Grapevine Middle School
Pony Band
February 12th, 2021
Dear GMS Band Families,
Congratulations to our Percussion students as they competed at their FIRST Contest of the school year at Grapevine High School last Saturday. We walked away so proud of you and were very pleased with your accomplishments. These students performed not one, but TWO solos, and the Beginners performed an Ensemble on top of that. It was a GREAT DAY!!! Thank you parents for supporting their music education through private lessons and individual practice at home. It will be fun to see them grow as fine musicians!
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!!!
Brass & Woodwind Ensemble Contest! Please mark your calendar! On Friday, February 26th will be our Brass and Woodwind Ensemble Contest at Grapevine Middle School. Please click here to learn more of the Brass & Woodwind Ensemble Contest.
INTRODUCING SPIRIT GUARD for ALL STUDENTS!!! Please see details below!
Fan Pledge Fundraiser: The fundraiser ends on February 22nd so you still have time to share your student's profile page. We are SO CLOSE to reaching our goal. THANK YOU to all who have donated. Remember funds go directly back to your student through contest fees/supplies and master classes this Spring semester. As of right now, the Double Reed, Sax and Horn class are in the lead! Not far behind are the Trumpet/Percussion Class followed by Flute/Clarinet Class.
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: NO Monday Sectional only due to No School on Monday
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.