TUBACHRISTMAS

Holiday Party!

12/14/14

Dear parents,
In the previous email concerning band class this week, I made an error with regards to my schedule.  I will not be in class on Tuesday, I will be on my way to Chicago for the Midwest clinic. There is a session on Wednesday morning at  8:30 that I wish to attend, so I am leaving a day earlier this year.

Your band student will still have our year end celebration on Tuesday. I'm sad that I won't be there. If you are available to help my sub on Tuesday, I would really appreciate it!  You must check in at the front desk before going to the bandroom.

Thanks so very much for all of your support and help!  I wish your family all the best this holiday!  Happy new year, too!

Sincerely,
Suzanne Reed

12/13/14

Dear parents,

 On Tuesday Dec.16, MS band classes will be having a celebration for the end of 2014.  The Brass & Percussion students scheduled for PE on Tuesday will have PE on Thursday. Ms. Branscome has been very good to accommodate our celebration.  We will be playing the white elephant gift exchange game.  This is optional for all students.  Participation is solely based on participants bringing a gift.  Those not participating in the gift exchange will still have a great time its fun to watch!

Here is what your child needs to have for our Celebration on Tuesday.

·         A $5.00 unlabeled  - wrapped gift

·         A NUT FREE treat to share with the class

·         Boosters will supply drinks

This event will take place on Tuesday because I will be attending the Midwest international band and orchestra clinic in Chicago next week and will not be in school after Tuesday.  I have arranged for Mr. Brown to sub for me.  Your child will be graded on his or her class participation during those days.  Please make sure that they bring their instrument to school.

I wish you all the very best Holiday!  Thank you for your support of our band program here at SOA.  You make all the difference.  Please be safe this holiday and I’ll see you in 2015!

All the best,

Suzanne Reed

WHAT TO DO - SOA MS BAND HOLIDAY CONCERT

5:15 pm – 6^th grade band reports to band room

• Get instruments & music
• Go to Stage

5:30pm-  6^th grade band on stage

• Wind Ensemble @ band room to get instruments & music
• 5:45- Wind Ensemble in RMMT
• Take seats in the front 2 rows of the house

6:15 – Theatre opens

6:30 – Concert begins with the 6^th grade band!

6:50 – INTERMISSION

6:55 – Wind Ensemble begins

7:35 – Grande Finale!

7:40 – Reception in Theatre Lobby

Other items:

¨    Formal black concert attire! 

o   Dresses or Tuxedos

o   Red Cummerbunds/ bow ties /sashes

o   Black Socks or hose

o   Black shoes

¨    Don’t forget your key  (ID tag?) to your band locker

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Save the date for our Oyster Roast!  February 1, 2015!!!

Bowen's Island has graciously donated the use of their property for our Oyster Roast!  Details will be announced at a later date!

***Anyone wishing to be on the Oyster Roast committee please email
Teresa Muthard at  mikemuthard@hotmail.com. 

Several of you have expressed interest so please let Teresa know asap!

SOA Middle School Band Pool Party!

For SOA Middle School Band

Friday, August 22nd

8:30-10:30 PM

Northbridge Terrace Pool

The Band Booster Club will provide pizza. 

6th Graders, please bring drinks.  Individual sodas, juices, or bottled waters would be great.  No glass containers though, and please bring them cold or in a cooler.

7th Graders, please bring chips, snacks, or individual desserts (something for which you do not need a utensil to eat – cookies, cupcakes, etc)

8th Graders, please bring paper plates, napkins/paper towels

All Parents, though you are welcome to come and mingle with other parents, because this is a band student only party (no siblings or friends), you may drop off and pick up your child.  Band Booster Members will be chaperoning this event.  

Information for First Days of School

8/8/14

Dear parents and students,

I hope you are enjoying your last few days of summer break and are getting excited
about your new school year! I am very excited! I have some important items for
the first few days and I have separated this information by grade level:

6th grade band: 2A-B

Monday 8/18
o No instruments on Monday 8/18
o Bring all other books, binders, and PENCIL!
o Bring your lock with both keys

Tuesday 8/19
o Yes Instruments! (Make sure that you have all of your reeds, greases,
oils, swabs, polishing cloths, etc.)
o Only bring items needed for your instrument.
o We will be playing this day!!!!

7th gr. band: 1A-B

Monday 8/18
o Bring instruments to school! (Yes, we are playing)
o Bring your lock with both keys
o Bring all band books, binders, and a PENCIL

Tuesday 8/19
o 1B = Wind ensemble class
o Bring all band books, binders, and a PENCIL
o No back packs allowed in band room on B days

8th grade band: 3A – 1B

Monday 8/18
o Bring instruments to school! (Yes, we are playing)
o Bring your lock with both keys
o Bring all band books, binders, and a PENCIL

Tuesday 8/19
o 1B = Wind ensemble class
o Bring all band books, binders, and a PENCIL
o No back packs allowed in band room on B days

7th & 8th gr. bands
Wednesday will be Jr. Allstate scale test for seating!
All Smart Music is due August 15th!

This will get us off to a great start! Please be on time to class, we will
have slightly shortened classes due to homeroom and we must get
going! If you have any questions, please email me at the email below my
name. I will get back to you as quickly as I can.

I’m looking forward to our best year yet!

Sincerely,
Suzanne K. Reed
Middle School band director
Charleston County School of the Arts
Suzanne_reed@charleston.k12.sc.us

News and Announcements - Summer 2014

Hello to all!  Welcome, 6^th grade parents and welcome back, 7^th and 8^th grade parents.  We are looking forward to an exciting year with the Charleston County SOA Middle School Band.  We wanted to give you some information about registration and pass on some information regarding a couple of new policies.

The registration dates are as follows:

                6^th grade – July 28^th- 9-11 am

                7^th grade- July 28^th – 1-3 pm

                8^th grade – July 29 – 9-11 am

                Multi grades – July 31 – 1-3 pm

                Make-up date-August 4^th- 9-11 am

At registration please be sure to bring multiple checks for band fees, PTA dues, and pictures (please note that this is also your child’s yearbook photo so have them dress appropriately).  This year some art majors are also selling SOA themed items as fundraisers at registration.

Please be prepared to pay your $200 band fee at registration.  This is a fee to every band member and will be used to purchase music, Smart Music registration, hire clinicians, registration fees for band clinics throughout the year, and many other day-to-day items needed to run the middle school band program at SOA. You may pay in installments if needed.

There is a $50 fee for all students using school owned instruments and to those who play percussion.  This fee off sets our yearly maintenance for these instruments.

We also ask that families participate in some fundraisers throughout the year.  These fundraisers help offset costs not covered by the band fee.  This year there is an opportunity to “buy out” of participating in fundraising.  If you choose not to participate in fundraisers at the minimum level, you may instead pay a fundraising fee of $200 per student. 

As you can imagine, it takes a tremendous number of volunteer hours to put on the events hosted by our SOA Middle School Bands.  To that end, this year we are introducing the Fair Share Volunteer Hours program.

The goal of the Fair Share Hours program is to encourage each family to participate in and benefit from their student’s band program.  By participating in the program, you are not only role modeling, but, you are contributing to the future success of the music program, building relationships and supporting your child’s success. 

Each family is responsible for volunteering 5 hours for 2 parent households and 2.5 hours for single parent households. (These hours are regardless of the number of students in your family participating in band).  

A cumulative record will kept for each family by the Volunteer Coordinators. Volunteer hours are maintained on an honor system. Anytime you are working on SOA MS Band Business (some examples are attending board/parent meetings, chaperoning, driving equipment to competitions, and coordinating activities), your time counts for your Fair Share Hours.  Your volunteer time will be recorded by the volunteer coordinators (Leah Crosby and Emily Poland).  If you volunteer outside just communicate your times to the volunteer coordinators.

 If you are unable to complete your volunteer hours, you may “buy out” your hours at $10.00 per hour.  (Volunteer hours not completed by the end of April will be billed in May.)  If you intend to “opt out” of all volunteer opportunities, please pay the $50/$25 fee by October 1, 2014.  

There is a great opportunity for you to get some volunteer hours out of the way by helping out at registration.  Please see the following link for signup through Sign Up Genius.  Also, we are in need of an additional Oyster Roast Co-Chair (preferably a 6^th grade family).

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/60B0C4FAEAF29A57-registration 

We look forward to working together to make this 2014-2015 band year fantastic and promise this will be the longest email you will receive all year!!!!!

Your band board consists of the following and you can contact at them at:

Kristen Salisbury – President                                                                   abandcsmom@gmail.com

Ginger Snook – VP/Communications                                                        soamsband@gmail.com

MaryRoss McQuage – Treasurer                                                              maryross@agingresources.net

Terri Southard – Secretary                                                                       TSouth3871@aol.com

Leah Crosby – Volunteer and Event Coordinator                                        leahandchris@yahoo.com

Emily Poland – Volunteer and Event Coordinator                                       ash7ell@gmail.com

Teresa Muthard – Oyster Roast Chair                                                      mikemuthard@hotmail.com

Shannon Jones - Fundraiser Chair                                                           dokoshannon@gmail.com

Melinda Del Mastro – Webmaster                                                           melindadm@gmail.com

Leslie Bogstad - Uniforms                                                                       lesliebogstad@yahoo.com

Ellen Hart - Uniforms                                                                              jandelhart@gmail.com

Melissa Field - Trips                                                                               melissaannfield@yahoo.com

Kayretha Conyer - Trips                                                                          kay.con.18@gmail.com

Steve Carnie – Transportation Coordinators                                              castle2419@comcast.net

Chris Kerr – Transportation Coordinators                                                  tigercak@gmail.com

Info for Rising 9th Graders and Their Parents

Dear rising 9th grade band students,

The High School Band would like to pass on two items to you-- 

1.  Band Camp for High School will be August 4-8th at SOA.  More information will be forwarded in the summer but please mark your calendars.

2. The HS Band Boosters is looking for nominations to fill the 2014-2015 High School Band Boosters Board.   We hope you will consider serving on the board for next year and would like to talk to you about some of our open positions.  Please contact one of the following if you are interested in being a part of the band board. 

Jen Hamrick  current President  at jenhamrick123@gmail.com

Lisa DeLoach current Secretary at cfoam7@gmail.com

or Ms Reed or Mr. Kerr or reply to Adina Garner.

Thanks!

Thank you and we hope you will consider being a part of the board!!  There are many positions with varying levels of time and responsibility.

SOA Solo and Ensemble Schedule

Dear Parents,

Click here for the schedule for the SOA solo & Ensemble event.  This will be held tomorrow in the RMMT.  Please feel free to come and listen, the RMMT will be  open for you!  Your student signed up for his/ her time.  This fulfills the requirement for Solo & Ensemble for Mrs. Reeds classes and Mr. Kerr's Jury requirement is fulfilled with the rating of SUPERIOR.

Thank you for a great year!

Suzanne & Basil

Last minute reminders for Carowinds

Here are some last minute reminders!

1. Report to the band room (back door) at 6:30am!
2. Wear your Red Band T-shirts
3. Wear comfortable clothes & shoes (these may get wet)
4. Bring spending money
5. Bring money for dinner on the way home
6. You must always stay with your group
7. Wear sunblock
8. You may leave items on the bus but the bus will not be at Carowinds during the day
9. No Sodas or gatorade allowed on the bus - Water only!
10. You may bring snacks for the bus ride
11. Ipods, DVD players, cell phones, Kindles, etc. are OK.  
12. Be Polite and respectful of all adults and each other
13. You must be with your chaperone at all times!
14. Have Fun!

Teacher Appreciation Week 2014

Click here for this year's Teacher Appreciation Week flyer.  Each grade has been assigned a day to send in treats to show our wonderful teachers how much we appreciate their hard work this year.

What to Do for Spring Concert

SOA BAND WHAT TO DO

SPRING Concert

MAY 4, 2014 2PM

RMMT

12:30 pm – Mrs. Reed + few volunteers to set up stage

1:00 pm – band students arrive AT RMMT

1:15 pm – Jazz band sound check

1:30 pm – walk through set changes

1:45 pm – Concert band on stage / house open

2:00PM - CONCERT BEGINS

3:15PM CONCERT ENDS

3:25 PM put up instruments change clothes for picnic

3:30 pm clear stage

3:45pm go to picnic

4:00pm awards

Students must be dress in complete uniform

•

Boys - Black tuxedo with red bow tie and Cummerbund, black socks, and shoes.

•

Girls – Black dress, black hose. And black shoes

•

Students should wear medals on red cummerbund or red sash

•

Students should always be in uniform.  No loose shirt tales, etc.

•

8th grade girls will hand sash to Mrs. Bogstad at the end of the concert.

About this concert…

•

There will not be any talking once the music begins.

•

No texting during the concert!

•

Do not enter or exit while a group is playing!  

•

You should change clothes at the conclusion of the concert

I’m very proud of ALL of you.  

We have had a great year!

THANK YOU!

What to Do for Solo and Ensemble

Dear parents,

Click here to see the Solo & Ensemble schedule for The SOA MS band students.  Please note that all of our events are scheduled for Friday May 2nd.  If your child is not listed, they did not sign up and will have to play at the school held Solo & Ensemble event on MAY 22nd.  I'll send those details after the spring concert.

This spreadsheet lists this information

Names - Instruments - solo or Ensemble type - Accompanist code- Judge # - Time

You are responsible for getting your child to this event.  Here is  the What & When
SC Solo & Ensemble Festival
Daniel Island Middle school
Friday  May 2

Guidelines & things to know:
-Your child must have an original piece of the music, copies are not allowed.
-The measures must be numbered,
-They should dress in nice school clothes.
-You should plan to arrive 30 -45 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
-You will be given your score immediately following your performance.
-You may leave after you have checked your score with Mrs. Reed.
-If you are performing a solo, you must have an accompanist and you must pay the accompanist. ( Mrs. Reed will arrange for the accompanist to rehearse at school as needed)
-Solo & Ensemble participation is a required grade for the SOA MS band.

Driving Directions to Daniel Island School

Driving directions use this address with your GPS, or map quest.

2365 Daniel Island Dr, Daniel Island, SC 29492

Take I -526 towards Mt. Pleasant

Take Exit 24 - Daniel Is.

Turn Right onto Fairchild St.

Left onto Daniel Is. Dr.

Destination is on your right.

Click here for parking map.

What to Do for 6th Grade Orientation

What to Do

6^th grade orientation

5:30pm – report to band room

Red band shirts & long Jeans

Instrument

Music

5:35 – Warm up

5:45 – run through entire program

1.      Stage

2.      Logistics of moving instruments and equipment

3.      In band room – review of demonstrations

6:15 – Bathroom break

6:30 – go to RMMT wait our turn

7:00 – Back to band room

7:05 – future 6^th grade band students and parents to the band room

7:25 – audience leaves

7:30 – band students dismissed

Other items:

6^th grade Students may stay after school in the band room Wednesday

Students must wear their RED band shirts and jeans

I would appreciate 3-4 parents to help “chaperone” & stage crew  email Adina Gardner at soamsband@gmail.com if you can chaperone and she will let Mrs. Reed know.

SmartMusic Security Alert

On the afternoon of Wednesday, April 23, an attempted intrusion to MakeMusic's computer systems was detected and as an utmost precaution, all of our systems were taken offline. As a customer of SmartMusic, Finale or Garritan products, your access and/or software performance may have been affected. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

At this time, there is no indication of unauthorized acquisition of computerized data that would compromise the security, confidentiality, or integrity of personal information maintained by MakeMusic.

However, as an additional precaution, we are encouraging all of our customers tochange their current password to a new secure, strong password for all MakeMusic related products and accounts.

As a next step, we are engaging a third party computer security firm to review our systems, as it is imperative that we take every possible action to prevent future events of this nature. We will continue to communicate with our customers when additional information becomes available.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Customer Support team.

Carowinds Trip Info

Dear band parents,

The Middle School band students will be attending the Carowinds Music Festival on Friday May 16th.   The cost is $78.00 per student.  The $78.00 for the Carowinds Field Trip includes the cost for the charter bus per student, the educational ticket price for entry into Carowinds, and the lunch buffet with unlimited soda wristband.  Your student will need to bring spending money and money for dinner on the way home.  The $78.00 and permission slips are due on or before our parent meeting on Thursday 5/1, 6:30 in the SOA MS band room.

The students have worked very hard this year and are playing beautifully.  Thank you for your time and support of our band!

Sincerely,

Suzanne K. Reed, director

Charleston SOA Middle school band

WHAT TO DO CAROWINDS TRIP

SOAMSBAND 

5/16/14

6:30AM –ARRIVE AT SOA BAND ROOM

6:45AM – LOAD BUSES

7:00AM – DEPART FOR CAROWINDS

10:00AM – ARRIVE CAROWINDS

10:15 AM – LISTEN TO BANDS, DISTRIBUTE TICKETS TO CHAPERONES, GROUPS ENTER PARK

12:30PM – ALL MEET FOR CATERED LUNCH ( picnic area TBD by  park)

6:00PM – LOAD BUSES

6:30PM – DINNER STOP 

7:30PM LOAD HEAD HOME

10:30PM – ARRIVE AT SOA

Volunteers Needed for Picnic

Hello all Band Families-

Mrs. Reed and the Band Boosters are in need of parent volunteers on the afternoon of the Spring Concert. The stage will need to be set up that day starting at 12:30, torn down after the concert, a few parents available to collect the food as it arrives for the picnic, parent food servers during the picnic, clean up after the picnic, and cooks.

If you are willing to volunteer please contact Teresa Muthard at 843-685-2094 or mikemuthard@hotmail.com.

We need at least 20 volunteers so please think about lending your time. 

Thanks for making this a great Spring Concert! 

SPRING CONCERT AND PICNIC

SPRING CONCERT AND PICNIC

SUNDAY MAY 4, 2014

CALL TIME IS 1:00

CONCERT BEGINS AT 2:00, PICNIC TO FOLLOW

STUDENTS ARE TO WEAR FORMAL Concert ATTIRE with sashes AND BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR THE PICNIC

CHICKEN, MACARONI & CHEESE, and BOTTLED WATER WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE SOA BAND BOOSTER BOARD

YOU MAY BRING A SMALL COOLER OF SODAS/JUICE IF YOU WISH.  

WE ARE ASKING BAND FAMILIES TO HELP MAKE A GREAT PICNIC BY BRINGING THE FOLLOWING…

DON'T FORGET TO BRING SERVING UTENSILS 
FOR YOUR DISH.

6^TH GRADERS.....LARGE SIDE DISH (HOT OR COLD SUCH AS RICE, POTATO SALAD, BAKED BEANS, CASSEROLES)

7^TH GRADERS…FRUIT OR VEGGIE DISH (COLD SALADS, FRUIT OR VEGGIE TRAYS, OR VEGGIE DISH)

8^TH GRADERS…DESSERTS (ANYTHING YUMMY!)

WE ALSO NEED VOLUNTEERS BEFORE THE CONCERT TO HELP WITH THE STAGE SET UP @ 12:30 AND STAGE TEAR DOWN AFTER THE CONCERT AND TO COLLECT Food Before the concert AND SERVE FOOD during the picnic----

IF YOU ARE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER PLEASE CONTACT TERESA MUTHARD AT 843-685-2094 OR MIKEMUTHARD@HOTMAIL.COM.

WE NEED AT LEAST 20 VOLUNTEERS SO PLEASE THINK ABOUT LENDING YOUR TIME. 

Pictures Needed for Spring Concert

I will be working on a PowerPoint presentation for the Band's Spring Concert and need pictures of your band student. Please send me any pictures you have of your band student. Looking especially for pictures of groups of band kids, in or out of school and uniform, having fun at a party, sleepover, beach, etc. Any pictures showing our band kids having a great time together would be awesome!!

Thank You,
Rhonda F. Long
rhondaflong@gmail.com

Please email Rhonda directly the picture or pictures or contact her if you can put  them on a flash drive.

New Band Website

Hello all Band Families,

The Middle School Band Website has changed and the new website is live and the address is www.charlestoncountysoabands.com. Please click on it to check it out.

You will also find that on the School of The Arts web page from the fine art programs folder, the link there will take you to the new MS Band website. As always the most up to date and important information will be listed here.

We all should thank Rhonda Long for hosting the website for the past few years and now Kristen Salisbury for taking it over and establishing the new site as the old site went down.

2nd Sunday on King Street

Come Play With Us This Sunday Come show off your talent at 2nd Sunday on King Street. Pedestrians might rule the day, but our 2nd Sunday Musicians provide the sound track, and we've been entertained by some of the best. Won't you join us? It's one of Charleston's most wonderful and musical experiences! From 1:00 to 5:00 PM King Street is closed to all vehicular traffic from Queen Street north to Calhoun as businesses invite everyone to enjoy the region's best shopping, dining and your music. There are only 16 approved locations for musicians and these will allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You don't need a license orapplication to play at 2nd Sunday but you do need to respond to this email so we know you're coming and can issue you a FREE PERMIT and SPACE ASSIGNMENT.  SIMPLY REPLY TO THIS EMAIL * Tell us you're coming and at what time. *If you've played 2nd Sunday before and have a favorite spot, let us know and we'll try to assist you. * If you prefer 1:00-3:00 PM, 3:00-5:00 PM or the whole day, let us know that, too. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE GUIDELINES FOR ALL MUSICIANS Please email info@charlestonppt.org to reserve your space or ask questions. We will talk about you in our PR and thank you for coming to the best downtown event ever. If you have any need to talk live, call 843.469.5653.    Parking vouchers for two hours of free parking in downtown garages will be available online at www.2ndsundayonkingstreet.com on the Thursday before the event, or you can pick one up at the Information Tent. Special thanks to all the musicians who make 2nd Sunday a fantastic event. We love having you! GREGG HOFFMAN