Bedford MS Bands

Congratulations 8th Grade Band –

Congratulations to the 8th grade band on a great performance at the 8th Grade Festival. You represented our program very well and I’m very proud of you.

6th Grade Band Fine Arts Festival April 5 –

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 4 to 7th.

The 6th grade band will perform on Tuesday, April 5. 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. Information has been passed out in class. Here is a link to the information and form:https://bedfordmsband.com/6th-grade-fine-arts-festival-information/. Permission forms are due April 1.

Annual Big Splash Trip on Monday, April 18 –

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 $30 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 $25. We hope to leave at 4:00 pm and return around 9:00 pm on Monday, Apr. 18. We are going on a week night to rent out the entire facility for the BMS Band Dept. We will be the only people in the water park, along with the Big Splash lifeguards and staff. Here is a link to information and a permission form: https://bedfordmsband.com/big-splash-info-2013/. The permission form and fee should be turned in to the band office by Thursday, April 14.

BNL Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble Auditions  –

The BNL Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble audition materials are available. We have 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!

BNL Marching Stars Information – 

Marching Band sign-up forms and summer calendars are available in the band room for students interested in marching with the BNL Stars next year. I would love to see everyone march. I’ve already received a lot of forms and we have a lot of interest in this wonderful activity.

Have a great week!

8th Grade Bands to Perform March 29 –

The 8th grade bands have been invited to perform with the Oolitic and Shawswick Bands on March 29 at BNL. The BNL Directors have put together a great evening  featuring some of the BNL Bands, Winter Drumline, Winter Guard, and the combined 8th Grade Concert Bands.

The students will ride buses to BNL the morning of the performance to rehearse together for the concert that night.  That evening the students will report to BNL at 6:30 pm to prepare for the concert. The concert will begin at 7:00 pm.

6th Grade Band Fine Arts Festival April 5 –

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 4 to 7th.

The 6th grade band will perform on Tuesday, April 5. 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. Information has been passed out in class. Here is a link to the information and form:https://bedfordmsband.com/6th-grade-fine-arts-festival-information/. Permission forms are due April 1.

Annual Big Splash Trip on Monday, April 18 –

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 $30 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 $25. We hope to leave at 4:00 pm and return around 9:00 pm on Monday, Apr. 18. We are going on a week night to rent out the entire facility for the BMS Band Dept. We will be the only people in the water park, along with the Big Splash lifeguards and staff. Here is a link to information and a permission form: https://bedfordmsband.com/big-splash-info-2013/. The permission form and fee should be turned in to the band office by Thursday, April 14.

BNL Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble Auditions  –

The BNL Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble audition materials are available. We have 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!

Have a Wonderful Easter!

Washington DC Trip Update –

The rehearsals and concert have come to an end and final packing is underway. The band will meet at 5:30 am on Monday. We will begin loading the charter buses at 6:00 am for the trip. I plan to arrive around 5:15 am and we hope to pull away from BMS around 6:30 am. We’ll need to be careful about how we park when we arrive that morning so the buses can enter from N street and pull along the sidewalk by the auditorium. This will allow us to load the coaches safely. Remember to bring a sack lunch and bottled water for the trip.

8th Grade Bands to Perform March 29 –

The 8th grade bands have been invited to perform with the Oolitic and Shawswick Bands on March 29 at BNL. The BNL Directors have put together a great evening  featuring some of the BNL Bands, and the combined 8th Grade Concert Bands.

The students will ride buses to BNL the morning of the performance to rehearse together for the concert that night.  That evening the students will report to BNL at 6:30 pm to prepare for the concert. The concert will begin at 7:00 pm.

6th Grade Band Fine Arts Festival April 5 –

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 4 to 7th.

The 6th grade band will perform on Tuesday, April 5. 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. Information will be passed out in class after Spring Break. Here is a link to the information and form:https://bedfordmsband.com/6th-grade-fine-arts-festival-information/. Permission forms are due April 1.

Have a great Spring Break!

Butter Braids Arrive March 9 –

Thank you for a great sale. I can’t begin to express my gratitude for all the help.

The Butter Braids arrive Wednesday, March 9 around 11:30 am. We hope have things sorted and organized by the lunch hour if all goes well. This will enable some parents to pick up orders during lunch and throughout the afternoon. Smaller orders can be brought home by the students after school.

The butter braids need to be picked up and delivered, or frozen until they can be delivered. The band building will be open from 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm for butter braid pick-up.

Washington D.C. Rehearsals Started Monday Feb. 8 –

The rehearsals for our Washington D.C. trip are well underway. The rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays after school until 4:30 pm. These are required unless a child has given me advance notice of a conflict. The last rehearsal will be Monday, March 7.

Washington D.C. Concert March 8 –

The Symphonic Band will perform the music for the upcoming trip in BMS Schafer Auditorium on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00. Students should arrive at 6:30. All are welcome and admission is free. The students will wear tan pants and the red pull-over jackets.

Washington D.C. Trip Chaperone Meeting March 8 –

There will be a meeting for our Washington D.C. chaperones after the concert next Tuesday. We’ll discuss the trip, and what to expect on the upcoming trip.

Washington D.C. Concert Attire –

The Symphonic Band will wear matching red pull-over BMS band jackets and tan pants for the Washington D.C. performance. This will enable the band members to dress in layers to stay warm and still match by wearing the red jacket over the top. The jackets are ordered and will be available in the band office for $20. Students will be responsible for finding appropriate tan pants. The students should wear comfortable shoes or tennis shoes.

Have a great week!

Annual Butter Braid Sale Has Ended –

The Butter Braid sale has come to an end. Thank you for another great sale. I can’t begin to express my gratitude for all the help.

The delivery is set for the week of March 7.  There is also a chance for sellers to earn a $1000 scholarship.

Washington D.C. Rehearsals Started Monday Feb. 8 –

The rehearsals for our Washington D.C. trip are well underway. The rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays after school until 4:30 pm. These are required unless a child has given me advance notice of a conflict.

Washington D.C. Trip meeting March 3 –

There will be a final meeting for everyone going on the trip March 3 at 7:00 pm in BMS Schafer Auditorium. Participants 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.

Washington D.C. Concert March 8 –

The Symphonic Band will perform the music for the upcoming trip in BMS Schafer Auditorium on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00. Students should arrive at 6:30. All are welcome and admission is free.

Washington D.C. Concert Attire –

The Symphonic Band will wear matching red pull-over BMS band jackets and tan pants for the Washington D.C. performance. This will enable the band members to dress in layers to stay warm and still match by wearing the red jacket over the top. The jackets are ordered and will be available in the band office for $20. Students will be responsible for finding appropriate tan pants. The students should wear comfortable shoes or tennis shoes. We hope to wear this attire at the concert on March 8 if we receive them in time.

Have a great week!

Washington D.C. Rehearsals Started Monday Feb. 8 –

The rehearsals for our Washington D.C. trip are underway. The rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays after school until 4:30 pm. These are required unless a child has given me advance notice of a conflict.

Washington DC Trip meeting –

There will be a final meeting for everyone going on the trip on March 3 at 7:00 pm. Participants 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.

Annual Butter Braid Sale Has Ended –

The Butter Braid sale has come to an end. Thank you for another great sale. I can’t begin to express my gratitude for all the help.

The delivery is set for the week of March 7.  There is also a chance for sellers to earn a $1000 scholarship.

Have a great week!

Congratulations To Our Solo & Ensemble Participants –

37 of our 7th and 8th grade band members participated in the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival and I am so proud of them. Our students combined to bring home 36 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal last Saturday.

Washington D.C. Rehearsals Started Monday Feb. 8 –

The rehearsals for our Washington D.C. trip are underway. The rehearsals are Mondays and Wednesdays after school until 4:30 pm. These are required unless a child has given me advance notice of a conflict.

Annual Butter Braid Sale Started Feb. 3 –

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 started Feb. 3. The delivery is set for the week of March 7.  There is also a chance for sellers to earn a $1000 scholarship.

Washington DC Trip at Capacity –

The Washington DC trip has reached full capacity. The final balance statements should be coming out soon. Make sure to not overpay before receiving this final balance statement from the travel company.

Fundraiser Money Due –

The cookie dough fundraiser and D.C. tumbler sale have come to an end and the money is due. The sales were a huge success, but now we have the job of collecting all the money. Thank you to all that helped with these projects. The cookie dough raised money for the band department and the tumblers helped the D.C. students pay for the Washington D.C. trip.

Have a great week!

Good Luck to Our Solo & Ensemble Participants –

Many of our 7th and 8th grade band members have signed up for the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival and I wish them the best of luck. The festival will be held at Bloomington HS North on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. Any cancellation announcements will be aired on 103.7 (WFIU) and posted on the Bloomington North Band website (www.bhsnbands.com).

Washington D.C. Rehearsals Start Monday Feb. 8 –

The rehearsals for our Washington D.C. trip begin next week The rehearsals will be on Mondays and Wednesdays after school until 4:30 pm. These are required unless a child has given me advance notice of a conflict.

Annual Butter Braid Sale Started Feb. 3 –

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 started Feb. 3. The delivery is set for the week of March 7.  There is also a chance for sellers to earn a $1000 scholarship.

8th Grade Tubing on Feb. 12 –

The 8th grade tubing trip to Paoli Peaks will be after school on Friday, Feb. 12th (make-up date will be 2-19). 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

Washington DC Trip at Capacity –

The Washington DC trip has reached full capacity. We have started a wait-list for those still interested. Please let the band office know if you would like to be placed on the wait-list. We will notify you to register when seats open up. The third payment was Jan. 7. Make sure to visit the website: http://www.music-travel.com/ to pay this third installment.

Fundraiser Money Due –

The cookie dough fundraiser and D.C. tumbler sale have come to an end and the money is due. The sales were a huge success, but now we have the job of collecting all the money. Thank you to all that helped with these projects. The cookie dough raised money for the band department and the tumblers helped the D.C. students pay for the Washington D.C. trip.

Have a great week!

Indiana University Young Winds –

Good luck to all our students participating in the Young Winds Program at Indiana University.

The 2016 Indiana University Young Winds program begins Jan. 30, 2016. 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.

Young Winds will meet on Saturdays from 9 am to 11 am in the Musical Arts Center (MAC) on the IU campus.  The MAC is located on Jordan Avenue, one block north of 3^rd Street. There is a $15 registration fee and $60 tuition fee.

More information is available at www.music.indiana.edu/precollege/year-round/wind/

IU Young Wind Rehearsal Dates:

January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23

Young Winds Concert: April 23rd

After School Lessons for Solo & Ensemble –

Mr. Corbin and I are available next week after school for free solo & ensemble lessons. Solo and ensemble festival is February 6 at Bloomington High School North. Our students are welcome to practice in the practice rooms while we float around to help them. Next week we plan to be available after school on Monday Feb. 1 until 4:00 pm, Wednesday Feb. 3 until 4:00 pm, Thursday, Feb. 4 until 4:00, and Friday Feb. 5 until 4:00 pm. Students performing at the upcoming Solo and Ensemble should try to stay an afternoon to rehearse solos or ensembles.

Our accompanists will also be available at different times during the week to rehearse with the soloists. I’ll let the students know when the accompanists are available.

Performance times for the students performing at the Solo & Ensemble Festival on Feb. 6 are available at school. We will remind them again next week.

Annual Butter Braid Sale Starts Feb. 3 –

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 start Feb. 3. The delivery is set for the week of March 7.  There is also a chance for sellers to earn a $1000 scholarship.

8th Grade Tubing on Feb. 12 –

The 8th grade tubing trip to Paoli Peaks will be after school on Friday, Feb. 12th (make-up date will be 2-19). 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

Washington DC Trip at Capacity –

The Washington DC trip has reached full capacity. We have started a wait-list for those still interested. Please let the band office know if you would like to be placed on the wait-list. We will notify you to register when seats open up. The third payment was Jan. 7. Make sure to visit the website: http://www.music-travel.com/ to pay this third installment.

Fundraiser Money Due –

The cookie dough fundraiser and D.C. tumbler sale have come to an end and the money is due. The sales were a huge success, but now we have the job of collecting all the money. Thank you to all that helped with these projects. The cookie dough raised money for the band department and the tumblers helped the D.C. students pay for the Washington D.C. trip.

Have a great week!

Indiana University Young Winds –

The 2016 Indiana University Young Winds program begins Jan. 30, 2016. 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.

Young Winds will meet on Saturdays from 9 am to 11 am in the Musical Arts Center (MAC) on the IU campus.  The MAC is located on Jordan Avenue, one block north of 3^rd Street. There is a $15 registration fee and $60 tuition fee.

More information is available at www.music.indiana.edu/precollege/year-round/wind/

IU Young Wind Rehearsal Dates:

January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23

Young Winds Concert: April 23rd

After School Lessons for Solo & Ensemble –

Mr. Corbin and I are available next week after school for free solo & ensemble lessons. Solo and ensemble festival is February 6 at Bloomington High School North. Our students are welcome to practice in the practice rooms while we float around to help them. Next week we plan to be available after school on Monday Jan. 25 until 4:00 pm, Tuesday Jan. 26 until 4:00 pm, Thursday, Jan. 28 until 4:00, and Friday Jan. 29 until 4:00 pm. Students performing at the upcoming Solo and Ensemble should try to stay some afternoon to rehearse solos or ensembles. Our accompanists will also be available at different times during the week to rehearse with the soloists. I’ll let the students know when the accompanists are available.

Annual Butter Braid Sale Starts Feb. 3 –

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 start Feb. 3. The delivery is set for the week of March 7.  There is also a chance for sellers to earn a $1000 scholarship.

Washington DC Trip at Capacity –

The Washington DC trip has reached full capacity. We have started a wait-list for those still interested. Please let the band office know if you would like to be placed on the wait-list. We will notify you to register when seats open up. The third payment was Jan. 7. Make sure to visit the website: http://www.music-travel.com/ to pay this third installment.

Fundraiser Money Due –

The cookie dough fundraiser and D.C. tumbler sale have come to an end and the money is due. The sales were a huge success, but now we have the job of collecting all the money. Thank you to all that helped with these projects. The cookie dough raised money for the band department and the tumblers helped the D.C. students pay for the Washington D.C. trip.

Have a great week!