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!