Update from Mrs. Conard

Dear Band Students and Families, 

What a crazy time this is! I hope you are staying healthy and safe inside your homes. While we can't change the situation, we can make the best of it. This is a great opportunity for you to spend time with your family and do things you wouldn't normally get to do while at school. I am enjoying spending time with my husband, cat, and dog, and I am really enjoying getting to play my flute and piano a lot more than usual. Here's a little something I did this week with a few other flutists from all over the world:


I am deeply saddened to announce that the 6th grade band contest in Lytle is cancelled as well as our fun trip that was planned for Main Event. I am also very sad that the 7th and 8th grade trip to Sea World had to be cancelled because the park is closed. If there is a way to reschedule before the end of the school year, we will try. If not, we will make next year's trip even better! As of now, we are still planning for a Spring Band Concert. That date is to be determined. I appreciate all of your hard work that was put in before the break. Let's hope that we can get to perform together as a band once again this school year. 

The activities I have put together for you while learning from home are meant to be fun yet educational. You may choose whichever activities sound interesting to you. A good goal is to do 5 activities each week if you can. I don't want you to stress out over this. It can be as simple as practicing your instrument or watching YouTube videos. If you feel this is too much for you to handle at this time, start with 1 activity this week and then aim to do a few more the next week. If you have trouble accessing the online links or notice a particular link is not working, please email me. At the end of each week, you will submit a google form to me so I can see how you are progressing. Assignments can be viewed in the Online Learning Tab.

I miss making music with all of you, and I know you miss band and all your friends, too. We will get through this together. Hope to see you all again very soon. If you need anything (except a hug), please email or text.

Musically,

Danette Conard
#PanthersStayConnected

6th Grade Band News - October 2019

6th Grade Band is off to a great start! I am excited for those that returned to band this year, and super excited for all of our new students as well!

The MS Band Hall is open almost every day after school from 3:30-4:30pm for extra practice. Several students have been taking advantage of that, and they are progressing very quickly. Some are even working on the 7th-8th grade All-Region Band music!

Playing tests need to be recorded using Flipgrid app or a cell phone video submitted through Google Classroom. Students have opportunities to record their videos after school, during tutorials, lunch (M, W, F), or at home. Students that do not record their video by the due date will have to play it in class and will be limited to the number of attempts they have to play it correctly. The next playing test is posted in Google Classroom and on Flipgrid.

We are currently preparing for our first performance of the year. The Fall Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5 at 6:30pm at the BMS Gym. This is a required performance for all band students. All band events are posted well in advance on the band calendar. Students cannot wait to show you what all they have learned so far this year!

Finally, students were sent home with T-shirt order forms. Forms need to be returned by Friday, October 11. Money is due by October 25.

If you ever have any questions or concerns, contact one of the band directors.

Christmas Concert this Friday!

Blanco 6th Grade Band Christmas Concert

Who: All 6th grade band students

What: Christmas Concert (featuring BMS 6th-8th Grade Bands)

Where: BHS Cafeteria

When: Friday, December 14 at 6:30pm (students need to be there by 6:00pm)

Dress: Nice, dressy, festive clothes. 

Cost: FREE!

Invite all your friends and family! See you there! 

Happy Holidays!

Need help with your music? After-school practice

Mrs. Conard and Mr. V are available for after-school practice most days of the week from 3:30-4:30pm. Students that want to audition for the All-Region Band MUST plan to stay after school to work on the music. Students that are new to band should also make arrangements to stay after school to get caught up with the rest of the class.

If you have any questions about after-school practice, email Mrs. Conard. There is no charge for lessons at the school.

6th Grade Band Receives Straight 1s!

Congratulations to the BMS 6th Grade Band for receiving straight 1s at the Pirateland contest! 

Pirateland Band Contest and Celebration - Thursday, April 26

On Thursday, April 26, the 6^th Grade Band will perform at the Pirateland Band Festival at Lytle HS. There will be three judges, and we will receive comments and ratings from the judges. Trophies will be given out to Superior performing bands. After our performance, we will go to Main Event – San Antonio North to celebrate a year of hard work. The cost for each student will be $20. This will include a $10 video game card, 2 slices of pizza and a medium drink, 1 hour of bowling (socks and shoes included), and one additional activity (laser tag, gravity ropes, or billiards). Parents are welcome to attend the band contest and Main Event with us. There is no fee to watch the band perform or to enter Main Event, but the cost will be $20 for adults that want to eat and play games with the band students. Students are welcome to purchase additional game cards or games if time permits. 

This is a required performance for all eligible 6th grade band students. Students must have passed all classes on the 5th 6 weeks report card. Students will wear their BMS Band T-shirt with blue jeans and school-approved shoes for this performance. (A very limited amount of shirts are still available for purchase. Please contact Mrs. Conard if you need to purchase a band t-shirt.)

Schedule for April 26th:

8:00am             Meet in the band hall, warm-up, load bus

8:30am             Depart BMS

10:00am           Arrive at Lytle HS (FM2790 S, Lytle, TX)

10:30am           Band goes into the Warm-up room

11:00am           Band Performs on Stage (Cheer for our kids! Performance is free                                   and open to the public.)

12:30-1:30pm  Pizza/Video Games/Laser Tag (or Gravity Ropes) at Main Event
                         (1911 N. Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX)

1:30-2:30pm    Bowling (ALL students will participate)

3:30pm             Approximate arrival time back at BMS

All payments are due by April 13th. Cash payments only. Contact Mrs. Conard if you have any questions or concerns.

6th grade band has finished Book 1!

I am happy to report the 6th grade band finished Book 1 and is now moving into Essential Elements Book 2. All students should have purchased the 2nd book at the beginning of the school year.

In addition to working in the book, we will also be preparing for the Pirateland Contest and our Spring concert. This means students will be receiving all new music this 6 weeks.

As a reminder, students should be taking their instruments home to practice new music. They should not wait to learn their music at school. Practicing is their only homework, and it should be FUN! After all, it is called "PLAYING" an instrument. Play=fun!