I hope everyone is staying healthy and enjoying the outdoors (when it isn't snowing!). As we are into our third phase of learning on this break---we are still working in Google Classroom. Please make sure your student logs in to keep up to date on assignments as we wrap up the year. More information will be listed throughout the newsletter.

Again as a reminder---encourage your students to to practice (just a bit) every few days to maintain your embouchure, hand position, playing position, and keep your mind sharp!

If you or your student has any questions or would like additional assistance, please let me know!

Lastly, throughout this newsletter--we will be highlighting our Seniors from the Band Program---please congratulate these students!

I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Go Wildcats!!

-Stephanie Bonitz, Director of Bands

Listed below are some great tools for students to play with during our distance learning experience. Please let me know if you have any questions.

OSFABB - public domain solos, duets, concert music and more

The Shed - guided solo transcriptions

Web Rhythms - percussion play alongs

40 Essential Rudiments - snare drum play alongs and video instruction

Easy Music Lesson - pop music video and music play alongs

National Music Museum - virtual tours

We will be hosting a Virtual Booster Meeting this Thursday, May 14 at 7 PM. I will send a Zoom link out to families on Thursday morning via email. We look forward to seeing you and hope you can attend!

Each year our Booster Organization offers scholarships to eligible seniors in the band program. In the last 7 years, we have provided over $10,000 worth of scholarships to our senior class members. We are happy to announce our two scholarship winners this year:

Jackson Slepoy

Anora Willison

Congratulations and thank you for your work in the Mogadore Band Program!

The Music Boosters have set up a remind account for parents to get some more assistance for our events, chaperoning, and volunteer activities. This group is open to any music department parent in grades 5-12! Normal text messaging rates may apply.

Each of our classes have a number of assignments that will need to be completed before the end of the term. Listed below are those assignments by class. In addition, students can earn additional points by attending one of our class "check ins"---dates/times are listed in the Google Classroom.

Junior High Band:

1) Band Bingo Assignment

3) Echo Pattern Exercises (Part of weekly participation/engagement)

4) Improvisation Recording

5) Alma Mater Recording

6) Fight Song Recording

High School Jazz Band:

1) Improvisation Recording

High School Band:

1) Band Bingo Assignment

2) Performance Recording

3) MHS Band Together/Instrument Demo Video

4) Marching Band Show Creation Project

5) Pomp And Circumstance Recording

6) You're A Grand Old Flag Recording

As our school year draws to a close, many students are looking forward to their summer break, warmer weather, and new opportunities. One of our favorite opportunities in the band program is welcoming in our 7th grade students as new Mogadore High School Band Members in 8th grade.

For the time being, I am operating with our summer calendar remaining the same. Linked below is the Music Department Web Page with our Calendar and a copy of the calendar. Our first sets of rehearsal are some of the best---students are able to bond, get to know one another in each section and develop new skills. As we progress further into June, I will be able to provide some additional updates on changes to our rehearsals that ensure students are safe, comfortable, and have an enjoyable learning experience.

I look forward to working with our new members AND current members in July!

On Saturday, May 23 between 12:00 PM-2:00 PM, we are looking to have our band students in grades 4-12 provide an Outdoor, Socially Distant Concert for the Mogadore Community!

This concert can be any variety of music that the students want to play---this can be songs from class, music from their textbooks, or music they find online. But---we are looking to have continued music fill the streets for at least 2 hours so that folks may walk or drive and listen to the talent that is in Mogadore's Community!

We are collecting information to gauge participation and share to folks where they can hear some music. You can coordinate with your other band friends to perform together---as long as you are spaced apart from each other and mindful of social distance requirements!

We hope that you can participate and share your ideas to make this a memorable event!

I hope our fourth grade students are having a blast with their specials classes! We have a number of opportunities for them to explore the arts, PE, and technology in our specials Google Classroom and I am so thrilled to see so many students participating.

As far as music---we have weekly activities for Fourth Grade General Music listed below:

Wednesdays--Note Name Exercises

Thursdays-Music Theme Activity

Additionally, those students who have their recorders can choose to participate in our Recorder Karate Program. Each Monday---new exercises are posted to challenge our students towards mastery and the successful performance of the song (belt exercise). Students still have a chance to participate and can submit recordings for any of the exercises already posted. Our last belt exercises will be posted next week with a completion date by at least May 26.

Students who successfully perform and submit their exercises will receive their recorder belts and some awards for their work! Best of luck!

Students will need a copy of the Standard of Excellence Book 1 by Bruce Pearson for their class work. If your student does not have a copy of this book, books can be obtained at Taylor Band and Orchestra. Please contact Mrs. Bonitz if you need assistance.

Distance Learning Graded Assignments:

1) Break Bingo

2) Standard of Excellence Go Tell Bill mm. 1-8

3) Standard of Excellence PG 14 Ex. 50-51

4) Standard of Excellence PG 14 Ex. 52-53

Our Sixth Grade students are also responsible for a few assignments for the remainder of the year, listed below:

Distance Learning Graded Assignments:

1) Break Bingo

2) Sawmill Creek mm. 3-7

3) Sawmill Creek mm. 8-15

4) Regal March Performance (Full piece, if capable performing wise)

5) Extra Credit-ish: Sawmill Creek (Full piece with piano)

As the school year draws to a close, I am excited for our sixth grade band students to move on to their next chapter in education in the Mogadore Junior High School. Participation in Seventh Grade Band class will allow students to get 40 minutes of instruction, 5 days a week, during 7th period. This will provide further individualized instruction for students, more time to assist students in areas they feel they need work, and provide more opportunities to grow and learn before entering the High School Band Program.

Students have a number of opportunities to look forward to while participating in Seventh Grade Band, in addition to our regular concerts, such as:

♪ Youth Night: Students will be involved with performances during pregame and possibly halftime;

♪ Chamber Ensemble-Band Buddies: Each student will be assigned a lesson “buddy” from the High School Band to give them additional lessons, instruction, and support during their time in junior high;

♪ Pep Band: Students can volunteer to participate with the High School Program’s Basketball Pep Band;

♪ Band Aids: Each student has the opportunity to work as a Band Aid with the High School Band. This includes assisting the band and carrying our banner at home and away football games;

♪ Solo and Ensemble Contest: Students can elect to prepare solos or group ensembles for participation at the annual Solo and Ensemble competition;

♪ Junior High Jazz Band- *added to the Band Department in 2016!!

♪ And more!

Further information will be sent out in early August that details our performance calendar and our class supply information. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Email: mo_bonitz@mogadore.net
Website: https://mogadoremusic.webstarts.com
Location: 130 South Cleveland Avenue, Mogadore, OH, USA
Phone: (330) 628-9943
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mogadore.bandboosters
Twitter: @mogadorebands