Lakota West Bands Update: November 26

Honor Band

•  Auditions for concert and jazz band students in grades 7-12  is Saturday December 1 at Fairfield Creekside Middle School.
• Audition music is linked into the event on the band calendar or here – link.
• The Honor Jazz Bands rehearsals and concert are the weekend of 1/4-1/6.
• The Honor Concert Bands rehearse Friday 1/18, Saturday 1/19 and perform Sunday January 20 at Mason High School with Middle School bands starting at 2pm and the High School Bands starting at 4pm.  The High School bands also have a rehearsal Monday 1/13 to read through the music. An email came out from CHARMS on Nov 6 with more information about the Concert Band rehearsals and performance schedule.  All students grades 7-12 are encouraged to try out!

Swing Dance

The Lakota West Swing Dance is Friday, December 7, 2018 from 7:30 to 10 – less than two weeks away! This event raises funds for all concert, jazz, and marching bands as well as color guard, and each band member is asked to bring snack items for the dance. Download this snack list for more details – link., but here are the items to send to main campus, starting December 3rd or on the day of the dance:

Many volunteers are needed to pull off this unique event. Please see the Sign-up Genius and sign up to help out. For additional questions, visit the Swing Dance webpage or contact Cindy Merk at jazzdance@lakotawestbands.org.

Spread the word by posting flyers. Be sure to attend the Swing Dance, and bring friends! It truly is an event for all ages, and you will be supporting a great cause – Lakota West Bands.

Community Conversation

• Our Superintendent accepted our request to have an upcoming Community Conversation focused on Band/Instrumental Music at Lakota. East staff and families will be joining us. It will take place on Tuesday 1/22 at 6:30pm at Plains Jr. RSVP here. We hope to have parents AND students participate and share their thoughts about the current state of K-12 instrumental music programming and support, and what we would like to see in the near future in order to protect and grow our music program. For example, 6th grade band was part of the 6th grade day up until the cuts in 2010. Look at any surrounding district or school, they all have this critical programming in place. Our students are at a huge disadvantage because of it. You may have other thoughts and ideas. Now is our chance to be heard! If you have any questions or comments, please email communications@lakotawestbands.org.

Jazz ‘n Cakes Open Lead Positions/event is March 30

• Basket Lead
  • Send solicitation letters for basket donations. Request donations of baskets to use in assembly from our membership. Order basket assembly supplies (bags, ribbon, grass) and begin gathering “filler’ items from garage sales, after holiday sales, dollar store. Begin going door to door for additional donations. Lead team to fill baskets, as well as bid and buy. Set up market street on day of event. Arrange for basket pickup.
• Market Street Vendor Lead
  • Solicit, sign up and confirm vendors for Market Street. Arrange for the required number of tables for Market Street.
• Please contact jazz@lakotawestbands.org with any questions.

Taste for Music Dates

• Uno Dates are 12/17 (changed from 12/18), 2/19/19 and 4/16/19
• Raising Canes is 3/12/19
• Main Event is 5/7/19
• Skyline is tbd

Solo & Ensemble is Saturday February 9

• OMEA District 13 Solo & Ensemble contest for grades 9-12 is Saturday, Feb 9 at our High School. Hundreds of events occur throughout the day. For now, please consider holding a few hours open to help our students and directors that day. Signup to be posted at first of the year.

Upbeat Meeting January 17 ( no meeting in December)

Calendar Highlights (use link to calendar – it is where you’ll find the most up to date information)