Grapevine Middle School
Pony Band
February 21st, 2021
Dear GMS Band Families,
We realize that we have all had a rough week. We hope you are all safe and well. In our house, we were cold and miserable for what seemed eternity, and I'm glad that at least we are somewhat back to normal. We realize many families are still without internet and some are displaced due to water damage. If you need assistance of any kind, please reach out to us so we can support as best as we can. We have asked students to fill out this survey in Canvas. Here is the link just in case they did not see it.
Brass & Woodwind Ensemble Contest! We have moved the Ensemble Contest back one week to Friday, March 5th at Grapevine Middle School. With everything that happened last week, this will give the students more time to prepare for a good performance. Please click here to learn more of the Brass & Woodwind Ensemble Contest.
Congratulations to our Advanced Band Students who are our Outstanding Band Students for the 3rd 9 Weeks 1st Progress Report Period.
7th Graders: Jason Bejoy, horn and Brynn Snyder, oboe
8th Graders: Jack Tieken, trumpet and Addison Worthan, tuba
Their names are displayed in the Fine Arts Hallway and we are so proud of the efforts they have made throughout January!
It is a close race in our Beginner Karate Belts! Here are our first place students so far!
Flutes: Avery Blum-Naranjo
Double Reeds: Adena Walter
Clarinets: Marlee Ford, 4 belts!!!!
Saxophones: Brandon Robillard and Collin Woertendyke, tied
Trumpets: Cole Pintar
French Horns: Natali Velasquez and Joslynne Bell, tied
Trombones: Logan Daniel
Euphonium/Tuba: Dylan Haggard, Carter Nesta, Mikah Sawyer, 3-Way Tie!
Percussion: The ENTIRE Percussion Class is TIED!!! Adam Jimenez, Kate Newton, Evan Rhoads, Aila Huff, Ari'el Rhone, Jei'el Rhone, Josh Thayil
It is also a close race in the Advanced Band Member Challenges! Congratulations to Deamion Haselbeck who is in the lead!!!
INTRODUCING SPIRIT GUARD for ALL STUDENTS!!! Please see details below!
Advanced Band Sectionals
Honors Band
Tuesdays:
7am - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet
3:30pm - Trumpet
Wednesdays:
3:30pm - Saxophone, Horn
Thursdays:
3:30pm - Trombone
Fridays:
7am - Euphonium, Tuba
Symphonic Band
Mondays:
3:30pm - Flute, Clarinet
Tuesdays:
3:30pm - Trumpet
Wednesday:
3:30pm - Euphonium
Thursday:
3:30pm - Trombone
Friday:
3:30pm - Horn
ALL STUDENTS: Instruments and Band Binders need to go home every day to practice and for cleaning purposes. It is imperative that all students practice as much as they can. They need a lot of repetition and we do not want to lose the momentum, so please remind your student to keep up with their practice routine (posted in Canvas modules). Here is a practice guide for parents to help your student at home.
As always, it is an honor to be your student's band director!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gish, Mr. Holmes & Mr. Drewry
New Spirit Guard!!!
The Grapevine High School Band and Mustang Guard are excited to offer additional performing arts enrichment opportunities to CTMS, CMS, and GMS students next semester with the introduction of the Middle School Spirit Guard program! As we look for more ways to engage the student body during these challenging times, a fresh new co-ed option is now available and easy to implement. All materials, communications, and finances are expertly coordinated by Mr. Draper and the other GHS Band Directors. All GCISD health and safety guidelines will be followed at all times. Please allow us to answer any further questions you may have regarding this new program! Mr. Draper, guarddirector@grapevinehsband.com.
Spirit Guard Program Highlights:
- $35 club fee (includes a t-shirt).
- All equipment provided, no purchase necessary.
- Camps are monthly after-school in an available gym / auditorium / cafeteria.
- Learn elements of music, dance, theater, and of course color guard.
- Performance opportunity on-campus PLUS a district-wide showcase pending.
- A great way to meet diverse friends and easily grow into the high school experience.
Scheduling Highlights:
- FEB: First after-school camp for each campus. (M/W/F)
- MAR: Second and third after-school camp for each campus.
- APR: Fourth after-school camp for each campus.
- MAY: End of season parent performance for each campus and/or combined MS Spirit Guard showcase.* Preferred dates are 5/3 or 5/5 or 5/7.
*Final performance details are pending admin covid considerations for in-person events.
Curriculum
Honors and Symphonic Band
Click here to see what we are doing. Assignments are posted in Canvas. Advanced Band students are able to earn badges. The badges are: Band Member, Good Band Member, Excellent Band Member, Superior Band Member, Outstanding Band Member, Great Band Member, Incredible Band Member, Exceptional Band Member. Ask your student what badge they are working on. :-) Most Symphonic Students have 4 badges and most Honors Band Students have 5 badges.Beginner Band
Beginners have Karate Belt lines to complete. Click here to see the Karate Syllabus.
Daily Practice
Students have access to a Daily Routine (Google Slide) at the top of every Canvas Module to maintain daily practice. Suggested Daily Practice for Advanced Band: 45-60 minutes.Suggested Daily Practice for Beginner Band: 25-30 minutes. Here is a practice guide for parents to help your student at home.
February Birthdays
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR FEBRUARY BAND STUDENTS!!!
Evan Rhoads, February 3rd
Daniel Granados, February 12th
Jei'el Rhone, February 19th
Ari'el Rhone, February 19th
Isaac Kozal, February 22nd
Amazon Smile
We have an Amazon Smile account set up, so that we can receive donations based on Amazon purchases. Participants need to select "Grapevine-Colleyville Band Booster Club" as your charitable organization on Amazon Smiles and then simply login to www.smile.amazon.com when making your regular Amazon purchases.