SP East Band Updates

All SP East students attend a weekly small group lesson to teach their individual instrument curriculum. You can find the lesson schedule here (also included in the buttons at the end of the newsletter).

For most weeks students will be practicing and preparing the following for lessons and class:

1. Instrument skills and instrument fundamentals

2. Concert Band - Morris Dance Tunes chamber music project or Wind Ensemble - Ye Banks & Braes O' Bonnie Doon chamber music project

3. Scales

4. Band Music

For weekly lesson assignments please check below (also available in Google Classroom):

Concert Band 1st Quarter Guidebook

Wind Ensemble 1st Quarter Guidebook

Jazz auditions are complete. There are still opportunities to join Jazz East if you missed the auditions last week - just speak with Mr. Mesner.

Jazz I will begin rehearsals on Monday, September 21

Jazz East will begin rehearsals on Thursday, September 24, 7:15-8:15am in the band room.

Jazz East Information Page (roster, performance dates, rehearsal schedule, & recordings)

Many students and families have found value in taking private lessons with amazing professionals on their instrument. SP East & Central Heights Middle School work together to bring teachers to students. Good news - those teachers come right to Central Heights after school on Tuesday! If you have any questions please contact Mr. Mesner.

Please visit our Lesson Academy web page for more information and registration details

About the Sun Prairie Band Boosters Lesson Academy
The Sun Prairie Band Booster Lesson Academy has been created to provide convenient access to quality private instrument instruction for students in the Sun Prairie Band Program. The program is designed to give students access to one-on-one instruction on their instrument with professional musicians/teachers that specialize on specific instruments. Students will focus on fundamental skills that are particular to his or her instrument.

The benefits of private instrument instruction include; accelerated study of instrument technique and repertoire, preparation of audition materials, or study of subjects of particular interested (e.g. solo literature or improvisation). Private study is a powerful tool in supporting musical growth in students. This program is organized by the Sun Prairie Band Boosters as a service to band students in Sun Prairie Schools.

DATE: Saturday, November 7, 2026

LOCATION: The Pablo Center at the Confluence (128 Graham Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701), student or family are responsible for transportation.

TIMES: Registration begins at 7:30am in the lobby of the Confluence Center. The concert begins at 7pm in RCU Concert Hall.

BANDS: The 2025 UW Eau Claire Honor Band will consist of Four High School Concert Bands. We will have two 9th-10th Grade Bands and two 11th-12th Grade Bands.

APPLICATION: email Mr. Mesner and he will nominate you. Due by October 1.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Directors will nominate students using the online application. Applications are due Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Directors will be notified of selected students by Friday, October 17, 2025. We encourage directors to nominate students in grades 9 through 12.

FEES: The participation fee is $40 per student (no cost for directors) and is payable at registration on November 8th. Participating students will receive a catered lunch, an audio recording of the Honor Band Concert and a UW Eau Claire Honor Band t-shirt. Concert tickets for the concert can be purchased online at this link.

Much of the material and information for Concert Band will be posted in Google Classroom (but grades in Infinite Campus - so we use and access both - I know, its weird).

Students can add themselves to the Concert Band Google Classroom using this code: j3i5np6e or click here

ON September 24 & 25 the wind ensembles from both East & West will travel to New Trier High School, (Rain Wilson played bassoon in the New Trier wind ensemble) , the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Carroll College. We will hear the Chicago Symphony and have several clinics.

The permission slip and itinerary for our trip is available at this link.

The cost of the trip is $160 which can be paid in Infinite Campus.

Sun Prairie Band Boosters offer a variety of optional fund-raisers throughout the year to #1 help support great programs like bringing in guest artists and composers and #2 earn credits to students’ individual band ledger that can be used for:

• Field Trips

• Summer Band Camps

• Sound of Sun Prairie

• Private Lessons

Bucky books are $35 each and students receive $11.25 credited to their ledger for every book sold. PLUS if you sell 5 books, the sixth book is FREE!

The Bucky Book sale ends October 29 and books can be picked up from Mr. Mesner.

Page 5 & 6 of the class Syllabus has recommended music supplies listed. Click here to jump to supply list Everyday supplies like reeds, oils, swabs etc. There are also some recommended mouthpieces and mutes if you are looking to upgrade.

Supplies can be ordered for Ward Brodt Music Store. They deliver to SP East on Fridays.

Double reeds have links to online suppliers.

If you have any questions about supplies, or could use some help with supplies, just email or talk to Mr. Mesner (jrmesne@sunprairieschools.org).