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.