We are in the final stretch of preparations for our Mid-Winter Concert on Tuesday, February 26th. This is a required performance for all band members. Call time is at 6:30pm. Please make arrangements now to invite family and friends!

Wind Ensemble will be having their first ever Conservatory Day on Saturday, February 23rd from 9:00am-3:00pm. This will be a major clinic day of full band rehearsals with a guest conductor and masterclasses with professional musicians to help prepare for OMEA Large Group Adjudication. This is a required event for all Wind Ensemble members. Students will need to bring a lunch as well. It is sure to be a great opportunity for our students!

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MARCHING BEES STUDENT LEADERSHIP

It may only be February, but before you know it Student Leadership applications will be released. Directors are always on the lookout for next year’s leaders, but students’ conduct and character over the next two months will weigh significantly in the selection of next year’s leaders. Our Band Focus Group will be meeting in the coming weeks to examine our current leadership structure and selection process to consider potential revisions. Students should not begin to make assumptions about who will be selected or the criteria on which selection is based. However, students can make sure they are always fulfilling our current motto: Look Good, Sound Good, and Be a Class Act. Below are a few key points that tie in with the motto students can be working towards:

  • LOOK GOOD
    • Take good care of your instrument regardless if it is your personal instrument or a school instrument. Put it away in your locker/designated area properly after every event and do not allow anyone to play it. Percussionists cover all instruments, demonstrate proper mallet/stick care, and be sensitive to noise levels when playing.
    • Be on time to all events. To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is to be forgotten.
    • Keep your concert uniform in pristine condition, free of wrinkles and dirt.
    • Sit with good posture and demonstrate proper hand position at all times.
    • Take good care of our facilities and equipment.
  • SOUND GOOD
    • Always play with your best sound during and outside of rehearsals, know your individual part, and demonstrate the importance of a high level of musicianship to your peers.
    • Give 110% in every rehearsal and always be marking your music appropriately.
    • Always be striving to improve your playing through private lessons, working with a director, or consistent home practice.
    • Seek opportunities outside of band class to perform(Private lessons, Solo & Ensemble, honor bands/clinics, CWYS, Orchestra winds, Pep Band, etc.).
  • BE A CLASS ACT

    • Have your phone/device put away at all times during rehearsals/performances.
    • Be on task and respectful in rehearsals and performances. Follow all rehearsal procedures, and do not talk/cause distractions during rehearsals/performances.
    • Always speak highly of the band program, leaders, and members in public/social media.
    • Be respectful of facilities at home and away. Take initiative to pick up and chairs/stands that may have been knocked over, pickup and garbage on the ground, and keep the band room free of non-band related personal belongings.
    • Offer to help directors with competition of tasks.
    • Demonstrate good attendance and follow all attendance procedures/expectations.

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STUDENT OF THE MONTH

CONGRATULATIONS to our February Student of the Month, Abby Kovach! Abby has been an incredibly dedicated member of band program this year. She goes above and beyond to serve the band program in anyway she can. Even though Tenor Saxophone is her main instrument, Abby has learned bass clarinet and sousaphone to help balance instrumentation in additional ensembles. She is a member of Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Gold, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, Marching Bees, prepared two events for Solo & Ensemble, and takes private lessons. We thank Abby for her service to the BBHHS Bands!

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KENT STATE UNIVERSITY BRASS DAY

Kent State University will be hosting their first ever Brass Day on Saturday, March 2nd. Students from across Ohio will have the opportunity to participate in a day of intensive brass ensemble rehearsals, clinics, and performance demonstrations. Participants will work with School of Music brass faculty and the Washington D.C.-based Barclay Brass. There will also be vendor displays with instruments, music and more. This would be a great opportunity for our brass students, especially those that may not take private lessons. Registration is only $10.00! More info available HERE.

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UPCOMING DATES

Pep Band:  Tuesday, February 19th AND Friday, February 22nd – CT @ 6:00pm

Wind Ensemble Conservatory Day:  Saturday, February 23rd – 9:00am-3:00pm

Mid-Winter Band Concert:  Tuesday, February 26th – 7:00pm

OMEA Large Group Adjudication(Wind Ensemble):  March 8th-9th – Time TBA @ Mentor HS

CONGRATULATIONS to all our Solo & Ensemble participants! Our BBHHS Band students gave some very MUSICAL performances and received an impressive 32 “Superior” ratings and 15 “Excellent” ratings. Regardless of rating, our students are better musicians for challenging themselves to prepare a performance at OMEA Solo & Ensemble. Most importantly, our students were a class act all day and represented BBHHS with pride. You can see a full recap of the results HERE.

The next two weeks will be all about finishing preparations for our Mid-Winter Concert on Tuesday, February 26th. This is a required performance for all band members. Please make arrangements now to invite family and friends!

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OMEA ALL-STATE BAND

Congratulations to Zach Ravagnani, Kevin Williams, and Jasper Jones for their performance with the OMEA All-State Band last weekend. Being selected for the OMEA All-State Band is the highest honor a band student can receive in the state of Ohio. We hope to have many of our talented BBHHS Band students audition this Spring!

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Our annual Pancake Breakfast is coming up on March 16th. The wonderful Pancake Breakfast committee is in need of a few more volunteers to help out with some final preparations. If you are able donate some of your time/talents please contact Suzanne Orlando.

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INSTRUMENT SWITCHES

In order to have a more balanced band program and provide additional opportunities for students, we are looking for students interested in instruments switches. We are currently looking for additional tubas, baritones, horns, oboes, and bassoons. We are fortunate to have a small army of trumpets, flutes, alto saxophones, and percussionists, but an instrument switch may allow you to advance in the band program sooner and open more doors to leadership positions in marching band. Flute and alto saxophone can be good candidates to switch to oboe and bassoon. Trumpet can easily switch to horn, baritone, or tuba. These instruments would all be provided by the school. If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please see Mr. Rex ASAP. NO INSTRUMENT SWITCH IS PERMITTED WITHOUT DIRECTOR APPROVAL.

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UPCOMING DATES

Pep Band:  Tuesday, February 12th – CT @ 6:00pm

Indoor Drumline Rehearsals:  Tuesday/Thursday, February 12th & 14th – 6pm-9pm

Wind Ensemble Evening Rehearsal w/Dr. Gershman:  Wednesday, February 13th – 6pm-8pm

Wind Ensemble Conservatory Day:  Saturday, February 23rd – 9:00am-3:00pm

Mid-Winter Band Concert:  Tuesday, February 26th – 7:00pm

OMEA Large Group Adjudication(Wind Ensemble):  March 8th-9th – Time TBA @ Mentor HS

February is here and Solo & Ensemble is this weekend! We hope our participating students were able to use the time off last week to catch up on practice and add that extra musicality for a Superior performance. All information and the schedule for Solo & Ensemble is available HERE. Students are responsible for their own transportation to North Ridgeville HS.

Keep in mind that directors reserve the right to CANCEL or go COMMENTS ONLY for any events that have not demonstrated the necessary amount of preparation to perform at the event.

The weekly S&E Rehearsal schedule is available HERE.

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INSTRUMENT SWITCHES

In order to have a more balanced band program and provide additional opportunities for students, we are looking for students interested in instruments switches. We are currently looking for additional tubas, baritones, horns, oboes, and bassoons. We are fortunate to have a small army of trumpets, flutes, alto saxophones, and percussionists, but an instrument switch may allow you to advance in the band program sooner and open more doors to leadership positions in marching band. Flute and alto saxophone can be good candidates to switch to oboe and bassoon. Trumpet can easily switch to horn, baritone, or tuba. These instruments would all be provided by the school. If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please see Mr. Rex ASAP. NO INSTRUMENT SWITCH IS PERMITTED WITHOUT DIRECTOR APPROVAL.

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BAND HANDBOOK REMINDERS

As we are nearing midterms for 3rd Quarter, it is import to keep in mind some of the expectations for students’ daily rehearsal grades and procedures laid out in the Band Handbook. Below are common items that have had to be addressed since Winter Break: 

B. GRADING POLICY

  1. Points are earned by meeting the expectations of musicianship
    1. Musicianship expectations for band members include, but are not limited to: displaying musical progress through assessments, submitting acceptable recordings for auditions and playing tests, attending all required band activities, being on time with all necessary equipment, and participating with effort.
  2. Points will be lost when students do not meet musicianship expectations
    1. For example: Performing poorly on musical assessments, memorization checks, audition submissions, displaying a lack of musical progress, unexcused absences, tardies, not having necessary equipment, chewing gum, negligence or abuse to school property, disruptive behavior/disrespect, cell phone use during class, etc.

 

GUIDELINES for FACILITY USE

I. Instrument Lockers:

  • Lockers will be assigned at the beginning of the year.  Students should only use their assigned locker.
  • All instruments and cases must be properly put away inside the
    appropriate locker following every rehearsal and performance.      This
    includes percussion.  Following an away event, you are responsible for bringing your own instrument in from the truck.
  • All lockers are required to have a combination lock on them.  Combinations must be provided to the directors.  Locks for school instruments will be provided, all others should be purchased by the student.
  • Lockers are the property of the school and music department.  They are not to be used for personal items, food, or trash!

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UPCOMING DATES

Band Boosters Meeting:  Tuesday, February 5th – 7:00pm

Indoor Drumline Rehearsals:  Tuesday/Thursday, February 5th & 7th – 6pm-9pm

Solo & Ensemble Rehearsals(select students):  During/After school weekly through 2/8

OMEA Solo & Ensemble:  Saturday, February 9th – 8am-5pm @ North Ridgeville HS

Wind Ensemble Conservatory Day:  Saturday, February 23rd – 9:00am-3:00pm

Mid-Winter Band Concert:  Tuesday, February 26th – 7:00pm

OMEA Solo & Ensemble event details, final reminders, and schedule are posted under the “Students” menu. Please make sure you read the info letter at the top of the page. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ITS CONTENTS. You may also access all the info by clicking HERE.

Looks like we have another cold week ahead which could affect our daily rehearsals this week. Because of this, we need to be proactive and cram in as many ensemble rehearsals after school Monday as possible. It is IMPERATIVE that all Solo & Ensemble students are practicing their music daily and even finding time to rehearse with their ensembles if at all possible beyond the scheduled rehearsals at school. Please always have your S&E music with you at school in case their is an opportunity to rehearse beyond your scheduled times. Keep in mind that directors reserves the right to CANCEL or go COMMENTS ONLY for any events that have not demonstrated the necessary amount of preparation to perform at the event.

We understand that choir and orchestra events have received their schedules, but the band events have not yet been released. Mr. Rex will send the schedule and final details for the Solo & Ensemble event at North Ridgeville HS as soon as we have them.

The weekly S&E Rehearsal schedule is available HERE.

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REMIND/VERIZON UPDATES 2.0

Thanks to an outcry of support from teachers, students, and parents all over the country, Verizon has decided to reverse the fee. As a result, Remind can continue to offer text notifications as part of the Remind service. There will be no service disruption for Verizon Wireless customers. Remind will continue to work as it always had with text notifications.

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INDOOR DRUMLINE

We are pleased to share that Indoor Drumline will continue to be provided for our students this year. Andy Karkosiak has agreed to oversee a student-driven, non-competitive indoor drumline that will perform at BBHHS in March. Rehearsals will be Tuesday/Thursday evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Since there is no competition/travel expenses students will not be required to pay a “Pay to Participate” fee. If you were not able to attend last week’s meeting, but are interested in participating this year, please attend Tuesday’s rehearsal or contact Andy Karkosiak.

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UPCOMING DATES

Indoor Drumline Rehearsals:  Tuesday/Thursday, January 29th/January 31st – 6pm-9pm

Solo & Ensemble Rehearsals(select students): During/After school weekly through 2/8

OMEA Solo & Ensemble: Saturday, February 9th – 8am-5pm @ North Ridgeville HS

Wind Ensemble Conservatory Day: Saturday, February 23rd – 9:00am-3:00pm