Band Notes for 1/5/2018

Happy New Year!  We had a great first (short!) week playing, and I'm looking forward to a full week of classes next week. 
 
Please see below for this week's edition of Band Notes. 
 
6th Grade
 
As many of you have probably heard, we are going to have auditions for instrument switches next week.  There will be a sign-up sheet in the Band Room on Monday where students can select their audition time.  Students may come in before or after school. 
 
We've had a few talks about this in class, so students should have a pretty good grasp of what's going on, but if there are any lingering questions, please have them come talk to me. 
 
Students are not required to  switch instruments.  Instrument switches are a way to help enhance the sound of the band with different sounds that we currently don't have:  oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, horn, baritone/euphonium, tuba, and additional percussion.  Some students enjoy playing two instruments, and some others prefer just to concentrate on one.  Both options are just fine if a student is selected for an instrument switch. 
 
The audition process is very simple, and the audition takes place on the student's current instrument.
 
For the audition, students will need to: 
 
*Play Line 47 and Line 54 from their band book
*Identify notes by name and tell me how to finger them
*Sightread a piece
 
The audition will last about 5 minutes.
 
Once I've heard everyone audition, I'll post the results a few days afterward.  Once the results have posted, families will have ample opportunity to do an instrument exchange at the music store they're currently renting from (for example:  a flute player will have time to go to the music store to get an alto sax).  If a student or their family decides that an instrument switch isn't for them, please let me know ASAP so I can give another student a chance. 
 
7th and 8th Grade
 
New music has hit the folders!  I'm still planning for our Spring concert, but students should have plenty to practice on over the weekend.  
 
Also, playing tests will be given via Google Classroom next week.  Details will show up in Skyward.  
 
Closing
 
That's it for this week.  I hope everyone had a beautiful holiday season.  I look forward to the exciting opportunities the new year will bring us!