Band Newsletter #20

IMPORTANT REMINDER: “Small Learning Community”/Friends of Music meeting January 7
(Contributors: Janet Romine, Dr. Nail, Mr. Griffitys, Jesse Seeley)
Many may have seen this very topic on the front page of this morning’s Statesman’s Journal, but you all knew of this ahead of time!! J Now that you’re “in the know” of this topic’s importance, please help get the word out (especially to the elementary levels) about the meeting next Monday. Attached please find some of the condensed meeting notes on this topic. The future of music might be at stake, so please consider reading up on this and attending the meeting.

Below is the latest information and communication from SLC/FOM Coordinator Janet Romine on parking, et cetera, in case you can spare the time to attend this important event.

“Hopefully you saw the front page of the Statesman this morning. I'm here to stress to you the importance of having a huge attendance at this Monday, Jan. 7, 6:30PM, McKay High School meeting on small learning communities.....sponsored by FOM. You may not be affected currently by this small community trend but it is coming to your area too!!!!!! Now is the time to be pro-active. If there is a small attendance at the meeting, then the district thinks no one cares (I'm having a hard time getting elementary folks to go because they don't see it as their issue...although it really is everyone's issue).”

When: Monday, January 7th, 2008
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: McKay High School (exact place TBD, but either “commons” or auditorium)
What: Community discussion on Small Learning Communities, music and other successful program’s impact on our community
Contact: Janet Romine, romine_janet@salkeiz.k12.or.us
Parking: Please park in the South lot (a right turn for those entering McKay on Wolverine off Lancaster)

REMINDER: “All-City Honors Band” Auditions—January 10
(Contributor: “Mr. G”)
For those students that submitted your formal entry into the auditions, please mark this important date on your calendars. The exact schedule is still to-be-determined, but the date WILL be January 10th, 2008. Times are posted in the band room

Jazz Lab I: Call Time for Basketball Band Gig Tonight!!!! (January 4th, 2008)
(Contributors: “Mr. G”, Jesse Seeley)
In case some didn’t get “the word”, tonight (Friday, January 04, 2008) Jazz Lab I plays at the Basketball game (5:30 call)

Other Jazz Band Update
(Contributor: Mr. Griffiths)
Upcoming Gigs for Jazz Bands
o Tuesday (1/8/2008) - Jazz Lab II at game (5:30 call)
o Wednesday (1/9) - Final B-Ball band rehearsal 4:-6:30
o Thursday (1/10) - All-city honor band auditions. Times posted in band room
o Friday - B-ball pep band game (5:15 call)

Winter Ensemble – Latest News
(Contributor: Alan Keown, Jesse Seeley)
Most of those in the “Winter Ensemble” have already received the below information directly from Alan, but it bears repeating...“People are going to know all about the West Salem Winter Ensemble when we are finished!”

In an email sent out directly to those in the ‘ensemble’ earlier this week:
“. . . about the camp this weekend. The times are 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. with a lunch hour and a dinner hour. The battery and guard will learn drill and the pit will continue to work on music. If you are in the battery or guard be sure and wear comfortable clothes that you can move in (sweats are always good)...we will be wearing socks (no shoes) so be sure and bring a couple pair of thick socks (sometimes a freshly painted floor will eat socks like crazy!!). If all goes well we will be able to chunk through the show, music and drill, by the end of the night!

Also, the second installment of your Fair Share is due...please don't get behind on your payments...the success or failure of this group relys heavily on the students paying on time. Remember, if you have payment "issues" all you need to do is talk to me!”

To recap for the Winter Ensemble Camp:

THIS Saturday, January 5th, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (everyone)
THIS Sunday, January 6th, (guard only) 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

All Fair Share Installments are due...as is CD sales money.

Concert Attire Reminder
(Contributor: “Clothing Coordinators” Patricia Nielsen, Deanna Garney, edited by Jesse Seeley)
As was noticed at some of the previous concerts at the year end, some students still did not have all of their concert attire, so this is a reminder to students and parents how the students are to dress for concerts. The school issues each student a tuxedo jacket and trousers (boys/jazz players) or concert dress (girls). Each student who wears a tux is to provide his or her other concert attire to accompany it: Black bow tie, black cummerbund, white tuxedo shirt, long black socks, black shoes. ANY STUDENT WHO IS NOT ABLE TO (for any reason) PROVIDE HIS OR HER OWN THINGS SHOULD COME AND SEE ONE OF THE BAND DIRECTORS RIGHT AWAY. We have a few extras from prior years, and there is often scholarship money available. Also, if any student has an extra tux shirt, bow tie or cummerbund he or she no longer wears, please consider donating it back to the band. We would love to have those items for last-minute emergencies! We have had good quality and prices from Mr. Formal (on Commercial Street South). Here is their contact information and the prices for various items. The student should be sure to specify it is for a school music group (in order to get the discount).

Mr. Formal, South Salem
3830 Commercial St SE
Salem, OR 97302
503-399-7989
Fax 503-399-0200
Hours M-F 11-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12n-5

School/student specials:
Tux shirt alone is $17.95
Package with black bow tie + cummerbund is $12.95
Package with shirt + bow tie + cummerbund is $28.50

Students, please let your parents know what you require, and parents, please help your student out. Many thanks! If there are any questions, contact Patricia Nielsen directly at patricia.nielsen@state.or.us

Deadline Extended for Pictures from “Holiday Band Concert”
(Contributor: Jesse Seeley, Jenny Gates)
Due to the holiday rush and schedule, the deadline for ordering pictures from Encore Photograhpy has been extended until January 22. I am again attaching the order form, but it appears that you can order online as well. They have made the photos available for viewing for ALL music groups and bands (Choir, Advanced Symphony & Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band, et cetera). These are some beautiful portraits!!! Take a look at them here:

http://previewgallery.com/encorephoto/west_salem_high_school_music_2007_2008_groups/

If you have any questions on the photos taken that evening or the ordering process, please contact them directly at (503) 588-0902. Hopefully between now and the end of the Christmas break there will be a sub-link to the WSHS. Again, the order form is attached to this email. Their main website is www.encorephotography.com if you have any other questions on their services provided.

Concert: Allen Vizzutti
(Contributor: David Hodges, Mr. Griffiths)
Probably not the best kept secret in town is our opportunity to have Allen Vizzutti come and play with the McNary Band. This concert got placed at an incredibly busy time, but to let you know it is February 12th, 7:00pm at the Salem Alliance Church. Tickets will be $ 3.00 - we have not set a date when those will go on sale, but we hope they will go fairly fast once they are available.

I am making sure that Allen does not get abused time-wise while he is here, by not allowing any other clinics to be scheduled for him on the days he is in town. This is our area wide concert, so he will be working with Whiteaker and Claggett as well as McNary. We hope several of your students will take the time to come and listen to him play. He is incredible.

Signed, Dave

FINAL REMINDER: “Schneider Foundation Challenge”
As was mentioned at the ‘Band Awards’ last week, we were briefed on the “Schneider Challenge” and the generous “anonymous donor” matching program which will work similar to last year’s event. This year we have the “Schneider Foundation 2nd Annual Challenge” to match up to $5,000 in donations—the donor will contribute equal to your donation. Please contact Vickie Tuttle at tuttle84@comcast.net for additional information or where to donate.