SUMMER BAND SCHEDULE

Oh my! It's almost time to begin. Be looking for this schedule to get to you via mail by next Friday.

TUESDAY, July 27th- Woodwinds 1 PM to 4 PM in the Bandroom

WEDNESDAY, July 28th- Brass 1 PM to 4 PM

THURSDAY, July 29th- Full Band 1 to 4

FRIDAY, July 30th- Full Band 1 to 4

MONDAY thru FRIDAY, August 2-6: Full Band 1 to 4

MONDAY thru WEDNESDAY, August 9-11: Full Band 1 to 4

Can't wait to get started!!!

Something recognizable for the band..

Notes from the Podium- April 11th

Wow! A whole bunch of quality music-making has happened since my last post. Congratulations to everyone on great performances! I cannot express to you how proud I am of the music you have been making. It is nice that the ratings have been so high, but it's even nicer that we can sit back and appreciate the art that we create. The talent inside of the Benton Cardinal Bands is truly amazing. I know that Ms. Nelson and I always feel truly blessed in front of you, and we always enjoy the time that we get to work with you.

To make sure that your ratings are known to all-

Performances receiving an Excellent (II) rating at District Solo/Ensemble Contest were:

Danny Evans, trumpet solo

Zach Langdon, French horn solo

Taylor Snider, snare drum solo

Denise Stumpff, clarinet solo

Lindsay Williams, snare drum solo

Performances receiving a Superior (I) rating and qualifying for State included:

Benton Percussion Ensemble- Brittany Boggess, Keegan Cunningham, Taylor Snider, Morgan Wheeler, Lindsay Williams, Kyle Woodruff

Benton Sax Trio- Travis McClatchey, Ally Sexton, Mike Sewell

Benton Trumpet Trio- Jordan Bullimore, Danny Evans, Sam Stephan

Jordan Bullimore, trumpet solo

Ailing Oka, flute solo

Mike Sewell, tenor sax solo

Sean Sherlock, clarinet solo

Taylor Snider, mallet solo

Sam Stephan, trumpet solo

Lindsay Williams, mallet solo

In addition to this, the Benton Concert Band accomplished something very special. For your performance at State Large Group, you received the first overall Superior (I) rating that Benton has received for band in 17 years! I cannot tell you how happy everyone is for your achievement. Of course, I still feel that rating music-making is not a great practice- it sure is nice to get good ratings. Thanks for making the school band look even better on paper to people that do not get to hear you.

There is still so much to do for the rest of the school year. Please clear these dates below:

April 15th- Concert band plays for ROTC Review at Benton High School

April 22nd- Jazz band plays for Teacher's Recognition Dinner

April 29th-30th- Students qualifying for State Solo/Ensemble play in Columbia, MO

May 1st- Marching Band in Apple Blossom Parade as part of All-City Band

May 10th- Jazz Band Concert at Benton High School 7 PM

May 11th- Concert Band Concert at Benton High School 7 PM

May 18th- Band Awards Dinner

May 23rd- Band performs as part of Benton Commencement- 3:30 PM

CHANGE IN SCHEDULE- MARCH 16TH TO 23RD

I was a week early for Pre-Contest Concert at Central High School.

Our Pre-Contest Performance is Tuesday, March 23rd not March 16th!!!!!

Notes from the Podium- March 2nd

We're about to get really busy again....

DATES TO KNOW COMING UP:
MARCH 11TH - Band Booster Meeting
MARCH 13TH - Jazz Band performs at NWMSU Jazz Festival
MARCH 16TH - Pre-Contest Concert at Central High School
MARCH 20TH - Benton Band Sectional and Olympic Day
MARCH 26TH - Solo/Ensemble Contest at Central High School
APRIL 8TH - State Large Ensemble at NWMSU
APRIL 22ND- Jazz Band performs at Teacher of the Year Dinner


At the next band booster meeting, we will be discussing a possible trip for next year's band. In addition, WE ARE LOOKING FOR PARENTS TO SERVE AS OFFICERS FOR NEXT YEAR'S BAND BOOSTERS! Please help us in these roles. This band benefits from having such a strong band booster organization. The boosters that we have for the band are the envy of most bands in the area.


In our quest to clean up the grades of band students, we currently sit at 24 F's total and 25 students with either an F or a D in one or more classes. Please check with your student about their grades. If you are concerned about your student's grades, please feel free to look them up via the Saint Joseph Public School website or just call I can fill you in!

Notes from the Podium- February 14th

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Jazz Band is coming off a very successful performance at the MWSU Jazz Festival. I was very, very proud of the sound that you produced. I hope you were as impressed with the clinicians as I was. There was a lot of great information! It looks like we are down to the fun part- over-exaggerating our dynamics and style! We are moving past just playing the notes!

A quick look at the week ahead:

Monday- No school, but PEP BAND! Meet in the bandroom at 6:30.
Tuesday- No school, but PEP BAND! Meet in band room at 6:30. This is our senior night, so parents of seniors please make plans to attend. We will be recognizing you at this game. In addition, Pride of the Southside drumline will be playing a couple of pieces from the bandstand this game also.

Thursday- Bob Long jazz session will be happening at 6 PM. Also, PEP BAND- this will be our final game. THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE. Please let me know if you cannot attend ASAP.

Friday- NO pep band.
Saturday- JAZZ BAND TAKES OFF FOR OMAHA AT 7 AM. Come equipped with money for McBreakfast and road snacks. If you have not paid for your trip yet, please do that as soon as possible.


In case your student has not mentioned it to you, I am now able to access all of their grades on-line. In fact, all parents are able to do it now via PowerSchool. The band is working on improving all of our grades in all of our classes. We're all on the same team!

Notes from the Podium- February 4th

February 4th?!?!?! Sorry. More consistent updates to come.

The jazz band just finished its 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast. Thanks to everyone that volunteered back in the pancake kitchen. I have heard wonders about the taste of your pancakes! Proceeds from the breakfast will be going towards the jazz band's trip to Omaha, Nebraska. Jazzers need to have sold 20 tickets to cover the cost of going. If you did not participate, we will need you to cover the cost of the trip out of pocket.

Dates coming up for the jazzers are:
Pep band games- February 8, 15, 16, 19
Missouri Western Jazz Band Clinic- Saturday, February 13th, 8 AM
Omaha Trip- February 20th and 21st

Please make plans to attend the band booster meeting on February 11th. It will be important to have parents coming to these meetings as we will be using them in the planning of next year's band trip.

Looking forward to seeing you!