PSMS Panther Band Weekly Update

Weekly Update 1/24 - 1/28

A NOTE FROM MR. AUBREY

Band Families,

Congratulations this past week to our PSMS 8th Grade Band for their performance at the annual Spaghetti Concert held at BVHS! The 8th grade bands from both PSMS and BVMS performed selections of their own and also played a grand finale of The Stars and Stripes Forever along with the BVHS Wind Ensemble. Everyone performed very well!

In addition, congratulation goes out to our PSMS students who were selected to the KS Sousa Honor Band! This past Friday and Saturday they rehearsed with other students selected from around Kansas and gave a grand finale gala concert at the Lied Center on the campus of KU. A great experience for all, and at a very cool venue to perform! Our selected students were 7th graders - Kyndall Cox, Alli Phillips, Sophie Hong, Anisha Khandelwal; and 8th graders - Noah Everest, Hannah Kang, and Melody Xue. (See the KS Sousa Honor Band picture below!)

If you have a current 5th grader who will be coming to PSMS next year, this coming Tuesday 1/25 (@PSM) and Thursday 1/27 (@BVM) we will be having a Try It Night for woodwind and brass instruments from 6 - 8pm. 5th Graders have already had an opportunity to try a couple of instruments at their elementary school, but students and parents are welcome to stop by at either middle school on either night to try additional instruments, talk with band directors, etc. Percussion Try It dates are going to be February 9th (@PSM) and 10th (@BVM) for incoming 5th graders. Our goal it so have all students fitted and know which instrument class they will enroll for by time enrollment starts at the end of February. All the information can be found HERE

Mr. Aubrey, Band Director

2nd SEMESTER EVENING CONCERTS

Here is a handy list of 2nd semester performance dates and times. The full year can be found in the band handbook More details forthcoming as the date approaches for each event. Other concerts and festivals are also happening but are largely daytime events during the school day. Please see the handbook or the PSMS school calendar for that.

March 8 - 6th / 7th Grade Bands @ South Area Band Festival @ BVHS 7pm
April 19 - Jazz Band @ BVHS South Area Jazz Night @ BVHS 7pm
May 13 - 8th Grade Band @ Worlds of Fun Festivals of Music Competition (TBD)

May 19 - 6th/7th/8th Grade Bands Spring Concert @ PSMS 7pm

PANTHER JAZZ BAND

Jazz Band will be starting at 7:00am. Please be early so we can start on time!

Tuesday - woodwinds/brass
Thursday - Rhythm Section
Friday - EVERYONE

BV DISTRICT SOLO / ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL

**The deadline to sign up and turn in your solo ($10) or ensemble ($5 ea.) fees is Friday, January 28th**

The annual BV District Middle Level Solo and Ensemble Festival is coming up on Saturday, March 5th, from 8:00am - 12:00pm (each entry will be assigned a time slot).

The festival is judged by professional music educators to give students feedback on their performance that will show them what they are doing well at, and what they can continue to improve on. Performing as a soloist or in a small group ensemble is a fantastic way to improve your over-all musicianship! If your student is taking private lessons, your instructor would be a great resource for helping you find music to perform; and Mr. Aubrey can also help find music for students who are interested in participating. Solos - $10 entry fee; Ensembles - $5 per person. All students are encouraged to participate; however, this is not “for a grade” or a required event....except for percussion ensembles.

If your solo is written with a piano accompaniment (most are), it is suggested that you find an accompanist. I strongly suggest you NOT choose a student accompanist. More often than not, they end up not having time to really work up the accompaniment or they cancel on your commitment due to their own commitments.

Here are some great accompanists:
Nancie Dalke - 913-558-2138
Jihye Han - 914-217-6900
Melody Stroth - 913-449-8848
Melissa Vandervoort - 913-269-5005

Please let Mr. Aubrey know if you have any questions!