Hello BVN Band!

Please CLICK HERE for this week's Band Update, or scroll down for a copy.  As always, the website version is highly recommended.  Thanks for understanding this coming out a day or two later than normal.  Halloween weekend around the Freeman house was AMAZING (Matthew was just about the cutest cookie monster imaginable and Lily was Elsa), but didn't leave much time to get the update written over the weekend.

And… Don't miss!

  • An exciting announcement in this Band Update!!!
  • ECKMEA Auditioners – make sure to get me your recordings by the end of the day Tuesday 11/3.
  • A strange schedule week/happy election day!
  • And More!!

Thanks, as always, for your careful reading and support of the band!

Musically yours,
Mr. Freeman

–Begin Copy–

Band Update

November 2nd, 2020

From the Director

THANK YOU MAB!  A HUGE congrats and thank you to all of the members of the MAB.  Our performance last week was another fantastic night.  After so many months of head scratching and so many emotions, the MAB has been a balm for the performance desert we have lived in since March.  Thank you students for doing excellent work AND taking the always important first steps back!!

Also – be sure to check out the BVN Fall E-Activity Guide!  This is usually distributed at all activities each fall, this year it has been distributed electronically, and includes several wonderful pages for the MAB, along with some good pictures!!

Last week was one with a lot of info and quite a bit for students to get done.  This week is the opposite – let's all use this time to take a breath, get caught up as needed, and get ready for the next chapter of our strange zoom-hybrid-band year.

And… I'm SOOOO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE…. The next chapter….

SAVE THE DATE for a BVN BAND CONCERT!!!!! 

You read that correctly… On Wednesday, December 9th, we are laying in place plans to hold a live-streamed concert of our BVN Bands!  We will not be able to have a live audience at this concert, but we plan to live-stream it for everyone's listening enjoyment!  So – Mark your Calendars!

  • Wednesday, December 9th (the same evening we were supposed to hold our annual December Band Concert)

  • 7:00 PM – TENTATIVE start time of concert featuring the BVN Bands!

  • Livestreamed via a TBD service (likely youtube, with an unlisted link shared amongst our band family).

  • All students will perform in-person.  We will follow all of the safety protocols that we follow in classes, (which means the event will be short, among many other details).

  • VirtualEd Band Members are invited to join us for this concert, too.

As with everything in the Covid-Era, we will be keeping in close contact with administration and with the district's health officials to ensure health and safety.

REMINDERS:

ECKMEA Audition Recordings are due to Mr. Freeman (youtube links) by the end of the Day Tuesday 11/3. 

  • CLICK HERE To read through video recording instructions/requirements

  • CLICK HERE for auditions scales and cuts (from ECKMEA)

  • Make sure your audio quality is the best it can be!  READ THIS DOCUMENT

 

ALL Band Students should have submitted their BVN Audition Recordings last week as part of WoodShed Level 6.  If you have not submitted them, get them in ASAP!  Details on Canvas.

PARENTS – Please consider joining our BVN Parent Booster Club!  The PBC has already given GREAT support to the Band this year, and will continue to do so in the future.  YOUR membership makes this possible.  And, some funding decisions impacting the band will be made in the near future – a good influx of band families renewing memberships or joining during this time will be great optics for the band!  THANK YOU!!

 

2020-2021 BVN Band Shutterfly – CLICK HERE to join the 20-21 Shutterfly page and share/view great pictures of the Band!

MAB Members – order your pictures!  CLICK HERE to order the formal pictures we had taken at the DAC on 10/16.  Every Member of MAB had an individual picture taken, which will be edited together into a group photo.

Hybrid Class Structure – read your Canvas homepage for more details (updated recently for November)

  • 1st and 2nd hours are divided into Wagoner Bands (Salty and Pumpkin) and Freeman Bands (Spicy and Caramel).  CLICK HERE for the rosters.  At-home students make sure to zoom into the right band!

  • 3rd hour and 6th hour v-band students – all go to Freeman's Zoom (when not in person)

  • 6th hour Jazz Band and 4th hour Virtual Jazz (a couple of you) – all go to Wagoner's Zoom-Zoom (when not in person)

 

Safe Rehearsing During Covid: Covid has made our rehearsals look a lot different.  CLICK HERE to read about Safe Rehearsing in the Covid-Era.

 

BAND DUES and BAND FORMS are now past due:  Band Dues are $200 for all band members. 

  • Submission instructions are in the complete forms packet.  

  • The Student info/dues form can be completed in hard copy or by clicking here.

  • The Health, Media, Transportation, and Substance Abuse forms must be completed in hard copy.

  • The Parent info form can be completed in hard copy, but we HIGHLY recommend you complete it electronically.  Open the forms packet for instructions.

This Week in the BVN Band:

CLICK HERE for the November Hybrid Calendar

 

Monday, November 2nd:

  • Odd Block Schedule, “B” Day. (A-L remote learning, M-Z In-Person)

  • Happy Birthday Sindhura Marella, Sophomore Clarinet (on Sunday 11/1)

Tuesday, November 3rd

  • “Asynchronous” Classes.  Use this day to catch up on school work.  ALL BAND STUDENTS SHOULD PLAY THEIR INSTRUMENTS FOR AN EXTENDED TIME!!  

    • BVN is being used as a polling location, hence the unique schedule of the day.  

  • ECKMEA AUDITIONS LINKS EMAILED TO MR. FREEMAN BY THE END OF THE DAY.  

    • Unlisted Youtube videos with embedding allowed.

  • PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES in the afternoon, with both Mr. Freeman and Mr. Wagoner. 

    • Both of our conference schedules are pretty full – if you would like to meet and have not been able to schedule, please email and we'll find a time to chat about your amazing kids!

  • HAPPY ELECTION DAY!! 

    • To our seniors who are eligible to vote – DO IT!  First time voting is WONDERFUL!!!  I have already voted, and plan to come into work hard for our students whether my candidates win or not, with respect for everyone.  I hope our country can do the same. 

    • Parents – please keep in mind that your children are watching how you handle this election, too.  Your model will mean a lot to them. 

Wednesday, November 4th:

  • Odd Block Schedule, “A” Day. (A-L in person, M-Z Remote learning)

  • Happy Birthday Nolan Call, Sophomore Trombone!!!

Thursday, November 5th

  • Even Block Schedule, “A” Day. (A-L in person, M-Z Remote learning). 

Friday, November 6th:

  • No School!  Teacher Professional Learning Day.

  • Happy Birthday Ashley Shultz, Junior Flute (on Saturday 11/7)

You can continue reading below for information previously shared in our Summer Band Update Newsletter.  Thank you, as always for your careful reading!

Thanks,

Mr. Freeman

This email has been sent via Charms Office Assistant on behalf of:

Blue Valley North HS Band
12200 Lamar
Overland Park, KS 66209