Steve Thomas, Director of Bands

Picture


                                             Weekly Schedule: 5/14
​
Monday - 
Tuesday - 
Wednesday - 
Thursday - 
Friday - 
Saturday - 
                                                                                     MUSIC IN THE PARKS RESULTS

​Here were the final results and trophies that our band program left with:

Symphonic Band - 1st place in their division with an "Excellent" rating
Wind Ensemble - 1st place in their division with a "Superior" rating
Jazz Ensemble - 1st place in their division with a "Superior" rating
Best Overall Middle School/Junior High Concert Band Award - GMS Wind Ensemble
Best Overall Middle School/Junior High Jazz Band Award - GMS Jazz Ensemble
Best Middle School/Junior High Jazz Soloists - Ailani Pedroza, tenor sax & Brandon Price, piano
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!

Black "Darth Vader" T-Shirt - $10.00
Grey "Cantina Band" T-Shirt - $10.00
Black "Cantina Band" Hoodie - $20.00
Black Metallic "Darth Vader" Hoddie - $25.00
Black "Darth Vader" Cinch-Bag - $15.00

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.