Happy December!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break surrounded by family and friends!  Now we are on the home stretch before our winter break.  Here are details for upcoming events in Freshmen Band!

1. Our concert is on Tuesday, December 9, 2014.  Students need to arrive no later than 5:45 p.m. to dress in their concert band uniform.  All students need to wear black shorts and a plain white t-shirt with no writing on it.  Gentlemen need to weak black socks and black shoes, ladies need to wear black flats.  We will be taking a formal picture of the band before our concert.
2. I have posted the exam schedule for the week of December 15 - 19.  Please take a look at it so you can make any necessary arrangements for this adjusted schedule.
3. Speaking of exams . . . . students will receive a study guide on Monday, December 8.  This document will outline the material to be covered on the exam as well as the format of the test.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Have a great day!

Flapjack Fundraiser!

The Instrumental Music Patrons are currently selling tickets to a fundraising event.  On Saturday, December 6, the boosters and band directors will host a pancake breakfast from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at the Applebees on Howe Avenue.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. 
All proceeds from this event will be used for maintenance and purchase of instruments, acquisition of new music, and ongoing support of instruction, benefiting all band students grades six through twelve.  Check out the Flapjack Fundraiser link at the top of the page.  

Perhaps the best part of all - the band directors from throughout the district will be serving the customers at this event.  Please plan to join us for this fun event!

This Week in Freshmen Band . . . . .

Things are off to a very positive start in Freshmen Band!  Here is what we will be working on this week.

Monday and Tuesday, students will combine with the Gold Concert Band students to create large woodwind and brass choirs.  (These rehearsals will take place during the 5A segment of band.)  These ensembles will not only perform on our holiday concert in December, but they will also participate in the Ohio Music Education Association Solo and Ensemble event in January.  Additionally, the Freshmen Band percussion ensemble will also be rehearsing on these days.

The students continue to work with Mrs. Culver to develop our selections in preparation for our holiday concert on Tuesday, December 9.  We will be focusing our efforts on learning individual parts successfully so we can accurately put them all together to produce an outstanding product.

Finally, all students were given a Freshmen Concert Band handbook on the first day of band.  The last page of the handbook is a page for students and guardians to sign and return.  If students have not done so yet, please take a moment to take care of this issue.  Additionally, students were asked to comment on this blog so I can be sure everyone can access it and the information contained here.  Let's see if we can have the entire ensemble tie u these loose ends by the end of the week.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

I am looking forward to a very productive week! :-)

Comment on That!

As our first assignment in Freshmen Band, students have been asked to comment on a post on the Freshmen Band blog.  I want to be sure all students have found there way here and can use this as a resource for finding up to date information for this ensemble.

Students, please comment on this post.  Simple type your complete first name and the first initial of your last name (ex. Jennifer C).

This assignment is to be completed by Friday, November 14, 2014.

Hello all and welcome to Freshmen Band!

Students will begin to regularly meet as a group beginning on Friday, November 7.  Students will come to room 623 for 5A, they will eat lunch during 5B, and then report to room 620 for rehearsal during 5C.  Our focus during these first few weeks will be on reviewing fundamentals and preparing our music for the holiday concert on Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

All students received a Freshmen Band Handbook at our first rehearsal on November 7.  This document contains many details, including grading policies and a calendar of events.  (I am guessing if you have found your way here, you may have already seen this document!)  At the end of the handbook is a contract for you and your student to sign and return to me.  Please send this to school no later than Friday, November 14, 2014.  If you have not seen the handbook or have lost track of it, you can find another copy here under "Class Files/Links".

Finally, consider signing up to receive an email notice when a new post is added.  I try to update the blog every week or so to keep parents and students up to date.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.  I look forward to a productive, rewarding experience with all of you! :-)

Rounding Third and Heading Home!

With only one week of school left, here are the items we are trying to wrap up for the end of the year!

1. Blizzard Bags:  All blizzard bags are due.  Many, many students are missing these assignments.  I have posted each of the assignments to the home page of the blog, so please feel free to use these links to complete the assignments.  Because we will be on an altered schedule next week, please email all work to me so I can enter assignments into Progress Book in a timely manner.  Because of the need to complete grades for the school year, I can accept work through Thursday, June 5.  Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.  (cf_culver@cfalls.org)
2. Auditions:  All students returning to the band program for the 2014/2015 school year are required to perform an audition.  Sign up sheets have been posted in the band hallway for several weeks and many students have already completed this assignment.  This is a gentle reminder for all students still needing to complete this task (flutes, clarinets, trumpets and percussionists) to be aware of your audition time and be prepared.  
3. Final Exam:  Each student will have their audition count as their final exam.  Students not returning to band for the 2014/2015 school year (and therefore not completing an audition) will need to take the written final exam at the 4th period exam time on Tuesday, June 3, from 9:55 - 10:25.  All students are required to either perform an audition or complete the written exam.  Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding this.
4. Commencement Band:  Freshmen Band students involved in Commencement Band will perform at the graduation ceremonies at Blossom Music Center on Tuesday, June 3.  Additionally information will be sent home regarding the details of this event.
5. Marching Band Calendar:  I have posted the marching band calendar as a link on the top of this page.  Stay up to date with the band all summer by visiting http://www.cftigerband.org.

As always, thank you for all you do to make our program a success.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding any of this information.

Hang In There . . . . .

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Freshmen Band students earned a superior rating for their performance at the Ohio Music Education Association adjudicated event held at Kent State University on Thursday, May 15.  I am so incredibly proud of the students for all of their hard work in preparation for this event.  Thank you to all of the parents and families for supporting your students in achieving musical excellence.

Additionally, I would like to thank everyone for their patience and flexibility regarding the Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 13.  I sincerely appreciate everyone's effort to be at the concert!

Now, on to the next event.  So much to do and so little time!  Here is a list of the remains activities and events for band students at CFHS.

1. Blizzard Bags:  All blizzard bag materials are posted on the CFHS home page and can be accessed here.  All materials are due by May 30, 2014.  Please see me ASAP if you have any questions or concerns about these assignments.
2. Several students missed the Spring Concert and Awards Program on Tuesday, May 13, 2014.  Please click on the Concert Make Up Assignment tab above this post.  All students were given this information on Monday, May 19, 2014.  Assignments are due on Tuesday, May 27, 2014.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this.  Again, this assignment is only for students that did not attend the performance on Tuesday, May 13.
3. For the final exam in band, students are required to perform an audition.  Sign up sheets are posted on the doors of the double door room in the band hallway.  Please, please, PLEASE be sure to sign up for a time and be prepared.  This performance not only counts as your final exam grade, but will also be used to determine your band placement for the 2014/2015 school year.  If you have any questions, please see me ASAP.
4. The Tiger Marching Band will rehearse on Thursday, 5/22/14 and Friday, 5/23/14 in preparation for their performance in the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, 5/26/14.  This is a required performance for the marching band students.  Please direct all questions or concerns about this event to Mr. DuVall (cf_duvall@cfalls.org, 330-926-3808, ext. 502871).
5. Several students are participating in Commencement Band.  Commencement will take place on June 3, 2014 at Blossom Music Center.  Please be on the lookout for details about this performance to come home in the next week.
6. ELIGIBILITY!  This continues to be an area of GREAT CONCERN for many students.  Please know the directors will do all we can to help the students with their eligibility issues, however it ultimately is the responsibility of the individual student to complete their work and earn a 2.0 for the fourth grading period.  If a student does not meet the district eligibility requirements for participation in marching band, they will be placed in Fall Concert Band for the first quarter.  Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this issue.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.  Thank you so much for your continued support! :-)

Mother Nature's Fury!

Well, it seems like this is the year the weather turned against us!

Please know I have been in touch with the district administration regarding our Spring Concert and Awards program scheduled for tonight.  I will post here and on twitter (@MrsCulver_music) once a decision has been made about this event.

Thank you for your patience and understanding - stay tuned!

Large Group Adjudicated Event

Happy Monday!

Today in band, the students all received the following information about our adjudicated event coming up on Thursday, May 15.  While it was my hope that the students would be able to perform during the school day, we have been scheduled for a time in the late afternoon.  Please let me know as soon as possible if you have any questions or concerns about this information.

·         Date: Thursday, May 15, 2014

·         Location:  Kent State University School of Music

o   1325 Theatre Drive, Kent

·         Students will need to bring all of their uniform pieces to school in order to be prepared for the performance.

·         Students will be performing three pieces –

o   For the New Day Arisen

o   Renaissance Festival

o   The Sphinx

·        Itinerary

CFHS Freshmen Band   (homeroom E-202)

·         COME TO BAND ROOM FROM 7^TH PERIOD – 2:30 p.m.

o   Eat a snack

o   Get dressed in uniform

o   Load equipment

·         DEPART CFHS – 3:00 p.m.

·         ARRIVE at KSU – 3:30 p.m.

·         WARM UP for performance – 4:40 p.m.

·         PERFORM – 5:05 p.m.

·         RETURN TO HOMEROOM – 5:40 p.m.

·         DEPART KSU for CFHS – 6:00 p.m.

·         RETURN to CFHS – 6:30 p.m. 

Third Quarter Wrap Up

It is hard to believe that nearly 75% of the school year is behind us!  Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as we head into this last week of the grading period and begin looking towards the home stretch!

• All students will be performing a Scale Test this week.  Students will perform the the concert C, F, B-flat, E-flat and A-flat scales for me at their assigned time.  Testing times have been posted outside on the bulletin board outside of my room and I will have copies available in band on Monday.  Please be on time and ready to test.
• The Freshmen Band, along with all of the bands in the district, will be performing at the All-City Band concert on Monday, April 7, 2014 in the CFHS gym.  Students should plan to arrive at the high school no later than 6:00 for this event.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding this required performance.

Have a great week, everyone!

Just a quick note . . . . .

On Thursday, February 27, 2014 the students will be performing in the Pre-Contest Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the CFHS Auditorium.  All students need to report to the band room (room 620) by 6:00 p.m. in order to get dresses and prepare for the concert.  Students need to wear black shorts, a white t-shirt with no writing on it and black shoes/socks for the gentleman/black flats for the ladies.

The concert is free and open to the public.  Hope to see you there!

Welcome to February!

As we flip the calendar to February, it is a good time to remind everyone of the upcoming performances on our calendar.

• On Thursday, February 27, we will be performing in the high school auditorium.  The directors are inviting two area band directors to hear the students and give them feedback on their performance. The concert begins at 7:00 and should last about one hour.  There is no admission fee for the performance. This concert is part of the curriculum for the third grading period and all students are required to attend.
•  On Friday, March 7, we will host the Ohio Music Education Association Large Group Adjudicated Event.  This event brings students from area high schools to our facility to perform in front of a panel of four judges and earn a rating.  While this event is not required, students are encouraged to attend to hear performances of area bands.  Additionally, there will be a need for student volunteers, so any one in search of volunteer hours for health class are encouraged to attend.  There is no admission fee for this performance.
• On Wednesday, March 19, we will present our first ever Percussion Ensemble Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.  All percussionists are required to attend this performance.  All other students are encouraged to attend and support the endeavors of their fellow musicians.
• Monday, April 7 is the date of the All-City Band concert.  The concert takes place in the gymnasium and begins at 7:00.  There is a small admission fee for this performance.
• Our Spring Concert and Awards Program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13 in the high school auditorium.  This concert starts at 6:30 and includes all members of the high school instrumental music program.  
• Our final performance of the year will take place on either Thursday, May 15 or Friday May 16 at kent State University. The students will perform three selections in front of a panel of three judges and earn a rating for their work.  

As you can see, we are entering the time of year when we have approximately one performance every month.  Please be sure these dates make it on the family calendar so we can keep conflicts to a minimum.  I will continue to update you regularly through the blog.  Additionally, because of all the snow days and school interruptions, I have started a twitter feed.  You can follow me at @MrsCulver_music.

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful, relaxing holiday break!  I greatly enjoyed some down time with my family and friends.  My hope is for the new year to bring us all many opportunities to grow as individuals and create beautiful music together!

The next two weeks will be a very hectic time for the music department.  Detailed information regarding solo and ensemble contest on Saturday, January 18 will be sent home as soon as it is available.  (Of course it will also be posted here for your viewing pleasure.)  I expect to receive the specific performance times early this week.

This week (January 6 - 10) students will follow a regular schedule for the week.  For fourth period, I would like to see the brass choir during 4A on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  This will allow the woodwind choir to rehearse during 4B and percussion will have time to work on their individual parts for percussion ensemble.

Next week (January 13 - 16) will be our semester exams and students will be on a modified schedule.  I am planning to have rehearsals for the ensembles during exam week and will share that schedule with students next week.  It is critical students are aware of the rehearsal schedule and attend at the appropriate time.  Solo & Ensemble contest is an important part of what we do, allowing students an opportunity to perform in a smaller group and perform more independently.

Finally, all students will take the Freshmen Band Semester Exam.  Detailed information and review materials will be distributed on Monday, January 6, 2014.  These materials will also be posted here, so look for details early next week about these items.  This exam will be both a written and playing assessment of students abilities and will account for ten percent of the students' final grade in band for the year.

Lots of information to throw at you here - we are off and running in this new year!

Mrs. Culver :-)