Monday Aug 7-Friday Aug 11
8am-12pm
Middle School Band Room
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Band Camp: for 7th/8th Graders ONLY Monday Aug 7-Friday Aug 11 8am-12pm Middle School Band Room
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I just wanted to let you know that I will be going on maternity leave next week. My last day is on Wednesday, March 8th. I have had a fantastic year with a wonderful group of students, and it very much saddens me to leave them.
Mr. Anthony Dominick will be my long-term substitute teacher. He spent a day with me and the students a few weeks ago, and it is clear that he is very capable of making sure the year continues smoothly. I have no doubt that he will do an excellent job. I will be returning the last week of school. Please continue to check this website for updates and information. I have the Middle School Music Department Spring Calendar (for Band, Chorus and Orchestra) on the HOME PAGE of this website, and you can also find it under DOWNLOADS. Please mark the after-school band rehearsals in your calendar. Thank you! Amy Rynhart 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Band Director The Dalo’s Bakery Fundraiser begins this week for all 7th/8th graders in Band/Chorus/Orchestra! Students are receiving the fundraiser over the next couple of days. You can find the forms under DOWNLOADS of this website.
There was a typo on the original Fundraiser… we will be going to Dorney Park this year, NOT Hershey Park. It was corrected on this website's document. The fundraiser is due to the CHORUS ROOM with full payment (please double check) no later than February 1st. In-School Lessons are a big part of your band student's participation grade, and they are very important for the success of your student in the band program. If you would like to help your student keep on TOP of their lessons, I have provided an In-School Lesson Rotation Calendar for you under DOWNLOADS. All you need to do is find your student's lesson group (Group A-Group Z). The DAY that your student has a lesson will never change... we think this makes it easier for them to remember. The only thing that changes is the PERIOD that their lesson is ON... and you can help keep track of this by looking at the In-School Lesson Rotation Calendar. (Please contact Mrs. Rynhart if you do not know your student's lesson group letter.) How do students remember when their lessons are? They receive a lesson pass that looks like this:
If a student cannot make a lesson due to a test or due to a failing grade, we understand. They just simply get the pass signed by their teacher, and show it to Mrs. Ziegler or Mrs. Rynhart sometime that day... or even that week. We will make note of it in our grades, and the student will still receive points for being at their lesson.
Please let Mrs. Rynhart know if you have any questions! We will do anything to make sure that your student succeeds in band. [email protected] (570) 759-6400 EXT 2123 The fundraiser pick up is on Tuesday, November 22nd. Fundraisers will be located in the Orchestra Room… please come through the front doors of the Middle School and head to the Orchestra Room (located in the small hallway between the middle school gym and cafeteria… we will have signs up).
Please make arrangements to have fundraisers picked up before 5p. Products are frozen, and there is no storage available. We will not be able to keep them past 5p. Congratulations to the following 7th and 8th graders who made the 2017 Columbia County Band! “What is the Jazz Factory?” The Middle School Jazz Factory is an extra-curricular jazz band that rehearses once a week. This year, rehearsals will be after school on Tuesdays until 4:00pm. Typical instrumentation for jazz ensembles include trumpets, trombones, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, a drum set, guitar, bass guitar, piano, clarinet and often, a vibraphone. We perform two concerts with the High School Jazz Factory in the spring: Knoebels (May TBA) and The Pops Concert (May 12). We are actively looking for more performance opportunities. The Jazz Factory consists of many enthusiastic middle school students. Rehearsals are more laid back and consist of different repertoire often found in concert band. We improvise (make up stuff) and explore different styles and jazz musicians. This year, the director of the Jazz Factory will be Mr. Nathan Zeek, our Middle School Chorus Director. “What is jazz?!” Louis Armstrong said, "Jazz is music that's never played the same way once." Ralph Ellison said, "Jazz is an art of individual assertion within and against the group..." It's been called the most American form of music. It's actually been called a lot of things, but we call it jazz, the musical style of improvisation, African-American rhythms and European-American performance. That's just one definition of jazz music. Other people define jazz by the feelings it creates, the smooth and unrestricted sounds, or the attitude of freedom and cool that it embodies. However you define it, jazz music has been a major part of America's musical landscape. But if it's so important, why is it so hard to define? Well, to quote jazz musician J.J. Johnson, 'Jazz is restless.' Jazz music bends and moves, incorporating new styles and sounds. It's musical freedom. Poetic, right? What can I say; I just love jazz, whatever it is. And I think you will, too! “Jazz sounds like the best thing ever, and I want to be a member NOW!” Yes, of course you do! Jazz is amazing. To become a member of the JAZZ FACTORY, please return a jazz band interest form that Mrs. Rynhart passed out (you can find this under DOWNLOADS). You are required to attend (at least one of) the rehearsals in November/December 2016 to be a member. There are no auditions for 7th/8th graders. Students who miss a considerable amount of rehearsals (more than 2 a month) may lose their chair. Please speak with Mr. Zeek if you wish to be a member but foresee conflicts, and we will work something out. We can always worth something out... with communication! Jazz Band is an extra-curricular activity. It is understood that students are involved in (several) other extra-curricular activities and it is even expected that they may have to miss every now and then. We expect communication about whether or not students will make it to rehearsals to prepare accordingly. The success of the ensemble depends on its members being present as much as possible. Make sure to check out the JAZZ BAND tab of this website.
OCTOBER EVENTS
All we have this month for 7th/8th Grade Band is the HALLOWEEN PARADE on Tuesday, October 25th. We perform with the HS Marching Ensemble. Students should dress up (there are prizes for best dressed!!) and meet at the First Presbyterian Church on 320 N Market in Berwick at 5:30p. Parade begins at 6, ends at approximately 6:45p. We begin and end the parade at the same location. This DOES count as a performance for the 7th/8th Grade Band, and attendance is mandatory. We only do one other parade with the high school, and that's the Memorial Day Parade in May. Thank you! LOOKING AHEAD: NOVEMBER 6th Grade Band Thursday, November 17th: After-School rehearsal 2:40-4:00pm (Orchestra rehearses 4-5p) Monday, December 5th: After-School rehearsal 4:00-5:00p (Orchestra rehearses 2:40-4:00p) 7th/8th Grade Band Tuesday, November 8th: After-School rehearsal 2:40-4:00pm (Orchestra rehearses 4-5p) Wednesday, November 30th: After-School rehearsal 4:00-5:00p (Orchestra rehearses 2:40-4:00p) ALL MS BANDS...HOLIDAY CONCERT: TUESDAY DECEMBER 13th @ 7PM, HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM Students began in-school lessons this week. Last week, they received a group letter and a lesson pass for September and October. This lesson pass remains with them until the end of October, and they show it to their teacher before every lesson to get signed. This shows us that they are checking in with their teacher FIRST before coming to their lesson. Students do receive grades in band, and lesson attendance is part of their overall participation grade. If a student cannot come to a lesson because of a test or because they are failing that class, they will still receive credit for being at their lesson if they get their pass signed, and the teacher checks the appropriate box (test/other). In-school lessons are extremely important, so students should make every effort to be at their lessons each week. I attached the lesson schedule for the month of September and October, as well as an example of the lesson pass that they received last week. Their lesson will always be on the same day of the week… no matter what. If there is a snow day on Wednesday and their lesson is on Wednesday, then their lesson will simply be cancelled for that week. They will still have lessons on Wednesdays. If you have any questions about the lesson schedule, please contact me. I’d be happy to answer your questions. Amy Rynhart
Welcome to BAND! Whether this is your first year joining us, or your third, we are very excited to have you with us!
Students will not need instruments for the first day of school, but please be sure they bring them the SECOND time they have band! Students WILL have a bin in the equipment room, although it will be shared by another student. Instruments can be kept in the equipment room overnight, but we recommend students take them home as much as possible to practice. I do check! If students do not yet own an instrument, they will be getting rental information the first day I see them. If your student is switching instruments, the same applies… even if they are switching to another instrument (even percussion). Any information/handouts that is given to students is available on this website. Please please please add this website to your favorites! ALL music groups at Berwick Middle School use this website, so it is especially ideal for students in multiple ensembles! You can find handouts, an updated calendar for ALL music groups, a blog, and more. Students will be receiving a Band Handbook the first week of school, along with some other information. Please make sure that you see these handouts (they will also be on the website) and read through the contents, as it will answer many of your questions and give you a heads up about what to expect this year. Thank you! I’m looking forward to a fantastic school year. Never hesitate to e-mail or contact me! Sincerely, Amy Rynhart 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Band Director (570) 759-6400 EXT 2123 [email protected] |
AuthorMrs. Rynhart, 6th, 7th/8th Grade Band Director. Very witty, loves skittles, sometimes speaks in weird accents. Archives
July 2017
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