August 23, 2011

Dear Band Member and Band Parents,
                       
I hope this letter finds you having a relaxing and happy summer.  I am looking forward to seeing you the first week of school!  We have lots of great music and events this year!!

**VERY IMPORTNT**…Along with sending notices home with our students, the LMS Music Department sends everything by email to parents, as well. Many parents find this to be a more reliable form of communication. PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL (so that I have your address) if you would like to be included on our email list. These emails will be updates, concert reminders, etc. My email address is shianne.priest@rsu34.org.
           
Hopefully, you will find this packet of information helpful in planning your schedules for the year.  Enclosed, please find the following items:
A schedule of all LMS music events for the year *
A list of local private lesson teachers and their phone numbers
A list of all LMS Bands with starting dates and when they meet
 
*Please take a moment to go over all of the dates for the year and contact me as soon as possible to let me know of any conflicts.  Each student is an important member of his/her band(s). The best and most positive musical performances happen when all members are present! Please let me know as early as possible if your student will need to miss anything so that his/her parts can be covered in advance.

At Leonard Middle School, band rehearsals take place during Academic Focus, which is from 10:40 to 11:30. Each band meets one day a week, plus one Friday rehearsal per month. The Friday rehearsals will be on a rotating basis and will be posted on the LMS announcements. These announcements are read to the students daily and can be accessed by parents through the Old Town School Department web site (www.rsu34.org). Band rehearsals will start on the dates listed below:
           
            Monday- 6th Grade Band (starts Sept 12)
Tuesday- Symphonic Band (starts Sept 13)
            Wednesday- Concert Band (starts Sept 14)
            Thursday- Jazz Band (starts Sept 15)
            Friday- Rotation (starts Sept 16)

**For those returning, please note that Mondays and Thursdays have switched!  6th Grade Band will now meet Mondays and both jazz groups will meet Thursdays.**

*Jazz Ensemble… is for 7th and 8th graders and will meet Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00. The first rehearsal will be on September 15. For those of you returning, please note the change in day and the change in concert dress listed below!

*Symphonic Band members…please turn in your completed summer practice sheets during the first week of school!

*6th graders are often confused when they see “Band Class” on their schedule. Band class is a small-group lesson on their instrument, which takes place during Unified Arts time. 6th grade Unified Arts time is from 1:00-2:30. Students will need their instrument whenever they see “Band Class” on their schedule. Band classes will start on the first day of school.

Each band will have two after-school rehearsals this year. One will be in the fall to prepare for the winter concert and the other will be in the spring to prepare for the spring concert. These rehearsals will go from 2:30-3:45.  We have scheduled all afternoon rehearsals during weeks that are between sports seasons so that athletes will not have conflicts with games and practices. Afternoon rehearsals will always be on the same day that your child normally has band. Please see the attached yearly schedule for these dates.

If you are considering enrolling your student in private music lessons, please refer to the enclosed list and get in touch with the teacher of your choice as soon as possible. Most private teachers are very reasonably priced, but have a limited number of openings, and will accept students on a first come-first served basis. Private lessons arehighly encouraged and extremely helpful in a student’s musical progress.

So that you are able to plan in advance, I have provided a list of what the students will need to wear for concerts.

For Band Concerts (6th Grade Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band)-

Girls                                                                 Boys
White Shirt                                                       White Shirt
Black Dress Pants (please, no skirts)                Black Tie
Black Socks                                                     Black Dress Pants
Black Shoes (please, no sneakers)                   Black Socks
                                                                        Black Shoes (please, no sneakers)

For Jazz Concerts (Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble)-

Girls and Boys
Polo Shirt (will be provided by LMS)
Black Dress Pants 
Black Socks
Black Shoes (please, no sneakers)

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Sincerely,

Shianne Priest
                                                                                                LMS Music Director
827-3900 (ext.321) shianne.priest@rsu34.org

Meets Mondays
6:30 pm- 8:00 pm

First rehersal -
Thursday, September 15

Meets Wednesdays and one Friday per month. 10:40 am - 11:30 am

First rehersal -
Wednesday, September 13

*All 7th and 8th instrumentalists are involved in this group

Meets Thursdays and one Friday per month. 10:40 am - 11:30 am

First rehersal -
Monday, September 12

* All 6th grade band students are involved in this group

October 31 (Monday)                        6th Grade Band After-School Rehearsal      2:30-3:45

November 1 (Tuesday)                     Symphonic Band After-School Rehearsal   2:30-3:45
               
November 2 (Wednesday)                Concert Band After-School Rehearsal         2:30-3:45

November 3 (Thursday)                   Jazz Band After-School Rehearsal               2:30-3:45             
                                                                Jazz Ensemble Extended Rehearsal             6:30-8:30

               
December 5 (Monday)                      Chorus Concert                                                  7:00 OTHS

December 12 (Monday)                    Bands Winter Concert                                      7:00 OTHS

February 2 (Thursday)                     Jazz Band After-School Rehearsal               2:30-3:45             
                                                                Jazz Ensemble Extended Rehearsal             6:30-8:30

February 9 (Thursday)                     Jazz Bands Winter Concert                            7:00 LMS

February 15 (Wednesday)               District 5 Jazz Festival                                     Millinocket
                                                                                                                                                Times TBA

March 8 (Thursday)                          ESL Memorial Jazz-O-Rama                         6:30 OTHS
                                                                                                                                               

March 12 (Monday)                          6th Grade Band After-School Rehearsal      2:30-3:45
               
March 13 (Tuesday)                          Symphonic Band After-School Rehearsal   2:30-3:45

March 14 (Wednesday)                    Concert Band After-School Rehearsal         2:30-3:45             

March 24 (Saturday)                         State Jazz Festival                                             Millinocket
                                                                                                                                                Times TBA
                                                               
May 9 (Wednesday)                           Chorus Concert                                                  7:00 OTHS

May 15 (Tuesday)                              Bands Spring Concert                                       7:00 OTHS