MVMS BANDS NEWSLETTER

May/Summer 2023

Dear Parents and Students,

We made it to the last newsletter of '22-'23! May is always a time to reflect back on the school year. From summer band camp to our spring trips, from marching in parades and performing on stage - lots of memories and friendships have been made that will surely last a lifetime.

It is bittersweet saying goodbye to our 8th graders that have shown their dedication and commitment to the band over the last three years. They have set a great example for all to follow. We wish them all the best as they enter high school and hope they will continue their musical journey in the CLHS Band.

If your 8th grade child is on the fence about HS band, I encourage you to talk to them about what is holding them back. Are they anxious about starting HS? Do they no longer feel the same excitement about band as they did when they started? Do they think it will take too much time? In my 23 years of teaching, I have NEVER met anyone that regretted being in HS band. There are so many wonderful things about high school band, and it can really enrich your child's life and open up a world of opportunities. Feel free to reach out to a band director if you need advice. We are always happy to share our own experiences and address your and your child's concerns.

Please read through this newsletter carefully. It contains information about end-of-year events plus some tips for the summer. If you have any questions, please contact me or assistant band director, Mr. Delgado. My contact information can be found at the end of this newsletter. We hope you have a wonderful, relaxing summer!

Sincerely,

Danette Conard, MVMS Head Band Director

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Beginner Band Practice - Thursday, May 18

The Beginning Band will have after-school practice on Thursday, May 18 from 4-5pm. This is our one and only band rehearsal to prepare for the Spring Concert.

Friday, May 19 is field day for 6th and 7th grade. We probably won't have band classes that day, so that makes the after-school rehearsal on the 18th our last practice before the concert.

Parents, please make arrangements for your beginning band student to get picked up from MVMS on the 18th at 5pm by the music building.

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Spring Fling Concert - Saturday, May 20

The Spring Fling will take place on Saturday, May 20 at CLHS. We will perform lots of fun music, including music from movies and video games. We will also present band awards at this time.

*All band students should wear nice, dressy clothes for this performance. At minimum, boys should wear a shirt with a collar and buttons. Girls may wear a dress or a blouse with dress pants or a skirt. Skirts should go below the knees when seated. School dress code applies.

Beginning Band

12:00pm - Warm-up on stage at CLHS

12:30pm - PERFORMANCE

Symphonic Band

1:15pm - Warm-up in band hall at CLHS

1:45pm - PERFORMANCE

Honor Band

2:00pm - Warm-up in band hall at CLHS

2:30pm - PERFORMANCE

Jazz Band (MS & HS)

3:00pm - Set-up

3:30pm - PERFORMANCE

Percussion Ensemble (MS & HS)

4:00pm - Set-up

4:30pm - PERFORMANCE

CLHS Colorguard

5:15pm - PERFORMANCE (Big Gym)

CLHS Band

6:00pm - PERFORMANCE

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Solo and Ensemble recap

MVMS' 2nd annual Solo and Ensemble Contest was a huge success! We had a total of 100 events entered in this competition. Of those, 86 received 1st division ratings and 14 received 2nd division ratings. A whopping 114 medals and 19 ribbons will be given out at the Spring Fling!

The following students were nominated by the judges as "Outstanding Soloists of the Day:"

Johnathan P. - mallets
Isaak N. - trumpet
Aiden H. - trumpet
Angel B. - trumpet
Aviel N. - trumpet
Elias S. - trumpet
Jason H. - mallets
Jacob A. - saxophone
Victor M. - trombone
Teodolfo L. - trumpet
Westin D. - trumpet
Georgia S. - trumpet
Kevin H. - clarinet
Emma M. - flute
Addison C. - flute
Bruin P. - baritone
Miles M. - bassoon
Max B. - baritone
Koi R. - horn
Sam S. - horn
Haleigh R. - horn

At the end of the day, the judges selected their top finalists. Seven MVMS band students will receive an "Outstanding Soloist" trophy at the Spring Fling. Way to go, band students!

HEY BAND! RETURN CONCERT BLACK DRESS PANTS/SHIRTS BY MAY 22!

Keep playing this summer! Attend a Summer Band Camp!

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WE ARE PLANNING TO HAVE MVMS BAND CAMP IN AUGUST. INFO WILL BE SENT OUT VIA REMIND, EMAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA, ETC. Please follow MVMS Band on Facebook and Twitter. Summer updates will also be posted on the mvhawkband webpage.

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Many area universities host summer band camps for students with at least one year of playing experience. The camps are different dates and different costs, so you can select one that works best for you. There are elective classes to choose from, opportunities to play in small and large ensembles, opportunities for one-on-one lessons with a college professor, and a variety of fun activities scheduled throughout the week. I went to band camp every summer from 8th to 12th grade at TXST. I ultimately decided to attend college in San Marcos because I was already familiar with the campus, and I already knew the professors (and they knew me, too)!

Here are a few local/Texas camps to check out. Pay close attention to application deadlines and audition requirements!

Camps for the very serious student musician:

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Interlochen (past admissions deadline, but posting FYI)
Boston University - Tanglewood Institute (past admissions deadline, but posting FYI)

What to do with instruments over the summer?

Do you own your instrument?

Woodwind instruments need to get a COA (clean, oil, adjust) every year at a reputable music repair shop. Woodwind instruments need to be inspected for loose or torn pads, worn or missing cork/felt, bent keys, missing screws, cracks in wood, etc.

Brass instruments need to be inspected for sticky valves, dents, stuck slides, broken braces, etc. Brass instruments need to be deep-cleaned every year. A chemical flush is recommended every couple of years. Maintenance and repairs should be performed by a technician at a reputable music repair shop.

Do you rent your instrument from a music store?

If you are going to be in band next year, keep renting your instrument over the summer. Check with your rental company about summer maintenance and the possibility of upgrading or purchasing your instrument.

If you are no longer going to be in band, you can return the instrument to the music store from which you rented it. Once you return the instrument, you should stop being charged the monthly rental fee. You will lose any rental credits that have accumulated.

Do you rent your instrument from the school?

All school-owned instruments will be checked in the last week of school.

If you are in 6th-7th grade and planning to be in band at MVMS next year, you may check out your instrument for the summer. There is no additional fee for this. Here is the form.

If you are in 8th grade and planning to be in band in HS, you can check out an instrument from the HS for the summer. Email Mr. Ed Gonzales to make arrangements.