Hi, hey, hello!
I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving break and even if it wasn't your normal, I hope you were able to reset yourselves and charge up for the rest of 2nd quarter! The decision has been announced that we are fully remote learning until December 18. There are 15 school days left in the 2nd quarter - that's 15 days to adjust our attitudes and motivations, raise your grades, make an impact. We will survive together! This update includes some information about assignments that are coming up. 2nd Quarter Playing Test This test is due THIS FRIDAY by 11:59pm. The information for this playing test can be found on GoogleClassroom. Late assignments are NOT accepted for this assignment and students who do not turn in a playing test will receive a zero. This test is 100 points and you have been given plenty of time to complete it. GET IT DONE! Fine Arts Critique This assignment will be posted to GoogleClassroom tomorrow morning and will be due on Friday, December 11 by 11:59pm. Typically, this assignment requires students to attend a live performance and write a review based on that performance. In our current situation, that's nearly impossible. Due to that, this assignment has been revamped: students are to watch a concert or a performance on YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc. Any streaming service will do! They are to write a review on that performance/documentary and submit it via GoogleClassroom. I will be talking more about this during class this week/ Listening Journals We completed 3 entries on our listening journals from the 1st quarter. For those who completed these entries, you will be receiving extra credit - 10 points per entry. For those who didn't complete these entries, they won't help you or hurt you. Tri-M GoogleClassroom Tri-M will be meeting virtually for the rest of the quarter. To help aid us in this, we created a GoogleClassroom where the Zoom link will be posted as well as information about service projects. The code is: vouku4n ---- December Schedule As a reminder, our Christmas concert has been postponed until January, if possible. There will be no rehearsals during this full remote learning either. Tri-M will meet virtually. If you are a member of Tri-M or participating to be inducted into Tri-M, make sure to join the GoogleClassroom (see above). Week of Nov. 30 Monday, Nov. 30 - Tri-M Board Meeting (12:30pm - virtual) Wednesday, Dec. 2 - Tri-M Meeting (12:30pm - virtual) Friday, Dec. 4 - Tri-M Christmas Card Drop Off (11:30am-1pm - CMHS back doors) Week of Dec. 7 There is nothing scheduled for the week of Dec. 7 Week of Dec. 14 Monday, Dec. 14 - Tri-M Board Meeting (12:30pm - virtual) Friday, Dec. 18 - Tri-M Christmas Party (12:30pm-2pm - virtual) --- Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Musically yours -- Michaela Davis
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Hi, hey, hello!
Forgive me for starting this email with a personal note to all families and students. There are a few things that need to be communicated, but I also feel the need to share with you all some of my thoughts. Transparency has always been important to me and I work to maintain that transparency when appropriate and possible. Everything that has happened since March continues to impact our world, our community, and our expectations of what we know to be "normal." No decision during this time has been easily made and there is always a presence of this question: are we doing enough to keep our students and faculty safe? We truly do not have an answer for this right now - we can only keep trying and evaluating, adjusting what needs to be adjusted. This has been a trying time for everyone and I want to share with you all a little bit of my personal experience and journey as well. I've always maintained a packed schedule, beginning when I was in my high school band program at Triad High School: band, honors classes, work, and spinning at an independent winter guard kept me busy. I continued that busy schedule throughout college and maintained it even when I began teaching full time. Last fall, on top of teaching in Bethalto with a full program, I was teaching the color guard at Highland High School, as well as beginning master's classes at SIUE. Staying busy fulfilled me as a person, made me feel necessary and needed. However, there were days where I would be tired, in need of a break that would never come because there was always a performance to prepare for, a rehearsal that needed attending, or anything else that comprises a life of a busy person. I would be strung out, exhausted, but still sign up for more. Because being active and busy, every second of every day, allowed me to feel important. When the lockdown first happened in March, I was accepting of it. There was nothing we could do to change the current circumstance and acceptance was all that could have happened at that time. I maintained positivity under the impression that we might be heading back to school in April, we still had our spring concert to prepare for, after all! And I cherished the thought of a break at that point in time. Then, the news came that we wouldn't be returning to school in the spring. We wouldn't have our spring concert and all of the end of the school year celebrations wouldn't be able to occur, either. Again, I accepted it. Moved on to the marching season. Why fight what you cannot control? I was over the break now, ready to move back to normal, but we weren't quite there yet. Throughout the summer, our marching band season evolved based on state guidelines. News just kept coming down - this is cancelled, this can't happen in the way that we are used to, etc. Information never stopped - information overload was normal. And through this all, I kept thinking of you, the band students. And I thought of all the experiences that you would be missing out on and how to make those happen in some way, even if not the "normal" way. Having the opportunity to see you all in person throughout band camp was exactly what I needed to start the school year. I was ecstatic that we were starting the school year in person as well - even if it was split the way it was on the hybrid schedule. Two days with you in person was worth the three days of remote. I was fully over the idea of a break at this point in time. I was ready to return to our normal. While nervous, I was excited about the block schedule change. I could see all of you in one day?! Just imagine the sense of normalcy that we were headed toward! And the pure amount of rehearsal time that you can fit into 70 minutes? AMAZING! And then Monday, with the announcement of CM going full remote until December 4. It hit me hard - I wasn't expecting it and I reacted with less grace than I could have. But, as a musician, I'm emotional and my emotions were warring with my sensibility at the time. They still are, in a sense. But the way the students worked with me in our remote classes helped ease my heart with the situation. There are so many things to complain about right now. So much that isn't going the way we expect it to. But one thing that will continue to get us through this time is trying to look at the good things that are happening around us and fully appreciate what we didn't appreciate before. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and looking ahead to Thanksgiving, which is a time spent with family, lovely food, and warm thoughts, I wanted to share with you, my band family, one of the things that I am thankful for right now. I am thankful for you all. It sounds cheesy and overdone, and I won't fault you for your eyes rolling after reading that statement, but I will always maintain this: being a band director of a program requires a person to wear a lot of hats. I've included a picture below that makes fun of all the roles and duties a band director may have to take on. But throughout all of these hats, roles, and duties, one thing has always stayed true. My favorite part of the job, of the hats, are all of you. The Actual Update As you all know, we have moved to fully remote schooling until December 4. We will not know a decision about the rest of the 2nd quarter until closer to December 4. This has impacted our band program in a few ways: 1. Pep band dates that are scheduled during this remote learning will NOT be taking place. 2. All rehearsals scheduled during this time until December 4 are cancelled. 3. Our Christmas Concert recording that is scheduled for December 14 will be postponed to January. Some things to continue to be aware of: 1. 2nd Quarter Playing test is due December 4 by 11:59pm. This has been posted to GoogleClassroom. 2. Rehearsals for December 7 and on are still scheduled. Please plan to attend as normal. If this changes, I will inform you. 3. Tri-M will meet virtually on the scheduled meeting dates during remote learning. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Musically yours -- Michaela Davis Hi, hey, hello!
My apologies for no update last week. There wasn't truly any new information to discuss. Thank you to everyone who sold butter braids. This fundraiser was in conjunction with the choir. Funds were split like so: students who are only in band raised money for band, students who are only in choir raised money for choir, and students who are in both, their amount was split equally between band and choir. We raised a little over $2,000 for band only! 2nd Quarter Playing Test This test has been posted to GoogleClassroom. This is a 100 point test and late submissions are not accepted. It is due December 4 by 11:59pm. Plenty of time to get it done! Pep Band No news on this as of yet. Christmas Concert Our Christmas concert will be recorded, just like the fall concert was. Our Christmas concert is with the CM Choir and will include performances from: CM Jazz Band, CM Combined Concert Band, CM Percussion Ensembles, CM Treble Choir, and CM Concert Choir. The recording schedule is as follows, although it is always subject to change. We are living in a revolving situation. Thursday, December 10 - Percussion Ensemble Recording (during regularly scheduled rehearsal) Monday, December 14 - Jazz Band Recording (during regularly scheduled rehearsal) Monday, December 14 - CM Band Recording (5:45pm-6:45pm) Thursday, December 17 - Christmas Concert Recording Released --- November and December Schedule Below is the schedule for the rest of the school year. Please remember that I'm giving you ALL the dates that have been scheduled and some may be cancelled. Also, keep in mind that work is not an excuse to be absent, as per the band handbook. Week of Nov. 16 Monday, Nov. 16 - Jazz Band (3pm-4pm) Thursday, Nov. 19 - Group 2 Percussion (4pm-5:30pm) - Group 1 Percussion (5:30pm-7pm) Saturday, Nov. 21 - ILMEA (Select Students - 9am-12pm) Week of Nov. 23 Monday, Nov. 23 - NO JAZZ BAND! Wednesday, Nov. 25 - No School Thursday, Nov. 26 - No School Friday, Nov. 27 - No School Week of Nov. 30 Monday, Nov. 30 - Tri-M Board Meeting (12:30pm) - Jazz Band (3pm-4pm) - Pep Band (5:30pm-8pm) Wednesday, Dec. 2 - Tri-M Meeting (12:30pm) Thursday, Dec. 3 - Group 2 Percussion (4pm-5:30pm) - Group 1 Percussion (5:30pm-7pm) - Pep Band (5:30pm-8pm) Friday, Dec. 4 - Pep Band (5:30pm-8pm) - 2nd Quarter Playing Test Due (11:59pm) Week of Dec. 7 Monday, Dec. 7 - Jazz Band (3pm-4pm) Tuesday, Dec. 8 - 6th Grade Band and Choir Recording (5:15pm-8:15pm) Wednesday, Dec. 9 - 7th/8th Grade Band and Choir Recording (5:15pm-9pm) Thursday, Dec. 10 - Group 2 Percussion (4pm-5:30pm) - Group 1 Percussion (5:30pm-7pm) - Pep Band (5:30pm-8pm) Week of Dec. 14 Monday, Dec. 14 - Jazz Band Concert Recording (3pm-4pm) - CM Band and Choir Concert Recording (5pm-8:15pm) Wednesday, Dec. 16 - Pep Band (5:30pm-8pm) Thursday, Dec. 17 - Concert Recording released (by 7pm) Friday, Dec. 18 - Tri-M Christmas Meeting (12:30pm-2pm) - Pep Band (5:30pm-8pm) --- If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask me! Musically yours -- Michaela Davis Hi, hey, hello!
Congratulations to Josh McCune for preparing, auditioning, and being selected for ILMEA! He will attend a virtual festival/masterclass on Saturday, November 21st. Just a few reminders in this update! Butter Braids All butter braid order forms and payment are due MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd. I see 6th hour (woodwinds) this day, so if you are in percussion or brass, please make sure to drop off your order form and payment by the end of the day. If I'm not there, you can slide them underneath my office door. Delivery is Thursday, Nov. 12 from 1pm-6:30pm. Jazz Band This starts on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND from 3pm-4pm in the auditorium. You must SIGN UP to participate (CLICK HERE). We will rehearse every Monday from 3pm-4pm when school is in session. Percussion Rehearsals Percussion groups have been altered for the Christmas concert. Please plan accordingly. The times have also been slightly altered. Group 1 (Thursdays from 5:30pm-7pm) Riley Betts Guadalupe Calixto Izzy Chester Jon Crady Evan Gould Kara Janssen Addie Liljedahl Nathan Mikoff Ethan Rea Group 2 (Thursdays from 4pm-5:30pm) Jacob Baker Carter Bloodworth Emily Forrester Rylee Gorby Kaegan McClure Dylan Moore Dakota Nolte Brian Pearson Reagan Roose Rylee Rudd Aiden Shields Pep Band Discussion about pep band is still ongoing. :) Christmas Concert The decision has been made that this concert will also be virtual. Few dates to be aware of: Thursday, December 10 - Percussion Ensemble Recording (during regularly scheduled rehearsal) Monday, December 14 - Jazz Band Recording (during regularly scheduled rehearsal) Monday, December 14 - CM Band Recording (5:45pm-6:45pm) Thursday, December 17 - Christmas Concert Recording Released Short, sweet and simple update this week! -- Week of Nov. 2 Monday, Nov. 2 - Jazz Band (3pm-4pm) Tuesday, Nov. 3 - NO SCHOOL Thursday, Nov. 4 - Group 2 Percussion Rehearsal (4pm-5:30pm) - Group 1 Percussion Rehearsal (5:30pm-7pm) Week of Nov. 9 Monday, Nov. 9 - Tri-M Board Meeting (12:30pm) - Jazz Band (3pm-4pm) Wednesday, Nov. 11 - NO SCHOOL! Thursday, Nov. 12 - Tri-M Meeting (All students - 12:30pm) - Group 2 Percussion Rehearsal (4pm-5:30pm) - Group 1 Percussion Rehearsal (5:30pm-7pm) - Butter Braid Pick Up (1pm-6:30pm) Week of Nov. 16 Monday, Nov. 16 - Jazz Band (3pm-4pm) Thursday, Nov. 19 - Group 2 Percussion Rehearsal (4pm-5:30pm) - Group 1 Percussion Rehearsal (5:30pm-7pm) Saturday, Nov. 21 - ILMEA (Selected Students Only - Virtual - 9am-12pm) Week of Nov. 23 Wednesday, Nov. 25 - NO SCHOOL - Fall Break Thursday, Nov. 26 - NO SCHOOL - Fall Break Friday, Nov. 27 - NO SCHOOL - Fall Break Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns! Musically yours -- Michaela Davis |
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