Band Notes Newsletter – Week of February 5

No instruments at school this Thursday & Friday only, but all after school sectionals for advanced students are still happening this Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday. 8th Grade Parent Meeting at Belton HS Monday Night, plus congratulations to our jazz students for their All-Region Jazz Audition results. All this and more in this week’s edition of the Band Notes Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/9m7ea

All-Region Jazz Results

On Friday, members of the Belton MS Jazz Band participated in the TMEA All-Region Jazz Auditions with over 165 other students participating from 15 different Central Texas schools. They’ve been preparing 2 études (musical studies) for the last 2 months, and were judged anonymously by 5-member panels.

I am proud to report that BMS placed 9 students and 2 alternates in the group! From all 4 middle schools in Belton ISD, we secured 20 of the available 42 spots, which is almost half of the total number of students!

These students will get to work with a notable jazz educator on March 2 at Temple HS, and put on a concert that evening along with the High School All-Region Jazz Bands. This is the highest honor a middle school jazz student can achieve!

Please join me in congratulating the following 7th & 8th grade students:

  1. Lillie C., 3rd out 34 alto saxophones, which is 1st Chair in Jazz Band 2 – she is also a 2-Year All-Region Concert Band Member
  2. Jakoby P., 1st out of 20 tenor saxophones, which is 1st Chair in Jazz Band 1 – he is also a 2-Year All-Region Concert Band Member
  3. David M., 1st out of 13 baritone saxophones, which is 1st Chair in Jazz Band 1
  4. Reed V., 2nd out of 31 trumpets, which is 2nd Chair in Jazz Band 1 – he is also an All-Region Concert Band Member
  5. Andy U., 2nd out of 33 trombones, which is 2nd Chair in Jazz Band 1
  6. Ian M., 7th out of 33 trombones, which is 2nd Chair in Jazz Band 2 – he is also an All-Region Concert Band Member
  7. Gia R., 1st of out 15 drummers, which is 1st Chair in Jazz Band 1 – she is a 2-Year All-Region Jazz Band Member AND a 2-Year All-Region Concert Band Member
  8. Lizzie S., 4th out of 15 drummers, which is 2nd Chair in Jazz Band 2
  9. Lani P., 2nd out of 7 vibraphones, which is 1st Chair in Jazz Band 1

We also had 2 additional students who missed the group by only one spot, and who serve as alternates and honorable mention:

  1. Decker B., 11th out of 31 trumpets, which is First Alternate – he is also an All-Region Concert Band Member
  2. Elena J., 11th out of 33 trombones, which is First Alternate – she is also an All-Region Concert Band Member

Picture Day This Thursday

Last week, all students received an order form for band pictures that will take place this Thursday, February 1. Students will wear their uniform and have their instruments in a group picture taken in the Competition Gym that day. This is for publication in the school yearbook, and available for parent purchase. We will also have individual photos being taken in the Ensemble Room if you wish to purchase one of your student with their instrument in uniform.

We prefer that order forms be filled out ahead of time and money brought on Thursday in order to purchase them. However, Photo Texas will have a “Last Chance” order form that day where students will fill in their parent contact information, including email address and phone number. You can contact Photo Texas directly by visiting phototexasphotography.com or by calling 800-833-6463.

Students who do have on their band uniform at the start of their class period will not be allowed in the picture. Students must “Be Prepared” and be responsible for having their uniform on Thursday.

Beginners will need to wear their band shirt tucked into jeans with closed-toed shoes and a belt for gentlemen. The full Beginner’s Ensemble group picture will be taken during 6th Period Tiger Time that starts around 1:30pm. Individual beginner pictures will be taken during their respective band class period.

Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble students will take their pictures during their 2nd and 4th period class, respectively. These students need to wear their formal band uniform, which includes their polo shirt tucked into black pants, black socks and shoes, as well as a black belt for gentlemen. We will also take an additional All-Region Band group picture during 4th Period for those students who qualified.

Jazz Band will need to wear their jazz uniform with black pants, black socks and shoes, as well as a black belt for gentlemen. This group picture and any individual pictures will take place during their normal 3rd period class.

Please email a director if you have any questions.