Additional Information for Wind Ensemble Next Week

The Wind Ensemble will have two performances next week. Permission slips went home Wednesday for a trip to Ford on Tuesday, December 20. Dress for the Ford trip is any band shirt/sweatshirt. (This is a change from what was originally posted). We will meet in the band room at 7:25 to load the buses for this trip. We will be back in time for 9th mod and will have lunch together before returning to class. Mrs. Patriok will provide pizza. Students should bring their own drink and may bring chips, cookies, etc. to share with the group. If any parents are available Tuesday morning and would like to come along to Ford, please email Mrs. Patriok. Please return permission slips by Friday of this week!
The following day, December 21 students will need to bring formal concert dress to school for our final performance before break. Students will be released from 7th mod classes to change for the performance and practice the set change with the orchestra.

Scale playing test deadline has been extended to next Wednesday at 2:30 PM. We will have some additional time to test when we return from Ford and can finish up 10th mod Wednesday as necessary!

Wind Ensemble Upcoming performances

The Wind Ensemble will have two performances next week. Permission slips are going home today for a trip to Ford on Tuesday, December 20. Dress for this concert will be Band shirts and khaki pants. The following day, December 21 students will need to bring formal concert dress to school for our final performance before break. Please return permission slips by Friday of this week!

Wind Ensemble members have a major scale playing test this week! All playing tests must be completed on SmartMusic by Friday afternoon. Students may come in before or after school or during study hall to complete the test. Students who have a SmartMusic subscription at home may test at home.

Scrip Orders will be turned in one more time before break and are due Thursday, December 15.

Sectional Schedule

Sectionals begin Monday, November 7. The schedule is as follows:
Symphonic Band - Monday Low Brass/Low Reeds
Tuesday - Flute and Oboe
Wednesday - Clarinets
Thursday - Horn/Sax
Friday - Trumpets

Wind Ensemble - Monday - Flutes
Wednesday - Clarinet/Alto Sax
Thursday - Low Brass/Low Reeds
Friday Trumpet/Horn
If there is no school on Monday, flutes will have sectionals on Wednesday with the Clarinet/Sax.
If there is no school on Friday, trumpet and horn will have sectionals with the Low Brass on Thursday.

All excused absences from sectionals will be made up on SmartMusic. (If you have a home subscription you can make it up at home!)

Thanks for a great season!

Thanks to all band students and parents for a great marching season! The band looked and sounded great - thanks for all your hard work! Last night's banquet was a nice close to the season - thanks to everyone who helped out and attended! Concert season is now getting started so watch for sectional schedules to be posted at the end of this week!

Jazz Band will start on Monday, November 14 and will run from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. There is still time to sign up if you are interested!

Wind Ensemble Honors Projects are due November 11. Get your in early if you are interested in Concert Posters or Program Notes!!

Scrips program is running again! Our first order is due November 15. Checks should be made out to FOMB. (Friends of Midpark Band.) Get going early on your trip account!

Performance Make-Ups due Friday October 28

Reminder that all make-up assignments are due Friday, October 28. Printed reminders were given to each student last week!

Final Week Notes

A few announcements for our last week of football season! This week's schedule for full band:

• No extended school rehearsal this week - we will release at 2:25 every day.


• Wednesday night rehearsal will be from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. We are losing light early now!

If you are wearing extra brown/orange on Friday and have face paint/colored hair spray, etc. it must be removed before the game on Friday.

Marching Band Banquet will be held next Wednesday, November 2 at 7:00 PM. We will have dinner and awards voted on by students as well as a video/slide presentation. Families should bring a main dish for the family and we will have side dishes and desserts to share. Ninth and eleventh grade families should bring a side dish and tenth and twelfth grade families should bring a dessert. Drinks will be provided by the Music Boosters. We hope you can make it!

Make-Up Assignments Due October 28

Just a quick reminder that all performance make-up assignments must be completed by October 28. Written reminders will be going home with students today and you can also find reminders on infinite campus on the date of the missed preformance. Any excused absence not made up will become an unexcused absence and the student's grade will be dropped one letter grade for each unexcused performance grade. Make-Up assignment information can be found under marching or concert band tabs on the website.

Wednesday Evening Rehearsal Cancelled for Tonight!

Hello everyone - tonight looks to be a total wash out so we have decided to cancel rehearsal for this evening - be sure to check this weeks' itinerary on the website - we are traveling to Brecksville so we will be meeting early!

Announcements Week 7

It's hard to believe we are in Week 7 of marching band season! A few announcements for this week (Homecoming)

• Pass-Offs for the Motown show are due today before evening rehearsal. All students must make a valid attempt in order to have third quarter privileges this week.


• Enjoy the City Books/Orders were due last week. All unsold books must be returned by Friday, October 7 or student accounts will be charged for the book.


• If you are planning on wearing face paint or spray painting your hair for spirit day on Friday keep in mind that all paint/spray paint must be removed before reporting to band on Friday evening.


• Patron Drive forms are still available under Forms on the website - Music Boosters is still accepting donations and volunteer forms.


• Sign-Ups for Craft Show are posted in the Music Wing. Be sure to wear a band shirt and bring your instrument! We will need people to perform both days!


• We are going to be looking for donated band pants at the end of this school year to try to avoid purchasing new pants for incoming freshmen next year since they will only be wearing those pants for one year! If you have old pants that you can donate or if you are a senior band member and would consider donating them, we would greatly appreciate the donation! If you have old pants that are not being used we can take the donation any time - thank you!

Changing Weather/Announcements

As we move in to October the weather is becoming more unpredictable - please make sure you are prepared for rain or cold at every rehearsal! You may want to keep your band raincoat in your band locker for a rainy day or make sure you have something in your school locker as a back up! The weather is also turning colder and I'm still seeing students in t-shirts and shorts on the field. We want to keep everyone healthy for our performances so please make sure you are prepared for the weather!!

Band Spectacular is coming up on Thursday, October 13. We still need a cover design and we have extended the ad deadline to next Wednesday, October 5. There are examples posted in the band room as well as online if you are interested in designing a cover or placing an ad to wish your section good luck! Forms are outside the office for ads if you need one and it is also posted on the Band Spectacular page on the website.

With October also comes early evening rehearsal - we lose the light early so we have to move the rehearsal up to 5:30 - 7:30. Please make sure your ride is at Midpark at 7:30 - we have some students being picked up a full half hour after rehearsal is over! Please make sure your ride is aware of our 7:30 ending time.

We start performing the Motown show next week! Pass-offs are due by Wednesday before rehearsal! Make sure you are ready to perform and work with your pass-off leader to set up a time to meet with them. We have been reminding you of this deadline for a few weeks! Make sure you don't procrastinate!

Enjoy the City books and orders are due now! If you have not already turned your orders or unsold books in please do so Monday!

Fall Festival tonight!

Hi everyone! Don't forget - our Fall Festival performance will be tonight at the end of our rehearsal. Make sure you wear your band shirt for rehearsal! There is also a good chance for rain tonight - make sure you have rain gear for rehearsal as we need to be outside learning the new show unless it is storming!

Uniform Reminders

As we enter week five of marching season there are a few uniform infractions that come up frequently at each game - don't forget, if you have three uniform infractions built up you will lose third quarter privileges! Here are the things that are coming up most frequently:

• Jewelry - one pair of small stud earrings in the bottom hole and a class ring are the only jewelry permitted in uniform. Facial piercings, necklaces, watches, bracelets, and rings that are not class rings are all things that should not be worn in uniform.


• Socks - socks should be black and long (not ankle socks). This is so we do not see your leg as you are marching.


• Nail Polish - only clear nail polish is permitted in uniform.


• Cell phones should not be out in uniform except during third quarter (if you are not sitting in for third quarter) and on the bus.


• Reminder that students are required to be in full uniform (minus the jacket, gloves, and hat) when getting on AND off the bus. This includes pants being zipped up and suspenders up. Color Guard should be in full uniform (minus gloves)getting on and off the bus.

Uniforms will be sent out for dry cleaning on Monday. Please check your pockets before hanging up your uniform on Friday to make sure you are not leaving anything behind! Color Guard members, bring a change of clothes on Friday evening so that you can leave your uniform for cleaning.

Thanks everyone for a great first half of the season! Keep up the great work!

Rain!

Well everyone, it looks like we have a chance for rain this week, both for tonight's rehearsal and for Friday night's game! Just a few reminders as we encounter rain:

• Be sure you have applied camp dry or a similar product to your raincoat and your garment bag. You will be thankful that you have done so after a night of rain!!


• Be prepared for rain at rehearsal! We will be outside unless it is storming! Come prepared for rain and woodwinds bring cases out in case we need to pack them up.


• After a night of rain, take care of your instrument! Wipe them down and leave your case open so they can dry. Woodwinds, if you get caught in rain clamp your keys closed so they pads will not swell as they dry.

Other announcements:

• Handbook Forms are due by Friday, September 23. Be sure yours is turned in!! (These went home the first week of school with the Handbook Highlights). Full Handbook is available on the website.


• Be on the look out for Ad information - coming soon to the Band Spectacular page. Parents, you can wish your student, section, or band good luck! (Examples will be posted)


• Are you artistic? Design a program cover for the Band Spectacular - include the following information: 40th Annual Midpark Band Spectacular - October 13, 2011 7:00 PM - Finnie Stadium (Deadline for submission - September 23).


• Enjoy the City sale is on now! Parents, have you seen this book come home? Ask your student for information! This will continue until the Fall Festival, September 28.

B-W Youth Wind Ensemble

Freshman band members - Are you looking for an extra musical experience that will challenge you? B-W Conservatory has a new ensemble for young players. Check out the audition information for the new Baldwin-Wallace Youth Honors Wind Ensemble. Auditions ar open for students in grades 6 - 9. The music for auditions is posted with this link along with audition information: http://www.bw.edu/academics/conservatory/outreach/YHWE/

Enjoy Labor Day Weekend!!

Thanks to everyone for another good performance last night! I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend without a Friday night football game! Just a couple of announcements before the long weekend:

• The first Music Booster meeting of the year is next Tuesday, September 6 at 7:00 PM. Please join us! Music Booster meetings are held in the choir room and all parents are encouraged to attend! Come find out how you can get involved!


• We are looking for a couple of underclass parents to help out with Senior night. We hold a reception after the game for senior band members and their parents. Please email Mrs. Patriok if you are able to help out! (Senior night is September 30)


• Photos from this season will be posted soon on the Members Only section of the website - check them out!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Week One Reminders

With the start of school tomorrow I know everyone is busy and may need a few reminders as we prepare for our first game this week:

• Pass-Offs for Halftime are due by 3:30 on Wednesday. This gives you an hour after rehearsal to finish up with any uncompleted pass-offs. Remember, if you have not attempted all Pass-Offs for Pre-Game and Halftime you will not have third quarter off on Friday!


• Emergency Medical Forms and Uniform fees were due during Band Camp. If you still owe us those forms/$ you will not have third quarter off on Friday! If you are having financial difficulties you can sign a fee contract with Ms. Zunic and that will fill your requirement.


• Games start at 7:00 PM this year! Please check the itinerary (on the website) for drop off and pick up times!


• There is no Wednesday night rehearsal this week because of the start of the school year - but don't forget, we will rehearse until 3:00 on Thursday this week! It is crucial we have everyone for the entire rehearsal on Thursday!


• Parents - are you able to help out by chaperoning on Friday? Just show up with the kids and we'd love to have you! (Please note, no younger siblings are permitted to ride the bus).


• Make sure your rain coat is camp dried and your pants are hemmed for Friday's game!


• T-Shirt orders are due on Friday - remember, checks only! (Parents, if you haven't seen the order form yet, ask your son/daughter to pick one up in the band room!

Midpark 50th Anniversary Bonfire Performance

We will be performing Friday night at the Midpark 50th Anniversary Bonfire - we will meet in the band room at 8:15 PM to warm-up and will perform on the baseball field from 8:45 - 9:00 PM. At 9:00 PM we will play the fight song and Alma Mater and students will be dismissed after the Alma Mater. At that time you are free to go or can stay for the bonfire. We will wear our band shirts and dark shorts/pants for this performance.

Band Camp next week!

Hi everyone! I hope you're all doing well and dealing with the heat this week! We're hoping that the heat wave will be over before we start camp next week, but here are a few reminders for camp:

We still need snacks for most days - students, I would plan on bringing a snack or two with you each day in case we don't get snacks provided each day.

Bring a water bottle with your name clearly marked on it. We will have water jugs to refill your bottle but will not be provided water bottles each day.

Wear light colored clothing and wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to keep the sun off of you as much as possible! We spend a lot of time outside and our practice field is black top, so it is VERY IMPORTANT that you wear sunscreen! Be prepared for rain as well - if it is not lightning we may still be outside marching!

Tennis shoes are required for all marching band rehearsals. Tennis shoes must tie and skater shoes are not acceptable!

Every band member will need a lyre for rehearsal every day. (Percussion will have their binders). Bring your lyre on the first day of band camp along with your instrument and all music sent in the summer packet - don't forget to bring your emergency medical card, too! We will have lyres for sale on the first day of camp for those that need them.

Parents, please email Mrs. Patriok if you can help wash raincoats, help with uniform fittings, or bring snacks to band camp - (most days are available!)

This Week: Officers meet Thursday from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM to prepare band camp packets and the music wing. Rookie Day is Friday from Noon - 3:00 PM. Officers and section leaders should plan on attending.

Rookie band members do not need to bring their instrument on Friday but should bring a water bottle and wear sunscreen! It will still be very hot on Friday so we will take a lot of breaks from the outside heat!

July Announcements!

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a great summer! I have just returned from Scotland and am back at school prepping for Band Camp!! A few announcements and information as we approach band camp:

We still need parents to help out with snacks each day of band camp - if you are available to provide snacks for about 95 please email Mrs. Patriok and let us know. We try to provide a morning and afternoon snack each day.

Raincoat help needed: We also need parent volunteers to wash raincoats - if you can help out, please stop by the band room (someone will be available whenever percussion or color guard rehearsals are going on)and next week during the day. You can pick up a bag of raincoats, wash them, hang dry and return before band camp - thanks for your help!

Feed the Band: We are looking for volunteers to help with feeding the bands at football games this season - we need people to get donations/purchase snacks for the bands and help organize parents to feed snacks to the bands during SWC games. (Home games beginning September 23).

Emergency Medical Cards - Please make sure you bring back your Emergency Medical Cards on the first day of rehearsal - Percussion and Color Guard, please bring yours back to your percussion or Guard Sectional rehearsals.

Calendar Reminders: Please check the online calendar for updated information on upcoming events! Officers, please note the Officer Work Day and Rookie Day information and attend those events. Section leaders will be notfied individually by email.

More info coming soon! We are looking forward to seeing you all soon!!

Announcements Week of June 1, 2011

We have a lot going on in these last two weeks of school! A few things to remind you of this week:

1. Uniform Officer will be voted on 6/4 - have your letter up (in partners) before
9th mod.
2. Relay for Life Volunteer Performance is this weekend. Music Needed: Happy Birthday, Celebration, Star Spangled Banner, Long Train Runnin', Zoot Suit Riot, Cleveland Rocks. Plan on taking your marching instrument home on Friday afternoon. We will meet for rehearsal at the Brook Park Rec Center at 11:30 AM Saturday. We will be finished by 12:30 PM. Wear your Band Shirt.

3. New Officer Meeting - Monday 6/6 at 2:30 PM
4. Color Guard Meeting - Monday 6/6 at 3:30 PM
5. Senior Meeting (2012)Tuesday 6/7 at 1:00 PM
6. Percussion Auditions Wedensday 6/8 by appoinment beginning at 6:30 PM.
7. Summer Parade June 24 is a performance for the entire 2011 Marching Band. Itinerary will be posted online soon. This is a required performance. If you will be out of town for this performance please turn in your excused absence form by Tuesday, June 7 so we will know who we will be missing.
8. Fees/Missing Uniform Items - Bills went home several weeks ago to remind students of what was still owed. Missing Uniform items are listed on the stereo cabinet in the band room. Bills/Uniform items will be turned in to the Main Office on Monday if not returned.
9. Friday, June 10 is the Officer Work Day/Summer Mailing help day from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
10. There has been a change to the Football schedule for next fall - our week 2 game will be held on THURSDAY evening at Valley Forge. We will not have a Friday game that week. It is not a misprint on the calendar!
11. We will be ordering new band pants next week. If you have outgrown yours we need your current size before Tuesday! If you will be at the summer parade and need a new band shirt it will be paid for you by the board office. We will take orders next week. Please check your shirt and see if you need to replace it!

Keep checking the blog - updates will be posted as they come up!

End of the Year Announcements

There is so much going on in the next few weeks! Please be sure that you are checking the calendar for summer dates/concert dates for next year are all posted! This week:

Officer elections this week and next - check the stereo cabinet doors for dates and information!

Friday - Wind Ensemble performs at the Tri-City Memorial Day Service 10:30 AM. All Wind Ensemble members should have their permission slips turned in by tomorrow! (Thursday!)

Monday - Memorial Day Parade - Itinerary posted on midparkband.com We will be turning in uniforms after the parade - all raincoats/senior sashes/hats/tux jackets should be turned in on Monday. Please be sure to eat breakfast before arriving for the parade and drink lots of water in the morning! Patriotic Parade Sequence should be memorized and we will also play Main Street America at the ceremony immediately following the parade. Parents, are you able to help with uniform collection? Please email Mrs. Patriok if you are able to help out after the parade!

Next week: We are in need of volunteers for inventory, music library help throughout the week. Sign up in the band room to volunteer. You can use volunteer hours for make-up assignments (4 hours) or honors projects.

Final Playing tests begin Tuesday - The order of testing is as follows:

Mrs. Patriok - Trombones, Horns, Oboe, Clarinets, Saxes, Euphoniums
Ms. Zunic - Trumpets, Flutes, Tuba, Bassoon

Please check the online calendar for summer dates including the Middleburg Heights Parade (June 24 for full band), Band Camp, and other rehearsal dates. This calendar will continue to be updated and a hard copy calendar will be sent in the summer mailing. If you will be out of town for the June 24 parade please turn in an excused absence form before the end of school so we know who will be missing!

Contest Week Reminders

Please check the itinerary (posted under concert band). We are in need of chaperones for both Friday night and Saturday. Please email Mrs. Patriok or Ms. Zunic if you are able to help out! Don't forget, we do not have regular sectionals this week - Wind Ensemble will be meeting Wednesday during sectional time and Symphonic Band will be meeting Thursday during sectional time. With OGT schedules this week it is crucial that everyone be at this one extended rehearsal! Make sure you have all your concert dress ready to go for this weekend. Ladies make sure you have black nylons if you have any skin showing on your legs or feet. Guys make sure you have a black bow tie!

Please spend some time on your own this week going over any parts that you are still not confident with - we want to put on our very best performance this weekend!! Reed players, make sure you have extra reeds and have been breaking a few in so you have some options for our performance.

Tentative Contest Times

Tentative Contest Times are as follows: Wind Ensemble - Friday, March 18 at 8:00 PM. Performance to be held at Strongsville High School in the Auditorium. Symphonic Band will perform at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 19 in the Gym at Strongsville High School. We will need chaperones for each band the day of contest and we also need help at Midpark for the Choir portion of Contest if you are able to help out! Please email Mrs. Patriok or Ms. Zunic if you are able to chaperone. We should have times confirmed by next Tuesday's Pre-Contest Concert. 7:00 PM concert time - 6:30 Warm-up. Full itineraries will be posted as soon as our times are confirmed.

Name Change

Ms. Holtshouse's name has been officially changed to Mrs. Patriok in all school programs. That means the email of hholtshouse@berea.k12.oh.us is no longer valid. Please direct all future emails to hpatriok@berea.k12.oh.us

Reminder that TODAY (Thursday, January 20) is the deadline for all solo and ensemble paperwork. Make sure it is in our mailbox (in the music wing) by the end of the day!

Mrs. Patriok

Music Booster Meeting Moved and other announcements

The Music Booster meeting that was originally scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, January 4 has been moved to Tuesday, January 11 at 7:00 PM in the choir room.

In other news, Ms. Holtshouse is now Mrs. Patriok! We will inform you as new email address etc. is in place. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and gifts at the Booster Meeting "shower" last month. It was so appreciated!

Please note that Wind Ensemble sectionals are canceled this week with the exception of percussion who will be meeting with their new percussion instructor, Mr. Talaba. Wind Ensemble percussion will meet from 2:30 - 3:15 and Symphonic Band from 3:15 - 4:00 PM.

Jazz Band will start next week, Monday, January 11 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM.

Honors Band students need to turn in all projects by the end of next week (January 14). All Honors Band students must have two projects completed by the end of the quarter.