Hello BVN Band!

Click here for this week's Band Update, or scroll down for a copy.

https://bvnbands.wixsite.com/bv-north-bands/bvn-band-update

It's Concert Week!  I'm VERY excited to get to perform.  I am definitely most excited to be giving the students a chance to perform together… it's been far too long!

Make sure to read all of the details in the Band Update.  The Cliff's notes version is:

  • Monday – after school rehearsals for the Jazz Band and Greensleeves/Senior Ensemble.  (Greensleeves ensemble note a new rehearsal plan!!)
  • Tuesday – after school rehearsals for the Spicy Pumpkins (zydeco group) followed by the Salty Caramels (Havana Groug)
  • Wednesday – live stream concert!  Attire is Concert Black.  Seniors stay after the concert for pictures. Youtube live link will be shared on Tuesday.

Senior Color Guard members:  please plan to come to BVN at 7:30 on Wednesday evening to join us for post concert senior pictures. Wear you black jazz pants, and we'll have your pregame top to put on for the picture.

Thanks to everyone for your careful reading!  (…. I'm SOOO excited for this week!!)

Musically yours,
Mr. Freeman

–Begin Copy of Band Update–

Band Update – 12/6/2020

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From the Directors

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It's Concert Week!!!!  After too long off, it feels WONDERFUL to write that!

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Parents/Friends/Families – Make sure to tune in at 7 PM on Wednesday night to enjoy the livestream.  We will be live-streaming via youtube, so please take a few minutes to get a good set-up to watch it on…. try to do better than streaming on the small screens and limited speakers of your phones.  We will share the youtube link on Tuesday this week.

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After nearly 9 months since a BVN band performed a formal concert, to say I am excited for this is the understatement of the pandemic…. I have so many thoughts and emotions running through me, it's difficult to put it into words…  We are doing all we can to make it a special evening for the students.

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Please read all of the details below – reminder of concert black attire!  Looking forward to seeing Jazz and Greensleeves ensemble on Monday, and the Spicy Pumpkins (Zydeco) and Salty Caramels (Havana) on Tuesday! 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE for those students performing Greensleeves:  your Monday rehearsal has been extended to 5:00, enabling us to rehearse and then do a quick sound check/test of the livestream.

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Before I get to the details for this week -a quick but HUGE thanks to the students who volunteered to perform at the State Championship Football Game.  Thank you for your great performance!! Special shout out to Oliver Zhang for a phenomenal solo performance of the National Anthem.

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And… in my previous band update, I forgot to include Birthdays…. My apologies!  Belated Happy Birthday to these students”

  • Evan Lynam, Junior Euphonium (11/24)

  • Quinn Koffman, Junior Clarinet (11/30)

  • Devereaux Knight, Sophomore Trumpet (12/3)

  • Noah Nix, Junior Tenor Sax (12/3)

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It's going to be a GREAT week!

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Musically yours,

Mr. Freeman

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The Week Ahead – CONCERT WEEK!!!

CLICK HERE FOR THE DECEMBER REMOTE ODD-EVEN BELL SCHEDULE!

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12/7 – 12/11/2020

​Monday, December 7th

  • Odd Block Schedule

  • After School Rehearsals, in-person

  • Jazz Ensemble: 

  • BVN Senior Ensemble (all students performing “Greensleeves”):  UPDATED SCHEDULE!! – 3:45 – 5:00!

    • ​Check in (temp checks) at 3:45 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 4:00 – 4:30 in the Band Room

    • Run through and livestream sound check 4:30-5:00 in the PAC

    • The Senior Ensemble is ALL BVN Band Seniors combined with a handful of sophomores and juniors.  Non-seniors: Please check the Part Assignments linked in canvas to see if you have been assigned to assist the senior ensemble.

Tuesday, 12/8

  • Even Block Schedule

  • After school rehearsals, in-person

  • Spicy Pumpkins (Zydeco Group), 3:15 – 4:30:

    • Check in (temp checks) at 3:15 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 3:30 – 4:00: percussion in the PAC and WW/Brass in the Band Room.

    • Rehearsal 4:00 – 4:30:  Everyone in the PAC seats.

  • Salty Caramels (Havana Group), 4:45 – 6:00:

    • Check in (temp checks) at 4:45 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 5:00 – 5:30:  Percussion in the PAC and WW/Brass in the Band Room.

    • Rehearsal 5:30 – 6:00:  Everyone in the PAC seats.

Wednesday, 12/9

  • Odd Block Schedule

  • Happy Birthday A.J. Himstedt, Junior Trumpet!

  • BVN Band Live-Streamed Concert!

    • 6:15:  Check-in begins at band room.​  Enter directly into the band room.

    • 6:45:  Check-in finished/All students here.  by/before 6:50 – all students in PAC ready to perform.

    • 7 PM – livestream begins!  With the following concert order:​

      • 7:40:  done. 

      • SENIOR BAND MEMBERS STAY FOR PICTURES!

    • COLOR GUARD SENIORS:  Please join us at 7:30, so we can take your pictures.  Wear Jazz Pants (black) with your Pregame tops, which we'll have ready for you when you arrive.

Thursday, 12/10

  • Even Block Schedule

Friday, 12/11

  • Odd Block Schedule

  • Happy Birthday Michael Chong, Junior Percussion!

  • Happy Birthday Jessie Jacobson, Junior Percussion!

  • Happy Birthday Henry Van Der Laan, Freshman Alto Sax!

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BVN BANDS LIVE-STREAMED CONCERT

12/9/2020, 7 PM

We are excited to feature our Band Students in a live-streamed concert!  No in-person audience is allowed, but you can enjoy the performance from your living room.

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The overall plan:

  • 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).

  • We will livestream via youtube.  Youtube link to be shared on Tuesday of Concert Week.

  • Livestream begins at 7 PM, With the following concert order:

    • Jazz Band​

    • The BVN “Spicy Pumpkins” perform “Zydeco Cajun Crawdad Dance”

    • The BVN “Salty Caramels” perform “Havana Nights”

    • The Combined BVN Bands perform “Hallelujah” and “Sleigh Ride”

    • The BVN Senior Ensemble performs “Greensleeves”

    • 7:40:  done. 

    • SENIOR BAND MEMBERS STAY FOR PICTURES!

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DETAILS FOR STUDENTS:​  Rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday 12/7 and 12/8, concert on Wednesday 12/9.  CLICK HERE for Spicy Pumpkins/Salty Caramels Roster.  Reminder that VirtualEd Band Students and 3rd hour Band Members are in the Spicy Pumpkins.

 

Monday 12/7:

  • Jazz Ensemble: 

    • Check in (temp checks) at 3:15 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 3:30 – 4:00 in the PAC

  • BVN Senior Ensemble:

    • ​Check in (temp checks) at 3:45 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 4:00 – 4:30 in the Band Room, then 4:30 – 5:00 in the PAC to run through greensleeves and test the livestream. 

    • The Senior Ensemble is ALL BVN Band Seniors combined with a handful of sophomores and juniors.  Non-seniors: Please check the Part Assignments linked in canvas to see if you have been assigned to assist the senior ensemble.

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Tuesday 12/8: 

  • Spicy Pumpkins, 3:15 – 4:30:

    • Check in (temp checks) at 3:15 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 3:30 – 4:00: percussion in the PAC and WW/Brass in the Band Room.

    • Rehearsal 4:00 – 4:30:  Everyone in the PAC seats.

  • Salty Caramels, 4:45 – 6:00:

    • Check in (temp checks) at 4:45 PM.  Enter through the band room door, (not the main BVN entrance)

    • Rehearsal 5:00 – 5:30:  Percussion in the PAC and WW/Brass in the Band Room.

    • Rehearsal 5:30 – 6:00:  Everyone in the PAC seats.

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Wednesday 12/9:

  • 6:15 PM:  Band Room door open for check-in.

  • 6:45 PM:  All students checked-in.  by 6:50 All students should be in the auditorium ready to play!

  • 7 PM: Concert Starts!

  • 7:40: Concert Finishes.  9th-11th grade Band Students Dismissed.  SENIORS stay to take senior band photos that will be used for senior banners and possibly other uses.  ALL Seniors should stay to take the pictures.  

    • COLOR GUARD SENIORS – please come at 7:30 to take your Band senior pictures.​

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CONCERT UNIFORM is “Concert Black”

As has been announced in the summer band newsletter, we are switching to a “concert black” look this year, rather than tuxes and dresses.  This is a more modern look that many performing groups have changed to over the past 15 years.  Performers are more comfortable and still look sharp.  We did this for our Kaufman performance last year, and it was wonderful.  The concert uniform will be provided by each student.  If you have any concerns, let us know and we can help!  Here are the details:

 

CONCERT ATTIRE WILL BE CONCERT BLACK.  Not Tuxes! 

This means:  Head to Toe Black at a Semi-Formal/Formal Level with an emphasis on modesty.

TOP:  Black Dress Shirt or Blouse:

  • Girls:  At least ¾ length sleeves/shoulders covered.  Shirts/Blouses do not need to be collared as long as they are dress shirts.  Nothing low cut, please.

  • Boys:  Plain Black button-down long-sleeve dress shirt with a collar. Shirt is to remain tucked-in at all times.

BOTTOMS:  Black Skirt or Dress Pants

  • Girls:  Black Skirt or Dress Pants.  Skirt must be floor length when seated.  No Jeans or Leggings. (leggings are not suitable dress pants).

  • Boys:  Black Slacks

SHOES/SOCKS:

  • Girls:  Black dress shoes or all-black tennis shoes.  Closed Toed Flats Preferred.  Black Hose/socks as necessary.

  • Boys:  Black dress shoes or all-black tennis shoes.  Plain black socks that extend mid-way up the calf.