November 13, 2018 - Important Band Dates

Hello band parents and students - 

We have some important events and deadlines coming up!  Please read on for reminders on some important dates.  We're looking forward to sharing our concerts with you next month!

Nov. 12th, Victor Goines Visit: This already happened, but tenor saxophonist Victor Goines from Jazz at Lincoln Center visited yesterday for a jazz masterclass and clinics.  It was an inspirational day - ask your jazz student about it! 

Nov. 15th, Senior Legacy Deadline: November 15th is the deadline for seniors and their parents to purchase a senior legacy keepsake package from BOPA, which includes the senior poster.  Order online here.

Nov. 14th-26th, Band Merchandise: There is another opportunity to purchase band merchandise!  Order online in the shop starting tomorrow, and items will be delivered before winter break.  

Dec. 1st, UW-Madison Jazz Festival: 

7:00 Jazz members only, please mark your calendar for this annual performance.

Dec. 5th & 6th, Winter Band Concerts: Our first concerts of the year!  Wednesday is Blocks 1, 6, and 7.  Thursday is Blocks 2, 3, and 7.  Look online for the dress code. Click here to sign up to bring treats for the reception, and remember to also bring a non-perishable food item for MOM if you are able. 

Dec. 8th, Fruit Delivery Day: Congratulations to everyone who sold fruit this year.  Remember to pick up and pay for all of the fruit between 8 and 11 on that day.  And whether you sold or not, parents can  sign up here to help out with delivery day.  (Students will sign up at school.) 

Dec 14th, Solo/Ensemble Registration Deadline: Forms will be passed out in class this week. 

Jan. 25th, Akropolis Reed Quintet: We have some special guests coming at the end of January to cap off our Solo/Ensemble unit.  The Akropolis Reed Quintet will be visiting each class as well as the middle schools to clinic chamber groups, and they will present a concert along with some student chamber groups in the evening on January 25th.  Stay tuned for more info! 

--

Michael Ver Voort

Music Teacher & Band Director  Middleton High School 

November 10, 2018 - Guest Artist Victor Goines and Special Performance Opportunity

Dear Jazz  Band Families,

  We will have an incredible special opportunity this Sunday / Monday to have clarinetist, saxophones, composer, and educator Victor Goines in residence at MHS to work with our Jazz ensembles.  Mr. Goines is a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, a member of the Wynton Marsalis septet, and director of Jazz studies at Northwestern University. In addition to workshops during Monday's  band classes and ASR, Mr. Goines will provide a masterclass open to all jazz students from 6:00PM-7:30PM on Monday Night.  This unique experience is a a special treat for our hardworking and talented students. You can see more information about Mr. Goines at his website  https://www.victorgoines.com/home-1.html

In addition to his work at MHS Mr. Goines will be performing with his Chicago based quartet at Cafe Coda on Williamson street Sunday Night at 7PM.  Tickets are available and more information can be found at Cafe Coda's website https://cafecoda.club

The opportunity to see this group live cannot be missed! It is a rare treat to have this level of international talent perform in Madison WI. Tickets are $20 for the event.

Feel free to reach out with any questions,

Doug Brown 

October 30, 2018 - MHS Band Updates

Hello everyone,

Please find attached the latest edition of the BOPA "Whole Note" newsletter.  It contains important information about the fruit sale and upcoming concerts, as well as stories on our students' accomplishments.  Thanks again to Laura Guse, BOPA newsletter chair, for putting it together.

Please also read below about some parent volunteer opportunities for the fruit sale!

Thank you,  Mike Ver Voort

------------------------------------  Subject: Boosting Student Sales @ Local Groceries  -----------------------------------  Hello. Piggly Wiggly in Cross Plains and Pick 'n Save in Middleton are giving our children the opportunity to sell at their establishments. The kids can take orders at/near the entry way where they can approach customers asking them to look at our selections of fruit, sausage, cheese and nuts. 

Students can sign up on the sheets outside the band/orchestra rooms. Parent volunteers are needed to supervise each 90 minute shift. The parent is simply there to assist students if they have questions, remind them of good behavior since this is a place of business and encourage/guide them in the sales process. 

Piggly Wiggly Parent Sign Up:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A9A822A3F58-supervisors

Pick 'n Save Parent Sign Up:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A9A822A3F58-supervisors1

Thank you for considering helping our students and the band and orchestra program! 

The Fruit Sale Committee