11/20/23 - Band Updates

Hello, MHS band students and families,

1. Jazz bands still meeting Mondays

Including tonight! (Every day that school is in session!)

2. Concert Performance Links

A huge CONGRATS to all students for your excellent performances last week, and THANK YOU to the family and friends who attended in support.

Cardinal Band

Concert Band

Symphonic Winds

Chamber Winds Night 1

Chamber Winds Night 2

3. Fruit Delivery Day, December 9th

Remember that all fruit should be picked up on this day. Adults, please sign up to volunteer to help! Student volunteer sign-up will be out next week.

4. Pep Band Starting Soon

The dates for the pep band are set. Get excited! Each student should plan to attend at least three of these evening dates, though you can come to more if you would like.

12/7, 12/8, 1/5, 1/25, 2/2, 2/9

5. The Nutcracker Both Ways, December 19th

Tickets are now available for our winter "Nutcracker Two Ways" concert. This performance features the MHS Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, and 7 o'clock jazz band, along with a number of professional guest musicians, including members of the Isthmus Brass. You'll hear the familiar orchestral "Nutcracker" suite by Tchaikovsky alongside Duke Ellington's jazz ensemble setting. Bring your friends!

6. Other Upcoming Opportunities

• Luther College Dorian Band Festival - Sunday/Monday, February 25/26. Concert bands and a jazz ensemble. $34 includes housing. Director nominations are required, plus a video audition for the top band and jazz ensemble. Seniors can audition for Luther College music scholarships at the festival. The deadline is next week, so reach out to Mr. V immediately if you're interested. More info here.

• UW-Stevens Point Clarinet Festival - Saturday, December 9th. Free and open to all clarinetists. 11:00 am-6:30 pm at the Noel Fine Arts Center, Stevens Point. Featuring masterclasses, a clarinet choir, and the Barcelona Clarinet Players. Registration is onsite at 10:30 am.

• UW-Madison Badger Orchestra Clinic - Saturday, February 4th. Video audition required. Open to strings, winds, brass, and percussion. Registration is due January 15th. $100. More info here.

--

Michael Ver Voort

11/14/23 - Band Updates

1. Concerts this Week!

Don't forget about our concerts this week!

Block 1 (Cardinal) -- report 6:50 Wednesday, dress nice

Block 2 (Concert) -- report 6:50 Wednesday, all black

Block 6 (Symphonic) -- report 6:50 Thursday, all black

Block 7 (Chamber) -- report 7:00 Wed/Thurs, all black 2. Fruit Delivery Day, December 9th Remember that all fruit should be picked up on this day. Adults, please sign up to volunteer to help! 3. The Nutcracker Both Ways, December 19th Tickets are now available for our winter "Nutcracker Two Ways" concert. This performance features the MHS Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, and 7 o'clock jazz band, along with a number of professional guest musicians, including members of the Isthmus Brass. You'll hear the familiar orchestral "Nutcracker" suite by Tchaikovsky alongside Duke Ellington's jazz ensemble setting. 4. Ward Brodt Pre-Black Friday Sale Attached to this email is a flyer from our Ward Brodt Music sales contact, Rob Smith. If you are considering a step-up or professional instrument, they have a few instruments available at very good prices this week, so I thought it was worth passing this on. You can contact him directly at the contact info on the flyer. 5. Other Upcoming Opportunities

• UW-Stevens Point Clarinet Festival - Saturday, December 9th. Free and open to all clarinetists. 11:00 am-6:30 pm at the Noel Fine Arts Center, Stevens Point. Featuring masterclasses, a clarinet choir, and the Barcelona Clarinet Players. Registration is onsite at 10:30 am.
  

• College of St. Scholastica Honor Band Festival - Monday, January 15th. Open to grades 10-12. $15 fee. Let me know directly if you are interested in being nominated for this festival - especially any upperclassmen considering applying to the College of St. Scholastica.
  

• UW-Madison Badger Orchestra Clinic - Saturday, February 4th. Video audition required. Open to strings, winds, brass, and percussion. Registration is due January 15th. $100. More info here.

-- Michael Ver Voort

Music Teacher & Director of Bands

11/6/23 - Band Updates

1. Fall Band Concerts Next Week!

- Wednesday, 11/15 is Block 1 Cardinal Band, Block 2 Concert Band, Block 7 Chamber Winds

- Thursday, 11/16 is Block 6 Symphonic Winds, Block 7 Chamber Winds, & Advanced Percussion

- Report time is 6:50 pm; Concerts begin at 7:30 pm. Students are expected to attend the entire concert regardless of when they perform; listening to other students is an important part of the learning experience. We expect each concert to end by 9:00 pm.

- 9th graders "dress nice" -- think button-down shirt, slacks, dress shoes ("church on Sundays")

- 10-12th graders "all black" -- all black dress clothes. Remember long black socks and shoes!

2. WSMA State Honors Auditions

Registration is open to audition for next year's WSMA state honors ensembles. All students who will be in band next year as a 10th, 11th, or 12th grader are eligible.

Click here for all the info.

3. Fruit Sale Delivery Day 12/9

- Thanks to everyone who bought or sold fruit! We are still processing the weekend orders.

- Remember to pick up any fruit that you ordered on the morning of December 9th.

- Parents, sign up here to volunteer.

- Students, there will be volunteer signups at school later this month.

4. Nutcracker Concert 12/19

Mark your calendars! December 19th at 7:30 pm, come hear the Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, and Seven O'Clock Jazz Band, along with some professional guest musicians, perform Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite and Duke Ellington's incredible jazz ensemble arrangement. Tickets will be available soon.