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News and Notes
​from the Band Room

This Week in Band

3/13/2020

 
Greetings,
A few announcements and congratulations need to go out today.  
  1. All students will be bringing their personal instruments home today.  They need to be cleaned!!!  This is something that should happen on a monthly basis anyway, so we will take advantage of this opportunity and make sure that your students instrument is clean.  Each class is being instructed on how to care for their instrument today.   https://www.unlv.edu/music/instrument-hygiene
  2. The Wind Ensemble trip to the University of Maryland for the Music For All Band Festival has been cancelled.  The organizers are hoping to try and have this event again next year.
  3. There is no Les Miserable rehearsal this afternoon.  All after school activities have been cancelled.  We are hoping that this event can still take place, but we will have a lot of work to do after break to pull it off by the performance dates.

Congratulations to the Wind Ensemble for their performance at the District Band Festival!  The group received two Superior Ratings and one Excellent Rating on stage.  They also received a Superior Rating in the sight reading room.  Bravo to all of the students who participated!  The ensemble is now eligible for the State Band Festival at the end of April.  As I receive more information about this I will pass it along.  The date of this performance does fall out of the dates where schools are closed, but we don't know how the hosting University will be operating at that point.  Please stay tuned.

Thank you to everyone involved with Bingo Night last Saturday.  We had a packed house and good time was had by all.  

Please encourage your students to practice over the course of the break.  We want to give a great spring concert and we won't be able to that if the students don't pick up their horns until they come back.  SmartMusic is offering a free subscription during this time.  If you go to www.smartmusic.com you can learn a little more about the program.  SmartMusic is a fun way to practice your instrument.

Stay healthy!
​RB

This Week in Band

2/24/2020

 
Greetings,
Hopefully everyone received the email that was sent out from the Boosters this morning.  We are in real need of volunteers and donations to help with our 13th annual bingo night on March 7th. While NHS and the Board of Ed do a great job of supporting the Band Programs, there are still many things that the band needs and the boosters help to fill those gaps.  While we have had great success running our fundraisers this school year, it has become increasingly more challenging running the events with less help.  If you are unfamiliar with Band Bingo and would like more information please click on the fundraisers tab at the top of this page.  There you will see a link to all of the information for our Family Fun Bingo Night.  This along with our Craft Fair are our two major fundraisers, any help or assistance that you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Here is our schedule for this week.  Wind Ensemble members, please make sure that your CONCERT BLACK DRESS is ready to go for Wednesday's performance at Huntingtown High School.


  • Monday 2/24
    • Patriot Time Open
    • Les Mis after school 2:30 – 4
  • Tuesday 2/25
    • Patriot Time Open
    • Jazz Band Rhythm Sectional 2:30 – 4:00
  • Wednesday 2/26 (Wind Ensemble County Band Adjudication @ Huntingtown High School)
    • Patriot Time Closed
    • Band room is Closed after school
  • Thursday 2/27
    • Patriot Time Closed
    • Full Jazz Band Rehearsal 2:30 – 4:00
  • Friday 2/28
    • Patriot Time Open
    • Les Mis Rehearsal 2:30 – 4:00

2/19 - 2/21

2/18/2020

 
Greetings,
I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for your having such wonderful students.  Last week was a testament to the type of students who are enrolled in the Northern Band Program and I am always so impressed by everything that they do.  On Saturday we had 39 students participate in Solo and Ensemble.  Solo’s, Duets, Trio’s, Quartet’s, and Quintets, your students did it all.  Every student who participate received either a Superior or Excellent rating and I am very proud of all of them.  It takes a lot of courage to perform by yourself or in a small group and each group did a marvelous job.  Students who received a Superior rating are now eligible to perform at the State Solo and Ensemble Festival on May 16, 2020.  I will have more information about this event as we get a little closer to the date.

Last Thursday saw the Wind Ensemble travel to the University of Maryland to rehearse with the newly appointed Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Andrea Brown.  She was so impressed with the students, “They were very attentive and responsive - always a great combination!”  It was an awesome day; I hope that your students enjoyed it as much as I did.

On February 26th the Wind Ensemble will be performing at County Band Adjudication held at Huntingtown High School.  Our performance time is 2:15. We will probably be back to the school around 3:15.  Students will be given a hard copy of the permission slip tomorrow and a digital copy will be sent out later today with a copy of the itinerary.  We will need at least 4 chaperones for this event.  If you are available and would like to attend, please email me as well as checking the box on the permission slip. 

We have a very big event for everyone in the Band Program coming up on March 7th!!!  BINGO NIGHT!!!  This is an all hands-on deck event.  We need student and parent volunteers to help make this event a success.  Events like these are what help to fund our Winter Band Camps, New Instruments, Summer Band…  essentially anything that cost money.  We really could use your help with this event.  If you are available to help us with this please email nmbpresident@gmail.com. 

This week in the band room we have the following.
  • Wednesday. 
    • Patriot Time Jazz Band. 
    • No After School Activities
  • Thursday
    • MHC is closed during Patriot Time
    • Jazz Band Rhythm Section Rehearsal After School
  • Friday
    • Band Room is open during Patriot Time
    • Les Misérables Rehearsal 2:30 – 4:00
Thank you for all your support, please encourage your kids to practice at least 15 minutes a day so we can continue to make the Northern Band Program the best it can be.
​
RB

2/11 - 2/15

2/11/2020

 
Hello everyone
Lots going on here in the band room this week.  First off thank you to all of the students who participated with the Wind Ensemble in the Winter Band Camp last week.  All of the clinicians had so many great things to say about the Wind Ensemble.  They are looking forward to a great report about District Band Adjudication on February 26th.

Wind Ensemble members should have all turned in their permission slips for our trip to the University of Maryland on Thursday (2/13).  Looking forward to a great morning spent with Dr. Brown.  I still have space on the bus for a couple of more parents if you are available and would like to attend.  We will be back in time for students to participate in after school activities.

This weekend is Solo and Ensemble for many of our students.  Solo and Ensemble will take place at Calvert Middle School in Prince Frederick.  All students participating should have brought home a letter detailing the events of that day.  Students should arrive one half hour prior to their performance time.  Family members are invited into the room for the performance.  Time slots are only ten minutes long.  Please be on time for you performance. 

The schedule for the rest of the week looks like this.
  • Tuesday 2/11.  Jazz Band Brass Sectional 2:30 - 4:00
  • Wednesday 2/12.  Band room is closed after school
  • Thursday 2/13.  Wind Ensemble to UMD.  Jazz band Rhythm Sectional 2:30 - 4:00
  • Friday 2/14.  Les Miserable 2:30 - 4:00
  • Saturday 2/15.  Solo and Ensemble Calvert Middle School

The 13th annual Family Fun Night Bingo is fast approaching on Saturday, March 7, 2020.  We are in need of several volunteers the day of the event as well as prior to the event with soliciting donations from the various business in Calvert County.  We are currently working on the location for the Basket Wrapping event.  Once that is set up, we will send out a signup genius for people to sign up to assist with wrapping of the baskets..  Attached are all of the links to the Signup Genius' as well as the Donation letter that can be given to local Businesses.   

Once again this year, we are asking families to donate a basket, gift cards, or a monetary donation to help defray the cost.  A Donation letter can be provided if requested.

We will once again pre-sell tickets, so your child can earn credit in their student account for each ticket sold.  This paperwork will be sent out at a later time.  Thank you for your time and I hope to see you at the Bingo!

Included in this email is the flyer, please share on your social media pages, as well as with friends.
2020_bingo_letter_to_businesses.pdf
File Size: 96 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

2020_bingo_info_flyer_.pdf
File Size: 325 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

2020_bingopresale.pdf
File Size: 151 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Band Room Update.

1/28/2020

 
​Greetings everyone.
I hope that everyone enjoyed their break.  We have been very busy in the band room since classes started back up and I have not kept up with my updates. Please find this as the start of my weekly updates so you can know what is happening in the Band Room.  
  • Concert Band/Percussion Ensemble classes are currently participating in a Chamber Music project.  All students are required to perform either a duet/trio/quartet.  All students have the option of participating in solo and ensemble on Saturday, February 15th or perform for the class on Friday, February 14th.   Percussion Ensemble will be performing their selections on the Spring Concert.
  • Wind Ensemble is in preparation for District Band Festival.  This year District Band Festival will be on February 26th at Huntingtown High School.  In order to be prepared for this event we will have two extra events in preparation.
    • Winter Band Camp on Wednesday, February 5th from 5:00 - 8:30.  This is a Mandatory event for all Wind Ensemble Members.  We will be bringing in local professionals to work with each section of the band, members of the Marine Band, Air Force Band and Army Band and free lance musicians will be here to help our students.  This event is sponsored by our Band Boosters and is a wonderful event for the students.
    • Field Trip to the University of Maryland.  On Thursday, February 13 the Wind Ensemble will be taking a field trip to the University of Maryland to rehearse with Dr. Andrea Brown, Associate Director of Bands at UMD.  We will be leaving Northern at 7:30 on Thursday morning and returning at approximately 1:30 on Thursday afternoon so that students will be able to catch the bus to come home or participate in After School activities.  A hard copy of the permission slip will be coming home on Thursday, January 30th.  A digital copy will be sent out on January 28th.  
This week in the Band Room we have the following events.
  • Wednesday 1/29.  Band Room is Closed.
  • Thursday, 1/30.  Jazz Band Rhythm Section Rehearsal  2:30 - 4:00.
  • Friday, 1/31.  Les Miserables Pit Orchestra Rehearsal 2:30 - 4:00.
Next Week 
  • Monday, 2/3.  Les Miserables Pit Orchestra Rehearsal 2:30 - 4:00
  • Tuesday, 2/4.  Jazz Band Saxophone Sectional 2:30 - 4:00.
  • Wednesday, 2/5.  Winter Band Camp (Wind Ensemble Only) 5:00 - 8:30
  • Thursday, 2/6.  Jazz Band Rhythm Section Sectional 2:30 - 4:00.
  • Friday, 2/7.  Les Miserables Pit Orchestra Rehearsal.  2:30 - 4:00

Thank you,
RB

12/10 - 12/14

12/10/2019

 

Greetings everyone,
Very brief review of a big week.
  • Tuesday 12/10. 
    • Concert Band Rehearsal with select percussionist today after school from 2:30 - 4:00.
    • Jazz Band Rhythm section auditions begin during Patriot Time
    • Marching Band Banquet 6:00 - 8:00 PM in Cafeteria
  • Wednesday  12/11. 
    • Jazz Band Rhythm Section Auditions during Patriot time.
  • Thursday 12/12
    • Band Room is closed during patriot time
    • Winter Concert.  Call time is 5:00, concert begins at 6:00 in the cafeteria.
    • Concert attire is All Black.  Please see previous blog post for Concert Dress Requirements.
  • Friday, 12/13
    • Set up and prep time for Holiday Craft Fair after school.  Volunteers needed.
  • Saturday, 12/14
    • Holiday Craft Fair.  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.  Volunteers needed.

We are still in need of volunteers for our Holiday Craft Fair.  This is a major Fundraiser for our organization.  Our goal this year is to purchase four new Tubas for the band.  Please help us to reach our goal by donating some time or goods.  

Concessions donations https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044EAEA72AA13-201917
 
Volunteer sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044eaea72aa13-nhsband

Looking forward to a great week,
RB

12/3 - 12/7

12/3/2019

 
​Hello,
I hope that everyone had a relaxing break.  We are gearing up for a very busy week with the Northern Bands starting this Saturday with the Pat Carpenter Holiday parade.  Even if your student is not in the Marching Band please come out and support us as we help to kick off the Holiday season in North Beach.

Sign ups for Jazz Auditions begin tomorrow.  All students are encouraged to audition.  Auditions will take place next week during Patriot Time.  Play along recordings for the audition music can be found on the Bands website, https://www.northernhighbands.com/300-band.html

Here is our schedule for the remainder of this week.
  • Wednesday 12/5.           Band room is closed
  • Thursday 12/6.                 Concert Band Rehearsal 2:30 – 4:00
  • Friday 12/7.                        Band room is closed.
  • Saturday 12/8.                  Marching Band at Pat Carpenter Holiday Parade

Here are some major dates to keep in mind for the future.
  • Tuesday, 12/10.   Concert Band Rehearsal 2:30 – 4:00
  • Tuesday, 12/10.  Marching Band Banquet
  • Thursday, 12/12.  Winter Band Concert 6:00
    • Call time for this event is 5:00.  Students can stay after school with me in the Band
      Room.  All Students must stay with me until the start of the concert.
    • This will be the last Concert (fingers crossed) to be held in the Cafeteria.  We will return to the Mary Harrison Center this Spring.
  • Saturday, 12/14.  Northern Bands Annual Holiday Craft Fair
    • The 17th annual NHS Band Boosters Holiday Craft Fair is on December 14th and we need donations for the concessions stand and volunteers.  Below are two links to the Sign-Up Genius for both needs.  Please consider signing up. This is a major fundraiser for our group.  Proceeds from this event benefit all the band programs at Northern.
    • Concessions donations 
    • Volunteer Sign Up
With a little more than a week away from our first concert, please make sure that your students concert attire is in order.  The theme is Classy and Elegant (not exorbitant).  Here is a list of the details for the uniform that should be able to help you.

For all performances, Northern Music students wear the “uniform” of professional musicians, Concert Dress Black, also called Dress Blacks, or simply Blacks.

What is Concert Dress Black?

​First and foremost, it is completely black (thanks, Captain Obvious). Dress blacks are formal, classy, and elegant. Students are free to choose the components of their dress blacks within the following guidelines.

  • black dress pants
  • black dress shirt (collar, buttons, and long sleeves), or blouse (long sleeves)
  • black socks
  • black shoes.  Ladies, flats or a small wedge is acceptable.  NO HIGH HEELS
  • A tie will be provided for ALL Gentlemen
 
What is not Concert Dress Black?
  • jeans, sweats, yoga pants, mini-skirts or shorts
  • t-shirts, tank tops, spaghetti straps,
  • flip-flops, sneakers, UGS or black sneakers with colored stripes or logo
  • white socks, colored socks, or sans-socks, bare legs or feet
 
Some hints on putting together your dress blacks
  • because students are growing, borrowing from older siblings, or even parents (especially shoes) is a great idea
  • if you decide to buy, allow for growing (not quite clown suite big, but enough for a year or two)
  • thrift stores can be a great place to find formal clothing in good shape
  • if you are not sure if something meets the requirements, ask before you buy or make sure you can take it back.
 
As always, thank you for your continued support. 
RB
Picture

11/18 - 11/22

11/18/2019

 
Congratulations to the students who participated in the All County Band Concert last Thursday.  It was an excellent concert.  While there were many NHS students who made the band, it would be fantastic to see those numbers rise by 10% next year.  Participating in events like the All County and Solo and Ensemble are wonderful ways to build your college resume. 

All Concert Band/Wind Ensemble students have playing assignments this week.  All assignments need to be uploaded to Schoology by Friday night (11/22).

Percussion Ensemble had their first playing quiz of the marking period, last Friday (11/15). 

Encourage your students to practice daily.  If there is no assignment due, students should practice their concert music or practice something for fun.  There are lots of great resources on the web to find music.  Playing daily is key to development.

This week we have the following after school activities.
  • Monday.              NHS Wind Quintet.  2:30 – 4:00
  • Tuesday.              Marching Patriots parade rehearsal 2:30 – 4:00.
  • Wednesday.      Band room is closed
  • Thursday.            Marching Patriots parade rehearsal 2:30 – 4:00.
  • Friday.                  Band room is closed.
  • Saturday.             Senior All State Band Auditions

We had an excellent turn out for our jazz band information meeting last week.  All students were given audition music.  Play along recordings for the audition music can be found on the Bands website, https://www.northernhighbands.com/300-band.html.  Auditions for the two different groups will take place after Thanksgiving Break.  All students are encouraged to participate!!!
​
Here are some major dates to keep in mind for the future.
  • Thursday, December 5.  2:30 – 4:00.  Concert Band Rehearsal
  • Saturday December 7. 11:00 – 2:00.  Marching Band Performance at Pat Carpenter Holiday Parade
  • Tuesday, 12/10.  Concert Band Rehearsal
  • Tuesday, 12/10.  Marching Band Banquet
  • Thursday, 12/12.  Winter Band Concert
  • Saturday, 12/14.  Northern Bands Annual Holiday Craft Fair
 
As always, thank you for your continued support. 
RB

The 2nd Marking Period

11/11/2019

 
Greetings everyone,
This will be the first weekly update for what's going on in the Band Room at Northern High School.  Here you should be able to find what the students are working on, updates on all events and any other news that you should know about.

First I want to acknowledge the students who made the All-County Band.  This year Northern had 19 students make the All County Band, making up 40% of the band.   These students started last week putting together a wonderful program.  The All County Band Concert is this Thursday at 7:00 at Calvert High School.  We hope that you can come out and join us for this event.

The after-school schedule for this week is as follows.
  • Tuesday, 11/12.  All County Band Rehearsal 6 - 8 at Huntingtown High School.
  • Wednesday, 11/13.  All County Band Rehearsal 9 - 3 at Calvert High School.
  • Thursday, 11/14.  All County Band Concert.  7:00 at Calvert High School
  • Friday, 11/15.  Northern Jazz Information Meeting during Patriot Time. 

Here are some major dates to keep in mind for the future.
  • Thursday, December 5.  2:30 – 4:00.  Concert Band Rehearsal
  • Saturday December 7. 11:00 – 2:00.  Marching Band Performance at Pat Carpenter Holiday Parade
  • Tuesday, 12/10.  Concert Band Rehearsal
  • Tuesday, 12/10.  Marching Band Banquet
  • Thursday, 12/12.  Winter Band Concert
  • Saturday, 12/14.  Northern Bands Annual Holiday Craft Fair

As we start to approach our first concert please make sure that your students concert attire is in order.  For all performances, Northern Music students wear the “uniform” of professional musicians, Concert Dress Black, also called Dress Blacks, or simply Blacks.

What is Concert Dress Black?

First and foremost, it is completely black. Dress blacks are formal, classy, and elegant. Students are free to choose the components of their dress blacks within the following guidelines.
 
  • black dress pants
  • black dress shirt (collar, buttons, and long sleeves), or blouse (long sleeves)
  • black socks
  • black shoes.  Ladies, flats or a small wedge is acceptable.  NO HIGH HEELS
  • A tie will be provided for ALL Gentlemen
 
 
What is not Concert Dress Black?
  • jeans, sweats, yoga pants, mini-skirts or shorts
  • t-shirts, tank tops, spaghetti straps,
  • flip-flops, sneakers, UGS or black sneakers with colored stripes or logo
  • white socks, colored socks, or sans-socks, bare legs or feet
 
Some hints on putting together your dress blacks
  • because students are growing, borrowing from older siblings, or even parents (especially shoes) is a great idea
  • if you decide to buy, allow for growing (not quite clown suite big, but enough for a year or two)
  • thrift stores can be a great place to find formal clothing in good shape
  • if you are not sure if something meets the requirements, ask before you buy or make sure you can take it back.
Picture

Week 10

11/4/2019

 
Hi all,
Well, it has arrived.  After months of planning and preparation, the Marching Band season has come to a conclusion.  While I am excited about what lies in front of us for the concert season, the competitive season will be missed.  This was truly a season to remember and I have enjoyed every moment of it.  

We do have one event remaining, the Pat Carpenter Holiday Parade in North Beach, MD.  Rehearsals for this performance will take place on November 19th, 21st and December 3rd from 2:30 - 4:00. 

The schedule for this week does not include marching band.
  • Monday.  Northern Woodwind Quintet 2:30 - 4:00
  • Tuesday.  All County Band Rehearsal.  5:45 - 8:00 at Huntingtown High School.
  • Wednesday.   Band Room is Closed.
  • Thursday.  All County Band Rehearsal.  5:45 - 8:00 at Huntingtown High School
  • Friday.  Jazz Band information meeting during patriot time.


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