Thursday 17 December 2015

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Congratulations on completing a wonderful winter concert! It was a very special evening and nice to have the Martin Collegiate Band in this year’s performance. We raised an incredible $700 for our program through the bakesale, raffle, and silver collection! Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Remember to take those instruments out and play over the holidays! You can play your sheet music, method book (remember your achievement charts 7/8s!), or even find your own music online to try out. We would love to hear what you taught yourself over the break!

We look forward to new music and more exciting events in the new year.

Have a safe and warm winter break!

Mrs. Strykiwsky, Miss Howell, & Mr. Wiest

Friday 4 December 2015

December Newsletter

MARTIN AREA ELEMENTARY BANDS
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
                                                                                               
We are off to a wonderful start in the Martin Area Band Program – it’s amazing and rewarding to watch all of the progress with the students, and it’s always exciting to see how far they come in such a short amount of time!
This newsletter is to inform you of upcoming events in the ‘band world’ and also provide you with some important information, so please keep this for your reference.
                                                                                                                                               
1. OUR FIRST CONCERT OF THE YEAR!!                                   
Our first concert of the year will be on Thursday, December 10, at Martin Collegiate in the auditorium.  The concert will begin at 7:00pm, but all band students will need to arrive at 6:30 in order to set up, warm-up, tune, and line up.  This is our Christmas band concert, so students are welcome to wear santa hats/reindeer hats, bows, scarfs, etc (anything that looks festive). 
***ATTENDANCE IS CRUCIAL IN ORDER FOR A SUCCESSFUL CONCERT.  PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

2. UNIFORM T-SHIRTS - $12.00
The Martin Area Elementary Band uniform consists of a red uniform
t-shirt, black pants or black skirt, and black shoes (or black socks if you don’t have black shoes).  The red uniform T-shirts will be here in time for our concert, and will cost each student $12.00.  Please have your money turned in no later than December 2.  If you have a financial concern, please send a note or an e-mail.
(UPDATE:  Our t-shirts were printed on the wrong color – they are going to redo for us so students will receive just before our concert!!)

3. UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE YEAR
December 10 – Band Christmas Concert at Martin Collegiate, 7pm
January 27-29 – Junior Select Band at Sheldon (selected Gr. 7/8 students only)
March 23-25 – Optimist Band Festival at Conexus Arts Center
May 6 – Grade 6 Day Trip (tentative)
May 12 – Grade 7/8 Trip (tentative)
May 25 – Spring Band Concert at Martin Collegiate
 **Notes and reminders will always be sent home well in advance of an activity, concert, or trip**

4. Band Schedules (Reminder)
Sectionals:
McLurg – Day 3 all day (Mrs. Strykiwsky/Miss Howell)
Rosemont – Day 4 afternoons (Mr. Wiest)
Walker – Day 1 all day (Mrs. Strykiwsky/Miss Howell/Mr. Wiest)
Seven Stones – Day 4 afternoons (Miss Howell)

Full Band: (Every Day 2)
Grade 6’s – 9:30-10:30am AT MCLURG
Grade 7/8’s – 2:00-3:00 pm AT MARTIN
PLEASE BE PREPARED WITH YOUR INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC ON THESE DAYS!!!

We are proud of our band students for their commitment to our team, and for pursuing a music education.  Thank-you to parents, guardians, and families for allowing them the opportunity.  THE YEAR HAS BEEN GREAT SO FAR; WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REST OF IT!

Mrs. Strykiwsky, Miss Howell, & Mr. Wiest

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Winter Concert

Hello Band Parents,

Attached is a note that includes all of the information you need to know about the Winter Band Concert including uniforms, preparation, and the bakesale fundraiser.

The concert is at Martin Collegiate at 7:00pm on December 10.

Winter Concert Note

Thanks! See you there J

Tuesday 17 November 2015

Band T-Shirts

Hello Band Parents,

All beginner band students have now been sized for their red uniform t-shirts.  We will hand the shirts out 1-2 weeks before our Winter Concert which is December 10 (mark your calendars!) 

The cost of the t-shirts this year is $12.00.  Please turn in a cheque or cash to one of the band teachers before Wednesday, December 2. Cheques can be made payable to “McLurg School”.  If your student attend McLurg or Walker, you also have the option to pay online.

These shirts are yours to keep and will be needed for all concerts and performances, so please try to keep them in good shape.  If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!  

Thanks!

McLurg/Walker note

Rosemont/Seven Stones note

Friday 16 October 2015

Brass Day Pictures

Congratulations to the eleven Grade 7/8 brass players who took advantage of the free Brass Day held at the University of Regina on Wednesday, October 14. There were over four hundred Grade 7/8 students from Regina and surrounding area in attendance! Here are some pictures of our students.








Thursday 1 October 2015

Jazz Band!

Jazz Band
Grade 7/8

The Martin Area Jazz Band is a an extra-curricular band that meets once a week after school to learn how to play jazz and gain an appreciation for one of North America’s original art forms. Students will gain valuable skills in smaller ensemble playing, musical improvisation, understanding musical theory, and playing in a style very different to what they experience in concert band. 

Rehearsals will take place on every full band day (Day 2) from 3:30 to 5:00. Students will remain at Martin Collegiate after full band rehearsals, and will need to be picked up at 5:00pm as no bussing will be available to return students to their home school.

It is necessary that each student play their main instrument unless approval is given by the teacher to play a new instrument. We will be working on advanced repertoire in jazz band that will be beyond the level of a student who is starting a new instrument.

The first rehearsal will be Thursday, October 8th.

Please remove and return the bottom of the following note at the next full band rehearsal indicating whether or not your child will be signing up to play in the Martin Area Jazz Band. We look forward to working with your child and helping to improve their musicianship through jazz.

Jazz Registration Form

Dylan Wiest & Robin Howell

Wednesday 30 September 2015

U of R Brass Day!

Brass Day!
Hosted by the University of Regina


Brass Day is an optional, hands-on event where students will play their instruments, get some new music, and leave with some great tips on furthering their development as a musician and brass player.

Students get the opportunity to work with some of Saskatchewan's greatest brass players and teachers. These include:
     Miles Newman & Natalie Fuller - Trumpets
     Alison Thiele & Richard Burdick - French Horns
     David Dick & Jeremy Drotar - Trombones
     Mark Preece - Tuba/Baritone

Our featured guest is Tom McCaslin, a former student of John Griffiths, and of course a Regina product!

Elementary Session (Grade 7and 8/second and third year players)
*participating students will be bussed to the event
10:00 am         Introduction – Riddell Theatre
10:15 am         Instrument specific sectionals
11:20 am         Full group performance (fanfare) – Riddell Theatre
11:40 pm         Lunch (on your own)
12:00 pm         Faculty Recital – Riddell Theatre
12:30 pm         Return to school

High School Session (Grade 9–12 fourth year + players)
*participating students will be bussed to the event
12:00 pm         Faculty recital – Riddell Theatre
1:15 pm           Instrument specific sectionals
2:20 pm           Full group performance (fanfare) – Riddell Theatre
2:30 pm           Return to school

Evening Concert – U of R Wind Ensemble with Brass Clinicians
*students will not receive bussing to the evening concert. Feel free to bring your entire family!
7:30pm, Riddell Theatre
Admission by Silver Collection

To participate, please send the following registration form in by October 2

Instrument Loan Forms

Instrument Loan Forms

Anyone who is renting or borrowing an instrument through the school board (NOT Long and McQuade or St. John's) must fill out, sign, and send the following form to us as soon as possible. Parents can scan and email the form to robin.howell@rbe.sk.ca, or send it to school with their students. Students can give this form to their classroom teachers to pass on to us or give it directly to us during band.

Band Instrument Loan Form

Welcome to Band!

Welcome to Band!
Elementary Programs

We will be notifying you throughout the year, via e-mail, notes to the students, and this blog, of upcoming events such as concerts, festivals, trips, etc. If possible, please ensure we have your current email address so you’re able to receive all information.

Joining the band program is a wonderful opportunity.  We look forward to educating your children in a musical setting, and watching them grow into young musicians!

Contacting the Teachers
The names of the three band teachers in your area are Mrs. Vanessa Strykiwsky, Miss Robin Howell, and Mr. Dylan Wiest. We travel between five schools in our area. Because of this, email is the best way to reach us. McLurg also has a phone but we are only there Day 2 mornings and Day 3 (306-791-3355).

Vanessa Strykiwsky
vanessa.strykiwsky@rbe.sk.ca

Robin Howell
robin.howell@rbe.sk.ca

Dylan Wiest
dylan.wiest@rbe.sk.ca

Rehearsal Times
Grade 6
     Full Band at McLurg
     9:30am-10:30am
     Bus times:
          Seven Stones = 9:10am
          Walker = 9:15am
          Rosemont = 9:20am
     Sectionals
          Seven Stones = Day 4 PM
          Walker = Day 1 AM
          Rosemont = Day 4 PM
          McLurg = Day 3 PM

Rehearsal Times
Grade 7/8
     Full Band at Martin Collegiate
     2:00pm-3:00pm
     Bus times:
          Seven Stones = 1:40pm
          Walker = 1:45pm
          Rosemont = 1:50pm
          McLurg = 1:45pm
      Sectionals
          Seven Stones = Day 4 PM
          Walker = Day 1 PM
          Rosemont = Day 4 PM
          McLurg = Day 3 AM

Band Fees
Fees should be paid online through PowerSchool as soon as possible. However, if payments cannot be made, your child can still participate in the band program. Just send a note or email one of the band teachers or your school office stating that your child needs to be placed in the equity program. The fees will then be waived from your account. Payment plans are also an option, just send a note or email.
*cash/cheque payments will also be accepted
     All students except McLurg Grade 6s: $50 transportation fee for the full year of bus rides to Full Band and back
     Students renting instruments through the school board (NOT Long & McQuade or St. John's): $120 instrument rental fee

Important Dates
December 10, 2015 - Christmas Concert (7:00pm)
March 15-18, 2016 - Optimist Festival (specific performance times TBA)
TBA - Spring Concert (7:00pm)
TBA - Grade 6 Trip
TBA - Grade 7/8 Trip

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions, concerns, or feedback.

Thank you for your support!