Extra Rehearsal Added for March 19

Hello Band Families,

We have added an extra full band rehearsal for both the Grade 6 and the Grade 7/8 bands on Tuesday, March 19 (Day 5). As you know, all bussing for the division was cancelled due to temperatures below -45 a few times this winter and unfortunately, two of those days happened to be full band days so we have missed a good chunk of rehearsal time. With our upcoming performance at the Optimist Festival, we felt it best to add a rehearsal so our students are prepared and feel confident about their music.

Thank you!

Vanessa Strykiwsky, Robin Swann & Lindsay Stetner
Martin Area Band Team

Grade 7/8 - Optimist Band Festival!

Dear Martin Area Band Families,

It’s Optimist Festival time!!  On Thursday, March 21, the Grade 7/8 band students will be performing at the Optimist Band Festival at the Conexus Arts Centre. Please click here for a detailed itinerary.

Cost for this event is $6.00 and will be set up to pay at School Cash Online.  Our school division prefers online payment, but if you have to turn in cash or cheque, please label a sealed envelope.  Cheques should be made to your child’s school.

The Grade 7/8s will be on the main stage at 11:10am where they will perform two pieces for three adjudicators and an audience.  Following their performance, our band will have a clinic with one of the adjudicators, as well as have a group photo taken. Your son/daughter also has the option to have an individual or small group photo taken (please click here for the picture order form). If you choose to order pictures, please turn the order form/money in to us anytime prior to the festival.

We would love for family and friends, who are able, to come and listen to our performance and cheer us on!  If you are interested in helping out as a chaperone, and hanging out with us for that morning, leave your name and phone number at the bottom of this sheet and have your son/daughter turn it in as soon as possible.  An email is also ok. We would like to have 3-4 parents for each band along with us that day. You must have a Police Information Check on file with your school in order to be a chaperone.

All students will need to bring their instrument, music and be wearing their uniform (red band shirt, black pants/skirt, black socks, black shoes).

Buses will pick up at schools starting at 9:00am so please be on time for school! Buses will pick us up after the performance at 12:45pm so students will return to school for most of the afternoon.

Since Optimist is running over the lunch hour this year, you must send a bagged, non-microwaveable lunch with your student. If everything is running on schedule there might be time for students to purchase lunch at the Conexus Arts Centre’s canteen but we do not recommend relying on this – please send a lunch just in case.

***All students play an important role in our band, therefore, everyone needs to be with us that day.  Attendance can make or break our performances***

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns!

Grade 6 - Optimist Band Festival!

Hello Grade 6 Band Families,

It’s Optimist Festival time!!!  On Thursday, March 21st the Grade 6 band students will be performing at the Optimist Band Festival at the Conexus Arts Centre.  Please click here for a detailed itinerary.

Cost for this event is $7.00 and will be set up to pay at School Cash Online.  Our school division prefers online payment, but if you have to turn in cash or cheque, please label a sealed envelope.  Cheques should be made to your child’s school.

The Grade 6s will be on the main stage for their performance at 2:55pm where they will play two pieces for three adjudicators and an audience. Following their performance, our band will have a clinic with one of the adjudicators, as well as have a group photo taken. Your son/daughter also has the option to have an individual or small group photo taken (please click here to access the picture order form). If you choose to order pictures, please turn the order form/money in to us anytime prior to the festival.

We would love for family and friends, who are able, to come and listen to our performance and cheer us on!  If you are interested in helping out as a chaperone, and hanging out with us for that morning, leave your name and phone number at the bottom of this sheet and have your son/daughter turn it in as soon as possible.  An email is also ok. We would like to have 3-4 parents for each band along with us that day. You must have a Police Information Check on file with your school in order to be a chaperone.

All students will need to bring their instrument, music and be wearing their uniform (red band shirt, black pants/skirt, black socks, black shoes).

Buses will pick up at schools starting at 12:00 noon. Due to unavailability of buses until after the after school runs, students will not arrive back at their schools until 4:45-5:00pm. Families will need to plan for a ride home at this time. If you would rather pick up your child directly from the Conexus Arts Centre at 4:15pm that is also an option – if you choose this option please let us know via a note or email (robin.swann@rbe.sk.ca).

We will have opportunity to eat lunch at the Conexus prior to their performance and pictures.  Please send a bagged, non-microwaveable lunch or send your student with money to purchase lunch at the Conexus Arts Centre’s canteen.

***All students play an important role in our band, therefore, everyone needs to be with us that day.  Attendance can make or break our performances***

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns!

Grade 7/8 Jazz Band!

Dear Grade 7/8 Band Families,

We are excited to announce that we will be starting up the Martin Area Jazz Band next week! Jazz band is a an optional 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 4:30. Students will remain at Martin Collegiate after full band rehearsals, and will need to be picked up at 4:30 or given express permission to walk home as no bussing will be available to return students to their home school.

It is expected that students and parents will make arrangements to be able to attend jazz band for the school year, and that if complications with other activities arise, the student will make an effort to still attend jazz. The jazz band will have various performance opportunities throughout the year and it can be very difficult to have a performing band when many of its’ members have poor attendance. The Day 1-5 calendar can be found on Regina Public School’s website or at http://www.rbe.sk.ca/sites/default/files/daycal2018-2019.pdf

Each student should bring with them their instrument, a pencil, and their music folder to each rehearsal. 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, February 7^th. Please return the bottom of this note at the next full band rehearsal OR send us an email if you and your child choose to participate in this year’s Martin Area Jazz Band!

We look forward to working with your child and helping to improve their musicianship through jazz!

Vanessa Strykiwsky, Lindsay Stetner & Robin Swann
Martin Area Band Team

Grade 6 Jan-Mar Schedules

Hello Grade 6 Band Families,

Congratulations to our beginning band students on completing their very first concert! They played tremendously and should feel very proud of their efforts J

Over the winter break, we understand that families are very busy and that practicing is not your first priority! However, we do ask that you encourage your students to practice just a few times in order keep the muscles in their faces and fingers in shape so we aren’t too sore after our first few rehearsals in January.

Here is all the sectional/full band scheduling information you will need to know for Jan-Mar! More information on our Optimist Festival in March will be sent out in the new year.

All Schools: Full Band is on Day 2 mornings. Please see this calendar to track which days are Day 2s.

Walker: Sectionals are Day 1 mornings. Please see this rotating schedule for day-specific times.

McLurg: Sectionals are Day 3 afternoons. Please see this rotating schedule for day-specific times.

Rosemont: Sectionals are Day 4 mornings. Please see this rotating schedule for day-specific times.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Grade 7/8 Jan-Mar Schedules

Hello Grade 7/8 Band Families,

Congratulations to our band students on a very successful winter concert! They played very well and should feel proud of their efforts - the Grade 6s were amazed and inspired by them J

Over the winter break, we understand that families are very busy and that practicing is not your first priority! However, we do ask that you encourage your students to practice just a few times in order keep the muscles in their faces and fingers in shape so we aren’t too sore after our first few rehearsals in January.

Here is all the sectional/full band scheduling information you will need to know for Jan-Mar! More information on our Optimist Festival in March will be sent out in the new year.

All Schools: Full Band is on Day 2 afternoons. Please see this calendar to track which days are Day 2s.

Walker: Sectionals are Day 1 afternoons. Please see this rotating schedule for day-specific times.

McLurg: Sectionals are Day 3 mornings. Please see this rotating schedule for day-specific times.

Rosemont: Sectionals are Day 4 mornings. Please see this rotating schedule for day-specific times.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Winter Concert 2018

IT’S WINTER CONCERT TIME!!!

WHEN: Wednesday, December 12, 2018

WHERE: Martin Collegiate

TIME: 7:00pm (all band students to be there 6:15)

Details:

1. Please have your instrument and all music (including sheets and red book) with you.
2. Uniforms
• Grade 6 Beginner Band – Red band t-shirt, black pants/skirt, black shoes or socks.  Look festive!!
• Grade 7/8 Band – Red band t-shirt, black pants, black shoes or socks.  Look festive too!!
• You are welcome to wear santa hats, reindeer antlers, bows, etc - wear whatever yo have, if you have it!
3. Please be at Martin NO LATER than 6:15pm and find the room you’ll be located in.  Signs will be posted!
4. BAKE SALE: We will be having our annual bake sale again – please bring one dozen of your favorite dessert to be sold for $5.00/dozen.  Please bring that day to full band or to the lobby at Martin when you arrive at the concert.  No nuts please!!
5. Your families should be hearing TONS of practicing from now until then – please have all of your music prepared to ensure a successful concert.
6. Attendance to concerts is crucial and necessary in order to deliver the best concert possible.  Please let one of the band teachers know if transportation to Martin will be a problem so we can help arrange something for you.
7. All are welcome!!! Bring your families to come and cheer you on at your first concert of the year…see you on December 12, 7:00 at Martin!!