Cumberland Bands Newsletter – 1/11/17

Hello awesome band folks!

I hope you all had a great SECOND break.  Let’s get rolling again with the new semester!

==IN THIS NEWSLETTER==

NEW! Percussion Master Class
UPDATED! Sat, Jan 14 – District 3 All-District Band auditions (7th/8th grade band students)
The new Cumberland Winter Guard
Fri, March 3 – District Concert Band Assessment (6th – 9th grade band members)
Thurs, April 13 – Spring Concert @ 7pm (all band members 5th – 9th grade)

NEW! ==Percussion Master Class==

This class is currently on Wednesdays, Starting January 18, 2017, from 3pm-6pm in the band room.  It is a voluntary supplement for 5th-8th grade band percussionists, and will be taught by our percussion specialist, Chris Thomas.  This master class is intended to provide a more concentrated study in the percussive arts than can be accomplished in just the mixed band classroom.  It’s completely optional, but highly recommended.

Permission slips are in the band room (I can email you one upon request).

UPDATED! ==District 3 All-District Band auditions==

The new date for this field trip is Saturday, January 14th.

I am in desperate need for a chaperone for this event!!!  Please volunteer!!!

Cumberland is a part of Virginia’s VBODA District 3!  VBODA is the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association, and is the governing body for much of statewide music in the same way VHSL manages sports.  District 3 is a vibrant community of school systems stretching from Cumberland east to Chesterfield, Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and all counties south from there to the state line.

On Saturday, January 14th., our 7th and 8th grade band members will be able to audition for the honor of being in the District 3 All-District Junior Band.  We have been working on the basic skills for each of them to succeed in auditions, and I am expecting them all to come with me on that Saturday.

Students who make the Jr All-District Band will have an opportunity to play as an honors band in early February.

We will meet at the Band Room @ 6:30am and load the bus to go to the auditions at James River High School in Midlothian, VA.  We should return to CMS around 3:pm, and I will text an exact time when we depart JRHS for home.

==The new Cumberland Winter Guard==

Winter Guard rehearsal will begin on Wednesday, January 4, in the band room from 3pm – 6pm.  Practices will be on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Everyone who auditioned is welcome to join us!  See Mr. Gordon if you didn’t come to the December audition but are still interested.

A full season schedule will be published shortly.

==District Concert Band Assessment (6th – 8th grade band members)==

On Friday, March 3rd, we will be taking the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands to Goochland High School for our first district concert assessment.  This event will go into the evening, and more details will be coming shortly.  All 6th – 8th grade members are expected to participate.

==Spring Concert @ 7pm (all band members, 5th -9th grade)==

On Thursday, April 13th, we will have the Spring Concert for all the band classes.  This is a graded event, and all band class students are expected to participate.  More details coming soon.

Keep in touch, y’all!

Scott