QACHS’s Band Blog

What an adventure Boston was. We made is there and back safely. It was not without troubles with a bus, sickness, and moving about town. The band gave great performances and placed well. The Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble were the only groups to have another group to compete against. The Concert Band took 1st place and a rating of Excellent, and the Jazz Ensemble placed 4th with a rating of Excellent as well. Thank you to all the adult chaperons for your help in making this trip possible!

Check this video out. You never know what will happen on a Band Trip Bus.

We are down to only THREE DAYS before we leave for Boston, MA.  All Emergency Medical Forms were due today.  So, if you have not turned yours in, please get them in to the Band Office by first thing Wednesday morning at the very latest.  We must get them organized in the medical binders for each bus.  There won’t be time to do this Thursday morning before we leave.

Remember as you are packing, that you can only have one suitcase that will go under the bus and one carry-on bag that will either fit in the overhead compartment or under your seat.  Your pillow will not count as a carry-on item if you choose to bring it.  Make sure that you have everything that you need for your uniforms.  Concert/Jazz - Ladies: black closed toed shoes, Gentlemen: Black Dress Shoes, Black Socks, and White Tux/Dress Shirt.  Marching - Black Marching Shoes (make sure they have been cleaned), Black Socks, and Black Gloves.

If you want to bring movies for everyone to watch on the bus, you must have those submitted by Wednesday as well for approval.  No submissions will be accepted Thursday.

You will need money for the following meals while we are gone:

- Lunch on Thursday
- Lunch and Dinner on Friday
- Lunch and Dinner on Saturday
- Lunch on Sunday

Your dinner on Thursday and all breakfasts are covered in the trip cost.

Three Days and Counting!

You can now goto the Band’s Website and listen to the first episode of “From the Director’s Desk.” Each month I will be posting a new podcast about the latest happenings and upcoming events. I will plan to post it the day after the monthly Band Booster Meetings which are usually held the first Thursday of every month in the Band Room at 7:00 PM. If you can’t make it to the meeting to hear my Director’s Report, the podcasts will give it all to you.  Click to go there now, http://boe.qacps.k12.md.us/qhs/qaband/podcasts.html

The Symphonic and Concert Bands performed as one unified group at Wicomico High School on Wednesday, March 12th at the Maryland District V Band Festival.  They received an “Excellent” rating for their prepared stage performance and a “Superior” in sight reading.

Click here to listen to each selection that was played. 

King Cotton (March)
Click here to play music


Shenandoah
Click here to play music


Sea Songs
Click here to play music

Extra Credit Opportunity!

30 Points Possible

You are cordially invited to attend a free concert given by the United States Army Ceremonial Band. On Thursday, March 27^th, the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band will present a concert entitled “Music Meets Hi-Tech.” This event will take place at Brucker Hall in Fort Myer, Virginia at 7:30 PM. 

However, thanks to modern technology, you don’t actually HAVE to go there person! The concert will be also available via live Webcast at the following URL:

http://rastaban.ite.gmu.edu/usarmyband  

(The URL will be active 30 minutes prior to the concert).

 In the meantime, visit www.soundtree.com/usarmy for a podcast about the concert.

Immediately following the concert, audience members will be encouraged to blog about their reactions to the concert at: http://soundtree.musiced.net.

For your assignment, please answer the following questions, either typed or on a lined piece of notebook paper, answering ALL questions with complete sentences:

1. State the name of the concert along with the date, time and place the concert happened.

2. Was the performance instrumental, vocal or both?

3.  Were any instruments or voice parts featured in the performance?  If so, how were they featured?  (Were there solos or sections that played?) 

4. Write a paragraph or two telling me about your favorite piece of music from this concert.  Explain why you liked it, how it made you feel, what was the title of the song and who wrote it.  Be as specific as you can. 

5. Write a paragraph or two about the entire concert.  Explain the concert as if you were writing a review for the local newspaper.  Be very detailed and specific about all aspects of the concert.

6. Post a blog about your reaction to the concert at http://soundtree.musiced.net. Print a copy of your blog entry and attach it to your paper.

7. Post a blog about your reaction to the concert on our blog about this assignment at http://qachsband.edublogs.org.

Due: Monday, March 31, 2008
This assignment will not be accepted after this date!

For those that have been a part of the QACHS Band program over the past several years with me, know that one of the key elements that I feel is most important to making this program successful is communication.  I like to keep everyone as informed as possible and make future plans and schedules available as soon as possible so that we can all plan our very busy lives accordingly.  I hope that through this new communication medium, that I will be able to keep everyone up to date with the latest information from the band program.  Stay tuned and stay up to date.