10/27
Central Middle School Band Fall Performance Reminders (7th and 8th grade)
October 28: Homecoming Parade. Please be available to pick your child up from the high school at 4:15.
November 1: Middle School Football Game. 8th grade night. Please drop your students off at stadium at 5:15. All 8th grade band members will be recognized at the game along with cheerleaders and football players.
(8th grade only) November 4: Band day. (playing with the high school at football game) Please drop your students off at the high school at 4:00. We will rehearse with them and ride the bus to the stadium. They are free to leave after the high school half-time show, however I encourage them to stay and play until the end of the game.
November 5: Pecan Festival Parade. Please drop your child off at 8:30. We will then ride buses to the high school. Step off is at 10:00, please be available for pickup at 11:00 at the high school.
ALL STUDENTS MUST WEAR THEIR CMS MARCHING HORNET SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS, OR LONG-SLEEVE, KHAKIS (pants preferred but shorts are acceptable), and good walking shoes.
ANY QUESTIONS CALL OR EMAIL
(910) 642-4504
[email protected]
Central Middle School Band Fall Performance Reminders (7th and 8th grade)
October 28: Homecoming Parade. Please be available to pick your child up from the high school at 4:15.
November 1: Middle School Football Game. 8th grade night. Please drop your students off at stadium at 5:15. All 8th grade band members will be recognized at the game along with cheerleaders and football players.
(8th grade only) November 4: Band day. (playing with the high school at football game) Please drop your students off at the high school at 4:00. We will rehearse with them and ride the bus to the stadium. They are free to leave after the high school half-time show, however I encourage them to stay and play until the end of the game.
November 5: Pecan Festival Parade. Please drop your child off at 8:30. We will then ride buses to the high school. Step off is at 10:00, please be available for pickup at 11:00 at the high school.
ALL STUDENTS MUST WEAR THEIR CMS MARCHING HORNET SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS, OR LONG-SLEEVE, KHAKIS (pants preferred but shorts are acceptable), and good walking shoes.
ANY QUESTIONS CALL OR EMAIL
(910) 642-4504
[email protected]
9/16
Week three is now complete! We accomplished quite a bit this week in all three bands, and our first parade for 7th/8th grade is right around the corner. The date for our first parade is October 11 right after school (3:30pm). I am working out transportation details, but the parade is right here in Whiteville (Agriculture Parade).
8th Grade:
The original plan was to have the 8th grade outside marching and practicing roll steps. Due to the terror threat, school has been on lock down since Wednesday. On Monday, students do not need their instruments. We will just be practicing our marching technique. Also, 8th grade band is playing at the Hornet Pep Rally this Tuesday, playing the four songs we have been working on the past week in preparation for the parade.
Next week we will be working on memorizing our setlist for the parade. As soon as the setlist is memorized, we will be moving on to our Christmas concert music. No rest for the weary!
7th Grade:
We will be working on marching basics this Monday during class time, so students will not need their instruments during this time. We will continue working on our setlist for marching band, including Turn the Beat Around, School Spirit March, Let's Go Blue, and Seven Nation Army. Although this music is challenging, it is very much doable. Please ask your seventh grader how the music is going and what they are specifically working on in the music. Your parent support is greatly appreciated!
6th Grade:
6th grade is chugging along! Although brass had an extended class on Wednesday, both instrument groups have learned their first note, and brass is on their third note already! Make sure your child is practicing on their mouthpieces at home, as well as our first song in the book. Our goal is to have our very first three-note song (hot cross buns!!!!) by Tuesday next week for brass and Thursday next week for woodwinds. If your child is practicing at home and is pulling ahead of the class, have them learn new notes and push forward in the book. The pace for a full class of beginners is much slower than your child can achieve at home practicing with their books and mouthpieces.
Overall, week three was very positive! The students are showing the enthusiasm and dedication it takes to be a great band, and I can't wait to hear them get better as the year goes on.
Sincerely,
Aaron Schwallier
Week three is now complete! We accomplished quite a bit this week in all three bands, and our first parade for 7th/8th grade is right around the corner. The date for our first parade is October 11 right after school (3:30pm). I am working out transportation details, but the parade is right here in Whiteville (Agriculture Parade).
8th Grade:
The original plan was to have the 8th grade outside marching and practicing roll steps. Due to the terror threat, school has been on lock down since Wednesday. On Monday, students do not need their instruments. We will just be practicing our marching technique. Also, 8th grade band is playing at the Hornet Pep Rally this Tuesday, playing the four songs we have been working on the past week in preparation for the parade.
Next week we will be working on memorizing our setlist for the parade. As soon as the setlist is memorized, we will be moving on to our Christmas concert music. No rest for the weary!
7th Grade:
We will be working on marching basics this Monday during class time, so students will not need their instruments during this time. We will continue working on our setlist for marching band, including Turn the Beat Around, School Spirit March, Let's Go Blue, and Seven Nation Army. Although this music is challenging, it is very much doable. Please ask your seventh grader how the music is going and what they are specifically working on in the music. Your parent support is greatly appreciated!
6th Grade:
6th grade is chugging along! Although brass had an extended class on Wednesday, both instrument groups have learned their first note, and brass is on their third note already! Make sure your child is practicing on their mouthpieces at home, as well as our first song in the book. Our goal is to have our very first three-note song (hot cross buns!!!!) by Tuesday next week for brass and Thursday next week for woodwinds. If your child is practicing at home and is pulling ahead of the class, have them learn new notes and push forward in the book. The pace for a full class of beginners is much slower than your child can achieve at home practicing with their books and mouthpieces.
Overall, week three was very positive! The students are showing the enthusiasm and dedication it takes to be a great band, and I can't wait to hear them get better as the year goes on.
Sincerely,
Aaron Schwallier
9/9
Week two is in the books! Unfortunately this week was cut short due to testing and crazy schedules, but next week things should be back to normal, and I am excited to get the ball rolling for all of our bands!
6th Grade Band
Students have learned how to hold their instruments, proper assembly, and we just got to our first note. Since there are so many students in each class and I can only help so many students at once, you should be listening to your child practice on their mouthpieces as well as going over their fingerings for their first notes.
7th Grade Band
I unfortunately only had thirty minutes of rehearsal with 7th grade band this week :( Next week we are beginning our marching band music, and on Thursday and Friday we are going over marching basics outside. Make sure they bring comfortable tennis shoes those days (no sandals, they are prone to rolling an ankle).
8th Grade Band
8th grade band is beginning to get the ball rolling! We began our tonal exercises on Thursday, passed out School Spirit March, and next week we will have our tuba player beginning as well as an extra baritone, so the sound should really start filling out. They are getting some more marching band music next week, and on Thursday we are beginning marching basics outdoors. Please dress appropriately and wear tennis shoes. On Friday, drum major auditions are happening! We have one drum major spot open for an 8th grader who is dedicated and musically talented. This may roll over to Monday.
A few notes for everyone:
The marching band uniform has been modified slightly this year. The students will wear khaki pants, dark shoes, and the marching band t-shirt which the students are designing themselves.
Everyone have a safe and relaxing weekend, on Monday we are diving straight into the grind of the fall semester!
Best Regards,
Mr. Schwallier
Week two is in the books! Unfortunately this week was cut short due to testing and crazy schedules, but next week things should be back to normal, and I am excited to get the ball rolling for all of our bands!
6th Grade Band
Students have learned how to hold their instruments, proper assembly, and we just got to our first note. Since there are so many students in each class and I can only help so many students at once, you should be listening to your child practice on their mouthpieces as well as going over their fingerings for their first notes.
7th Grade Band
I unfortunately only had thirty minutes of rehearsal with 7th grade band this week :( Next week we are beginning our marching band music, and on Thursday and Friday we are going over marching basics outside. Make sure they bring comfortable tennis shoes those days (no sandals, they are prone to rolling an ankle).
8th Grade Band
8th grade band is beginning to get the ball rolling! We began our tonal exercises on Thursday, passed out School Spirit March, and next week we will have our tuba player beginning as well as an extra baritone, so the sound should really start filling out. They are getting some more marching band music next week, and on Thursday we are beginning marching basics outdoors. Please dress appropriately and wear tennis shoes. On Friday, drum major auditions are happening! We have one drum major spot open for an 8th grader who is dedicated and musically talented. This may roll over to Monday.
A few notes for everyone:
The marching band uniform has been modified slightly this year. The students will wear khaki pants, dark shoes, and the marching band t-shirt which the students are designing themselves.
Everyone have a safe and relaxing weekend, on Monday we are diving straight into the grind of the fall semester!
Best Regards,
Mr. Schwallier
9/1
What an amazing first week of classes! Just a few reminders and notes about the first week:
6th grade band:
Unfortunately many of the instruments that parents have ordered as well as the books have not come in yet. Music and Arts is very backed up with the start of school. If our materials do not come in by Friday (tomorrow) I am going to the store myself to pick them up on Saturday.
Throughout the week, students have made their first sounds! We started on mouthpieces and our trombones and trumpets made our first notes in class today. That is on the docket for woodwinds tomorrow. Be sure to listen for your students practicing on their mouthpieces only over the weekend. Next week we will dive into playing our first notes!
7th grade band:
This year I upped the ante on the 7th graders. I hear so much potential in the group, and challenge them I did this week! We got through our warm-up routines and sight-read a new piece (Recess Rock). Next week we will be diving into scales and sight-reading another piece.
8th grade band:
We sight-read a very challenging piece (Russian Sailors Dance) as well as an easier one. They know where they have to be by the springtime! We will also be diving into scales starting next week and marching band is also on the near horizon! If your student wants a challenge, have them learn the part to Russian Sailors Dance before we start practicing it in class.
Remember, if you have concerns or questions feel free to contact me. The biggest logistical issue at the moment is the orders from Music and Arts which have not come in yet, but don't worry your child is certainly not alone.
Best Regards,
Aaron Schwallier
What an amazing first week of classes! Just a few reminders and notes about the first week:
6th grade band:
Unfortunately many of the instruments that parents have ordered as well as the books have not come in yet. Music and Arts is very backed up with the start of school. If our materials do not come in by Friday (tomorrow) I am going to the store myself to pick them up on Saturday.
Throughout the week, students have made their first sounds! We started on mouthpieces and our trombones and trumpets made our first notes in class today. That is on the docket for woodwinds tomorrow. Be sure to listen for your students practicing on their mouthpieces only over the weekend. Next week we will dive into playing our first notes!
7th grade band:
This year I upped the ante on the 7th graders. I hear so much potential in the group, and challenge them I did this week! We got through our warm-up routines and sight-read a new piece (Recess Rock). Next week we will be diving into scales and sight-reading another piece.
8th grade band:
We sight-read a very challenging piece (Russian Sailors Dance) as well as an easier one. They know where they have to be by the springtime! We will also be diving into scales starting next week and marching band is also on the near horizon! If your student wants a challenge, have them learn the part to Russian Sailors Dance before we start practicing it in class.
Remember, if you have concerns or questions feel free to contact me. The biggest logistical issue at the moment is the orders from Music and Arts which have not come in yet, but don't worry your child is certainly not alone.
Best Regards,
Aaron Schwallier
Welcome to Central Middle School Orientation! 2016-2017 will be an amazing school year!