We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thank you to our Marching Bees for helping spread holiday cheer at the Brecksville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, despite the not-so-cheerful weather. Our community greatly appreciates our Marching Bees making this holiday tradition special.
If you are looking for some more holiday cheer this weekend, the Jazz Ensemble will be playing a few opening numbers for the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra’s Motown Christmas on Saturday, December 7th at Chagrin Falls HS. Ticket information available HERE.
Congratulations to Zach Ravagnani for participating in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band! See if you can spot him in the video below!
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WIND ENSEMBLE SCHEDULE CHANGE – 12/4
The Wind Ensemble evening rehearsal originally scheduled for Wednesday, December 4th has been cancelled. Instead, Brass Choir and Woodwind Choir will rehearsal after school from 2:45pm-3:15pm. Please let Mr. Rex know of any conflicts ASAP.
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DISNEY TRIP UPDATES
We have received some questions about when the first Disney Trip mailing will go out with details and payment information. There will be no physical mailing since this info was all included in Band Bulletin #5 on September 8th. Everything you need to know is included on the 2020 Disney Trip Page. THE FIRST PAYMENT IS DUE DECEMBER 18TH.
WIN HALF A DISNEY TRIP! Our second raffle for half the cost of a student Disney trip is underway. The winner will be drawn at the Holiday Band Concert on Wednesday, December 11th. Info on purchasing raffle tickets is available HERE.
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CITRUS SALE DELIVERY SATURDAY – 12/7
Citrus Sale orders will be ready for pickup on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH FROM 12:00PM-2:30PM. Please use the drive behind BBHHS entering from the Band Room end of the building and proceeding to the gym. We will send out a Remind if fruit is ready for pickup before 12:00pm.
We are looking for a few more parents and students who can help us sort, lift, and hand out citrus. We will start Saturday morning, December 7th, and work through mid-afternoon, in shifts. We will provide coffee and doughnuts for breakfast, and pizza for lunch. SIGN UP HERE.
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HOLIDAY BAND CONCERTS – 12/11 & 12/12
We have just over a week to prepare for our Holiday Band Concert on Wednesday, December 11th. At this point students should be able to play all notes/rhythms in their concert music functionally so more in-depth study and preparation can begin in rehearsals. The Holiday Concert will begin at 7:00pm in the BBHHS Auditorium and will feature Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Intermediate Band, Wind Ensemble, and the return of the Brass & Woodwind Choirs. Concert Winds will perform as the featured guests with the 6th and 7th Grade Bands on Thursday, December 12th at 7:00pm in the BBHMS Auditorium. Â Attendance at the concert is required for all performing members.
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UPCOMING DATES
Tuesday, 12/3: Band Booster Meeting, 7:00pm – BBHHS
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our students who performed in various ensembles this weekend! The Jazz Ensemble had their annual performance at the I-X Christmas Connection, four students (John Eckert, Emma Fairchild, Elianna Gamboa, and Kristen Griffiths) performed with the BGSU Honor Band, Alana Sprague performed with the Capital University Honor Band, and 7 of our students (Suzie Horejs, Abby Kovach, Garret Paciorek, Zach Ravagnani, Josslyn Rossos, Jacob Zywiec, and Zach Zywiec) performed with the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphonies.
We hope you all have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!
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CHRISTMAS PARADE PREP
This is a short week, so we will use it to prepare for the Christmas Parade coming up next Sunday, December 1st. We will resume our marching band schedule Monday and Tuesday. ALL STUDENTS REPORT TO 6TH PERIOD BAND THIS WEEK. Monday will be spent predominantly on music/memorization, so make sure you have Angelchase in your flip folders for class. All students must be prepared to go outside on Tuesday!
Call time for the parade on Sunday is 2:30pm and we will be wearing FULL UNIFORM. We will take buses to our parade pre-placement area. Step-off for the parade is 4:00pm. Brass Choir will perform for the Tree Lighting in Brecksville Town Square immediately following the parade and will be bussed back after.
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SPRING CONCERT DATE CHANGE
Due to “Take Back Togetherness” nights scheduled after our Band Calendar was finalized, we will need to move the Spring Concert date to WEDNESDAY, MAY 6TH. The start time will remain 7:00pm with a 6:30pm call time. This is a REQUIRED performance for all students. It is not normal for us to move a concert date after the calendar has gone out with the Band Handbook, but thank you for your understanding.
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SOLO & ENSEMBLE SIGN-UP DEADLINE
If you are interested in participating in the OMEA Solo & Ensemble Adjudicated Event please fill out the interest form HERE. Students wishing to participate must be signed up by Tuesday, November 26, 2019. Solo & Ensemble is a great opportunity to work on solo playing and small chamber ensemble playing. The skills and feedback you will gain from this experience will make you better musicians in band and can help you achieve a higher placement in the concert bands. Participation and ratings are also a factor in Tri-M and leadership consideration. Students wishing to take a solo to contest must either be taking private lessons on their instrument or commit to a weekly time with a director. All ensembles must commit to a weekly time with a director or private instructor as well.
SOLOISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPENSATING THEIR PIANO ACCOMPANIST. If you need assistance finding an accompanist see a director. This should be done BEFORE winter break.
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DISNEY TRIP RAFFLE
WIN HALF A DISNEY TRIP! Our second raffle for half the cost of a student Disney trip is underway. The winner will be drawn at the Holiday Band Concert on Wednesday, December 11th. Info on purchasing raffle tickets is available HERE.
It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through November! We may be in a little bit of a lull, but there are always things going on behind the scenes to prepare for upcoming events. Please make sure you have all the upcoming dates below on your calendars and submit the Disney Trip Commitment form by Friday, November 22nd!
CONGRATULATIONS to Hayden Maschmeier and Jocelyn Trout on their performance with the OMEA District 4/District 7 Honor Band this weekend!
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‘TIS THE SEASON!
As we approach the holiday season, there are several events and opportunities to support the band program and your students’ music education. We would like to encourage all of our parents celebrating the holidays with gift giving to consider the gift of music for your students. Investing in a new mouthpiece, private lessons, folding music stand, or a step-up instrument can be a great way improve student performance. For percussionists, a stick bag and a set of their own sticks/mallets can foster more ownership of their playing.
Rettig Musicis hosting their annual step-up sale at their Westlake location November 20-23 with special pricing, incentives, and rebates on step-up and professional line instruments. They will have many instruments on site that students can try. It is recommended that you consult a director or your student’s private lesson teacher when considering an investment in a step-up instrument.
The I-X Center Christmas Connection is November 22-24. The Jazz Ensemble will be performing Friday at 10:30am at the event, but special ticket pricing is available to our band family all weekend with a special promotion code available HERE.
Lastly, don’t forget to make sure your Amazon Smile is setup to support our Band Boosters before you begin your online holiday shopping. A portion of every qualifying purchase you make through Amazon Smile will be donated to Band Boosters.
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DISNEY DEADLINES
The DEADLINE for students and chaperones to commit to the 2020 Disney Trip is Friday, November 22nd. Students that plan to travel separately from the band must also fill out the trip commitment form that will be sent out at a later date. Links to the commitment forms are below:
WIN HALF A DISNEY TRIP! Our second raffle for half the cost of a student Disney trip is underway. The winner will be drawn at the Holiday Band Concert on Wednesday, December 11th. Info on purchasing raffle tickets is available HERE.
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SOLO & ENSEMBLE – FEBRUARY 15
If you are interested in participating in the OMEA Solo & Ensemble Adjudicated Event please fill out the interest form HERE. Students wishing to participate must be signed up by Tuesday, November 26, 2019. Solo & Ensemble is a great opportunity to work on solo playing and small chamber ensemble playing. The skills and feedback you will gain from this experience will make you better musicians in band and can help you achieve a higher placement in the concert bands. Participation and ratings are also a factor in Tri-M and leadership consideration. Students wishing to take a solo to contest must either be taking private lessons on their instrument or commit to a weekly time with a director. All ensembles must commit to a weekly time with a director or private instructor as well.
SOLOISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPENSATING THEIR PIANO ACCOMPANIST. If you need assistance finding an accompanist see a director. This should be done BEFORE winter break.
Solo & Ensemble takes individual commitment to practice and rehearsal outside of the school day. Soloists/ensembles that do not uphold their weekly commitments will not be permitted to attend the event. Directors have the right to cancel any event they feel is not ready. Please see Mr. Rex with any questions!
What a great marching season! THANK YOU to all of our students, parents, boosters, staff, and fans for everything you do to make the Marching Bees successful. It truly takes a village and we can not thank you enough!
We had some special visitors to BBHHS on Sunday! The Ohio State University Marching Band was on campus to warm-up and rehearse on their way to perform at the Browns game. It was a great opportunity for our band family to see “The Best Damn Band In The Land” rehearse up close. While it was awesome to watch the run-through of the show, what was even more valuable to our students was the opportunity to see a band of such a high caliber and tradition rehearse with discipline, musicality, and pride.
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JAZZ ENSEMBLE @ BUMC TUESDAY!
The BBHHS Jazz Ensemble will be performing at the Brecksville United Methodist Church on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:00pm. This concert is FREE and open to the public. The Jazz Ensemble is doing a phenomenal job so far this year and we hope you can make it out to support all their hard work. Doors open at 6:30pm. See you there!
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PEP BAND
It’s time to sign up for the 2019-2020 Pep Band! The Pep Band performs at select home boys and girls basketball games throughout the season. A schedule of games and additional info is available HERE. Pep Band is not required, but students interested in Student Leadership positions with the Marching Bees for the 2020 season should be participating in Pep Band if not participating in a Winter Sport. If you are interested in signing up for Pep Band, please submit the REGISTRATION FORM no later than Friday, November 15th. After filling out the form, be sure to sign up for the Pep Band REMIND! Text @20pepband to the number 81010.
PARENTS: Don’t forget to give a “Shout Out” to your Pep Band member in the Winter Athletic Program! Shout outs are due November 13th. The form is available HERE.
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DISNEY DEADLINES
The DEADLINE for students and chaperones to commit to the 2020 Disney Trip is Friday, November 22nd. Students that plan to travel separately from the band must also fill out the trip commitment form that will be sent out at a later date. Links to the commitment forms are below:
DISNEY SPIRIT WEAR orders are due FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH. The order form is available on the band website HERE. Order forms and checks can be placed in the box on the shelf outside the Band Office.
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NOVEMBER STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Carly Kubek is the alto saxophone section leader for the Marching Bees. Carly always defines the band motto of “Look Good. Sound Good. Be a Class Act.†in everything she does. She has been incredibly patient, but maintains high expectations in her section. Carly’s enthusiasm is contagious and cultivates a positive culture throughout the entire performing arts program at BBHHS. Outside of her participation in band, Carly is also involved in MIM, Chamber Choir, and Drama. Her continued dedication, discipline, and work ethic earned her a lead in the Fall Play and principal Alto Saxophone in Concert Winds. Congratulations, Carly!
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UPCOMING DATES
Tuesday, 11/12: Jazz Ensemble Concert @ BUMC, 7pm
Wednesday, 11/13:
Brass & Woodwind Choir Rehearsal, 2:45pm-3:15pm – CANCELLED due to Take Back Togetherness Night.
THANK YOU to everyone who attended the Sounds of the Stadium Concert and participated in Trunk or Treat! We were very proud with how MUSICAL our students played at the concert. The band sound has come a long way over the past year and we are looking forward to further development during concert season. THANK YOU to Jeff Mihalich for recording the concert!
On Monday we will begin our concert season schedule, but will reassume our marching season schedule on Fridays for as long as the football team is in playoffs. More details below!
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PLAYOFF GAMES
Our Bees are in the playoffs! We will be playing Benedictine High School at Bedford High School on Friday, November 8th at 7pm. This is a REQUIRED performance for all students. If the team wins we will have another game on Friday, November 15th. This would be an away game since round two of playoff games are held at neutral sites. This again would be a REQUIRED performance. Please plan accordingly!
Which three tunes from the 2019 season would you like to hear the Marching Bees perform Friday? VOTE HERE!
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CITRUS SALE ENDS TUESDAY!
Our annual Citrus Sale ends Tuesday, November 5th! This is our one and only fundraising effort to help our Marching Bees earn money for the 2020 Disney trip next year, as well as other expenses(i.e. Booster Fees) that they may incur during the band year. All orders must be made online HERE. SELL, SELL, SELL!!!
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CONCERT BAND SCHEDULE*
Chair Placement results were posted last week. Beginning MONDAY this week, we will assume our concert band season schedule. The band block is as follows:
5th Period – Symphonic Band (lunch 6th period)
6th Period – Concert Winds & Wind Ensemble
7th Period – Intermediate Band (lunch 6th period)
Students in 5th Period Symphonic Band OR 7th Period Intermediate Band will have their lunch during 6th period, which is when they met for marching band.
*ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH WE WILL REASSUME OUR MARCHING SEASON SCHEDULE TO PRACTICE HALFTIME. ALL STUDENTS REPORT TO 6TH PERIOD ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH!
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