Notes from the Podium- Nov. 24th

From the jazz band to the concert band to the marching band and flags to the boosters to the administration,

Thank you for all you do.

I know the commitment that it takes to make everything run so smoothly and well. I am humbled every day with the amount of work that everyone puts in to make this such a valuable and rewarding experience.

Notes from the Podium- Nov. 16th

We're coming up on the Thanksgiving break pretty fast!!!

Tomorrow, we will be kicking off our raffle ticket sale for the Winter Concert. Prizes will be donated from various St. Joseph businesses. If you happen to know where we can "sweeten the pot" a little bit more, we are always open to giving away more prizes!!! Tickets will sell $1.00 a piece. Students will be handed 16 tickets a piece to get started. If they happen to sell those very quickly, we will be working on printing out more... you are always welcome to take information from a trusting soul that is willing to be put on waiting list while we are printing more tickets. All proceeds from our fundraiser will go towards paying for student's New York Trip accounts.

Speaking of the trip accounts, please make sure to take the time to check with your student as far as how much is owed for the trip account to be current. We are hoping to have students covered through $500 at this point. All students should have received an account statement by the close of rehearsal on Monday. If there are problems hitting the amount owed, please contact me as soon as possible so that we know where we stand. It is my intent that all students that are willing to work will be able to go!

Inside of the rehearsal room, we are still working very hard on some tough literature. This is, by far, the most ambitious program that I have decided to put together to this point. I just think with the increased talent level, we have to keep challenging ourselves to get better. The students are fighting their way through some college level literature. I have been impressed with the work ethic during rehearsal. I hope that it's making it's way into a practice room at home!!!

Notes from the Podium- November 4th

It seems like there is always something to do on the weekends for this band during the school year....

This past Saturday, we had students represent Benton High School in the All-District concert and jazz band auditions. It is great for these students to take the time to put the music for these auditions together. I can tell you from personal experience that producing the nerve to put yourself on the line in front of judges against other players is not an easy experience. Congratulations to the students that were able to make an attempt!

Benton High School had one student garner honors during the All-District audition day. Ally Sexton was given Honorable Mention (4th Overall) in the jazz Alto Saxophone auditions. I have on good authority that she wasn't very far away from 3rd place- something like a tenth of a point!

Currently, the concert band is knee deep is some pretty tough literature. I know, like everything this year, the jump in the level of music is a little hard for the freshmen to swallow. I also know that this is my fourth year working with them- so I have faith that they will answer every bit of this challenge! I really have a lot of faith in our concert band this year. Without a doubt in my mind, this is the best sounding band that I have had at Benton High School.

New York Trip Notes

Please do not miss the November 13th Benton Band Booster Meeting at 7 PM in the Benton Bandroom!!! We will be updating trip accounts. The goal is to have every person going covered through $500!!!

Be on the lookout for an updated Trip Account Sheet coming home with your student on Friday.

Notes from the Podium- October 27th

The Benton Cardinal Bands are very blessed with a great, GREAT booster group. I, personally, am very humbled by the amount of time and care that our parents show to this band. I know that the students really appreciate everything that you do! I cannot put into words how grateful I am to have the amount of help from you. A special thank you to Warren and Nancy Ingram for spear-heading our outstanding parent organization. I know for a fact that you have established a group that is the envy of many of the band programs around the area.

All that to highlight the fact that the band boosters know how to throw a party. It was nice to have people in the bandroom on Saturday to unwind. I was impressed by all the creative costumes! It's always great to get the chance to see the students in costumes (other than their beautiful marching band uniforms...).

We are currently working on some pretty tough pieces with the concert band. If you haven't already, please encourage your student to bring their horn home to work on sections of our music.... Chair auditions will be coming up soon. There will be a list posted in the bandroom and on the blog.

Speaking on working to get better..... Did you know that there are low cost private lessons available for your student? We are trying to make sure that a majority of students in our band are involved in some sort of private or group lesson. Nothing will make this band better than everyone striving to make themselves better. We will always be as good as the bottom chairs of our group! I would love to see over 75% of the band in some form of lessons outside of the school day.... The best leadership is by example- I'm hoping more of the students take on that mantle.

All-District Auditions are coming up this Saturday at Central High School. This is not a required event for all musicians. We currently have 2 students playing the concert band audition and another 5 auditioning for the jazz band. I am excited for you! Just taking the time to work on the music and place yourself in the running to be selected is an accomplishment in itself. No one from Benton has played an audition for the All-District jazz band in at least 8 years!

NEW YORK TRIP ALERT!!
Please make sure that you are current with your New York Trip payments. We are hoping to have every student covered up to $500 by the end of November. Be on the look-out for raffle tickets to sell!!!

Halloween Party Pictures

Missouri Day Pictures

Light Show Pictures