Author Archives: eric_grush

What are we doing this week? – performing ensembles in class

Graduates and US students/families – I’m keeping you on the email list for another few weeks.

All GoodNews/BandNews posts

In this edition:

• Band Student/Parent Feedback Form – look for results next week
• Guest instructor 5/21/13 – Ann Pearce brings flutes for students to try (see pictures)
• MS and Beginning Band Ensemble Performances in class Wed. May 29
• All -District Band and All-Region Jazz Band audition material available for 2013-2014

Band Student/Parent Feedback – look for results next week

Thank you to all who responded.  I will be compiling results this week and will share next week. I decided not to work on this over the holiday weekend. 🙂

 Guest Instructor  5/21/13 – Ann Pearce brings flutes for students to try

Ann Pearce, President of the Raleigh Area Flute Association and of the Raleigh Flute Choir, brought the extended flute family to CA!  Students were allowed to try playing: piccolo, pennywhistle, E-flat flute, open holed C flute, Alto flute, Bass flute, and Contrabass flute!

Pictures

Sorry, I cannot get videos to upload to the CA youtube channel 🙁

MS and Begining Band Ensemble Performances in class Wed. May 29

6th, 7th, and 8th grade students have selected ensemble groups and selected music.  We will have performances in class on Wednesday, May 29. 

All -District Band and All-Region Jazz Band audition material available for 2013-2014

See Mr. Grush for the All-District Band audition scales

MS All-District Band Solos 20-13-14 (The list says proposed, but they have been adopted)

HS All-District Band Solos 2013-14  (The list says proposed, but they have been adopted)

All-Region Jazz Auditions – scroll down for list of solos.  Scroll to bottom for links to scales.

What are we doing this week? – reflecting on 2012-13; looking ahead to 2013-14

All GoodNews/BandNews posts

In this edition:

• Band Student/Parent Feedback Form – Due Wed. May 22
• T3 Portfolio past due.  Entries will be accepted until Wed. May 22.
• Guest instructors
• Rising 7th and 8th graders – form to request to change arts majors due Friday, May 25
• MS and Begining Band Ensemble Performances in class Wed. May 29
• Jazz MPA judges comments
• 5-8-13 Concert Reflections – unedited feedback from students in each band class

Band Student/Parent Feedback – Due by Wed. May 22

Students who complete this feedback form will receive 1 point of extra credit on their Trimester 3 final grade in Band.

Parents of students (up to 2) who complete this feedback form will earn 1 point of extra credit for their student’s trimester 3 final grade in band.

Not all questions require answers. Also, if there is something you would prefer to answer anonymously, please write “I prefer to answer anonymously” and go to the Anonymous comments form (link on the form)

Band Student/Parent Feedback Form

T3 Portfolio past due. Entries will be accepted until Wed. May 22.

Go to the Portfolio page (link on band homepage) for details.

Guest Instructors

Wed. May 15 – Ms. Judy Drtina (trumpet, horn), Christine Thompson (trombone), Guillo Carias (jazz piano, trumpet)

Thurs. May 16 Krista Siachames (percussion)

Tues. may 21 Ann Pearce (flute) – bringing alto, bass, contrabass flutes and more!

Rising 7th and 8th graders – form to request to change arts majors due Friday, May 25

Forms will be passed out Monday in class.  Rather than being embarrassed or feeling guilty about wanting to change majors, students and parents should use me as an advisor.

• If a student is unhappy with her/his instrument, we can discuss changing instruments
• If a student feels overwhlemed in class or with practicing at home, we can discuss adjustments
• If a student feels under challenged, we can discuss additional opportunities
• If a student just doesn’t want to play a band instrument in class any more, we can discuss which major might be a good fit

MS and Begining Band Ensemble Performances in class Wed. May 29

6th, 7th, and 8th grade students have selected ensemble groups and selected music.  We will have performances in class on Wednesday, May 29.  There are NOT SmartMusic files for these pieces.  Students who would like me to make a recording of their part to help them practice should email me immediately and ask me to make one for them.

Jazz MPA judges comments 

Jazz groups have or will be reading and listening to judges’ feedback.  All are welcome to listen to our performances, read the transcript of judges recorded comments, or listen to the judges talk over our performance.

https://web1.caryacademy.org/facultywebs/eric_grush/jazz_mpa_4-25-13.htm

5-8-13 Concert Reflections – unedited feedback from students in each band class

Improved since last concert 5-8-13

Change concert-awards 5-8-13

Could do better concert 5-8-13

Compliment someone 5-8-13

Favorite piece our class 5-8-13

Favorite piece other class 5-8-13

Reflect concert-awards 5-8-13

What are we doing this week? – celebrating an outstanding concert!

All GoodNews/BandNews posts

In this edition:

• Thank You parents!!!
• T3 Portfolio due this week
• Guest Instructors in class this week
• Wednesdays in May – Jazz concerts, Koka Booth ampitheater, 5:30pm. $5
•  Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble and Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble II Summer Sessions

 Thank You parents!!!

In my efforts to steamline the concert/awards and finish in 90 minutes, I made the huge error of not thanking all of the band parents.  Our students, our band, and our school would ot succeed if not for your support, inspiration, cajolling to practice, driving to lessons, communication,  and being here to listen to performances.  THANK YOU PARENTS!

In addition, there are too many people to adequately thank for donating their time, talent, and resources to help the band.  Many of you have taken work or family time to organize and  chaperone trips, move equipment, run errands, drive busses, arrange snacks and meals, prepare awards, and the list goes on!  You make it possible for me to focus on teaching music and on helping our students grow.  THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

T3 Portfolio due this Friday, May 17

Go to the Portfolio page (link on band homepage) for details.

Guest Instructors in class this week

I  have confirmed a number of instructors and am waiting to hear from a few more.

Wed. May 15 – Ms. Judy Drtina (trumpet, horn), Christine Thompson (trombone), Guillo Carias (jazz piano, trumpet)

Thurs. May 16 Krista Siachames (percussion)

Wednesdays in May – Jazz concerts, Koka Booth ampitheater, 5:30pm. $5

http://boothamphitheatre.com/2013/03/19/hob-nob-jazz-series-is-back-for-2013/

Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble and Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble II Summer Sessions

(go to www.philharmonic-association.org and scroll down and click on the Jazz Summer sessions photo for information and registration)

 The Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble (TYJE) and Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble II (TYJE II) are based in Raleigh. TYJE musicians are directed by Dr. Gregg Gelb and TYJE II by Lisa Burn. Both groups are for musicians who want to develop the skills to perform a wide range of jazz compositions and will provide the opportunity to study and perform the best of big band jazz in a professional setting. TYJE is for advanced jazz musicians in grades 8 – 12. TYJE II is for intermediate jazz musicians in grades 6 – 12. The summer session is for musicians who play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, string bass, or drums. Although there is no entrance audition, new musicians will play a short audition to determine which ensemble best fits their needs and skill level.

What are we doing this week?– praying for no rain for Wednesday’s concert!

All GoodNews/BandNews posts

In this edition:

• DUE MONDAY 5-6 by NOON: Sign-up for Chic-Fil-A dinner at Band on the Quad May 8
• Pranay Tankala performs with the All-State Band
• Extra Rehearsals and Concert Details
• More parents needed to help with Awards table at concert
• Band pins – many students are eligible

DUE MONDAY 5-6 by NOON: Sign-up for Chic-Fil-A dinner at Band on the Quad May 8

Because students need to arrive at 5:30pm to warm-up and the concert starts at 6:00pm, getting dinner will be difficult.  If you would like to have dinner from Chic-Fil-A waiting here for your student or for your entire family, simply sign-up on the google form.  Special thanks to Karen Crow for organizing.  Contact her if you have questions. kmcrownc@gmail.com

Band Chic-Fil-A dinner sign-up

Of course, you are invited to bring your own picnic to eat during the concert if you prefer! (alcohol not permitted)

Pranay Tankala performs with the All-State Band

Congratulations again to Pranay Tankala, who performed with the All-State Honors Band this past weekend.  Conducted by composer and MS Band Director Michael Oare, the band was comprised of the top MS band students throughout NC.  Students auditioned first for their District Band in January.  If they earned a high enough chair, they  auditioned again in March for All-State.  Pranay is one of the top 4 MS clarinet players in the entire state!!!  Bravissimo, Pranay!

The band rehearsed Friday and Saturday before giving a concert on Sunday.  Some of the music the band performed was written by Mr. Oare.  Mr. Grush observed most of the rehearsals, learned a lot, and was amazed by the sound and musicianship of the students.  Let’s see if the rest of can drink some of Pranay’s kool-aid and take a group to All-State next year!

Extra Rehearsals and Concert Details

MS and Beginning Bands will rehearse Colliding Visions and Mission Impossible during enrichment on Monday, May 6.

US and MS Bands will rehearse Roller Coaster during MS 6th period on Tuesday, May 7. (11:45-12:30 for US)

During school Wed. May 8

• Combo and US Jazz rehearse outside during C block
• MS Band, MS Jazz, and MS Combo rehearse outside during class
• US Band rehearses outside during 2nd lunch (Rim Shot)
• Beginning Band rehearses outside during class.
• MS Band, Beginning Band, MS Jazz, and MS Combo – Assembly 9th period outside for the entire MS school.

Concert Details

• Concert Wednesday, May 8 will be outside, weather permitting.  Rain location is the auditorium. 
• US rehearsal 4:30-5:30 pm with guests.  Everyone else arrive at 5:30pm sharp.
• Concert starts at 6:00 and will end around 7:45.
• Wear black concert outfits with one “solo” item if you wish.  Shoes and socks should be all black.  No shorts.  Short sleeve black shirts are fine.
• If we have to move the concert inside, food should be eaten on the lowest level of the arts building, in the lecture hall.

More parents needed to help with Awards table at concert

2 parents from each band class are needed to help with the awards table.  At 4 times during the concert, the table will be deluged by students who have just finished performing.  The job entails organizing all the awards before the concert (5:30-6:00) and then helping to distribute during the performance.  So parents do not have to miss seeing their own child, we need 2 volunteers frome each class so you can take turns. 

Please contact Mrs. Leslie Sheitman if you can help. sheitmab@bellsouth.net

Band pins – many students are eligible

Since we have a tradition of awarding band letters to Upper School students who have participated in more than two band classes, we want to give all students the opportunity to begin earning pins to wear as well.  Budget constraints prohibit awarding so many pins, but students who have earned special pins may purchase their own to wear on their concert outfit if they wish, until they have earned a band letter.  This is strictly optional. 

Pins cost $6 each.  Special pins for which students may be eligible include Officer, Section Leader, Jazz Band, Pep Band.

Students may also want a pin of the instrument they play.  Instrument pins also cost $6 each. 

You may order pins at the concert if you wish.  See the Band Pin Eligibility List to see who is eligible.  We will place a group order from the pin vendor next week.  Our goal is to receive the pins before the end of year and distribute them in class.

 Band Pin Eligibility List 12-13