This is your weekly MUSIC DEPARTMENT update!
Hello Folks!
As you know, MPA Season is in full swing! The next 9 weeks are going to be very very busy.
Please make sure to keep up with your health, so you can be with us as we push toward another successful MPA season! We need you here at school and in band!
That said, this week is the least strenuous week we have for a while so use this time to set yourself up for success as we move into the next few weeks so you don't fall behind.
Weekly Walkthrough
Monday, Mr. Moore will be at BCMS during the day. There is a Majorette Mandatory Parent meeting at 6pm.
Tuesday, Wind Ensemble has Small Ensemble Sectionals (Student Led) from 2:30pm- 3:30pm
Wednesday, the BCHS Jazz Band will perform its MPA Set during the three lunches.
Thursday, we have Large Ensemble Sectionals (Student Led) from 2:45pm to 3:30pm. We also have Wind Ensemble rehearsal from 4pm to 6pm. Dr. Jay Watkins from the University of Florida is scheduled to join us! Don't miss our last clinician before MPA!
John “Jay” Watkins, Jr. is a distinguished music educator and band director currently serving as the Associate Director of Bands, Assistant Professor in the School of Music, and Director of the Gator Marching Band at the University of Florida. He has held significant roles at the University of Texas at Austin and Charleston Southern University, where he led various ensembles and integrated academic, athletic, and live music communities. His extensive career includes directing the U.S. Navy Drum & Bugle Corps, teaching at the U.S. Naval Academy, and conducting professional wind ensembles, alongside earlier work in scientific research. A native of Falls Church, VA, Mr. Watkins holds degrees from George Mason University and Valdosta State University and is recognized nationally for his contributions as a designer, clinician, and adjudicator in music education.
Friday, there are no activities scheduled.
February/ March/ April at- a- glance
Events:
Majorette Mandatory Meeting - February 24th - 6pm
Leadership Mondays! - March 3rd - 3pm- 5pm
Dance Team/ Colorguard Mandatory Meeting - March 4th - 6pm
Leadership Mondays! - March 10th - 3pm- 5pm
Band Booster Meeting! - March 10th - 6:30pm
Spring Break! - March 17th-21st
Leadership Mondays! - March 24th - 3pm- 5pm
Krispy Kreme Fundraiser Begins - March 24th- April 4th
Leadership Mondays! - April 4th - 3pm- 5pm
Leadership Mondays! - April 7th - 3pm- 5pm
Majorette Clinics - April 7th - 3pm- 5pm
Percussion Mandatory Parent Meeting - April 7th - 6pm
Majorette Clinics - April 8th - 3pm- 5pm
Majorette Clinics - April 9th - 3pm- 5pm
Majorette Auditions - April 10th - 3pm- 5pm
Leadership Mondays! - April 14th - 3pm- 5pm
Band Booster Meeting! - April 14th - 6:30pm
Leadership Mondays! - April 21st - 3pm- 5pm
Student Staff Interviews - April 28th-29th
Percussion Clinics - April 29th - 4pm
Drum Major Auditions - April 30th
Music Ensemble Auditions Begin - April 30th
Rehearsals:
Small Ensemble Sectionals (Wind Ensemble) (Student Led) - February 25th - 2:30pm- 3:30pm
Large Ensemble Sectionals (Wind Ensemble) (Student Led) - February 27th - 2:45pm- 3:30pm
Wind Ensemble Rehearsal - February 27th - 4pm- 6pm
Small Ensemble Sectionals (Wind Ensemble) (Student Led) - March 4th - 2:30pm- 3:30pm
Large Ensemble Sectionals (Wind Ensemble) (Student Led) - March 6th - 2:45pm- 3:30pm
Wind Ensemble Rehearsal - March 6th - 4pm- 6pm
Wind Ensemble Rehearsal - March 13th - 4pm- 6pm
All Ensembles Timing Rehearsal - March 27th - 3pm- 6pm
Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal - March 28th - 1:40pm- 4pm
Prism Concert Dress Rehearsal - March 31st - 3pm- 6pm
Prism Concert Dress Rehearsal - April 1st - 3pm- 6pm
Prism Concert Dress Rehearsal - April 2nd - 3pm- 6pm
Symphonic Band Rehearsal - April 8th - 3pm- 5pm
Symphonic Band Rehearsal - April 10th - 3pm- 5pm
Wind Ensemble Rehearsal - April 17th - 4pm- 6pm
Wind Ensemble State Dress Rehearsal - April 22nd - 3pm- 6pm
Wind Ensemble State Dress Rehearsal - April 24th - 3pm- 6pm
Performances:
Jazz Band MPA Lunchtime Performance - February 26th - 12pm
CONCERT MUSIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT #1 (Link to Itinerary) - March 8th - 12pm
Pre- MPA Concert (Symphonic Band) - March 11th - 6:30pm
State Solo and Ensemble - March 29th
BCHS Prism Concert - April 3rd - 7pm
JU Jazz Festival - April 5th
Jazz Performs at First Assembly Macclenny - April 6th - 9am
Orange Blossom Jazz Festival - April 11th
CONCERT MUSIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT #2 (Link to Itinerary) - April 12th
STATE CONCERT MUSIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT - April 24th-26th
Things to Note 🎵:
Scholarships! Please Read!
Each year the Baker County Band Boosters offer a Senior Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 and a Summer Music Camp Scholarship in the amount of $150.00. Those applications are now available. If you have any questions about either scholarship, please don't hesitate to reach out. Application deadline is April 1, 2025.
Leadership Mondays!
Leadership Mondays begin on Monday, March 3rd from 3pm to 5pm. Everyone in our High School Band is welcome to attend, whether or not they intend to apply for a position of leadership.
If you do intend to apply for a position of leadership, you are expected to attend and may not miss any meeting unexcused, or miss more than 2 excused. Those intending to apply for a position of leadership must also meet the general requirements:
General Requirements
(Students who do not meet these requirements will not qualify for a position on the Leadership Team)
*Must have a 2.0 or Higher GPA and no ‘D’ or ‘F’ grades in any class (Q3, Q4, and Final Grade).
*Must have no disciplinary referrals exceeding those of Tardy referrals.
*Must have ‘Good Standing’ for Attendance. (No more than 9 Unexcused Absences in a semester). (All Year)
*Must have satisfactory attendance at Leadership Mondays (Miss no more than two excused, no unexcused absences).
*Submit an application for a position on Student Staff.
*Submit a Professional Resume (on the application).
*Submit a Professional Cover Letter (on the application).
*Complete an Interview with the Band Director (and other Directors if applicable).
Everyone planning to come to Leadership Mondays should purchase Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success by John Wooden. We will be reading this text (it is a pretty easy read). I recommend purchasing the paperback version. If you are also an auditory version like I am, you can get the audiobook, but you still purchase a physical copy.
You will need to have read all the introductory chapters through Building Block 4: Cooperation before the first meeting.
Commitment Night!
Band Commitment Night is on April 18th, 2025! All students (and their parent[s]/ guardian[s]) who intend to be a part of the High School Band for the 2025-26 School Year need to be in attendance!
Please read the document below for information about Commitment Night, Dates, Band Dues, and more!
IF YOU READ THE WEEKLY UPDATE UP TO THIS POINT, GO BACK TO THE BAND APP AND PUT AN ANIMAL EMOJI IN THE COMMENTS.
Birthday Announcements!
By the way, I base birthday announcements on what I can see on the Band App, so if you would like to be recognized for your birthday on the weekly announcements, please make sure your Birthday is set to PUBLIC on the Band App.
According to Band App, there are no birthdays this week... 😔
Let's have a great week everyone!
And GOOOOOO WILDCATS!
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