Bedford MS Bands

Butter Braids Arrive Thursday, March 15 –

The butter braids are on schedule and will be delivered on Thursday, March 15 around 10:30 am. We’ll need a little time to unload the delivery and sort it. Feel free to stop by anytime between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm to pick up your butter braids in the band building and begin delivery to the customers. The butter braids are frozen and should be kept cold and not allowed to completely thaw. They will expand and break out of the packaging. Thanks again to all that helped out with this sale. It has been a great success.

Fine Arts Festival April 17, 7th and 8th Band Concerts Moved to May 10 –

The NLCS Fine Arts Festival has been set for April 16 – 19. The 6th Grade Band will be performing on April 17th at the PAC. The 17th was originally set for the 7th grade concert last spring. We will now move the 7th Grade Concert to May 10th to avoid this conflict. We have also learned that the 8th grade choir will be performing at the Fine Arts Festival on the 19th. That date was selected for the 8th grade band concert last spring. We will also move the 8th grade concert to May 10 and have the 7th and 8th grade bands perform on May 10 together. 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.

6th Grade Band Fine Arts Festival Permission Form Due March 14 –

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 16 – 19. The 6th grade band will perform on Tuesday, April 17. The students will ride buses to BNL the morning of the concert to rehearse together for the concert that night. Permission forms were passed out this week and they need to be returned by March 14th with the student’s shirt size. Here is a link to the form: http://www.nlcs.k12.in.us/bedjrhi/Band/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Fine%20Arts%20Band%20Letter%202012.pdf

Washington D.C. Update –

We sent out an email to trip participants with more information last week. The email included what to pack, hotel information, spending money suggestions and other helpful tips. If you are going on the trip and didn’t receive that email please let us know so we can track down the problem in the process.

We have just one rehearsal left on Monday, March 12 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. I really appreciate the effort made to have the band members at these rehearsals. The success of the band really hinges on the kids practicing and attending the rehearsals. Attendance hasn’t been great, but a lot of good effort has been put in by those in attendance.

There will be a final meeting for everyone going on the trip on March 12 at 8:00 pm after the March 12th rehearsal in the auditorium. Students will receive luggage tags and final tour booklets at this meeting. Music Travel Consultants will also be on hand to go over the trip details and answer questions.

After School Lessons –

Free lessons are available most days after school until 3:30 each day. Students need to let me know during class that they will be staying and have made arrangements to leave at 3:30. I’ve had several students take advantage of the help. Washington D.C. students should make sure to stay and work on the pieces they are performing at the Navy Memorial. Due to rehearsal and concert next week I will only be available on March 14. We do have a few that aren’t prepared as well as they should be. Keep in mind that students need to be able to perform the music.

Kentucky Derby Pegasus Rehearsals have been posted –

BNL Marching Band (including Guard and Drumline)

Spring Calendar 2012 

Day     Date          Time                     Ensemble         Event                          Location

Mon.    Mar. 26      6:00-8:00 p.m.    Drumline *           rehearsal                        BNL

Mon.    Apr.  2       6:00-8:00 p.m.      Color Guard        audition clinic              CBFC **

Tue.     Apr.  3       6:00-8:00 p.m.      Drumline              rehearsal                       BNL

Tue.     Apr.  3       6:00-8:00 p.m.       Color Guard        audition clinic              CBFC

Thu.    Apr.  5       6:00-8:00 p.m.       Drumline               rehearsal                       BNL

Thu.    Apr.  5       6:00-8:00 p.m.       Color Guard          audition clinic              CBFC

Mon.    Apr.  9       6:00-8:00 p.m.      Color Guard          audition review            CBFC

Tue.      Apr. 10      6:00-8:00 p.m.      Drumline               rehearsal                        BNL

Tue.      Apr. 10      6:00-8:00 p.m.      Color Guard          final auditions              CBFC

Thu.      Apr. 12      6:00-6:45 p.m.      Color Guard           parents’ mtg.                 BNL

Thu.      Apr. 12      6:00-8:00 p.m.      Full Band #           Pegasus rehearsal        BNL

Tue.       Apr. 17      6:00-8:00 p.m.      Color Guard          rehearsal                       CBFC

Thu.       Apr. 19      6:00-8:00 p.m.     Color Guard           rehearsal                      CBFC

Tue.       Apr. 24      6:00-8:00 p.m.      Full Band #          Pegasus rehearsal       BNL

Thu.       Apr. 26      6:00-8:00 p.m.      Full Band #          Pegasus rehearsal       BNL

Mon.      Apr. 30      6:00-8:00 p.m.     Full Band #           Pegasus rehearsal       BNL

Tue.        May 1        6:00-8:00 p.m.      Full Band #          Dress rehearsal            BNL

Thu.        May 3        all day-evening      Full Band #          Pegasus Parade!          Louisville

* = Drumline –  includes all current HS Drumline members, prospective HS Drumline members (i.e. Orchestra), plus all Pegasus-participating 8^th grade percussionists.

** = Community Baptist Fellowship Church, located just west of BNL on SR 58.

# = Full Marching Band – All current Marching Band members, prospective HS Marching Band members, plus all 8^th-grade woodwind and brass players who are participating in the Pegasus Parade.

The Pegasus Parade rehearsals are just around the corner. The color guard and percussion will begin rehearsals before the hornline.

Have a great week!

The Annual Butter Braid Sale –

The Butter Braid sale has come to an end and it was a great success. A big thank you goes out to all that participated. This sale was the biggest butter braid sale we have ever had. The butter braids are set to be delivered on Thursday, March 15. There is also a chance for sellers to earn a $1000 scholarship this year and buyers to win an all expense paid trip to Disney. The money will be collected when the product is delivered and should be turned in by March 26.

Fine Arts Festival April 17, 7th Grade Concert moved to May 10 –

The NLCS Fine Arts Festival has been set for April 16 – 19. The 6th Grade Band will be performing on April 17th at the PAC. The 17th was originally set for the 7th grade concert last spring. We will now move the 7th Grade Concert to May 10th to avoid this conflict.

Washington D.C. Update –

I received a copy of our final itinerary this week and it looks great. People going on the trip should watch for an email with final information to arrive next week. The band will start rehearsals next Thursday (March 1). That rehearsal will be from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the band building. We will also rehearse March 5 and March 12 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm and on Friday March 9 after school with clinicians from out-of-town.

Band parents going on the trip as chaperones will meet March 1 at 8:00 pm after the rehearsal in the band building to go over trip details and plans. Most trips don’t have chaperone meetings, but I think it is important for us to do this. There will be a final meeting for everyone going on the trip on March 12 at 8:00 pm after the March 12th rehearsal in the auditorium.

The Papa Johns Pizza Cards are still available for students to sell. The kids raise $7 for the trip with each card sold. The Practice-a-Thon Pledge information was passed out today to a few students interested in participating.

After School Lessons –

Free lessons are available most days after school until 3:30 each day. Students need to let me know during class that they will be staying and have made arrangements to leave at 3:30. I’ve had several students take advantage of the help. Washington D.C. students should make sure to stay and work on the pieces they are performing at the Navy Memorial. I will be available on Feb. 29, and March 2 next week. We do have a few that aren’t prepared as well as they should be. Keep in mind that students need to be able to perform the music and have a A in conduct for band to participate in the Washington D.C. trip.

Have a great week!

Annual Butter Braid Sale Begins Feb. 10 –

Butter Braid time has rolled around again. This band fundraiser is the most anticipated and profitable fundraiser of the year. The kids are not required to participate, but if we could get everyone to just sell 3 – 4 butter braids we would have a tremendous sale. It takes a lot of resources to keep a program of 300 operating and this sale is a big part of meeting that need.

Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday, Feb. 11 –

The ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival is coming up for the 7th and 8th graders. This event is not required, but several students are signed up for this year’s festival. Students should be practicing and preparing to represent themselves and the program well. Lessons are available for free after school on select days.

8th Grade Tubing Date Set for Feb. 17 –

The 8th grade tubing trip to Paoli Peaks will be after school on Friday, Feb. 17th. The 8th grade band members look forward to this trip every year and we have a great time. We’ll pass more information along as we receive it.

Pappa John’s Pizza Cards –

The Pappa John’s Pizza Card sale for the Washington D.C. trip has started. The cards sell for $10 each and have stickers on the back for a free pizza and several special pizza deals. Only students performing on the Washington D.C trip are selling the cards and all the profits go straight to the balance of that student’s account. The first batch of cards are out and more cards are available. The sale will run through Feb.

Indiana University Young Winds –

The 2012 Indiana University Young Winds program is about to begin and our students are invited to participate. 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 and both of my children have been in the program. I can’t speak highly enough about this opportunity and the benefits of participating. More information is available in the band building and at http://www.music.indiana.edu/precollege/year-round/wind/. The program meets on Saturday mornings this spring and has a $75 fee.

After School Lessons –

Free lessons are available most days after school until 3:30 each day. Students need to let me know during class that they will be staying and have made arrangements to leave at 3:30. I’ve had several students take advantage of the help. Solo and ensemble students should make sure to stay and pick out a piece for the festival in Feb. Washington D.C. students should begin staying for help with music. I will be available on Jan. 24, 26, and 27.

Have a great week!

Pep Band to perform Jan. 10, 2012

The middle school directors have been asked to perform at a BNL Girls Basketball game on Jan. 10. The Pep Bands from Bedford MS, Oolitic MS, and Shawswick MS will be combined that evening to create one large ensemble. It will be a great way for our 8th graders to get together before becoming freshman next year. The BMS students will receive shirts on Monday, Jan. 9 to wear at the game. They should return these on Wed. Jan. 11 so the shirts can be cleaned. The students should arrive at the BNL band room at 6:00 pm with instruments and they will be ready to be picked up at that same location at 8:30 pm. You will want to have a plan and location worked out for pick-up due to the traffic. Students get in free. Parents and friends are welcome to come watch the game and hear the band play, but there will be a charge to get into the game.

Band Pictures

Group band pictures will be taken during the day on Wednesday, January 11. Individual band pictures will be taken on Friday. January 13. Students can purchase these pictures, but aren’t under any obligation to do so. They are very nice and order forms were passed out on Friday, January 6. No special attire is required, but students are welcome to wear something special for the individual shots on Friday if they want to. Due to the large size of the band, individual shots may carry over to the following week.

Pappa John’s Pizza Cards

The Pappa John’s Pizza Card sale for the Washington D.C. trip has started. The cards sell for $10 each and have stickers on the back for a free pizza and several special pizza deals. Only students performing on the Washington D.C trip are selling the cards and all the profits go straight to the balance of that student’s account. The first batch of cards are out and more cards will be available after Jan.9. The sale will run through Feb.

Indiana University Young Winds

The 2012 Indiana University Young Winds program is about to begin and our students are invited to participate. 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 and both of my children have been in the program. I can’t speak highly enough about this opportunity and the benefits of participating. More information is available in the band building and at http://www.music.indiana.edu/precollege/year-round/wind/. The program meets on Saturday mornings this spring and has a $75 fee.

After School Lessons

Free lessons are available most days after school until 3:30 each day. Students need to let me know during class that they will be staying and have made arrangements to leave at 3:30. I’ve had several students take advantage of the help. Solo and ensemble students should make sure to stay and pick out a piece for the festival in Feb. I will be available on Jan. 9, 11, 12, and 13th.

Cookie Dough

The cookie dough will arrive on  Tuesday, October 11 between 9:00 and 10:00 am and can be picked up between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. The cookie dough is frozen and needs to be kept cold. It will be located in the lower band room. The sale was a huge success and was possible due to the great support and effort of so many people. Thank you for all the hard work.

Upcoming Concert Dates

The bands are all in full swing now and the concert dates are on the horizon.

November 7 – 7th Grade concert in the BMS Schafer Auditorium at 7:00 pm

November 8 – 8th Grade concert in the BMS Schafer Auditorium at 7:00 pm

December 6 – 6th Grade concert in the BMS Schafer Auditorium at 7:30 pm

Students should wear something nice and arrive 30 minutes before the concert start time. The boys usually wear a nice shirt or sweater. The girls usually wear a nice outfit or dress. Note the 6th grade concert begins at 7:30 due to Lincoln’s concert at 6:00 that same night. All BMS Band concerts are free.

Washington D.C. Trip

Registration is still available for the trip to Washington D.C. at www. music-travel.com. Select “New User.” Fill out the contact information. Select “Register a Traveler.”

Have a great week!