Bengals Night (7th/8th Grade Band)
Thursday, April 17th - call time 6:00 PM, performance time 6:45-7:15 PM
On Thursday, April 17th, we will have an open rehearsal in the band room, which is an opportunity for you to sit in and watch us rehearse in order to see the great effort your student musician puts into preparing our music early in the morning each week.
Students in the 7th/8th grade band will need to be dropped off at Door 18 no later than 6:00 PM. Our “uniform” for this event is this year’s band shirt. We will watch the choir perform in the Large Gym at 6:30, and then return to the band room to rehearse until 7:15. Chairs will be available for anyone who wants to observe our rehearsal. After we conclude our rehearsal at 7:15, I encourage you to explore everything else that is being showcased around the school for the remainder of Bengals Night.
Instrument Selection Night (4th grade students/families)
Monday, April 21st - 6:00-8:00 PM - BMS Large Gym
All students who will be 5th graders at Benjamin Middle School next year are invited to come to Benjamin to try out the instruments that they indicated they are most interested in playing when they visited us for 4th grade orientation. 4th grade families have been sent an email for you to RSVP if you plan to attend. If your student is considering joining band (whether they are 100% sure or on the fence), please have them come to this event. If you are unable to attend Instrument Selection Night but your child wants to try out an instrument, let me know and we can work together to arrange an alternate time to do so.
Spring Band and Choir Concert
Wednesday, May 14th - call time 6:00 PM, performance time 6:30 PM - BMS Large Gym
Our spring Band and Choir Concert will be on Wednesday, May 14th at 6:30pm in the large gym. All students will need to be dropped off at the band room doors (Door 18) no later than 6:00pm. Audience members will enter through Door 20. Performers will need to bring their instruments (except for percussion), binder, and any equipment they need to perform (reeds, neck straps, mouthpieces, etc.). Students are expected to stay for the entire duration of the concert.
The dress code for this event is formal (no jeans, sweatpants, gym shoes, t-shirts, etc.). Concert dress must be in compliance with school dress code. If you are unsure if a planned outfit is appropriate for the concert, please ask me.
During school on the day of the concert, we will be holding an assembly during which we will perform an abbreviated version of our concert for the student body. All students must bring their instrument and music to school during the day on Wednesday, May 14th. We will wear this year's band t-shirts, jeans or khakis, and close-toed shoes for the assembly. Please help your child check their closet ahead of time to make sure they have their band t-shirt. I have limited quantities of extras that your child may borrow if their shirt is missing. If your child needs to borrow a shirt for the assembly, please let me know in advance.
Summer Beginning Band (Incoming 5th graders only)
August 11th-14th, 18th-21st
Your child’s introduction to beginning band will start this summer! Starting in the summer allows your child to have a schedule of daily band practices before switching to the regular once- or twice-per-week schedule that we will have during the school year. This consistent, daily practice will allow your child to progress much more rapidly in a much shorter time than they would otherwise, which in turn leads to a greater sense of enjoyment and feeling of success on their instrument.
The program will include 30 minutes of small group instruction per day. Your child’s instrument will be given to them during the first day of summer band. All lessons will occur in the Benjamin Middle School band room. The program will run during the 2 weeks leading up to the new school year.
SUMMER BAND DATES
Week 1 = Monday, August 11 – Thursday, August 14
Week 2 = Monday, August 18 – Thursday, August 21
The schedule is determined by instrument. Your child will need to be dropped off at the band room doors (Door 18) at least 5 minutes prior to their start time. Door 18 is located in the upper parking lot near the Administration Center.
