Kate and Brooke - Artists of the Month

 

Band Students of the Month:

Brooke S.and Kate W.

It is with unparalleled enthusiasm that we announce that Kate and Brooke have been named the band students of the month for December.  You may recognize these two outstanding young ladies from their athletic accomplishments: basketball, volleyball, hockey, rowing, badminton and just being all around wonderful athletes….  But, did you know about their dedication to another team… Symphonic Band and our top tier jazz ensemble - the Little Tykes Jazz Orchestra.

These two amazing young ladies have set themselves apart from the other musicians in our school through their willingness to tackle any part that is given to them.  “Good enough” is simply not in their vocabulary and they now have come together to form the backbone of the Symphonic Band percussion section.  Snare drum… no problem.  Play maracas in your left hand and castanets with your right… you betcha! 4 mallet vibes part… bring it on.  There is nothing that can stop these two from having a great time doing what they love!

The best part is the smile that they both seem to share when the parts come together after hours of hard work.  They both brighten up any room they enter. Brooke brings a light to the 7:10AM rehearsals for L.T.J.O. and her auxiliary percussion skills are unparalleled here at Westwood.  Just ask her to demonstrate her authentic Afro-Cuban Tumbao on congas if you want to see her in action.

As for Kate, she is happiest when there is a percussive problem to be solved and you simply know that once she commits to solving it, you it will be spectacular and everyone will benefit from her awesomeness.

These two do not seek the limelight, but if you every want to see them at home, drop by a rehearsal sometime and you will find them both doing what the love best, and that’s sharing their love of music with whomever will listen.

Instrument Rental and Percussion Fees

We have updated our renal fees today.  We held off a bit this year to give families some time to settle into their "new normal." Shortly you will be receiving a message from School Cash Online that you may have a rental fee or a percussion fee owing.  Please click on the link above for a detailed explanation.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. E.

CODE ORANGE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR BAND

With the government's announcement moving schools to "CODE ORANGE," we have had to make some changes to the band program in the absence of wind instruments (basically 95%of our bands).  What follows below is a 2 week plan and will be open to change and modification as new information develops. IF we go past two weeks, we have a longer term solution in place.  However, for the time being, with the goal will be ultimately the same - to get students playing and making music together and to perform a concert sometime around semester changeover or at such a time that we are back to "code yellow" at Westwood.I

In the case of CODE RED, all bands will be using TEAMS as an assist to synchronous and asynchronous remote learning.  Classes will be meeting on TEAMS during their scheduled times as per the existing Westwood Timetable.  Moving forward, all bands will be asked to record themselves performing specific sections along with the recording of their music.  Specific assignments will appear here on the website when and if it is necessary. Music can be located in the band listening site - Westwood iTunes

You can count on me giving help every day after school, as always.  If you are unsure about any of the information below, please feel free to send me an email or stop by the band room and I'd be glad to help.

Specific details for each ensemble can be found in their classroom drop down menu

Time for Band Auditions

All auditions will be recorded on your device (or something similar) and must be submitted to Mr. Edwards via email (greg.edwards@sjasd.ca) no later than the 19th of October.  Recordings must be in the form of a video that clearly shows you playing your instrument.  All recording should begin with you stating:

1.    Your Name.

2.    Your grade.

3.    Your class.

4.    The number/ activity/ piece you are performing.

To find out more about the audition process and to see the marking rubric click - HERE

Concert Band Audition Requirements

All Concert Band bands:

Chromatic scale 2 octaves (10 Concert Band and Symphonic from memory,  Gr.9 may use a fingering chart)

Chromatic scales must follow the say/ play format.  Detailed instructions can be found -  HERE

A reminder the the chromatic scale is pass/fail. 

In addition choose one of the following: 

(appropriate setting for your metronome is indicated beside each number)

Don't have a metronome?  Click HERE or download a free App for your device.

Symphonic Band:

# 27 (100) , #43 (65)  (take 2nd ending) or #47 (90)

Grade 10 Concert Band:

#7 (80), #23 (70) or #31 (70)

Grade 9 Concert Band:

#3 (60), #11(100) or #15 (55)

Jazz Band Performance/ Audition Requirements

L.T.J.O. and B.I.G. Band:

Record yourself playing your part complete with counting rests (Africa/ On Broadway) along with the recording of our version of the tune. Video must clearly show you playing your instrument and you must be heard easily above the recording.  

PLEASE NOTE: The following B.I.G. Band members must book a live audition with me before the 19th.

Juliana, Julia and Jeremy

Band: Your Immediate Questions Answerd

Welcome back! 

Band may look different, but we are here and we are still making wonderfully fun music!

Stay tuned for more information but for now......

Your Top 10 Questions Answered:

1.  Safe?

• I am up to date on all of the recent research and recommendations for operating a band program and making music during these unprecedented times and we have implemented as many as we possibly can.
• The protocols we are putting in place are in no way unique to Westwood. These protocols are being tried and tested by our musical colleagues throughout the world.
• I am continuously getting updates and am remaining flexible to adapt to any changes in these protocols.
• I have the support of an amazing team of administrators that have not hesitated with the implementation of any of our new protocols.
• I am a member of the Manitoba Music Educators Association and the Manitoba Band Association and these two groups have been in contact with our Health Minister, Minister of Education and Chief Provincial Health Officer and have helped shaped the provincial back to school document for music making entitled: Covid-19 Guidelines for Vocalists and Instrumentalists.

2.  Masks?

• MANDATORY 
• LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN FOR EVERYONE - MANDATORY in the band room - for your safety and the safety of others.  
• For us in addition to contact transmission, it's all about aerosol mitigation. The good news is that with proper masking, band is no more risky than talking (some studies are even suggesting even less).
• Therefore, No student will be permitted to enter without one.
• We will be issuing disposable masks which students will cut a horizontal "slit" in them for the placement of the instrument mouthpiece.  
• Once we have established proper placement for the "slit," we will be asking that each student get a hold of a cloth washable reusable mask which they use specifically for band.

3.  I've heard talk of instrument masking?

• Absolutely! Anything we can use as a mitigating factor to the dispersal of aerosol from an instrument will be used.
• At a great expense to the school, each student will be receiving a  custom made instrument mask of their own free of charge.  These are a one-of-a kind reusable washable aerosol mitigation filter.
• Once in place, students will be asked to bring them home and wash them.

4.  Will my child be sharing an instrument?

• Not at all.  There is absolutely NO sharing of instruments.
• Each student will have their own instrument and mouthpiece.
• further to that, there is no sharing of: pencils, valve oil, cork grease, music or folders.
• We will be renting instruments, as always, and these have gone through an extensive sterilization over the summer along with a deep cleaning... including the cases. 

5.  Can they leave their instrument in the band room?

• As part of the new protocols, students with smaller instruments (Flute, Piccolo and Clarinet) cannot leave them in the band room.  They will have to bring them to class each day and take them with them at the end of each class.
• Medium instruments will follow the same protocol with the one exception that these students will be issued an instrument locker outside of the band room where they will store their instrument when not in use. These would be: Trumpet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Clarinet, Alto sax and some Tenor Saxes.
• Large instruments will be stored in the band room under strict protocols. These would be: Trombones, French Horns, Bari Saxes, Baritones, Euphonium, Tubas and String Basses.

 6.  What about percussionists?

• No sharing of mallets or auxiliary instruments.
• Mallets and mallet instruments/ drums/ etc. will be wiped down and disinfected following a strict protocol at the end of each class.

7.  A to K and L to Z ...  my child does not even get band, as band class happens on the day opposite to the day they are in the school (their"off" day)...... Is that right?

• That is correct.
• For the first two weeks of school we will be having the school rotate on days 1,3,5 and 2,4,6 based on the first letter of your last name. 
• this may mean that for the first bit you may not actually be in band class.
• DON'T WORRY AND DON'T PANIC   - I AM HERE FOR YOU!
• During that time, I will be in touch with each and every one of you to make sure you have your Red Book and an instrument if you need it and to make sure you are familiar with any of the in-class discussions you may have missed.
• This is only a measure to help us better understand how students are going to be moving through out the building and to make sure we do so in as safe a manner as possible.
• WE WILL BE RETURNING TO FULL BAND CLASSES STARTING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 28th.
• The band room can comfortably accommodate 45 students socially distanced (took me two days to figure that out and to mark the floors -( see Instagram for pictures).
• We can accommodate all of our band and jazz band classes in the band room socially distanced with the exception of Symphonic Band.
• Symphonic Band class time will be divided into woodwinds in the choir room with Ms. Muncer while the brass and percussion meet with Mr. Edwards in the band room.

8.  What about Jazz Band?

• Morning Jazz Bands (Sr. and L.T.J.O.) will not begin until the week of the 28th.  Enjoy your sleep in.
• B.I.G. Band will meet during period 4 (lunch) for the first class or so and then pause until the 28th.
• If you look in your Power School app, you will see which jazz band your are a part of.  Senior Jazz - 7:20AM (1,3,5)  L.T.J.O. - 7:20AM (2,4,6) and B.I.G. Band 12:03 - (1,3,5)

9.  Then what does my child need to bring to class for the first couple of weeks?

• A Mask, a smile and a willingness to make this work.
• No instrument will be needed, but we will be signing out instruments for those students who need one.
• Our time will be taken up mostly with teaching the new protocols to all levels and going over the many changes to the overlying structure of the class.  

10.  Concerts, performances... a thing of the past?

• Heck no!
• If anything we have been the leaders when it comes to on-line music making.  Never fear, I have not one but may plans on ways we can publicly display and demonstrate our student's awesomeness.

H.O.N.K.

How to watch our Happenin' Online Neverbeentriedbefore Koncert

Around 4:00PM on Thursday June 18th the links below will go live:

H.O.N.K. on YouTube

H.O.N.K download from Dropbox

As mentioned in the concert, my gift to you in celebration of all of our wonderful music makers.....

All of the videos and pictures from our Winter Concert + Optimist Photos

BAND ROOM JUNE

Monday June 1st - I am in the building every school day from 8:30 - 3:30 starting.

PLEASE NOTE:

ANYTHING SCHEDULED FOR THE BAND ROOM MEANS -  YOU ARE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE BAND ROOM VIA THE BAND ROOM DOOR.  YOU WIL NOT BE PERMITTED INTO THE SCHOOL.  SOCIAL DISTANCING IN EFFECT AND THERE WILL BE MARKERS FOR YOU TO FOLLOW.

SR JAZZ AUDITIONS BEGIN STARTING JUNE 12TH… THERE MAY BE SOME INTERRUPTIONS TO THE SCHEDULE BELOW.  I IWLL PLACE A NOTE ON THE BAND ROOM DOOR LETTING YOU KNOW WHAT TIME I WILL BE FREE…. BE PATENT AND WAIT.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME WHAT IS GOING ON, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE SR. JAZZ AUDITION SIGN UP ON THE SR. JAZZ DROP DOWN MENU.

Tuesday June 2nd - Grade 12’s only.  From 10:00 - 11:30 and 1:00 - 3:30

- Folder Drop Off - ERASED

- Pick up your band Portfolio, Mug, 4-Year of Jazz Medallion.

- This is not a gathering but a 1 on 1 meeting of students with their teacher.
- I WILL BE WEARING GLOVES AT ALL TIMES

- I cannot tell you what to wear.....

- I will be wearing my band uniform and if you wish, you can get a socially-distanced picture.

- LTJO AND SR. JAZZ 12’S NEED TO SIGN THEIR OPTIMIST TROPHY

Monday June 8th - GRADE 12’S ONLY  - Final Written reflection due.  Jazz people you are doing only one written reflection summarizing you Jazz and Concert Band experience.

Friday June 12 - All other grades (9,10,11) Final written Reflection due along with your Part 2 Group Assignment.

Monday June 15th - All folders (music erased) and school owned instruments MUST be returned to the band room.  The band room will be open from 9:00-12:00 and 1:00 - 3:30 for drop off.

Thursday June 18th - H.O.N.K. - link will be on the band website that day at some point.

Monday June 22nd - Award pick up 9:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 3:30.

- This is not a gathering but a 1 on 1 meeting of students with their teacher.
- I WILL BE WEARING GLOVES AT ALL TIMES

- I cannot tell you what to wear.....

- I will be wearing my band uniform and if you wish, you can get a socially-distanced picture.