Dear Parents and Students:

SOLO & ENSEMBLE - (for 7th & 8th grade Band Members)
Your child will be participating as a soloist or a member of a small group in a judged competition at the beginning of February on the 7th.  All members of the RED/WHITE band are required to participate in this event for a grade.  If the band member cannot come on that Saturday due to prior commitments they will perform the solo/ensemble during class for a final grade.

This solo/small group experience is important to build independence in our musicians.  All musicians need to be able to play with confidence and calm with less people to depend on.  The judging panel will be made up of local band directors and they will give valuable feedback and medals to all students.

Ask your student about their solo/ensemble assignment and encourage them to practice and perform it for you.  This will help them overcome nerves.


SECTIONALS
The RED band will have weekly graded sectionals starting in January to prepare us for the upcoming competition season and to aid in personal growth.

Sectionals will occur before and after school for 30 to 45 minutes once a week.  Your student will only be obligated to come to sectional once a week, but it will be mandatory.  Testing will be done in sectionals. It is important that all the members of the section can play the music correctly.  It only takes one member adding incorrect notes or rhythms to destroy the product.

Playing in Band is much like playing on an athletics team.  We really depend on each other to be in the right place at the right time.

PRACTICE CARDS
Your child should be asking you to sign a practice card.  If your child practices at school I can sign the card (large instruments such as tuba & baritone are not allowed on the bus.  I have extra tubas to assign for home but unfortunately no extra baritones).

TUTORING/PRIVATE LESSONS
You should also consider private lessons for your student.  If you are interested in this form of tutoring please contact me or the local music store and colleges for a list of professionals.  Most lessons cost between 10 and 20 dollars a session and the band may be able to cover part of the cost or all of the cost depending on your financial situation.

CLINIC for UIL 
This spring we will hire a  master music educator to help us make final preparations for our UIL competition.  This event will occur on a Saturday as we get closer to UIL. I will provide lunch (pizza) on the chosen date.

Remember to practice over Christmas Vacation!  Remember to use the fun practice sheets that I gave you for EXTRA CREDIT on your grade in the new year.

Cookie Dough will be delivered on Wednesday, December 17th.  Please arrange to be at the band hall after school to pick up your orders.

Our Band Cares!

Angel Tree gifts were collected from all band members this past month and then taken to the collection point at the church today.  I am sure that our one year old adoptee, baby Lane, will enjoy all the wonderful gifts.  Giving from their hearts to those in need.  Way to go Band!

Cookie Dough Top Sellers

CONGRATULATIONS

To our top sellers! They will all receive a free box of

Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough!

HORN - Hannah Brusseau - 29 boxes

FLUTE - Devin Laxey - 27 boxes

TROMBONE - Jaydn White – 15 boxes

TROMBONE - Edgar Barrera - 16 boxes

PERCUSSION - Manny Soto – 15 boxes

FLUTE - Kamylle Whitfield - 15 boxes

Dear Parents:

$COOKIE DOUGH$ FUNDRASING MONEY IS DUE THIS WEEK! Please bring in all cookie dough money by the end of the week, Friday, November 23, 2014.  Money can be dropped off in the front office or in the band hall.  Please be sure to check to see if the money totals are correct.  Orders will be processed and I will give you a delivery date in December ASAP!  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Tuesday, December 9^th Holiday Recruiting Concert Ira Cross/East Ward

Who:  Red Band Only-no beginner/white

Time:  bus leaving Manor at 7:45! 8:15-Ira Cross, 9:15 East Ward

Wear: Red Band Shirt/Jeans/santa hat *WE NEED CHAPERONES!

Tuesday, December  16^th – Our Holiday Concert, 7 pm, Manor MS Gymnasium MANDATORY PERFORMANCE-3 Summative Grades-

When: 6:30pm Band Hall until end of ALL performances

Wear:  Beginners- Band Shirt and Jeans w/optional Santa hat

White Band -Holiday Dresses, Shirt w/tie slacks –optional Santa Hat

Red Band – Holiday Dresses, Shirt w/tie slacks-optional Santa Hat

Thursday December  18^th – Roller Rink Holiday Reward Skate Party with Choir. This event is at the rink on Fort Hood Street.  Party start time will most likely be around 6pm and I am working on free admission and pizza. More information to come.

OTHER REMINDERS:  Parents if your child plays clarinet, oboe, or sax please make sure they have 3 good reeds at all times.  I can sell them a reed for $3.00.  Remember, our local store “The Band Room” and “Guitar Center” both sell reeds and The Woodwind & Brasswind Online sells reeds by the box at a great discount.  Van Doren is the best reed brand for your child.  Strength should be 2 ½ or 3 for clarinet or sax. 

And of course---- please encourage your child to practice every day!  I am available to your child every morning and evening for tutoring.  The band hall opens at 7:25 am and closes at 5 pm.  I look forward to seeing you at the concert

Cathy Lewis,

Head Band Director - Manor Big Horn Band

Catheirne.lewis@killeenisd.org  (254) 336 -1100

Dear Parents:

We began our fundraiser this past Friday.  We will be selling cookie dough for the next two weeks to raise money for a charter bus and possibly food for our Spring Trip to 6 Flags.  ALL ORDER FORMS & MONEY ARE DUE BACK TO THE BAND HALL ON:  NOVEMBER 21st - FRIDAY

Please remind you children of these things:

-Keep the order sheet and the envelope together... write your name, phone number, and school on both items in case they get lost or seperated

-IF YOU COLLECT MONEY AND THEN LOSE THE MONEY YOUR CHILD & YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE MONEY THAT WAS TAKEN FROM THE CUSTOMER and you are also responsible for getting the product to the customer on delivery. 

- Do not go out selling by yourself or in any place that seems dangerous. 

-If you are given a donation, please write down who gave the donation and how much they gave.  We have to keep track of all monies collected.

-If you take a check please make sure it is written in black/blue ink, has a printed address, phone number and texas driver's license number.

-All orders have to be pre-paid.  No money-No order.

-PRIZE - For each 15 boxes sold you get one box of cookie dough for free! 

May the odds be ever in your favor :)

Please email or call the band hall with any questions.

Cathy Lewis

Head Director

Manor Big Horn Band

Manor Band Members and Supporters!

We had a great beginning band concert this past Thursday.  Ms. Washington was very pleased with out behavior and performance.

Every beginning student who attended did a fantastic job!

Our next concert will be on DECEMBER 4th at Killeen High School.  Please plan on getting your child over to the school by 6:30 PM.  Concert will start at 7PM.

GO BIG HORN BAND!!

Please Announce this morning.  Thank you!

Manor Big Horn Band members had a busy Saturday trying out for the All-Region Band.  Each band member had to perform five selections with near perfection to be picked for the 2014 All-Region Band.  Fourteen middle schools from the region all competed for a very limited amount of slots.

The competition was intense.  Manor Band Members who will be representing Manor are:   Jacquelyn Dauz who was placed #1 overall in the oboe category, Nathan McCray on Horn, Joshua Greene on Clarinet, JaQuez Douglas on Tuba, and Nicholas McCray on Tenor Sax.

First Alternates are: Xavier Cross on Bari Sax and Jamari Lewis on Tuba.  Laura Fish, Amari Davis, Caleb Riddle, Brandon Chase, Brittaney Rivera, and MacKenzie Moore-Hornberger also auditioned. I am very proud of these students that took the time to prepare for the audition and faced their fears in the audition rooms.

Come see them perform next Saturday in Copperas Cove at the High School Auditorium at 4pm.

There will not he a bus to msx. Please remember to arrange transportation.

Dont forget Msx is this Saturday.

Graded performance for all red and white bands.

Meet at Leo Buckley Stadium behind Killeen high school by 5 pm. Bring just your instrument and music. Leave cases with your parents.

Event starts at 6 and ends by 8. Non-performer entry fee is 5 dollars.

Dear Band Parents:

Please remember to get your student's supplies for band!  If you are new to band and have already selected your instrument please bring the items we discussed at your interview.

If your child is new to band and you did not come in for an interview please read all the information that is sent home and procure all necessary items needed for class.
 BEGINNERS PLEASE HAVE ALL ITEMS BY: SEPT 8th
If your child is selected to play a large instrument that is provided by the school please sign the school agreement and we will check out the instrument to your child. Please make every effort to get the recommended mouthpiece/reeds for your child. The method book cannot be loaned.

If you are returning to band remember you will need 4 good reeds at all times if you are a woodwind player.  Brass players remember you will need valve oil. Remember to buy your method book.

WE PROVIDE:
Lock & Locker
Large Instruments

EVERYONE WILL NEED:
Pencils
1" Binder - RED for beginners - PLEASE TRY YOU BEST TO PURCHASE THIS
1" Binder - BLACK for the red & white band members (we do have some from last year if you need to use a school binder)

BEGINNERS:  Essential Elements 2000 Book #1







WHITE BAND: Essential Elements 2000 Book #2








RED BAND:Tradition of Excellence: Technique & Musicianship by Pearson for your specific instrument










THESE ITEMS WILL REALLY HELP YOU:
SmartMusic Student Subscription.  All of our method books and lots more are in this incredible software program.  We will be using it in class, but your student can achieive remarkable things with this self-guided method at home.   It costs about $40 for the year
Essential Elements Interactive.  This comes free with your purchase of book 1 and book 2.  It's a whole lot like SmartMusic but free. 
Metronome:  This helps your student keep the beat.  I downloaded a free app on my phone.  You can also buy a small battery operated one at guitar center etc.....
Folding Stand: It really helps if you have your music at the same level every time you practice.  This will help your child develop proper posture and tracking skills(eyes).


Please call me at 254 336 1331 if you need help or email me at: catherine.lewis@killeenisd.org or send in a note with your child.  I am here to help you and your child! Let's have a magnificent year of music.

Cathy Lewis
Head Band DIrector
Manor Big Horn Band "Home of the RAMS!"