8th Grade Band Night Pics and Video

Check out the Photo Gallery (click here) to see how much fun we had at 8th Grade Band Night! And here's a short video from the half-time performance... 

8th Grade Band Night Info

Tomorrow, Friday, November 3rd, is BISD’s annual “8^th Grade Band Night” at the HS football game. We invite all 8^th Grade Band students to play along with the high school band. 

Students are to meet in the stands at 7:00pm. Students should bring their instrument in its case into the stands. 

Students must wear their current band t-shirt and blue jeans. Wearing the shirt and holding an instrument is their ticket into the game; band students get in for free! (They may wear/bring a jacket if it is cold, but it’s not supposed to be cold.)

Students will share music with the high school band students. The 8^th graders will join the HS band on the field at halftime to perform “Rock It.” 

Students will have 3^rd quarter off for concessions. Bring money for food/snacks. They will be dismissed after the School Song is played at the end.

Three important things:

1.) 8^th grade band students will stay with the HS Band all night. They will have 3^rd quarter off to visit with friends/family.

2.) All performances are required performances. As stated in the band handbook, I need a written note, in advance (email or text is fine), if unable to attend a performance. So far, nobody has notified me that they will not be able to attend.

3.) Students must be eligible in order to participate in extra-curricular events. Any failing grades from the 1^st 6 weeks report card must have been brought up to a “70 or above” on the last progress report. 

Pep Rally This Thursday!

PM Pep Rally this Thursday! Wear your band shirt!
We will be playing "Rock It!"

Band T-shirts and Pep Rally

Our band t-shirts should arrive on Wednesday, which means we will get to wear them for the pep rally this Thursday morning! Students that have not yet paid for a band t-shirt will need to pay before they are given a shirt.

The band will be playing "Low Rider" at the pep rally. Come join us at 9:40am this Thursday to hear the band's performance and to cheer on our teams!

AM Pep Rally this Thursday

There is a Pep Rally this Thursday morning at 9:40am. The band will be playing "The Hey Song." Come out and yell with us and cheer on the football team as they strive to get another victory!

BMS Band Ranks 9th in the State!

It brings me great joy to announce that the Blanco Middle School 7th/8th Grade Band made the State Finals in the 2017 ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series for their peformance of "Postwood March" in the Class C March Competition.

This was a three-step process that took place over the summer. The first round of competition was at the Regional level. BMS Band placed 1st in Region 12. That accomplishment took us to the Area competition where the judges ranked us 2nd place overall. Only the top two bands advance to the State competition. We then placed 9th overall at the State level, which placed us higher than any other middle school band in our region. 

I am thrilled to have accepted the recognition and honor for this award. BMS Bands are the best!

Fiesta TX Trip information

We are going to Fiesta TX on Friday, May 19th. Most 7th and 8th grade band students have chosen to attend this fun trip.

Students should wear a Blanco shirt (band shirt or other) along with shorts or jeans.
Students will be dismissed from class around 9:15am, and we plan to leave BMS around 9:30am.

While at the park, students are to stay in groups of 3 or more, and we will have at least one check-in.

We plan to stay until 5pm. If you are picking up your child before 5pm, please text me and I will meet you at the front gate to sign out. Do not leave with your child without touching base with me or Mr. H.

Depending on traffic, we expect to be back to BMS around 6:00pm.

The weather forecast calls for a chance of rain on Friday. Please keep all fingers crossed, pray, send good vibes, etc. that we will have nice weather. We are working on a Plan B just in case.

If you have any questions, please email.

Meeting this Thursday for 8th Grade Band Parents

We will have a meeting this Thursday, May 4th, at 6:30pm in the middle school band hall for all parents of current 8th grade band students. The reason for this meeting is to go over high school marching band information. We will go over schedule, equipment requirements, and will answer any questions you might have. Since high school band is very different than middle school band, please make every effort to attend this meeting. If you have any questions prior to the meeting, email Mr. Hecimovich, BHS Band Director. Thank you!

Fiesta TX Band Trip - May 19th

Here is a link to the letter that was sent home:

<<<Fiesta TX Band Trip Letter>>>

On Friday, May 19^th, the BMS 7th and 8th Grade Band will take their annual end-of-the-year Six Flags Trip. This is a fun trip to congratulate the Band for all their great performances and hard work this year. The cost for this trip will be $55 (includes admission to the park, one meal, and transportation). If you have a season pass, the cost will be $20 (includes one meal and transportation). Parents are allowed to accompany their children for the same cost.

I will be splitting up the cost into small chunks in order to make it easier on those families that need it. If you have any trouble covering some or all of the cost, there is assistance available; however, you must contact me ASAP if you should need help. Any students that did not attend UIL and are not passing their classes will not be allowed to attend. Also, due to the fact that I will buy tickets early to get the best price, there will be no refunds available. Tickets are valid until January 2018.

You may choose to pay for the entire trip at once, or you may follow this Payment Schedule:

Wednesday, April 12^th            $20 Deposit and Trip Form Due

Wednesday, April 26^th            $20 Payment

Wednesday, May 10^th                  $15 Payment

BMS Band Receives SWEEPSTAKES Award at UIL!

On Thursday, March 2, 2017, the Blanco MS Band went to UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest at Canyon Lake HS. The band was judged for their performance of three songs they had prepared for this contest -- "Postwood March," "The Spacious Firmament on High," and "Voodoo Dance." The judges awarded the BMS Band a Superior (I) rating for their awesome stage performance. 

After the concert performance, the band went into the sight-reading room where they had to perform a piece they had never seen or heard before. The judges awarded the band a Superior (I) rating for their sight-reading. As a result, BMS Band was given the highest honor of "Sweepstakes" for receiving a "I" in both performances. 

This is the first time in at least 10 years (and possibly in Blanco MS history) that BMS Band has received the Sweepstakes Award! Some of the comments received from the judges were "fantastic effort today!" and "some really good players in this ensemble!" They credited the many things done well and said there were "some nice/solid musical moments." 

Upon their return from UIL contest, the band students (and directors) were surprised by many excited parents that prepared a celebration with signage and sweet treats for the band. 

AMAZING WORK, BAND!

UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest - 2017

Info about UIL this Thursday!

Blanco 7th/8th Grade Band 

On Thursday, March 2nd, the BMS Band will go to the “Real Deal” UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Competition at Canyon Lake High School. For this contest, we will dress up (see “what to wear” below). Students will be dismissed at 9:30am from class. We warm-up at 11:15am and perform at 11:45am at CLHS Auditorium. We then go to sight-reading. Students will need to bring $10 for lunch. After our performance, we will stop in San Marcos at an area with several fast food restaurants. We cannot guarantee we will be back by 3:30pm, but we are going to try. Please make arrangements for transportation in the event that we do not make it back by 3:30pm.

Can I come watch my child perform?

Absolutely! All concerts and band competitions are free and open to the public with the exception of sight-reading contest.

What to Wear?

Boys should wear slacks and a collared shirt (polo or button-down). Ladies should wear a dress or dress pants/blouse combination. Solid colors are preferred. All students should wear appropriate dress shoes. BISD Dress Code should still be followed. In addition, shoulders, knees, and toes should be covered. Absolutely no jeans, t-shirts, athletic shoes, or flip flops are allowed for UIL Performances. If this is going to be a problem in any way, please contact the BMS Band Director, Danette Conard, at the Middle School.

No Pass – No Play

Please remember that it is Texas State Law that students must be passing in order to compete in Extra-Curricular Activities. Any student who was not passing as of the last 6 weeks report card will not be allowed to attend. Furthermore, any student who is failing for UIL competition will not be allowed to attend the Band Six Flags Fiesta Texas trip this Spring.

Awards

At UIL, we compete against a state standard and do not compete against other schools. The band will receive a rating for their stage performance and also for their sightreading performance. A “1” in both categories will earn the highest  Sweepstakes Award. Last year, we received a 1 on stage and a 2 in sightreading. Let’s take it all the way to the top this year! We will submit a recording of our contest performance to the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series competition. Last year, our march placed 1^st in the Region and 3^rd at the Area level. Our goal is to advance to the State level this year!  

Any questions, email Mrs. Conard.

Pre-UIL Competition - February 16th

Pre-UIL Competition ~ February 16, 2017

Here is information about Pre-UIL band competition that is happening next week.

Where are we going? Lytle High School, 18975 W FM 2790 S, 78052

Who is going? All eligible 7^th and 8^th grade band students (must have passed 3^rd 6 weeks or progress report)

What is the schedule?

8:00am – All 7^th & 8^th grade band members will meet in the band hall for a rehearsal.

9:30am – Load bus and trailer.

9:45am – Depart Blanco MS.

11:00am – Eat lunch at CiCi’s Pizza in San Antonio.

12:45pm – Arrive at Lytle HS. Unload bus and trailer.

1:30pm – Band goes into warm-up room.

2:00pm – Pre-UIL contest performance. This is open to the public. Parents may come and watch.

3:00pm – Depart for Blanco. (We will not stop on the way back.)

4:30pm – Approximate return time to BMS. Please make transportation arrangements if you normally ride the bus home. Students riding home with other students will need a parent note.

What should I wear?

2016-17 BMS Band T-Shirt and nice blue jeans. If you have not yet purchased a t-shirt, they are $15. Together, we are a team. Please do not wear anything that would draw attention to yourself.

What should I bring?

_____Instrument - in good, working order

_____Black binder - with music, scales, and warm-ups

_____Accessories  - valve oil, reeds, neck strap, mallets, etc.

_____Money - $7.25 for lunch (please bring exactly $7.25) (plus $1-$2 for a tip)

_____Positive attitude

This is a required performance and a test grade. The band director must be notified, in advance, if your child cannot attend.