SP East Band Updates

Way to go on a fantastic first week. Students have been working together and stepping up to the plate.

While there are lots of details along the way, our big purpose is learning to be part of a musical ecosystem at Sun Prairie East High School. Each individual member has important gifts that make them unique while we all work together to create a thriving ecosystem in which individuals support and rely on on one another to create a harmonious consensus that values the contributions of all members and ensures the growth and success of the group.

These students are off to a great start!

All students will have a weekly lesson/small group instruction designed to teach and learn the specifics of their instrument. Lessons are scheduled during study halls, before school, after school, lunches, or from band class to meet the needs of each student. The lesson schedule is posted in Google Classroom or it can be found at this LINK to confirm lesson times.

If you have any questions, just ask Mr. Mesner and we will get things sorted.

They will do workshops during the day and a concert the evening of September 17 in the East Performing Arts Center. The concert is free - don't miss it!

ShoutHouse is an NYC-based collective of musicians, bringing together complex grooves, poetic hip-hop, high-octane vocals, and instrumental solos in a way that is uniquely their own.

The brainchild of composer/pianist Will Healy, ShoutHouse’s sound is an “absolutely unique blend of postrock, art-rock, and indie classical styles” (New York Music Daily), with a core roster of musicians from many corners of the NYC music scene.

Jazz Auditions will happen next week (September 15-17). Audition materials are available on the music sorter in the band room (hard copies) and posted in your Google Classroom (digital copies).

There is a place for everyone in jazz band. Our auditions just help us find the best fit for each musician. We will have two bands available to East students, a combined/co-opt Jazz I with students from both East & West high schools and a school based Jazz East.

Jazz I

Jazz I includes students from both SP East & West. Rehearsals for Jazz I will take place at SP West band room. Rehearsal times for Jazz I are:

Mondays 7-9pm

Thursday 7:00-8:00am

Friday 7:00-8:00am

Jazz East

Will include students from East High school. Rehearsals for Jazz East will take place at the SP East band room. Rehearsal times for Jazz II/Jazz East are:

Mondays 7-8:30pm

Thursdays 7:15-8:15am

For more Jazz East information please visit the Jazz East Info Page

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.

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.

You can find the Syllabus for Concert Band here.

You can find the Syllabus for Wind Ensemble here.

Much of the material and information for Wind Ensemble class 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

Students can add themselves to the Wind Ensemble Google Classroom using this code: 4b3fka7s or use this link

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).