WPS High School Band Newsletter

Week of 2/5

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لترجمة هذه الرسالة من المدرسة ، اضغط عليها ثم استخدم الرابط الموجود على اليمين.

Այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք այն, ապա օգտագործեք աջ կողմում գտնվող հղումը:

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Bu bülteni çevirmek için üzerine tıklayın ve ardından sağdaki bağlantıyı kullanın.

On Saturday, April 6th, we will be participating in the MICCA festival, at Danvers, Massachusetts. We will be leaving at 8am, and returning on 4pm. There is no cost!

Families are welcome to join to watch at the MICCA Festival.

More details will be given soon!

This year we are adding some pep band at the basketball games as part of our curriculum. Dates are as follows:

Tues 2/6 5pm call time DH

Fri 2/9 5pm call time DH

Tues 2/13 5pm call time DH

Fri 2/16 6:15pm call time SH

Tues 2/20 6:15pm call time SH

We will be leaving after half time of the last game that night.

MusicFest is a lively and eclectic evening of music with performances on multiple stages, hosted by our very own Friends of Watertown Music! This year's MusicFest will take place on:

Friday, March 15, 2024 from 5:30 - 8:30 at WMS

What makes MusicFest so great is the participation of a variety of performers. We often have professional ensembles and students from local conservatories along with

high school bands, student ensembles and individual performers.

VOLUNTEER TO HELP HERE

SIGN UP TO PERFORM HERE

Tues 2/6 5pm call time DH

Fri 2/9 5pm call time DH

Tues 2/13 5pm call time DH

Fri 2/16 6:15pm call time SH

Tues 2/20 6:15pm call time SHTuesday 3/12 7pm Bandarama

Saturday 4/6 MICCA

Tuesday 4/9 Art Show Featuring Jazz Bands

Thursday 5/9 7pm Band Concert
Monday 5/27 Memorial Day Parade

I will always add links to specific events and lessons to the newsletters; however, in order to add these to your personal calendar, you must subscribe to the FAPA calendar (linked above). You can hide the FAPA calendar so your personal cal is not clogged by superfluous events, while only adding the band events to your cal when the links are shared in the newsletters. Let me know if you have any questions about this!

• We are going to be using Remind this year to communicate as well. I would recommend at least one parent and student (if they have a cell phone) to join their respective class.
  

  
  

  HS Band text @watehsband to 81010

  HS Jazz Ensemble text @watjb to 81010

Friends of Watertown Music

The Friends of Watertown Music is a parent organization that has been a major supporter of the fine arts program in Watertown for over ten years. FoWM is beginning to plan for our first MusicFest since 2019 and invites all parents who would like to help in any way. Email HelloWatertownMusic@gmail.com or call Chris Lowry at 617-923-0502 to learn more.

Practicing

We recommend students play their instrument 3+ times a week for at least 100 minutes in total time throughout the week to build muscle memory and reinforce habits taught in class.

Private Lessons

Want to be get better, quicker? PRIVATE LESSONS are the way to go!

Here is a great resource for private lesson instructors in the area. Private lessons are the quickest way for your budding musician to grow!

You can also check out Powers Music School in Belmont (on Concord Street near Belmont Center).

Clarinet and Saxophone Players-Reed Talk!

As we all are getting settled into school, one of the quickest ways for clarinets and saxophones to instantly sound better is to have a set of quality reeds.

Being a saxophone/clarinetist myself, it's important for how good each person sounds so they can work on other things. Having a set of quality reeds makes that easier!

Here are the only type of reeds that I recommend:

Clarinet Reeds

Elementary strength 2.5, 6th Grade strength 3, 7th-12th strength 3.5

Bass Clarinet Reeds

Strength 3

Alto Saxophone Reeds

Elementary/6th strength 2.5, 7th-12th strength 3

Tenor Saxophone Reeds

Elementary/6th strength 2.5, 7th-12th strength 3

Gift Items for the Band Student

Here are some ideas if you are thinking of getting your band student some quality goods.

9/10

9/24

10/8

10/30

11/5

11/27

12/11

12/18

1/3

1/15

Maxwell Thew, a Band Director, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Idaho and a Master's Degree in Music Education from the American Band College at Central Washington University. He has taught in Oregon for 4 years and in Massachusetts for 5 years. During his time in Oregon, he successfully led his groups to the OSAA state band for 2 years and jazz band for 2 years. He is recognized for his ability to facilitate rapid growth in the programs he oversees. His primary focus is on instructing musicians of all levels to succeed and nurturing the development of well-rounded individuals.

Spencer Klein is primarily the pop music teacher at Watertown high school but is thrilled to return to his concert band roots as a co band teacher with Mr Thew. Originally from Seattle Washington (go hawks), Klein holds degrees in music education and French horn performance from Boston University. Feel free to reach out at spencer.klein@watertown.k12.ma.us!