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Utica J.H Band 2008
Practice and Performance Schedule
May 27, 2008
Dear Band Member and Parents:
I hope you will soon be enjoying your summer vacation. Before
you know it we will be back in school and you will be a member of
the Utica Junior High School Band. Junior High School is a time of
transition but a very exciting time. You will find that the Jr.
High experience will be very rewarding particularly if you
participate in the music program.
One of our first performances will include a half-time
performance at a high school football game. This should prove to be
both exciting and fun for everyone. We will only practice marching
band the first four weeks of school. After this we will begin our
work on all our concerts throughout the year. My schedule will
include time for small group ensembles during the winter months in
preparation for the April Solo and Ensemble performances. I hope
you take advantage of the extra groups that will help build a strong
music program. My goal is to provide the high school band with very
prepared musicians while offering many performance opportunities for
the junior high students.
We will begin our summer practice schedule in late August.
8th grade field commander tryouts will also be during this week.
Our primary focus will be getting to know each other and working on
the music which is included in this letter. I strongly urge
everyone to participate in the summer program. This is a great time
to break the ice for next year and give the students an opportunity
make new friends before school. It is very important that students
practice over the summer and review the fingerings.
Uniforms for the JH band at band concerts will be the following:
Khaki colored Pants - Student provides
Black or Brown Shoes - Student provides
Red Band Shirt – Same as last years shirt (8th graders may
not need to purchase unless they have outgrown their old shirt.)
**This is a red golf shirt with the Utica Band Logo embroidered on
the left side. The following sizes are available: Small, Medium,
Large, X-Large, XX-Large, XXX-Large
August 19 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
August 20 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Field commander tryouts will begin at 12:30 pm
August 21 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p m
September 19 Junior High Band performs at Band social (5:30 pm)
September 19 Junior High Band performs at HS football game
September 27 Junior High parade in Utica (morning)
Enclosed are the four songs you need to learn for the first
performance. Hang On Sloopy, I get Around, War Chant and the UHS
Fight Song. Percussion also has the JH cadence. Everyone should
practice as much as possible before we meet.
Please fill out the application blank and medical form. Return
both to me by July 14th. The fee for our required shirt is $14.00
payable to the North Fork Music Boosters. The check should be mailed
back to me with your application and pink medical form. Receipts
will be handed out at the first rehearsal.
I look forward to seeing you again and getting the 2008 Season
underway!!! If you have any questions, call me at 740-763-0302 or e-
mail me at Mcleish@clover.net . You can also check out my band web-
site at:
http://teacherweb.com/OH/NorthForkLocalSchools/MrMcLeish/gallery1.stm
Enjoy your summer and remember to practice.
Thomas
McLeish
Junior High
Band Director
Utica Junior High School Band
Application Form
Application Deadline is Saturday, July 14
Fee: Shirt fee is $14.00
_____ I need a shirt and will attend the August practices (Total fee
$14.00)
_____ I DO NOT need a shirt and will attend the August practices
_____ I will not be available to participate in the August
practices,
but I need to
purchase the shirt for the concerts throughout the year.
I plan to be in the band
when school starts. ($14.00)
_____ I will not be available to participate in the August practices
and I DO NOT
need a shirt. I plan to be in the band when school
starts.
Name: __________________________________________________________
Grade: _____________Home Telephone: _______________
Address: _________________________ City __________ Zip ____________
Instrument ___________________________________________
Personal Instrument Serial # and Make
_________________________________
Shirt Size _________ (When selecting a size, remember this shirt
will
be worn for all concerts throughout the school year.)
Signature of Parent or Guardian ______________________________
e-mail address for band updates ______________________________
This application, pink emergency medical form (both sides) and shirt
fee if needed should be mailed to:
Thomas McLeish
14209 Marne Rd
Newark, Ohio 43055
Parents:
Enclosed is information about our band program at Utica Junior High.
When does the band practice?
7th Grade Band will meet everyday during 2nd period
8th Grade Band will meet everyday during 3rd period
7th & 8th Grade beginning Band will meet everyday during 1st
period
Can they leave their instruments at school?
Students will have an assigned locker in the band room with
a combination lock. They must keep this locked at all times. The
lock will be issued and must be returned by the end of the school
year. If the student looses this lock, they will be expected to
replace it ASAP. If your child does not have an opportunity to
practice at home during the week, they may leave it in their locker
at school. I would like to see the students take their instruments
at home during the weekends, or any other time they have available
to practice their assignments.
Uniforms?
All band members are expected to have the official band
uniform. This was mentioned in your summer letter that was mailed
in June. The shirts cost $14.00 and will be passed out before the
first performance. If you did not purchase a shirt, please let Mr.
McLeish know ASAP so a shirt can be acquired before the September
performance. Band members are also expected to have khaki pants,
black or brown shoes, and black socks. This uniform will be worn at
all performances. The band shirt is the same as last year, so 8th
graders do not need to purchase the shirt. Make checks payable to
North Fork Music Boosters.
What music should my Child be practicing?
Music for the next concert!
Auditions/chair placement?
Auditions will be held in September for chair placement.
It will be over the following:
Horns - Music from the marching band.
Scales. – Bb, Eb,Ab,F Concert Scales and the chromatic scale.
Percussion – Bb & Eb Scales on the xylophone
The following rudiments: Long Roll, Paradiddle, Flam, 5 stroke
roll, Drag, 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.
Can my child switch instruments?
Any student who would like to possibly switch to any of the
following instruments should talk to Mr. McLeish ASAP. French Horn,
Baritone, Tuba, Tenor Sax, Bassoon, or Oboe. The school will
provide these instruments, so parents will not need to purchase
anything other than reeds if needed. I only have a limited number
of instruments, so request early.
What should Percussion bring?
Percussion members should bring their sticks only to band.
Leave your drum kit at home to practice on in the evenings.
Percussionist will be playing on all the school instruments. It is
recommended that percussionist purchase a small stick bag from your
local music store. This way their sticks will not get lost or
stolen.
How can I contact the band director?
Please call the school phone number (892-2855) and ask for
Thomas McLeish. I am available from 7:00am – 7:30am or 12:00 –
1:30pm during school hours. E-mail is also an option:
Mcleish@clover.net
Can I be placed on an e-mail list?
Please give Mr. McLeish your e-mail address if you would
like to receive reminders throughout the school year. It will also
include any last minute changes that might occur.
Can I attend the Music Boosters meetings?
All parents of any band or choir member are music boosters.
Your attendance at any of the meetings is optional. We are always
looking for some new volunteers and ideas. This organization meets
the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm in the band room.
Please come and help support your young musician.
How can I keep informed of events involving the band?
Please refer to the band web site for all-important information. I
will send home information with your child, as well as post it on my
web site. Here are the steps to get to my web site:
1. www.northfork.k12.oh.us
2. Go to Your School
3. Click on Utica Junior High
4. Click on Teacher Web Pages
5. Click on Mr. McLeish
6. Read away!
Important performance dates to remember: |
