Band Update 12/8/2021

Contents:

From the Directors:

This update is a few days late coming, because we have been quite busy – and it has been AMAZING!!!  A quick tour of the last week in our Band:

  • Last week Wednesday evening:  a phenomenal Wind Ensemble Rehearsal!
  • Last week Thursday, Academic Support Time:  A FANTASTIC combined blue band rehearsal (1st and 2nd hours combined).  The student’s music making at this rehearsal started to get me VERY excited for our upcoming concert!
  • Last week Friday:  a SPECTACULAR 1st Bball pep band.  Two years off??  NO BIG DEAL!  The students did a GREAT job, and we received MANY compliments.  Rest assured – we were definitely missed last year!
  • Last Week Wednesday through Friday:  Winter Guard Clinics and Auditions.  HUGE congrats to our AWESOME Winter Guard – the first in BVN history, 26 members strong!!!
  • Last week Saturday:  District. Honor. Bands!!!! All three were incredible.  High level, mature, wonderful music making featuring the strongest musicians from this part of the state, including 25 of our amazing BVN Band kids.  All of whom are now eligible to audition for all-state.  A GREAT day.
  • This week Monday:  the bands did NOT have a case of the Mondays.  Excellent rehearsals in all band classes, building momentum to our concert!
  • This week Tuesday (Yesterday):  SILVER. BAND!  A wonderful combined Academic Support Time rehearsal.  First time for our Freshman Band members to play in a complete/full band since pre-pandemic.  YES!!!!!
  • Today (Wednesday 12/8 (so far):  Really FUN and productive first hour rehearsals.  Looking forward to more later in the day!!!

WOW!  WOW!  WOW!!!  (Can you tell, I’m a bit excited?!?!) 🙂

Come one, Come All to our BVN Band Concert – Next Week on Wednesday, 12/15.  7 PM in the BVN PAC!!  We will feature our BVN Jazz Ensemble, the Combined Blue and Silver Concert Bands, and our Blue and Silver Percussion Sections.  We will also finish the concert with our traditional performances of Sleigh Ride and Senior-Ensemble-Tribute-to-Parents: Greensleeves.   This will be our first “normal” evening concert since February, 2019, and I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to share our wonderful student music making with the extended BVN Band Family.

  • Post Concert – stick around for a cookie reception!  We need donations of ginger ale and cookies – CLICK HERE to sign up to donate!
  • CALLING ANY NOTARY PUBLICS!  At this concert, we are offering the chance for all of our Winter Park Travelers to have their trip rules forms notarized.  We will set up the Notaries pre and post-concert (as possible per their schedules) in the Commons.  If you or someone you know (friend/neighbor/etc) are a notary, please email Mr. Freeman!!

This Update has a BUNCH of info.  Thank you for taking the time to carefully read the following information:

  • Snapraise Fundraiser Kickoff – next week on Tuesday 12/14!  Full details are below.  RIGHT NOW –  Students/families – please think of 10-20 people whom you would like to contact to support the band, and get their email addresses!  This fundraiser has HUGE potential… the way it works best is through those email addresses, which are also the first step of the kickoff next week…. think of your rich uncle who lives on the coast….
  • December Concert Details for students – Black Concert Attire and Academic Support Time Rehearsals
  • Hen House December Grocery Bagging Volunteers:  NEW SHIFTS added to the sign-up!
  • Spring Semester at-a-glance and Calendar Check
  • DETAILS for now through the Holiday Break.

A couple quick reminders:

Musically yours,
Mr. Freeman and Mr. Wagoner

Snap Raise Fundraiser – in support of Winter Park, the Band, and our Winter Guard!

As we have several upcoming EXCITING opportunities for our band students that need a little extra support, we are trying a new fundraiser with INCREDIBLE potential – the power of Crowdsourcing.  We will use Snap Raise – a nationally recognized and awesome company – to manage a holiday-time donation drive for the band.

The idea/Why it works:  We reach out to our friends and supporters anywhere and everywhere (via email) to seek support for the band!  The way this works best is to get this outside our immediate band family.  Reaching out to relatives, friends, and supporters everywhere:  here in our area and across the country (and world if you choose)

HOW it works:  Each BVN Band student provides up to 20 emails of people to contact.  Snap Raise takes it from there!  They will run an email-based campaign for 28 days advertising our band and asking for support for our Winter Park Trip, for our Band Program in general, and for our Winter Guard.

And… that’s it!  Super simple.  Before Covid, our Orchestra ran this fundraiser and made almost $10,000 by simply submitting email addresses.  That’s all it took…  Our potential is even higher than that!

Getting Started:
  • We will go LIVE on TUESDAY, DEC. 14th.  This is the day that Snap Raise will begin our 28 day campaign, so it will continue to January 11th.
  • The absolute MOST important thing we can do right now to make this a success is for EVERYONE to begin compiling a list of quality, will-be-checked, email addresses for people who will consider donating to the band.  20 per student is the ideal.
  • CLICK HERE to go to the snapraise site and get started.
    • Create an account using STUDENT email address and name.
    • It will then confirm that you are joining the “BVN Mustang High School Band” Event as a participant.
    • Type in your name and phone number (privacy is maintained).
    • (we will also complete this enrollment process during all band classes this coming Friday.)
  • Once you have done that, you can begin putting in your 20 email addresses!
Snap Raise will take care of the rest.  They will send out a reminder email to given email addresses once a week.  They do not send emails after the campaign is over.  There are also some incentives that start to kick in as we receive donations, and we’ll be able to give out updates.
SO – who out there would be willing to support your band student?  Perhaps a donation towards their winter park trip?  Perhaps a donation towards our Winter guard expenses?  Perhaps a donation to the band in general?!?!  This has incredible potential… let’s see what we can do!!
Here is a bit more info from Snap Raise:
Hello BVN Mustangs High School Band,

 

We will be doing a fundraiser to raise money for the Winter Park Festival and we need all of you to participate so that we can raise as much money possible. This will be the easiest fundraiser that you will ever participate in – Everything is virtual!

 

PLEASE MAKE THIS HOMEWORK AND COMPLETE ASAP. We need everyone to join the fundraiser and preload their emails prior to MONDAY 12/13! The sooner you get this done, the better. 
  1. Click on this link to get joined to the fundraiser: http://www.snap-raise.com/join_code/987111183 –Everyone creates an account with Snap! Raise using their email and password. Once you’ve created an account, it will confirm that you are joining the fundraiser ‘BVN Mustangs High School Band’ as a participant. Click join. 
  2. Finish completing your account and upload a profile picture for yourself! This is important. Click Save and Continue.  The picture is used to help drive donations and in no other capacity!
  3. The next page will have you ‘Enter 20 emails’. You should work on collecting these emails with your parents/guardian. Once you have them entered in, click Submit Emails at the bottom. Here are some examples of whose emails you should be entering:
1. Parent(s)/Guardian #1       –       11. Scout/troop leader
2. Parent(s)/Guardian #2      –      12. Family Friend #1
3. Grandma                               –      13. Family Friend #2
4. Grandpa                                –      14. Former coach
5. Cousin(s)                               –      15. School alumni
6. Uncle(s)                                 –     16. Local business that knows YOU
7. Aunt(s)                                   –     17. Neighbor(s)
8. Family doctor                      –     18. Parent co-worker(s)
9. Orthodontist/dentist         –     19. Friends of parent
10. Church/Social leader      –     20. Adult sibling(s)

 

Make sure your emails do NOT include students, teachers, fake emails, etc. and are only legitimate potential donors. Make sure these are quality emails!  I appreciate everyone’s efforts, and Thank you!

Hen House Grocery Bagging Fundraiser!

Our Holiday Grocery Bagging Continues!  GREAT NEWS – we filled ALL December Student Shifts about a week ago – so we have added more!!  So – PARENTS and STUDENTS – please click the link below and sign up!!! Make sure to read all of the dress code and other details on the sign up links.  NEW – the Sign-up for December/Christmas-time shifts has been posted!

  • CLICK HERE to sign up for Pre-Christmas Shifts (shifts on 12/18, 12/19, 12/22, and 12/23)
  • Students Serve as Grocery Baggers during the busy holiday season.  It’s a wonderful event for us.  We are out in the community, helping and smiling.  Several students have gotten jobs at Hen House, too, following the grocery bagging.  A win – win – win!
  • Hen House makes a donation to the band program based on hours volunteered, and we also collect tips (which are usually quite good!).  Added together, it is usually a very lucrative fundraiser.
  • All proceeds 100% support the band, so ALL Band students can and should volunteer.  In addition, Students who are going on the Winter Park Trip will earn towards their trip!  Wind Ensemble Students are going to have a little bit of expense for our trip to Wichita/KMEA at the end of February, and can use the fundraising to pay for that if they choose!
  • Hen House has rules we must follow.  If you do not follow these, you will be sent home to change and come back
    • Close toed shoes
    • Long pants:  either dark or khaki pants
    • This year’s blue band t-shirt or the BVN Band 1/4 Zip.  (freshman/new student families: we will be ordering these in the next week… wear the blue band shirt for thanksgiving shifts, and we should have the 1/4 zips in time for the christmas shifts)

December in the Band -Student info!  

December Band Concert and Concert Attire!

    • We are looking forward to the return of our traditional December Band Concert:  Wednesday, December 15th, at 7 PM in the PAC!  The Blue and Silver Bands will perform, as well as feature performances by our percussionists and jazz band!  And, of course, our traditional (And FUN) ending:  Sleigh Ride and Senior Feature – Greensleeves.
    • CONCERT ATTIRE for Students is “Concert Black” (provided by the students)
      • All Black at a “concert formal” level.
      • Boys:  Black Dress Shirts and Slacks.  Long Black Socks and Black Dress shoes (or your marching shoes)
      • Girls:  While there is more variety in what to wear, it should be the same look as the boys: concert formal black, with an emphasis on modesty.  Black slacks or long black dresses – everything should be longer than knee length when seated.  Black blouses/tops with shoulders covered and nothing low cut.  Black dress shoes (flats recommended).

Academic Support Time Rehearsals!  In December, we will have a couple of rehearsals during Academic Support time so we can combine different band classes into the complete Blue and Silver Concert Bands.  STUDENTS – please mark these on your calendars, and they should be prioritized!  There will be 6 academic support times between Thanksgiving and the end of the semester – we are only asking for 2 for each band.

    • Blue Band (combining 1st hour Blue Band with 2nd hour Concert Band) will rehearse during AST on Thursday 12/2 and Thursday 12/9
    • Silver Band (Combining 1st hour Silver Band with 7th hour Freshman Band) will rehearse during AST on Tuesday 12/7 and Tuesday 12/14.

BVN Band to Winter Park!!

Our initial trip enrollment deadline has now passed.  

  • If you are still interested in going on the trip but have not enrolled, please email Mr. Freeman.
  • Winter Guard Members will get information about their enrollment process, which is still ongoing.

Upcoming “To-Do’s”:

  • Before Winter Break:  All Student Travelers will submit their completed and notarized Trip Rules form (linked below).  Do NOT sign this until in the presence of a notary public.
  • We will have notaries at our December concert, for your convenience, or you can take care of this on your own.
  • SOON:  you will be able to log into charms and see your trip enrollment and payment details.  We will also include fundraising credits in your Charms Ledgers.  Now that we have enrollment forms/deposits, we are working to set this up behind-the-scenes.
  • Parent Chaperones will be contacted next week (week of 12/13).
  • Next trip payment ($250) is due on Friday 1/7.

Previously shared Winter Park Info:

  • Winter Park Trip Kickoff Meeting Livestream. Watch the video for details about the trip.  We went through the trip info packet, as well as how to enroll and much more!
  • Winter Park Trip Info Packet.  ALL of the details!  Itinerary/Cost and payment schedule/how to enroll/fundraising/etc.
  • Winter Park Trip Commitment Form.  TURN THIS IN by December 3rd (blue box in the band room) along with your initial trip payment of $200 to enroll in the trip!
  • Winter Park Student Rules Contract.  All traveling students should complete and turn this in before the Winter Break (by 12/21).  Notary publics will be at the 12/15 Band Concert for your convenience.  Make sure to wait to sign it until you are in the presence of the notary.

The Next Two Weeks ahead in the Band!  Now through Winter Break!!

CLICK HERE for BVN’s Block/Traditional Schedule Rotation for October – November – December
CLICK HERE for the BVN Bell Schedule

Week of 12/6

Monday, 12/6:

    • Odd Block Classes.
    • 1st Hour:  Blue Band in the Band Room, Silver on Stage

Tuesday, 12/7:

    • Even Block Class Schedule with Late Start.
    • Silver Band Academic Support Time Rehearsal

Wednesday, 12/8:

    • Odd Block Classes.
    • 1st Hour:  Blue Band in the Band Room, Silver on Stage
    • Wind Ensemble Evening Rehearsal: 6:30 – 8 PM
    • Winter Guard Meeting, immediately after school.

Thursday 12/9

    • Even Block Class Schedule with Late Start.
    • Blue Band Academic Support Time Rehearsal

Friday, 12/10:

    • Traditional Schedule:  all 7 classes.
    • 1st hour:  All students meet (combined rehearsal) in band room.
    • Snapraise set-up in band classes

Week of 12/13

Monday, 12/13:

    • Odd Block Classes.
    • 1st Hour:  Silver Band in the Band Room, Blue on Stage
    • Snapraise:  20 emails in the system!

Tuesday, 12/14:

    • Even Block Class Schedule with Late Start.
    • Silver Band:  Academic Support Time Rehearsal in the Band Room
    • Snapraise Fundraiser LAUNCH!

Wednesday, 12/15: 

    • Odd Block Classes.
    • 1st Hour:  Silver Band in the Band Room, Blue on Stage
    • BVN BANDS WINTER CONCERT!!
      • 6:30 Call Time for all students
      • 7 PM Concert Begins!
      • Concert Black Attire

Thursday, 12/16:

    • Even Block Classes with Late Start

Friday, 12/17:

    • 1st and 2nd hour Finals!

Saturday ad Sunday 12/18-12/19:  Hen House Shifts!

Monday 12/20:

    • 3rd, 4th, and 5th hour finals

Tuesday 12/21:

    • 6th and 7th hour Finals
    • Winter Break Begins!!

Wednesday 12/22 and 12/23:   Hen House Shifts!!

Honor Band Opportunities!

Now that our auditions for EC and John Philip Sousa honor bands have wrapped up, we get to turn our attention to a different type of honor band experiences… The Fountain City Youth Brass Band, and a few different awesome weekend events hosted by colleges!  These are like short, 2 or 3 day version os a summer music camp at a college, and they are PHENOMENAL experiences.  They are open to anyone and everyone – a couple require director recommendations, others are just a sign up.

The Fountain City Youth Brass Band is the BEST experience you can imagine for Brass and Percussion students!  World-class staff build youth brass bands that are amongst the best in the country, right here in our area.  HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  Click here for their website and info.

KU’s Prairie Wind Festival is an INCREDIBLE experience for students looking to advance their musical abilities and have a wonderful time working with college professors and students, and world class guest artists.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  Seniors can also audition for the KU school of Music at the event. It is, unfortunately, on the same weekend as our Pancake Dinner and Musical, but if you are not participating in those, you should do this!  Just sign-up and go!

UMKC’s MIDWEST HONOR BAND CLINIC, March 11-13, is a phenomenal experience. We have had many students participate in this in the past, and every one comes back with rave reviews!  This one requires director recommendation.  We’ll recommend anyone who is interested!  Look it over now, and let us know if you are interested.  Our recommendations are due by 11/22, so look at it/think it through NOW.

The KSU Concert Band Clinic is January 21-23.  We have never had students attend this, but have heard it is very enjoyable!  It is a director recommended group, and recommendations are happening now.  If you are interested, read the info on their website and let us know!

Seniors – Scholarship Opportunity!

Each year, the Blue Valley Ed Foundation gives one “Kerry Layton Memorial Scholarship”, awarded to one outstanding senior in Band from across the BV School District.  It’s a straightforward application… all seniors should go for it!  CLICK HERE for the application and info.

BVN Band Calendar – Make sure everything is up-to-date!

BVN Band Calendar Webpage.
BVN Bands 2021-2022 Calendar of Events (the “Fridge Calendar”)

Expanding your Musical Horizons!

During the School year, there will be many AMAZING opportunities to make music outside the walls of BVN. Honor Bands, Private Lessons, and much more can and will be highlights of your year, and memories that will last forever.

PRIVATE LESSONS are HIGHLY recommended!  Private lessons help students unlock skills and work on specific techniques that will greatly enhance their playing!  Students who wish to be in the BVN Wind Ensemble, or who want to go for honor bands, take solos to festivals, etc should seriously consider private lessons.  We are lucky to have many AMAZING private instructors in the area – just email Mr. Freeman or Mr. Wagoner for suggestions.

Fountain City Youth Brass Band – an incomparably awesome opportunity!!

The Fountain City Youth Brass Bands are INCREDIBLE.  A premiere organization – one of the best anywhere – and a phenomenal experience for brass and percussion students.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! Click here for more info.

Honor Bands

The First honor band experience will be auditions for the ECKMEA District Honor Bands (all band students are eligible), and the Kansas Sousa Honor Band (for 9th Graders).  These are FANTASTIC experiences and well worth the effort to audition.  HIGHLY recommended for all students.

Please find all details of these and much more on our Extra Musical Experiences Webpage.
Audition Materials can be found on the Student Resources Login Page of the website.  Students should know the password.

LETTERING IN BAND

Students can earn a varsity letter in band, just like in any sport.  Letters are awarded to students who go above and beyond what it takes to earn the band grade.  Volunteering for pep bands, serving as a member of leadership, taking private lessons, participating in FCYBB and/or the KC Youth Symphony, performing at church, and on and on… all of these and much more can qualify for lettering points.  CLICK HERE for lettering details. 

First year letter winners receive the Chenille Letter Award, and 2nd/3rd/4th year winners get pins to add to the letter.