Friday 21 December 2012

Mid-term information


Midterm Exam Information:  Performance assessments to be chosen from the following sections.

Sr. Jazz:  

Superstition:  Any backgrounds 65-81, 92-104

Rhyme:  60-78, Trumpets 94-102

Huesos: Saxes and Trumpets: 38-42, Tbones 77-80, Altos and trumpets - 128, Horns - 135-126,  All 188-end.
Rhythm section:  Rhyme and Huesos

Intermediate Jazz:

Big John’s:  Beginning Trumpets, Bkgds 42-50, Saxes 74-90, Trumpets and bones 103, Saxes 116-119. 

Blackbird:  Saxes 30-31, 37-43, Brass and rhythm 50, Saxes 51, Saxes 83-86, Saxes 109, Bones 115-116, Saxes 124-126, Everyone - End
Rhythm section - Blackbird.


Jr. Jazz

South Beach:  Saxes 25-33,  All - 109, 115-118

May’s Way:  Saxes 10-14, 25-26, Brass 41-46, Saxes, 56-64, Brass 69-73, Saxes 74-77, 88-92.

Deep Fried: Brass 40-45, All 98-102
Rhythm Section:   Form Deep Fried.


9 Concert:  

NO Axon
Bonsai:  Percussion:  Whole thing.  Winds 5-37 and 42-48

Athens:  Flutes and Clarinets:  5-10, Flutes 10-18, Trumpets 9-13, 18, 23-34 All 38-44, All 52-End

10 Concert:

Joy Revisited:  Any of the 16th note runs

Poor Wayfaring Stranger:  Percussion - whole thing, Flutes and Oboe measure 2, All - any 5 tuplets or 6 tuplets, All 41-52.

11 Concert:

Cumberland:  Trumpets and Horns 28, Trumpets, clarinets, oboe and flute 40-45, All 45-57, Flute, oboe, clarinet and xylo - last 2 bars.

Lindsay: Piano, French horn, Trumpets, trombones and horns 27-35, Clarinets 56-57, All 68-95.  Percussion - whole thing.

Kirkpartick:  All 41-52, Trombones and trumpets  81-97, 174-175.


12 Concert:

Wind Jammer:  Trumpets - beginning,  Flute and Clarinets 16th notes at 29, Baritone, trumpets and Alto 1 - 30-35,  Any part with 16th notes 38-43, Flute, oboe, clarinet and alto1  87-103, Trumpets 103-115, Flutes and Clarinet1 - 126, 130, Flutes and Clarinets 134, 138.  All people playing the countermelody at 151.

Sun Dance:  

All - begining -5.  Clarinets 5- 16, Flutes, Oboe 26- 31, Clarinet 41-62, Flutes and oboe 47-51.  Trombones and horns 58-61, Clarinets 90-101, 125-129, 143-154.  Oboes 148-153, All 161-end.  

Thursday 20 December 2012

Opening Doors

As we head into the holidays it is always great to think about the little random acts of kindness we can do for each other that often make a HUGE difference... like something so simple as opening a door for someone.

From my home to yours - have a very peaceful and relaxing holiday.

Thursday 13 December 2012

Europe DVD

Danny says, " Don't wait!  Get your DVD today and avoid the Christmas rush."


For those of you that were involved in our Europe tour this past July, we are pleased to give you your Christmas present starting tomorrow Friday December 14.  Stop by the band room and you can pick up your Europe double DVD.  Disc 1's full of information for you - copy to eh blog text, 1000's of photos and all of the blog videos [designed to go in your computer] and Disc 2 is an actual DVD for your viewing pleasure from our last performance in Auerbach.  Each student and chaperone that went will receive a copy.

Friday 7 December 2012

Friday Humour

Well here we are and it is Friday again.....  let's laugh.  Sometimes it is the simple silly situations that make you snicker.... or ample alliteration...


Concert Band Mid-Terms



Band Mid Term schedule has been announced.

All bands will complete a playing assessment during the first week back from Christmas break.

Members of sports teams, arts students and intramural superstars - do not skim this schedule.... as this is an in class exam, you will not be permitted to miss class time unless you can prove that you have direct conflict with your exam (i.e. a game.... a practice or extra rehearsal is not a conflict).  If you do have a conflict, you are to notify me immediately so we can make alternate arrangements.

Concert Band Midterms:

January 8 - Grade 9 Concert Band - period 6
January 9 - Grade 10 - period 1, Grade 12 Concert Band - period 3, Grade 11 Concert Band - period 6

Jazz Band Midterms:

January 8 - Sr. Jazz - 7:30 a.m., Intermediate Jazz - 12:00
January 9 - Jr. Jazz - 12:00.

Thursday 6 December 2012

The Concert is fast approaching

Just to keep you on your toes....  just a heads up that we only have 5 rehearsals before the concert when you get back from Christmas break.  Make sure yo take care of whatever help you need with your parts before the break.  Help is always available after school until 4:00.

Now is also a good time to once again review our uniform policy.  This is a re-printing of the post from October 26th.  Students have been all informed again to make sure they have met the uniform requirements.  I can answer any questions about the uniform and rehearsal policy, but please make sure you read the information below before you contact me.... thank you.

Here is the information we discussed about uniform - both in-class and on the blog:




Concerts and Uniform:

Concerts are a very formal event for everyone involved.  These events are the band equivalent of your mid-term and final exam and we treat them very seriously. As part of their assessment, all students must be present at the final rehearsal before a concert. If a student has an unexcused absence before a concert they will not be allowed to perform at the event in question and forfeit any evaluative mark associated with the performance.

We take great care to plan our concert dates in advance.  You will be told the Winter Concert and the Final Concert Dates during the first few weeks of class along with all other performance dates and times.  These dates will be posted on the band website for your convenience.  Attendance is mandatory at concerts.  In the extreme circumstance that a student cannot attend a concert, Mr. Edwards must be notified and an alternate test date may be arranged where the student will be asked to play all of their performance pieces in front of Mr. Edwards.

Concert uniform:

Men are to wear a dark suit or dark sports jacket and dark pants, tie, matching dark socks and dress shoes.

Ladies are to wear a dress [leaning towards the summer dress style and not the formal ball gown type], and matching dress shoes.  Please keep in mind that a “Dress” is a one-piece ensemble and not a skirt and a blouse.

Please be forewarned that we take our uniform VERY SERIOUSLY at Westwood, and any student that shows up to a concert without the above mentioned uniform will not be permitted to play until they are dressed appropriately.  In addition, if the student fails to change into the proper uniform, they will not be permitted to play and forfeit any evaluative mark associated with the performance.






Tuesday 4 December 2012

Optimist Information



Mark Your Calendars


Each year we bring a raft of band to participate in our local festival - The Optimist International Band and Jazz Festival... this year we bring a total of 7 bands.

Optimist is a high-lite of our school year and the expectation is that everyone participates; consequently, we post the dates as soon as possible so everyone can clear their schedules.  If you see a conflict, please contact me immediately, as I may be able to find a solution if given enough notice.

Students are expected to be at the location 1 hour before their performance time.

Optimist Concert Band:

These performances are at the Winnipeg Convention Centre and students meet at the bottom of the escalators just inside the main door..

Tuesday, February 19, 2013 - Gr. 10 Concert Band - 6:25 pm.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 - Gr. 9 Concert Band - 3:10 p.m. [students will be bussed there and back - more information to follow]
Thursday, February 21, 2013 - Gr. 11 Concert Band - 8:05 p.m.
Friday, February 22, 2013 - Fr. 12 Concert Band - 6:10 p.m.


Optimist Jazz Band:

These Performances take place at the North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church 1315 Gateway

Thursday, February 28, 2013 - Junior Jazz - 4:20 p.m.  [students will be bussed there and back - more information to follow]
Saturday,  March 2, 2013 - Intermediate Jazz - 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 2, 2013 - Sr. Jazz - 3:20 p.m.



Playing a musical instrument good for brain health

  The study found playing keyboard instruments was particularly beneficial for brain health Playing a musical instrument or singing could he...