Hi, hey, hello!
I hope everyone is finding some positives in this situation that we are currently living through: I have been able to spend some time deep cleaning, organizing, and re-working some life priorities. While this unprecedented time is certainly trying for all of us, I think it is important to keep thinking about the positives. It's so easy to fall down into all that is negative - I highly encourage stepping away from electronics for a little bit of time each day and going on a walk (with the appropriate social distancing - 6'!). Disney Trip Meeting Once we know more information about what the future looks like, we will reschedule this meeting. As of right now, TBD. E-Learning/Distance Learning The daily schedule for this week is as follows: Monday - Block 1 Day Tuesday - Block 2 Day Wednesday - Block 1 Day Thursday - Block 2 Day Friday - All 7 periods There will be assignments posted on GoogleClassroom every single one of these days. All band and percussion assignments will include playing in some way, shape or form. If you have questions on how to submit these videos, please do not hesitate to email me. GoogleMeeting This week's meetings are broken up as follows. Remember, you do not HAVE to come to these meetings, but I really enjoy being able to talk to you all, even through a computer screen. One of my goals for this week is to get together a group that wouldn't typically get together - you will notice that I separated the groups by last name this week! If you would like to meet individually or in a small group, please send me an email and we will find a time to meet! All group meetings will occur at 1pm and I'll email you a link. Monday, 1pm - 2020 Student Leader Team Tuesday, 1pm - Last Names A-C Wednesday, 11am - Tri-M Board Meeting Wednesday, 1pm - Last Names D-G Thursday, 1pm - Last Names H-R Friday, 1pm - Last Names S-Z Pretty short update this week. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns. Musically yours -- Michaela Davis
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Hi, hey, hello!
We are definitely moving into uncharted territory right now. Please be patient as we work through what the next few weeks will look like. Please see last week's email for a lot of information pertaining to next year's schedule of events. You can find it HERE. Disney Trip Meeting Once we know more information about what the future looks like, we will reschedule this meeting. As of right now, TBD. E-Learning/Distance Learning CM is on a block schedule for this week's E-Learning/Distance Learning. Here is this week's schedule. Monday/Wednesday/Friday - Periods 1, 3, 4, 6 Tuesday/Thursday - Periods 2, 5, 4, 7 I will be posting everything on GoogleClassroom for percussion and winds. For both percussion and winds, assignments will include a variety of topics - note reading, rhythm reading, fundamentals of playing, recording basic skills and/or concert music preparation. Every assignment will include a recording. You can always record right on GoogleClassroom. Communication Please feel free to communicate via email or Remind. I will also be utilizing Google Meeting to check in with you all. Here are the times I would like to see you all. The goal here it to just chat, eat a snack together, and check in. If it isn't possible for you to be with us at that time, I understand. I'll send a link to everyone's email to join us at the Google Meeting. Seniors - Monday @ 1pm Percussion - Monday @ 2pm Flutes/Clarinets - Tuesday @ 1pm Saxophones/Horn - Wednesday @ 1pm High Brass - Thursday @ 1pm Low Brass - Friday @ 1pm I've also blocked out two hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for individualized Google Meetings. If you would like to meet individually or with a small group, please sign up HERE and I will send a link to your email address(es). Parents, feel free to sign up if you need to discuss anything as well. This is just for current high school students. I'll be sending an email to middle school parents and students here shortly. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns during this time. We are all in this together. (I truly hope you sang that to High School Musical. If not, well...) Musically yours -- Michaela Davis Hi, hey, hello!
This is not the way I would like to first address the 2020 Marching Eagles, but it seems our hands are tied right now. I hope that everyone stays healthy over the extended break. This email is a welcome, a congratulations, and also contains some very important information. I will apologize for the length of this email. It is lengthy, but ALL the information is important. Welcome to the Marching Eagles! We are truly excited to get moving on this season. Some of you may be wondering why you're receiving an email NOW, in March. In actuality, preparations for this upcoming season began back in January. We really try to plan ahead in the band world! Our meeting for March 23 is postponed indefinitely at this time. It cannot be rescheduled until we know more about the future of the school closure. Once we know what is happening, we will reschedule this meeting, but it will only be a Disney trip meeting and a shorter introduction meeting. This email is in place of the full length introduction meeting. There is A LOT of important information in this email, so please read carefully. I also suggest reading this email with your child so that they are aware of everything in here as well. Communication I send out weekly emails about what is going on the band world. Email is always the best way to communicate with me as I work in different buildings and am not always near a telephone. It is extremely important that you and your child read these emails as they always contain important current information as well as information about upcoming events to stay aware of. Band Website You can typically find ALL information at the band website, HERE. Important documents, these updates, as well as a band calendar are all on this website. The calendar found here is the most up to date, as some things do change. While I always email these changes, I know some emails disappear (it's happened to me many times!). You can always find up to date information on the band website. Remind We utilize Remind. You can join via the codes below: ALL Band & Color Guard Students/Families: text @cmhsband20 to 81010 Leadership Team ONLY: text @cmleader20 to 81010 Percussion ONLY: text @cmhsperc20 to 81010 Color Guard: Paige will have more information for you at the first rehearsal We do have a Facebook page. Go to Facebook and search for "Civic Memorial High School Band". Request to join and I will add you. There is also a Color Guard page: "Civic Memorial High School Color Guard". We also have a band Instagram! The handle is cmhsbands - Follow Us! Important Dates A full calendar will be given out at the meeting once it's rescheduled, but please plan around the following dates. While vacations are important, so is attendance at these dates over the summer. Our Marching Eagles first performance is the first week of school so we have to meet during the summer to ensure that we are ready to go! The Marching Eagles perform at every home football game, plus three or four competitions in the fall. Our typical season ends around the middle or end of October. - June 8-June 11 (8am-12pm) - FUNdamentals Camp This camp is for incoming freshmen, sophomores, and student leaders. Color Guard does NOT attend this camp, but percussionists do from 8am-10am. We focus on marching fundamentals and start to look at the show music. - July 20-July 24 (Times vary) - Music Camp This camp is for ALL musicians. This is where we focus on the music for our field show. The break down of the schedule is as follows: Woodwinds - July 20 (9am-12pm), July 22 (9am-12pm), and July 24 (1pm-4pm) Brass - July 20 (1pm-4pm), July 22 (1pm-4pm), and July 24 (1pm-4pm) Percussion - July 20-24 (1pm-4pm) - July 27-31 (8am-3pm) - Color Guard Camp This camp is for color guard ONLY. - August 3-August 7 (8am-6pm) - Band Camp This camp is for ALL of the Marching Eagles and is essential to what we do. It combines what we have learned at FUNdamentals Camp and Music Camp with our drill (where we move on the field while performing). Missing this camp is detrimental to the students, both from an individual basis and a group basis. A full calendar will be given out at the rescheduled meeting. It will include a full color guard rehearsal plan, percussion clinic, audition, and rehearsal plan, as well as a performance plan for the fall. On Attendance Absences happen, we understand that. However, we also expect communication when absences occur. Marching band is a TEAM activity and it takes everyone to keep the bus rolling. When an absence occurs, it not only affects your student in that they fall behind, but it also affects the students around them. We need everyone knowing everything when it comes to marching a field show. When absences are expected to occur, send an email to me at [email protected] at least two weeks in advance of the absence. Every action has a reaction. If this email makes it to me, I know where your child is and I know they are safe. If this email doesn't make it to me, I fear the worst and I will start making phone calls to ensure your child's safety. If a student is supposed to be with me for a rehearsal, camp, or performance, and they aren't, I am worried that they are in danger. It is also important to know that band is a co-curricular class. This means that there are in class requirements as well as outside of school requirements. All of these requirements count as grades. Rehearsals are a grade. If your student doesn't attend them, it will affect their grade negatively. Performances are a grade. If your student doesn't attend them, it will affect their grade negatively. Other Activities I highly encourage students to participate in other activities! High school is the time to be as involved as possible! This being said, we will always discuss conflicts. With sports and performance activities, the basic rules are as follows: If a band rehearsal, and a sports practice conflicts, the student will split their time. (i.e. sports practice every day after school, band rehearses one day after school. The student will attend four practices for their sport, and one rehearsal for band.) If a sport match/meet/game, and a band rehearsal conflicts, the student will attend the match/meet/game. If a band performance, and a sports practice conflicts, the student will attend the performance. If a band performance, and a sport match/meet/game conflicts, the band director, coaches, student, and parents will discuss and come to a decision. Order Forms Attached to this email is the band order form and guard order form. Please follow what is written on the forms and please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Parent Volunteers Part of this bus moving requires YOU as a parent to be involved whenever possible! We always need volunteers to help out at band camp, with uniforms, chaperoning trips, moving equipment when setting up to perform, etc. Jen Gross is our Band Parent Coordinator. As more information becomes available, you will be receiving emails from her about needs that we may have moving forward. Please know that this is a collaboration between myself, the coordinator (Jen), and you! If you have an idea, please contact us and we will see if works for the group - I am always under the impression that we can do better. In that vein, we should always strive to do better. Please do not hesitate to contact Jen or myself with any idea or thought that you might have. Her email address is [email protected]. 2020 Student Leader Team Our student leader team is essential at the high school level. Thank you to everyone who applied to be a student leader for the 2020-2021 school year. Congratulations to the 2020 Student Leader Team. You can find the list HERE. Our first student leader team meeting is TBA. 2020 Color Guard We had a total number of 18 students audition for color guard this year - how EXCITING! Congratulations to all those who auditioned and who made the team. You can find the list HERE. At this time, rehearsals are postponed. We will inform you of the rehearsal schedule once we know more. 2020 Marching Eagles Show Typically, at the meeting, I ask for a roll. I will simply have to type one for this email! The 2020 Marching Eagles Show is entitled. . . . . . . . . . . Words A link to the show music can be found HERE. This show is very near and dear to my heart. As a goal for next year, I want the band to look at how our words can affect someone else. This can be a positive thing or a negative thing. Sometimes, what we say isn't always what we mean and reflection on that is truly important in the world we live in. I will be handing out the music to the show when we get back from the school closure, but you can find it HERE if you want to look ahead. The password for the music is gmmb2018 You will notice there are solos. We will be auditioning for these solos in May at some point in time. Suggested instruments are just that - suggestive! No decisions have been made as far as the instrument playing the solo. Prepare it, audition, and the staff will determine what happens! I hope that this email wasn't too exhausting, but at the same time, it was exhaustive: it has all the information that is necessary to know right now. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know. There is always an open line of communication from myself to you. This is a large activity that we embark on every year, and it is a JOURNEY to get to the end, but it works so well when all those involved are in the same vehicle (the bus!). We have a total of 86 students involved in the Marching Eagles. This is about 10% of our school's student population. We are one of the largest activities in the school and we are also one of the most involved. Your child should be PROUD to be a Marching Eagle! We show that pride daily, in rehearsals, outside of rehearsals, in performance, on trips, etc. Your child will learn a lot doing this activity: about themselves, their peers, how to work with others, how to hold themselves in high regard, how to meet expectations of their peers, myself, and themselves, and how to work hard even when they don't want to. There is nothing like marching band and it is my hope that this will be another amazing year for the Marching Eagles. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Musically yours -- Michaela Davis Hi, hey, hello!
Better late than never on this update! :) Congratulations to the following students for performing at solo and ensemble! The rating for this event is individually (or small group based) and is a rating for your performance and your performance alone - it is not a competition! The receive a 1 means a superior performance, a II is excellent, a III is good, a IV is fair and a V is poor. I'm proud to say that our band students only received I's and II's! Congratulations! Alex Cole Emily Fitzgerald Stella Smith Jenna Bloodworth Mark Eldridge Alexis Noel Aiden Vandeford Jared Thomas Matthew Moore Carter Bloodworth Addie Liljedahl Dakota Nolte Bethalto Community Night The Bethalto Community Night is an evening where the Bethalto community is invited to CM for a night of educational fun! In the hope of bringing music into our schools and community, I have been asked to see if the band would be interested in showcasing our hard work this evening. I thought, "why not?" We already have a concert prepared! The idea is that we would perform the small ensembles again this evening, in two rounds. Plan on being at CM this evening: Thursday, March 12 from 4:30pm-7:30pm. 2020-2021 Student Leader Interviews The interview schedule can be found HERE. If you have a conflict with your time, it is your duty to communicate. Be proactive - is there a way to fix the conflict? For those interested in auditioning for drum major, we will have two drum major clinics: Monday, March 9 from 3pm-4pm and Wednesday, March 11 from 3pm-4pm. You will conduct the Star Spangled Banner in class on Friday, March 13. 3rd Quarter Playing Test This has been posted on GoogleClassroom. It is due THIS FRIDAY by 11:59pm. Spring 2021 Band and Choir Trip We have been pre-approved by the Board of Education to have our spring trip to Disney World in Florida. The date of this trip is March 11-15, 2021. All current 8th grade-11th grade band and choir students and parents are invited on this trip. Depending on numbers, siblings may be invited as well. We will have a trip kick off meeting on Monday, March 23 at 6:30pm, with the Marching Eagles Informational Meeting following the trip kick off at 7:30pm. Important Dates for Next Year March 9, 10, 11 - Color Guard Clinics and Auditions (3:30pm-5:30pm) March 23 - Trip Kick Off Meeting (6:30pm), Marching Eagles Info. Meeting (7:30pm) March 26 - Perc. Audition Clinic April 2 - Perc. Audition Clinic April 6 - Perc. Auditions June 8 - 11 - FUNdamentals Camp (8am-12pm, freshmen, sophomores, student leaders - no guard, percussion yes) July 20-24 - Music Camp (Winds and percussion), Guard Camp Aug. 3-7 - Band Camp St. Louis Symphony Orchestra The St. Louis Symphony is holding a free concert on Friday, March 27 at 7pm. You can find more information HERE. SIUE Percussion Institute This event is OPTIONAL, but highly encouraged! It is June 8-11 and the registration link can be found HERE. McKendree University Instrument Development Nights McKendree University is holding FREE instrument nights during this semester. While the event is free, you will have to register. The link for registration is HERE. March 26 - Oboe & Bassoon March 31 - Flute ------------ Week of Mar. 9 Monday, Mar. 9 - Drum Major Clinic (3pm-4pm) - Color Guard Audition Clinic (3:30pm-5:30pm) Tuesday, Mar. 10 - Tri-M Board Meeting (2:40pm) - Color Guard Audition Clinic (3:30pm-5:30pm) - Fine Arts Boosters Meeting (5:30pm - this is at an altered time due to the Honors Inductions) - Honors Society Inductions (7pm) Wednesday, Mar. 11 - Tri-M Meeting (2:40pm) - Drum Major Clinic (3pm-4pm) - Color Guard Auditions (3:30pm-5:30pm) Thursday, Mar. 12 - Bethalto Community Night (4:30pm call, concert black dress) Friday, Mar. 13 - Student Leader Interviews (see schedule above) Week of Mar. 16 No School - Spring Break! Week of Mar. 23 Monday, Mar. 23 - Disney Trip Kick Off Meeting (6:30pm) - Marching Eagles Informational Meeting (7:30pm) Thursday, Mar. 26 - Front Ensemble Percussion Clinic (4pm-5:30pm) - Battery Percussion Clinic (5:30pm-7pm) If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Musically yours -- Michaela Davis Hi, hey, hello!
I held off on sending out this update until after the concert, but wow, wow, wow. Such an amazing audience for today's concert! Thank you all for coming out to support our musicians. Congratulations to the students for a job well done! We will be presenting this concert again in two rounds on Thursday, March 12 at Bethalto's Community Night. I've also attached the program to this email in case we ran out of any at the door. Please make sure to refer to the band calendar - CLICK HERE. This calendar has all updated dates and it changes as soon as new information becomes available. Also, ensure that you and your student read this email. I include the most up to date information in these emails. Bethalto Community Night The Bethalto Community Night is an evening where the Bethalto community is invited to CM for a night of educational fun! In the hope of bringing music into our schools and community, I have been asked to see if the band would be interested in showcasing our hard work this evening. I thought, "why not?" We already have a concert prepared! The idea is that we would perform the small ensembles again this evening, in two rounds. Plan on being at CM this evening: Thursday, March 12 from 4:30pm-7:30pm. Spring 2021 Band and Choir Trip We have been pre-approved by the Board of Education to have our spring trip to Disney World in Florida. The date of this trip is March 11-15, 2021. All current 8th grade-11th grade band and choir students and parents are invited on this trip. Depending on numbers, siblings may be invited as well. We will have a trip kick off meeting on Monday, March 23 at 6:30pm, with the Marching Eagles Informational Meeting following the trip kick off at 7:30pm. Solo & Ensemble Solo and Ensemble is an optional performance for band students. It is held on Saturday, March 7 at Alton High School. Students will perform a solo or small ensemble piece that they prepare themselves in front of a judge and receive a rating. It is not a competition between musicians; it is a competition with yourself! I have the following people signed up for a solo or ensemble - times can be found below as well. Alex - trumpet solo - 8:30am Jenna, Mark, Alexis, Aiden, Matt, Fitz, Jared - Sourwood Mountain - 9:20am Stella - marimba solo - 9:30am Carter, Dakota, Addie - snare trio - 9:40am Fitz - euphonium solo - 10:30am Mark and Jenna - trumpet duet - 10:50am Alex, Stella, Fitz - Mr. Raymond will be in the auditorium after school on Wednesday and Thursday to rehearse your solos with you. For all students, it is my hope that you all can find your own way to Alton High School for this event. If this is an issue, please let me know. 2020-2021 Student Leader Interviews The interview schedule can be found HERE. If you have a conflict with your time, it is your duty to communicate. Be proactive - is there a way to fix the conflict? For those interested in auditioning for drum major, we will have two drum major clinics: Monday, March 9 from 3pm-4pm and Wednesday, March 11 from 3pm-4pm. You will conduct the Star Spangled Banner in class on Friday, March 13. Important Dates for Next Year March 9, 10, 11 - Color Guard Clinics and Auditions (3:30pm-5:30pm) March 23 - Trip Kick Off Meeting (6:30pm), Marching Eagles Info. Meeting (7:30pm) March 26 - Perc. Audition Clinic April 2 - Perc. Audition Clinic April 6 - Perc. Auditions June 8 - 11 - FUNdamentals Camp (8am-12pm, freshmen, sophomores, student leaders - no guard, percussion yes) July 20-24 - Music Camp (Winds and percussion), Guard Camp Aug. 3-7 - Band Camp St. Louis Symphony Orchestra The St. Louis Symphony is holding a free concert on Friday, March 27 at 7pm. You can find more information HERE. SIUE Percussion Institute This event is OPTIONAL, but highly encouraged! It is June 8-11 and the registration link can be found HERE. McKendree University Instrument Development Nights McKendree University is holding FREE instrument nights during this semester. While the event is free, you will have to register. The link for registration is HERE. March 26 - Oboe & Bassoon March 31 - Flute --- Goals for this Week: - Sight read spring concert music Week of Mar. 2 Friday, Mar. 6 - CMHS Drama presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame (7pm) Saturday, Mar. 7 - IHSA Solo & Ensemble, Alton HS (Times, see above) - CMHS Drama presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame (7pm) Sunday, Mar. 8 - CMHS Drama presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2pm) Week of Mar. 9 Monday, Mar. 9 - Drum Major Clinic (3pm-4pm) - Color Guard Audition Clinic (3:30pm-5:30pm) Tuesday, Mar. 10 - Tri-M Board Meeting (2:40pm) - Color Guard Audition Clinic (3:30pm-5:30pm) - Fine Arts Boosters Meeting (5:30pm) - Honors Society Inductions (7pm) Wednesday, Mar. 11 - Tri-M Meeting (2:40pm) - Drum Major Clinic (3pm-4pm) - Color Guard Auditions (3:30pm-5:30pm) Thursday, Mar. 12 - Bethalto Community Night (4:30pm call, concert black dress) Friday, Mar. 13 - Student Leader Interviews (see schedule above) If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Musically yours -- Michaela Davis |
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