PSMS Band

• Our 7th and 8th graders have their first performance coming up on September 10th - the BV Band Night with the BV TIger Band at the football game. We have a rehearsal on 9/9 Thursday evening from 6 - 8pm (5:50pm call time) and the Friday 9/10 from 5pm - approximately 8:00-8:30pm (end of halftime) is the game. Here is a link to the details
  
  
• 6th Grade students can take their instruments home starting NOW and begin a regular practice routine. Expectations are that students in 6th grade practice about 10 - 15 minutes daily. 7th and 8th grade expectations are that students practice 90 - 120 minutes per week. We will be discussing in class more of what a practice session should look like. Quality > quantity!
  
  
• All students need to have a 3 ring, black binder (1" - 1.5") to keep their music and handouts in. Also about 20 sheet protectors. There are quite a few students that still do not have this. Next week we will be doing an equipment / materials check to make sure this is taken care of. Additionally, all instruments should have a waterproof / weatherproof name tag on the case of their instrument or stick bag.
  
  
• TRI-M is an honor society for musicians that focuses on community service through music. This club will meet on Wednesday mornings before school (7am) starting September 8th. Any 7th and 8th grade student who is interested should come to this meeting. Each student who wants to join will need to ask one non-music teacher for a letter of recommendation. Tri-M attracts student of high character, integrity, and humility. These recommendation forms will be passed out at our first meeting. Mrs. Cain, our awesome orchestra teacher, will be leading TRI-M.
  
  

• If you / your student is interested in taking private lessons, now is the time to make that happen. Don't think of private lessons as "remedial". The best musicians in our program are the ones studying with a private instructor. WARNING: Side affects include - increased motivation, confidence, skill development in technique and sound production. If you are interested in getting hooked up with a great teacher, let me know. I know people.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Mr. Aubrey, Band Director

Here is a handy list of 1st 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.

• September 9 (Thurs) 7th & 8th MS Band Night Rehearsal @ BVHS 6-8pm. (call time 5:50pm)
• September 10 (Fri)7th & 8th MS Band Night @ BVHS 5pm - 9pm (call time 4:50pm)
• October 14 (Thurs) 7th and 8th 7 - 8 Band and Strings Concert 7pm (call time - TBA)
• December 7 (Tues) 7th and 8th PSMS Music Assembly???? TIME - TBA (DAYTIME EVENT)
• December 9 (Thurs) 6, 7, 8, Jazz Winter Band Concert @ PSMS. 6th Grade & Jazz Band 6pm; 7th & 8th Grades 7:15pm

If you are in the market for a new instrument, or a step up / professional quality instrument, please let Mr. Aubrey or Ms. Janda know. We can help guide you to a good quality brand and model of instrument that will fit your student well. If your student is taking private lessons, their private instructor would also be a good resource. Not all step-up or "pro horns" are the same. You typically get what you pay for and there are many misleading advertisements out there.

Also, you can often find great quality used instruments in great shape that will cost must less than a brand new instrument and perform just as well. You can save a lot of money if you know what you are looking for. Let a teacher know you are looking and we can point you in the right direction.

Mouthpieces are also a great upgrade to an instrument if you aren't ready to fully purchase a new instrument yet. Again, let your teacher know and they can help determine what would be great for you (and what to avoid!).

Email: paubrey@bluevalleyk12.org
Location: 14201 Mission Road, Leawood, KS, USA
Phone: 913.239.5691
Twitter: @PSMSBand