Steve Thomas, Director of Bands
Weekly Schedule: 12/9
Monday - Pit Band 3:20-6:00pm
Tuesday - Pit Band 3:20-6:00pm
Wednesday - Pit Band 3:20-6:00pm
Thursday - Pit Band set up crew 3:30-4:45
'Shrek' performance (6:40pm call time for Pit Band)
Friday - 'Shrek' performance (6:40pm call time for Pit Band)
Saturday - 'Shrek' performance (6:40pm call time for Pit Band)
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
December 9 - Musical Dress Rehearsal 3:20-6:00
December 10 - Musical Dress Rehearsal 3:20-6:00
December 11 - Musical Dress Rehearsal 3:20-6:00
December 12 - Musical Performance 6:45pm call time for Pit Band
December 13 - Musical Performance 6:45pm call time for Pit Band
December 14 - Musical Performance 6:45pm call time for Pit Band
December 18 - Winter Concert (Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble)
December 19 - Winter Concert (Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble)
Winter Break Events - Star Wars Movie Trip (1/3/20)
December 9 - Musical Dress Rehearsal 3:20-6:00
December 10 - Musical Dress Rehearsal 3:20-6:00
December 11 - Musical Dress Rehearsal 3:20-6:00
December 12 - Musical Performance 6:45pm call time for Pit Band
December 13 - Musical Performance 6:45pm call time for Pit Band
December 14 - Musical Performance 6:45pm call time for Pit Band
December 18 - Winter Concert (Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble)
December 19 - Winter Concert (Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble)
Winter Break Events - Star Wars Movie Trip (1/3/20)
DECEMBER BAND CONCERT SCHEDULE
December 18 - Winter Concert (Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble)
December 19 - Winter Concert (Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble)
December 18 - Winter Concert (Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble)
December 19 - Winter Concert (Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble)
PIT BAND MARATHON WEEK: 12/9 - 12/14
Our marathon Pit Band schedule begins Monday, 12/9! Please look at the schedule above and let me know if you have any questions about any specific date. Here are the answers to the most asked questions:
*Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are performances of 'Shrek.' Pit Band students need to arrive at GMS no later than 6:40pm
The attire will be their Shrek t-shirt and dark pants on Thursday and Saturday.
The attire on Friday will be their full black concert uniform.
*I am still unsure of how long the musical will be. As we rehearse this week, I'll have a better understanding and hope to give you and the students a good estimated pick up time for the show dates - but I do hope you can come to at least one night and see and hear the hard work these kids have been doing!
Our marathon Pit Band schedule begins Monday, 12/9! Please look at the schedule above and let me know if you have any questions about any specific date. Here are the answers to the most asked questions:
*Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are performances of 'Shrek.' Pit Band students need to arrive at GMS no later than 6:40pm
The attire will be their Shrek t-shirt and dark pants on Thursday and Saturday.
The attire on Friday will be their full black concert uniform.
*I am still unsure of how long the musical will be. As we rehearse this week, I'll have a better understanding and hope to give you and the students a good estimated pick up time for the show dates - but I do hope you can come to at least one night and see and hear the hard work these kids have been doing!
NO-SHAVE NOVEMBER UPDATE - WOW!!!
I have great news to share with everyone! It looks like my crazy non-shaving last month has inspired our band kids to raise some money for St. Baldricks! As you remember, I said that if the students were able to raise $25.00 in ONLY COINS throughout the month, I would shave half of my face for one of our concerts. That really did it. Our band students raised $216 in nothing but coins last month! I am so proud of them!!! While I am not really looking forward to having half of my face looking old and half looking young for a day - it is really worth it to see the kids pull together like that. I'll trying to figure out which day I will be half-shaven for. All the kids are begging me to do it on their concert night and I won't be doing it for two days - sorry! I'll keep them posted. Either way, it'll be Mr. Thomas looking silly...that's all they want anyway.
I have great news to share with everyone! It looks like my crazy non-shaving last month has inspired our band kids to raise some money for St. Baldricks! As you remember, I said that if the students were able to raise $25.00 in ONLY COINS throughout the month, I would shave half of my face for one of our concerts. That really did it. Our band students raised $216 in nothing but coins last month! I am so proud of them!!! While I am not really looking forward to having half of my face looking old and half looking young for a day - it is really worth it to see the kids pull together like that. I'll trying to figure out which day I will be half-shaven for. All the kids are begging me to do it on their concert night and I won't be doing it for two days - sorry! I'll keep them posted. Either way, it'll be Mr. Thomas looking silly...that's all they want anyway.
WINTER BREAK STAR WARS MOVIE TRIP - ORDER TICKETS NOW!
I have passed out order forms to students this week for our Star Wars movie trip over winter break. I will also attach a copy to this email. Because of the various sizes of the theaters available, I had to book the biggest theater for us, so we have LOTS of seats available. I know many of you will be out of town and otherwise unavailable, but I hope most students can join us for this. I would also love to have some adults in the theater besides me, so if you would like to "chaperone" this event, please let me know. I'll start compiling a list of adults who would like to attend and then once I make sure that we get every student that wants a ticket is all good (we should be just fine - it's a huge theater), I'll let you all know and I'll get your tickets.
This screening is a private event just for GMS, so no seats are open to the public. That being said, I want to make sure that all students are exhibiting school appropriate behavior at the movie. This is not time to be on cell phones, talking, yelling, etc. This is Star Wars people. This is very serious stuff.
I have passed out order forms to students this week for our Star Wars movie trip over winter break. I will also attach a copy to this email. Because of the various sizes of the theaters available, I had to book the biggest theater for us, so we have LOTS of seats available. I know many of you will be out of town and otherwise unavailable, but I hope most students can join us for this. I would also love to have some adults in the theater besides me, so if you would like to "chaperone" this event, please let me know. I'll start compiling a list of adults who would like to attend and then once I make sure that we get every student that wants a ticket is all good (we should be just fine - it's a huge theater), I'll let you all know and I'll get your tickets.
This screening is a private event just for GMS, so no seats are open to the public. That being said, I want to make sure that all students are exhibiting school appropriate behavior at the movie. This is not time to be on cell phones, talking, yelling, etc. This is Star Wars people. This is very serious stuff.
SOLO AND ENSEMBLE MUSIC HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED
Yesterday, I finished preparing all the solos and ensembles for students participating in the IGSMA Solo & Ensemble contest on Saturday, February 1st. They have 6 weeks to prepare this music for a judge! The hard work starts now! In January, I will have after school help sessions almost every day for kids to sign up for. Remember, it's mandatory that they sign up for AT LEAST two of these, so that they can practice with the piano accompanist. Please encourage them to start practicing.....February 1st is going to be here SOON!!
Yesterday, I finished preparing all the solos and ensembles for students participating in the IGSMA Solo & Ensemble contest on Saturday, February 1st. They have 6 weeks to prepare this music for a judge! The hard work starts now! In January, I will have after school help sessions almost every day for kids to sign up for. Remember, it's mandatory that they sign up for AT LEAST two of these, so that they can practice with the piano accompanist. Please encourage them to start practicing.....February 1st is going to be here SOON!!
APPROPRIATE UNIFORM FOR PERFORMANCES, EXPLAINED!
All of our bands will wear the same uniform for all our performances (concerts and contests). Boys and girls in all 4 bands will dress the same. Here is what should be worn:
Black tuxedo shirt (you have all purchased this and they will arrive at school soon)
Black pants (no skirts, leggings, or jeans - black khakis are definitely appropriate)
Nice black shoes (dress shoes would be nice, but as long as they are all black it's fine)
All bands have a minimum of 4 concerts and 1 contest, with many bands having multiple contests - so this outfit will be worn many times throughout the year. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Thomas.
All of our bands will wear the same uniform for all our performances (concerts and contests). Boys and girls in all 4 bands will dress the same. Here is what should be worn:
Black tuxedo shirt (you have all purchased this and they will arrive at school soon)
Black pants (no skirts, leggings, or jeans - black khakis are definitely appropriate)
Nice black shoes (dress shoes would be nice, but as long as they are all black it's fine)
All bands have a minimum of 4 concerts and 1 contest, with many bands having multiple contests - so this outfit will be worn many times throughout the year. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Thomas.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ILMEA STUDENTS
We had a dozen GMS band members audition for the ILMEA Junior Concert Band. Along with several hundred other students from the area, our students fought through their nerves and played for two judges for a change to make this band. We are proud to announce that this year, GMS has three students who were accepted and will be representing our band program and school at the ILMEA Festival in November. They are:
Ellie Bozik, french horn
Nick Ellington, trombone
Mihir Tandon, tenor sax
Congrats to all involved, and special congrats to our three representatives.
We had a dozen GMS band members audition for the ILMEA Junior Concert Band. Along with several hundred other students from the area, our students fought through their nerves and played for two judges for a change to make this band. We are proud to announce that this year, GMS has three students who were accepted and will be representing our band program and school at the ILMEA Festival in November. They are:
Ellie Bozik, french horn
Nick Ellington, trombone
Mihir Tandon, tenor sax
Congrats to all involved, and special congrats to our three representatives.
STAY UP-TO-DATE ON GMS BAND HAPPENINGS!
All adults AND students are encouraged to add the Remind app to their smartphones and add the appropriate band that they are in.
If you click on the correct link for your band, you should join the class instantly. You will still need the remind app on your phone in order to get announcements.
Symphonic Band: https://www.remind.com/join/gmssb2020
Wind Ensemble: https://www.remind.com/join/gmswe2020
Concert Band: https://www.remind.com/join/gmscb2020
Thanks everyone!
All adults AND students are encouraged to add the Remind app to their smartphones and add the appropriate band that they are in.
If you click on the correct link for your band, you should join the class instantly. You will still need the remind app on your phone in order to get announcements.
Symphonic Band: https://www.remind.com/join/gmssb2020
Wind Ensemble: https://www.remind.com/join/gmswe2020
Concert Band: https://www.remind.com/join/gmscb2020
Thanks everyone!
WEEKLY BAND LESSONS
For anyone who would like a refresher course on how lessons work, here's a quick rundown:
Each week, every section in every band will come to the band room to get a 40-minute sectional to work in a more specialized setting. This is where students can be assessed individually and more importantly get any individual help they may need. Students are pulled from another class to attend these lessons, but on a rotating schedule to ensure that students are not missing the same class more than once a month (twice in rare occasions). Other teachers are very aware of how this all works and expect students to come to them at the start of class to let them know that they will be leaving. Students are still responsible for any missed work or homework during that time. If a student has a test, quiz, experiment, or anything else that can't be easily made up, they will be allowed to stay in class. These conflicts don't happen all that often, and the goal is to always have the student feel comfortable.
Due to the rotating schedule, this is a lot for students to keep track of, but it is their responsibility to do so - and they do it! A monthly calendar is available outside the band room for them to look a week in advance (which means the morning of, most likely).
For anyone who would like a refresher course on how lessons work, here's a quick rundown:
Each week, every section in every band will come to the band room to get a 40-minute sectional to work in a more specialized setting. This is where students can be assessed individually and more importantly get any individual help they may need. Students are pulled from another class to attend these lessons, but on a rotating schedule to ensure that students are not missing the same class more than once a month (twice in rare occasions). Other teachers are very aware of how this all works and expect students to come to them at the start of class to let them know that they will be leaving. Students are still responsible for any missed work or homework during that time. If a student has a test, quiz, experiment, or anything else that can't be easily made up, they will be allowed to stay in class. These conflicts don't happen all that often, and the goal is to always have the student feel comfortable.
Due to the rotating schedule, this is a lot for students to keep track of, but it is their responsibility to do so - and they do it! A monthly calendar is available outside the band room for them to look a week in advance (which means the morning of, most likely).
JAZZ ENSEMBLE at THE JAZZ SHOWCASE
Our GMS Jazz Ensemble has again been invited to perform at the legendary jazz club in Chicago called The Jazz Showcase. Running since 1947, The Jazz Showcase is one of the most renown and storied jazz venues in the country. Every single jazz legend that you can think of (or Google) has played at that club, and now our middle schoolers will do the same. GMS is the only middle school band to ever be asked to play on that stage. Jazz Ensemble families will receive an email with more details.
The date for this performance will be Tuesday, May 5th.
Our GMS Jazz Ensemble has again been invited to perform at the legendary jazz club in Chicago called The Jazz Showcase. Running since 1947, The Jazz Showcase is one of the most renown and storied jazz venues in the country. Every single jazz legend that you can think of (or Google) has played at that club, and now our middle schoolers will do the same. GMS is the only middle school band to ever be asked to play on that stage. Jazz Ensemble families will receive an email with more details.
The date for this performance will be Tuesday, May 5th.
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PARENT VOLUNTEER LIST
The GMS band program is a very active group, and we have many upcoming events that require adult volunteers to help them run smoothly. If you are interested in helping out throughout the year (or next), please send an email to grayslakeband@gmail.com indicating your interest. When our next big event comes up, we will know who to contact first before we start begging for help. It would be wonderful to get a mix of 7th and 8th grade parents on this list so that we can continue to pass the torch as the years pass on. Thanks everyone! GMS Band Apparel is Available! Apparel will be available for purchase at all GMS Band Concerts, while availability lasts. |
PRACTICE, Please!
This is just a reminder to everyone to please help remind your child to play their instrument at home. Although we do rehearse every day, Mr. Thomas only gets to see separate instrument groups once a week and those are usually very large groups. Many, many students rarely (if ever) play their instrument at home because they assume that daily rehearsal and weekly sectionals are sufficient. Unfortunately, this is not the case. You should hear your child playing his or her instrument at home AT LEAST three times a week, and that would be a bare minimum as 5 times a week would be more appropriate. Many students' instruments never leave their locker at all, and this is a bit disturbing. Many students, especially early on in the year will simply say "I'm not having trouble with anything, I know it all." This does not mean that they shouldn't be playing their instrument at home. Playing an instrument not only requires mental skill, but a physical one also. Often just playing the instrument on a daily basis at home, a student will improve REGARDLESS of what they are playing. Please join Mr. Thomas in encouraging our band members to practice. While he can and will do his best as the band director, nothing helps more than an encouraging parent mentioning practice at home. |
