the effort and help shown.

ISSMA Solo and Ensemble –

It is time for our 7th and 8th grade band members to sign up for the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival. It will be held at Bloomington North HS on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. More information is available at the band office for those interested. This is not a required event. It will involve extra practice time and lessons so students need to give this some serious thought before committing. We do have a deadline of Nov. 27 to return fees. See added page to this website for more information.

Every Day is Thanksgiving

This time of the year is a great time to reflect on everything we are so thankful for. I do this every morning as the school day begins. I love my job and working with the band students at BMS. I am thankful for the opportunity to see them ever day and a smile comes across my face every time I think of them.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!

Cookie Dough Sale In The Final Phase –

The collected money is starting to come in and the results are good. We want to try to deliver the products as soon as we can and return the money collected after the orders have been delivered. Checks can be made out to BMS Bands. We will do the cash prizes after all the money has been collected and turned in. We don’t have a set date for money return, but we want to try to wrap it all up by November if possible.

It was a great sale and we want to finish strong by getting everything turned in. Thanks again for all the support and time.

7th and 8th Grade Fall Concert Nov. 1 –

The 7th and 8th grade bands will present a fall concert on Thursday, Nov. 1 in Schafer Auditorium at BMS. Both bands will play the same night since election day falls on the traditional 8th grade concert date. Hopefully by staggering the band performances we can help with the limited parking and seating. This worked out well last spring. As always, there aren’t any admission fees for BMS Band Concerts

The 7th grade members should meet on the auditorium stage at 6:15 to warm-up. The 7th grade band will perform at 6:30 and play for about 30 minutes. The 7th graders are free to leave at that point so we can open up seats in the auditorium for 8th grade. 7th grade is welcome to stay, but not required.

The 8th grade members should meet on stage at 7:2o to warm-up. The 8th grade will play at 7:30 if all goes well with the transition. They will also play for about 30 minutes.

The band members should try to look nice for this event if it is possible. Guys can wear nice jeans and a nice shirt, or dress pants and a nice shirt. The ladies have the same options or could choose to wear a nice dress or outfit.

The kids have been working hard and are doing a nice job in class. They have improved quite a bit since August. I’m always amazed at how far they come from the first day they try to play something to the concert performance. We have a wonderful facility to perform in and it is quite a special night for the kids. Concerts are part of the student’s grade and students are required to participate as part of the learning experience.

The 6th grade bands will present a concert on Monday, Dec. 10 in Schafer Auditorium at BMS.

6th Grade Bands –

The 6th grade bands are off to a good start. The kids have settled in and are playing out of the beginning band books. We are in phase where some pick it up right away and some struggle a bit. It is natural for some of the kids to get frustrated over the next few weeks. Just remind them to take it slow and they will work it all out. They want it all to happen right now. That will be the case for a few, but most will struggle. Just be as supportive as you can and they will begin to figure it out and be fine.

The students that aren’t using a school instrument should be locating an instrument to play on. There are links to Paige’s Music and Melody Music Shop on our website. Both companies are good choices for locating an instrument to rent or buy.

Some percussionists still need to buy a stick bag with the appropriate sticks and mallets to use for class. We have the stick bags with what the percussionists need in the band office to make this easy for them. The stick bags with the sticks and mallets will cost $55 again this year. They will also need to have something to practice bell parts on at home. A bell kit, piano, or little electric keyboard work well for this.

All the students will need a beginning band book. We use Essential Elements 2000. Most students that rented from Paige’s Music already have this and others may too. The percussion book includes the snare and bell music and costs $16. The rest of the band books are $9. The students that still need a book can purchase it from the band office.

Have a great week!

Another School Year Comes To An End –

I can’t believe another year has come and gone. The kids were great and I’ll truly miss them over the summer. The future looks very bright for next year. We have strong 8th graders moving on to the high school. We have strong 6th and 7th graders moving on to the 7th and 8th grade bands and we are approaching 100 students signed up for next year’s beginning band. Summer will be over in a blink of an eye and we’ll be back together in August to start another great year. I sat down and listed all the wonderful things our program did and accomplished and a sea of memories of good times came rushing back. I’ve  shared them below and I hope they bring back good memories to you too. I’ll miss the events and people of 2011-12, but I look forward to 2012-13.

2011 – 12 Year in Review

School begins and we welcome back our returning students and new beginning students.

Creighton Burgess is selected to perform and compete with the 2011 BNL Marching Stars.

Nov. 7 The 7^th Grade BMS Bands present a fall concert.

Nov. 8 The 8^th Grade BMS Bands present a fall concert.

November 20–21 Olivia Blaker, Kristina Buch and Kyla Deckard rehearse and perform with the Indiana Bandmasters Association All-Region Honor Band in Jasper, IN.

Nov. 22-27 Mr. Berger travels with the BNL Marching Stars to Orlando for a performance in the Magic Kingdom’s Electric Light Parade on Thanksgiving Day.

Dec. 6 The BMS Beginning Band presents their first concert as BMS Band Students.

Jan. 10 The BMS 8^th Grade bands perform with Oolitic and Shawswick at a BNL Varsity Girl’s Basketball Game.

Jan. 20-21 Mr. Berger presents a session for state educators at the IMEA State Conference in Ft. Wayne,IN.

Feb. 11  Ten 7^th and 8^th Grade band members perform at the ISSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival and bring home 9 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal.

Feb. 17 The BMS 8^th Grade Band enjoys an evening of snow tubing  at Paoli Peaks.

Mar 9 The BMS Band Department hosts and performs with 14 bands and orchestras at the IMEA Festival here in Bedford.

 Mar. 13 The BMS Symphonic Band presents a Washington D.C. Trip Preview Concert.

March 19–22 The BMS Symphonic Band Travels toWashingtonD.C.to perform at the Navy Memorial attend an Army Band rehearsal and do some sightseeing.

April 2 Kristina Buch, Ehyrie Buehler, Sydney Thompson, and Brooke Wagner are selected to perform in the top BNL Band as incoming freshmen.

April 17 The BMS Beginning Band joins the Shawsick and Oolitic Beginners to perform at the NLCS Fine Arts Festival.

April 23 The BMS Band members enjoy an evening together at the Big Splash Water Park in French Lick.

May 1 The BMS 6^th and 7^th Grade Band members enjoy and afternoon bowling together at the Broadview Bowl.

May 1 Members of the 8^th Grade Band and BMS Color Guard perform with the BNL Marching Stars in a preview performance at BNL.

May 3 Members of the 8^th Grade Band and BMS Color Guard perform with the BNL Marching Stars in Louisville at the widely televised 2012 Pegasus Parade.

May 10 The 7^th and 8^th Grade Bands perform in the final spring concert for the 2011-12 school year.

Welcome To Our Incoming Band Students –

The beginning band forms are flowing in and we are approaching 100 students signed up for next year’s beginning band. I would like to welcome them all to the program and say that I can’t wait to get started. I know some are worried about tracking an instrument down over the summer. I would like to set your mind at ease and let you know that you can and should wait until we get back in August to worry about that. We’ll spend the first couple of weeks balancing our instrumentation and the kids won’t need horns until that last week of August. We’ll have plenty of time when school starts to work out details and Paige’s Music will conduct another display in the fall.  Until then keep up to date by subscribing to our emails here on our website.

Still Not Too Late For Beginning Band Enrollment –

I have wrapped up my yearly visits to the elementary schools to see the 5th graders. It was a great time to talk about signing up for band and I’ve had the chance to show them some of the band instruments and talk about our program. Here is a link to the beginning band sign up form: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/Microsoft%20Word%20-%206th%20grade%20sign%20up%202012.pdf.  Here is a link to our beginning band brochure: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/BMS%20Band%20Brochure%202012.13.pdf. We have a lot to offer here at BMS and the band program is a great way to get involved in our school.

Friday, May 25 Was Last Day To Play –

Friday, May 25 was the last day to play instruments in band class for this school year. This gives parents time to return any rented instruments before June 1 to Melody Music in Bloomington. It also gives students a few days to take personal instruments home for the summer. Only school owned instruments are to remain in the band building over the summer break.

Have a great and safe summer!

BNL Marching Band Car Wash –

The BNL Marching Stars will have a car wash at K-Mart in Bedford tomorrow (May 19). 8th grade members planning to march next fall are welcome and encouraged to participate. They have two shifts to choose from. The morning shift runs from 8:45 to 12:30 and the afternoon shift is from 12:00 to 4:15. 

Elementary School Visits Are Underway –

I have started my yearly visits to the elementary schools to see the 5th graders. It has been a great time to talk about signing up for band and I’ve had the chance to show them some of the band instruments and talk about our program. Here is a link to the beginning band sign up form: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/Microsoft%20Word%20-%206th%20grade%20sign%20up%202012.pdf.  Here is a link to our beginning band brochure: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/BMS%20Band%20Brochure%202012.13.pdf. We have a lot to offer here at BMS and the band program is a great way to get involved in our school.

Friday, May 25 last day to play –

Friday, May 25 is the last day we will play instruments in band class for this school year. This gives parents time to return any rented instruments before June 1 to Melody Music in Bloomington. It also gives students a few days to take personal instruments home for the summer. Only school owned instruments are to remain in the band building over the summer break.

Washington D.C. DVD’s to arrive next week –

The Tales From The Road DVD’s of pictures from the Washington D.C. trip should arrive next week. I can’t wait to see what the Music Travel Consultant’s have put together for us. It will bring back some fantastic memories from a very memorable trip.

Have a great week!

Congratulations to the Pegasus Parade Participants –

The students that marched in the Pegasus Parade did an outstanding job and deserve a hearty congratulations. I was very proud of them in the parade and throughout the day. They had a great time and made some terrific friends that will help them get off to a wonderful start at BNL.

7th and 8th Band Concerts Moved to May 10 @ 7 pm –

The NLCS Fine Arts Festival was April 16 – 19. The 6th Grade Band performed on April 17th at the PAC. The 17th was originally set for the 7th grade concert last spring. We moved the 7th Grade Concert to May 10th to avoid this conflict. The 8th Grade Choir performed at the Fine Arts Festival on the 19th. That date was selected for the 8th grade band concert last spring. We have also moved the 8th Grade Concert to May 10 to perform the same night as the 7th grade band. That concert will need to begin at 7:00 pm in order to get both band performances in that night. We tried to have these concerts before baseball and softball begins, but having to move the concerts to May has made that tough. We would appreciate any help in making both activities work out for the kids.

The 7th grade band should report to Schafer at 6:30 to prepare and tune. It is ok to be late coming from another practice or event. We have kids in a lot of things and I’ll work them in as they arrive. The 7th grade concert will begin at 7:00 and should wrap up around 7:30. You are welcome to stay for the 8th grade concert, but you don’t need to. Parking will be limited so park appropriately if you do want to leave after the 7th grade concert. 8th graders will be arriving and may accidentally block you in.

The 8th grade should arrive around 7:45. The 8th grade students are also more than welcome to come to the 7th grade concert, but don’t need to.We will begin the 8th grade concert at 8:00 or as soon as we can after that. We will be presenting an 8th grade student with the National Band Award during the 8th grade concert.  Students should wear the usual concert attire for the evening.

Elementary School Visits Are Underway –

I have started my yearly visits to the elementary schools to see the 5th graders. It has been a great time to talk about signing up for band and I’ve had the chance to show them some of the band instruments and talk about our program. Here is a link to the beginning band sign up form: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/Microsoft%20Word%20-%206th%20grade%20sign%20up%202012.pdf.  Here is a link to our beginning band brochure: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/BMS%20Band%20Brochure%202012.13.pdf. We have a lot to offer here at BMS and the band program is a great way to get involved in our school.

Paige’s Music Display on Monday, May 3

Paige’s music will be conducting an instrument display at Schafer Auditorium on Monday, May 3. Feel free to stop by any time between 6:00 and 7:30 pm. You will have a chance to look over instruments, talk with Paige’s Music representative’s, and even rent an instrument that evening. Feel free to visit the Paige’s Music Website at: https://www.paigesmusic.com/paiges/run?id=6 any time. All band students and prospective band students are welcome.

Away from the office –

The band is currently rehearsing in the auditorium and I and at the elementary schools a lot during my preps and lunches so I am away from the band office a lot right now. I try to answer emails right away, but it may be a little while between office hours and visits for a few days.

Have a great week!

Pegasus Parade Rehearsals for April 30 to May 4-

Monday, April 30 – Full Band and Drumline 6 – 8 pm @ BNL

Tuesday, May 1 – Full band and Drumline  Dress Rehearsal 6 – 8 pm @ BNL

Thursday, May 3 – Pegasus Parade Performance in Louisville, KY

Remember the final payment and forms were due on April 20th. Please get them in right away if you haven’t turned them in yet.  Here is a link to the itinerary for the parade day: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Pegasus%20Participant%20Itinerary%202012.pdf. Mr. Lackey has put this together and it has a lot of helpful information.

7th and 8th Band Concerts Moved to May 10 @ 7 pm –

The NLCS Fine Arts Festival was April 16 – 19. The 6th Grade Band performed on April 17th at the PAC. The 17th was originally set for the 7th grade concert last spring. We moved the 7th Grade Concert to May 10th to avoid this conflict. The 8th Grade Choir performed at the Fine Arts Festival on the 19th. That date was selected for the 8th grade band concert last spring. We have also moved the 8th Grade Concert to May 10 to perform the same night as the 7th grade band. That concert will need to begin at 7:00 pm in order to get both band performances in that night. We tried to have these concerts before baseball and softball begins, but having to move the concerts to May has made that tough. We would appreciate any help in making both activities work out for the kids.

Broadview Bowl Party for 6th and 7th Grade Bands on May 1 –

On May 1 the BMS 6th and 7th Grade Bands will go bowling at Broadview Bowl in Bedford from 4 pm to 5:45 pm. It will be a load of fun and a great time for the band kids to enjoy themselves before leaving for the summer. The bands have done a tremendous job this year and I am very proud of them. Parents can drop students off at Broadview Bowl at 4 pm and pick them up at 5:45 pm. The cost is free for students that sold the fall or spring fundraiser. Students that didn’t participate in a fundraiser will need to pay $5 that evening. The cost will include shoes and bowling balls. The students need to remember to wear or bring socks and that all school rules are in effect. Students may also want to bring money to purchase drinks at the concession counter and for any video games they may want to play.  Here is a link to the Bowling Party information: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Band%20Bowling%20Party%202012.pdf

Pegasus Parade to be televised live May 3 –

Several members of the 8th grade band will be marching with the BNL Marching Stars in this year’s Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade in Louisville, KY. The parade will be televised live on WISH TV. The students have been working hard to prepare and will have a great time in Louisville. Check your local TV stations for times and set your DVR’s. More information is available at http://kdf.org/events-Republic-Bank-Pegasus-Parade.html.

Elementary School Visits To Start –

Next week I’ll be starting one on my favorite activities of the year. I will begin my yearly visit to the elementary schools to see the 5th graders. It will be a great time to talk about signing up for band and I’ll have a chance to show them some of the band instruments and talk about our program. Here is a link to the beginning band sign up form: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/Microsoft%20Word%20-%206th%20grade%20sign%20up%202012.pdf.  Here is a link to our beginning band brochure: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/BMS%20Band%20Brochure%202012.13.pdf. We have a lot to offer here at BMS and the band program is a great way to get involved in our school.

Have a great week!

Congratulations to the 6th Grade Band –

Congratulations to the 6th grade band on a great performance at the 2012 NLCS Fine Arts Festival. You did an outstanding job. You can still order CD’s of the performance for $5 at the BMS Band Office. Out of 117 students we only had 3 absent. What a great turnout and show of support shown by all our students, parents and friends.

Pegasus Parade Rehearsals for April 23 to April 26 –

Tuesday, April 24 – Full band and Drumline 6 – 8 pm @ BNL

Thursday, April 26 – Full band and Drumline 6 – 8 pm @ BNL

Remember the final payment and forms were due on April 20th. Please get them in right away if you haven’t turned them in yet.

7th and 8th Band Concerts Moved to May 10 @ 7 pm –

The NLCS Fine Arts Festival was April 16 – 19. The 6th Grade Band performed on April 17th at the PAC. The 17th was originally set for the 7th grade concert last spring. We moved the 7th Grade Concert to May 10th to avoid this conflict. The 8th Grade Choir performed at the Fine Arts Festival on the 19th. That date was selected for the 8th grade band concert last spring. We have also moved the 8th Grade Concert to May 10 to perform the same night as the 7th grade band. That concert will need to begin at 7:00 pm in order to get both band performances in that night. We tried to have these concerts before baseball and softball begins, but having to move the concerts to May has made that tough. We would appreciate any help in making both activities work out for the kids.

Still accepting forms for the Annual Big Splash Trip on Monday, April 23 –

I have been so impressed with our bands. Our next event is a trip to the Big Splash Water Park to reward the band students for playing at the concerts and rehearsing so well. The cost is $25 and it covers supper at the water-park, swimming and buses. Everyone that participated in either the fall cookie dough fundraiser or the spring butter braid fundraiser can deduct $5 from the cost for helping with the fundraiser and pay just $20. We hope to leave at 4:00 pm and return around 9:00 pm on Monday, Apr. 23. We are going on a week night in order to rent out the entire facility for just the BMS Band Dept. We will be only ones in the water park, along with the Big Splash lifeguards and staff. Here is a link to more information: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Big%20Splash%202012.pdf. A permission form can be found here: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Big%20Splash%20Permission%20Form%2012.pdf. We are still accepting forms and fees on Monday, April 23. The latest information about the trip can be found at this link.: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Big%20Splash%20Thoughts.pdf.

Broadview Bowl Party for 6th and 7th Grade Bands on May 1 –

On May 1 the BMS 6th and 7th Grade Bands will go bowling at Broadview Bowl in Bedford from 4 pm to 5:45 pm. It will be a load of fun and a great time for the band kids to enjoy themselves before leaving for the summer. The bands have done a tremendous job this year and I am very proud of them. Parents can drop students off at Broadview Bowl at 4 pm and pick them up at 5:45 pm. The cost is free for students that sold the fall or spring fundraiser. Students that didn’t participate in a fundraiser will need to pay $5 that evening. The cost will include shoes and bowling balls. The students need to remember to wear or bring socks and that all school rules are in effect. Students may also want to bring money to purchase drinks at the concession counter and for any video games they may want to play.

Pegasus Parade to be televised live May 3 –

Several members of the 8th grade band will be marching with the BNL Marching Stars in this year’s Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade in Louisville, KY. The parade will be televised live on WISH TV. The students have been working hard to prepare and will have a great time in Louisville. Check your local TV stations for times and set your DVR’s. More information is available at http://kdf.org/events-Republic-Bank-Pegasus-Parade.html.

Have a great week!