May Update

Please see the Home Page for a May Update and what to do with instruments for the summer.

Band Update: Week of April 27

"Lunch with the Band Director" Zoom meeting Friday, May 1st from 11:45-12:15pm. Check your email/text/Google Classroom for information.

The 4/4 Rhythm Activity in Sightreading Factory is the recommended online assignment for the week. When finished, mark the assignment as complete in Google Classroom. This week's optional written assignment is to create a UIL/Spring Concert Program. Instructions are posted in Google Classroom.

Please complete THIS FORM by May 3.

Current UIL rules for high school marching band require a physical before our first day of practice in July. The high school is tentatively offering physicals for a very affordable price on Wednesday, June 3 depending on current COVID rules being relaxed by then. There is a chance that UIL may relax the requirement this year because of the craziness, and we will definitely communicate with you if that happens. If you go to your own doctor for the physical, you need to be sure to bring a copy of the Blanco Physical Form with you. If you are also planning to do athletics, you only need one physical for all activities. If you or your parents have any questions about this, please contact Mr. V.

Only two more weeks of assignments. All school instruction will end on May 15. Students will be allowed to pick up items that were left at the middle school on Monday and Tuesday, May 18-19. More information about that will be posted soon.

Thank you to everyone that participated in the band fundraiser. You will be notified when the items arrive for pick-up. That's all the news for now! Stay safe!

Band Update: Week of April 20

Assignments for this week are posted in Google Classroom and also on our website. 

Many of you are submitting work through Google Classroom. Here are some things about Google Classroom that I think may be helpful to you:

1. After you complete an assignment (google quiz, flipgrid video, etc.), you need to "Turn In" the assignment in Google Classroom. That notifies me that you did something, and it is only after you "Turn In" that I will then know to check for your work. This especially goes for assignments from previous weeks.

That being said...

2. Only "Turn In" assignments that you actually do! Remember, you don't have to do every assignment that is posted; you just have to complete one activity a week. It takes up a lot of my time trying to research if you actually did the assignment.

3. Please do not turn in old assignments from the 1st 4 six weeks. Old Stuff is marked "Old Stuff" for a reason. Please do not worry about the old stuff.

4. Be sure to attach work to your assignments if you created a document or video on your own. I missed seeing a happy birthday video because the student did not attach the video nor did they turn in the assignment. I just happened to stumble across it 9 days later in a Google Drive folder.

5. Once the assignment is graded and returned to you, do not send it back to me.

6. Finally, email or leave a comment for me if you have any questions. I am getting between 50-100 emails a day. I am doing my best to make sure I don't miss anything. If I happen to miss yours, please just send me another email. I promise you that it is not intentional.

We are all doing our best with this new situation. Though we are away from school, this is not a break from school. You are still expected to do your work. I am working from home at least 8 hours a day.

I miss making music with all of you. I hope you all are doing well. 

School Song Recording Project

We are trying to create a recording of the School Song featuring band students from all over the district. We want to feature this recording during the district-wide staff meeting on Friday morning.

Parts for all wind instruments are included below as well as a click track you will need to play along with. You will need to listen to the click track through headphones on one device while you record yourself playing along on another device. Record AUDIO only (NO video). It is very important that we don't hear the click track in your recording, or we won't be able to use it. If you don't have your instrument, you may sing the school song. Here are the lyrics: https://www.blancoisd.com/253470_2.

Recordings must be uploaded to Google Classroom (8th Grade) (7th Grade) or emailed to Mrs. Conard by Thursday at noon so we have time to mix down the project. This may count as your assignment for the week should you choose to participate. Let's create some school and community spirit!

The sheet music for instruments can be found HERE.

The click track to play along with can be found HERE.

Band Update - Week of April 6

Dear 7th-8th Grade Band,

(Sorry...this is a lengthy update, but I need to get this information to you.)

We survived our first week of distance learning! It was great to hear from so many of you! Over 100 students responded to the band survey, and I read each and every response. I also appreciated the Flipgrid videos and Google Classroom comments. I have over 170 students, and I promise I am doing my best to respond to each of you. If you leave me a message and don't hear back from me, then there's a good chance I just didn't see it. Message again!

I can't think of anything better than music to help us forget about the craziness that is going on in the world! I downloaded the acapella app, and I'm having fun playing duets, trios, and quartets with myself!

For this week, continue with the musical activities that are posted on the online learning page or that are in your packets. I have posted a new, fun Flipgrid video assignment. There is a really cool feature in Flipgrid where you can respond to each other's videos with a video reply. I replied to a few of your videos with my own video responses. Try it out! I will be posting my own fun Flipgrid video this week, too!

I am again asking you to fill out a Google form at the end of the week to show me what you've done. A new form will be uploaded every Wednesday from now until we return to school. This week, you will be asked to upload a picture or link to something that you completed for band. You can take a picture of a completed worksheet or practice log, a screenshot of a completed note naming activity, copy the link to a video you watched, etc. If you made a Flipgrid video, then you will not need to upload anything to the form.

You may have noticed "due dates" on posted assignments. This is to keep us all on a schedule and help stay organized. It it okay to turn in something "late." If you miss an assignment one week and cannot go back and do it, just try to complete one the following week. We all must keep making progress while "in school." I will use grades to improve your current grade or replace missing grades from before spring break. No one should worry about their grade in band.

Finally, and most importantly, I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Keep practicing physical distancing, but stay social with your teachers, friends, and family online or on the phone. Contact me with anything you might need.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Conard

Important Update from Mrs. Conard

Dear Band Students and Families, 

What a crazy time this is! I hope you are staying healthy and safe inside your homes. While we can't change the situation, we can make the best of it. This is a great opportunity for you to spend time with your family and do things you wouldn't normally get to do while at school. I am enjoying spending time with my husband, cat, and dog, and I am really enjoying getting to play my flute and piano a lot more than usual. Here's a little something I did this week with a few other flutists from all over the world:


I am deeply saddened to announce that the 6th grade band contest in Lytle is cancelled as well as our fun trip that was planned for Main Event. I am also very sad that the 7th and 8th grade trip to Sea World had to be cancelled because the park is closed. If there is a way to reschedule before the end of the school year, we will try. If not, we will make next year's trip even better! As of now, we are still planning for a Spring Band Concert. That date is to be determined. I appreciate all of your hard work that was put in before the break. Let's hope that we can get to perform together as a band once again this school year. 

The activities I have put together for you while learning from home are meant to be fun yet educational. You may choose whichever activities sound interesting to you. A good goal is to do 5 activities each week if you can. I don't want you to stress out over this. It can be as simple as practicing your instrument or watching YouTube videos. If you feel this is too much for you to handle at this time, start with 1 activity this week and then aim to do a few more the next week. If you have trouble accessing the online links or notice a particular link is not working, please email me. At the end of each week, you will submit a google form to me so I can see how you are progressing. Assignments can be viewed in the Online Learning Tab.

I miss making music with all of you, and I know you miss band and all your friends, too. We will get through this together. Hope to see you all again very soon. If you need anything (except a hug), please email or text.

Musically,

Danette Conard
#PanthersStayConnected

UIL Rehearsal / Concert at BMS Cafeteria

UIL Rehearsal and Mini-Concert - Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 3:45-6:00pm

Concert starts at 5:45pm in BMS Cafeteria

We have a UIL Judge coming to work with the band students after school. This is a required rehearsal for all 7^th-8^th grade band students that are competing at UIL. We will give a concert for parents, friends, and teachers at 5:45pm, and then students will be dismissed after everything has been packed away. 

Pre-UIL Band Contest

https://blancoband.blogspot.com/2020/02/pre-uil-contest-february-20.html

Fall Performances

Thursday, October 31, 2019 – Pep Rally – 3:00pm

7^th-8^th Grade Band. Wear Halloween costumes (school-approved) or a Blanco t-shirt.

Friday, November 1, 2019 – Band Night at Varsity Football Game – 7:30pm  

8th Grade Band. Wear new band shirt and blue jeans. Report to the stadium at 7pm. Play with HS band in the stands for 1^st and 2^nd quarter. Perform Ghostbusters and Paint it Black with the HS Band at halftime then play Panther Rap for football tunnel. All students will then meet with Mrs. Conard at the start of 3rd quarter on the track. Students must stay with the HS Band until the band plays the School Song at the end of the game unless they are signed out by a parent after halftime. Mrs. Conard will have the sign-out sheet. 

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 - Fall Concert at Blanco MS Gym – 6:30pm

6^th-8^th Grade Band. Wear new band shirt and blue jeans. 6^th Grade will meet in the Gym at 6:00pm for warm-up. 7^th and 8^th grade will meet in the band hall at 6:10pm. Concert begins at 6:30pm and will last 45 minutes to an hour. This is a required performance and a major test grade for all band students. 

Thursday, November 7, 2019 – Pep Rally – 3:00pm

7^th-8^th Grade Band. Wear new band shirt and blue jeans.

 
Thursday, December 5, 2019 – Winter Concert at BHS Cafeteria- 6:30pm

More information to come very soon!

BMS Band Receives UIL Sweepstakes Award!

On Thursday, March 21, the Blanco Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Varsity Band competed at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading contest. The music contest was held at Cuero HS in Cuero, TX. The band performed three concert selections: Marzo Zingaro by Randall Standridge, Colliding Visions by Brian Balmages, and Danza de España by Carol Brittin Chambers (who currently resides in San Antonio). The band received a Division 1 "Superior" rating for their concert performance. 

The band also received a Division 1 rating in the Sight-Reading portion of the contest. In this contest, the students have to perform a piece of music they have never seen or heard before. All three judges scored their performance as "Superior." One judge commented, "Wow, you make very mature sounds! A well-taught band! Bravo!"

The band was awarded with a UIL Sweepstakes trophy for receiving Division 1 ratings in both events. This is the third consecutive year the BMS band has received the highest honor of Sweepstakes. The middle school band is directed by Mrs. Danette Conard with assistance from BHS band director, Mr. Jon VanOmmeren.

BLANCO MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND
UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest
March 21, 2019
SWEEPSTAKES AWARD

Fiesta TX Trip Info

7th and 8th Grade Band students will be going to Fiesta TX on Thursday, April 18 (the day before Good Friday holiday). This is just a fun trip to reward the kids for a year of hard work.

Letters were sent home last week about our annual Band Trip. Here is a link to the letter if you haven't seen it. The bottom part of the form and a minimum deposit are due by this Friday, March 8. 

Admission ticket to the park will be $35. Optional meal tickets are $10. If your child has a season pass, the cost will be $5 to cover transportation and parking fees. Suggested payments are included in the letter, but they are just suggestions. If you want/need to pay a different deposit amount, you can. Of course, you may also choose to pay for the entire trip in one payment.

The last day for any payments will be Monday, March 25 so we can order the tickets at a discounted rate and receive them in time.

Pre-UIL and UIL Performances

Pre-UIL Rehearsal / Concert at BMS Cafeteria

Wednesday, February 27, 2019 from 4-6pm

We have a guest clinician from Lake Travis ISD coming to work with the band students after school. This is a required rehearsal for all 7^th-8^th grade band students that are competing at UIL. We will give a pre-UIL concert for parents, friends, and teachers at 5:45pm, and then students will be dismissed after everything has been packed away. 

Pre-UIL Contest at Cuero HS 

Thursday, February 28, 2019 (all day)
Wear current band t-shirt and blue jeans. Bring lunch money. All eligible 7^th and 8^th grade UIL Varsity band students (not alternates) will be attending.

Pre-UIL Schedule:

8:30am – Meet in the band hall for a rehearsal

9:45am – Load bus and trailer.

10:00am – Depart Blanco MS.

11:00am-12:00pm – Lunch in San Marcos. Choices are Whataburger, McDonald’s, or Zaxby’s

1:30pm – Arrive at Cuero HS.

2:15pm – Warm-up in Cuero Band Hall.

2:40pm – Pre-UIL contest performance. This is open to the public. Parents may come and watch.

3:30pm – Depart for Blanco.  (possible stop at Buc-ees in Luling)

6:30pm – Approximate return time to BMS.

UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest (the "real deal")
Thursday, March 21, 2019 (all day)
UIL Schedule (tentative):
8:00am - Meet in BMS Band Hall for quick rehearsal and tuning.
9:15am - Load buses and depart for Cuero.
12:00pm - Arrive at Cuero HS.
12:35pm - Warm-up on stage.
1:00pm - Concert Performance. (open to the public)
1:25pm - Sight-reading portion of the contest. (not open to the public)
2:00pm - Receive judges' scores and load buses to return home. (stop at Buc-ees in Luling)
5:00pm - Approximate return time to BMS.

Christmas Concert this Friday!

Blanco 7th-8th Grade Band Christmas Concert

Who: All 7th-8th grade band students

What: Christmas Concert (featuring BMS 6th-8th Grade Bands)

Where: BHS Cafeteria

When: Friday, December 14 at 6:30pm (students need to be there by 6:15pm)

Dress: Nice, dressy, festive clothes. 

Cost: FREE!

Invite all your friends and family! See you there! 

Happy Holidays!

8th Grade Performance - Band Together to Fight Drugs - October 26th

Every year, the 8^th grade band is invited to a Varsity football game to play alongside the HS Band. This year, that game will be Friday, October 26^th here at Blanco Stadium. This is a great opportunity for our 8^th grade band to experience what it’s like to be in HS Band. Join us as we "Band together to fight drugs!" during Red Ribbon Week! Please mark your calendars! 

Uniform for the game performance will be the new Middle School Band T-shirt with Blue Jeans. (Shirts are supposed to arrive Monday or Tuesday next week.) 8^th graders will be admitted into the game for free with their band shirt and instrument.

Students will need to report to the band section of the stadium at 7pm. They will play with the HS band in the stands for the first two quarters. At halftime, they will go on the field and perform (standing, not marching) with the HS band. After halftime, the band has 3^rd quarter off for concessions (bring money).  If 8^th grade band students are at the stadium, they must remain with the band until the end of the game. They will be dismissed after they perform the School Song. Students may get signed out by their parent after halftime if they need to leave early. If leaving early with someone else’s parent, you must get that cleared in advance with the MS Principal.

Students usually share music with the high school students, but you are encouraged to purchase your own lyre and flip folder. Having your own flip folder/lyre will make it easier to see the music, but it is not required.  Here is an example of a flip folder https://www.wwbw.com/Grover-Trophy-10-Window-Flip-Folio-Folder-473722-473722000000000.wwbw. Here is an example of a lyre https://www.wwbw.com/Giardinelli-Alto-or-Tenor-Saxophone-Lyre-J13375-J13375000000000.wwbw. They also make flip folders for trumpet and trombone that clip onto the bell of the instrument https://www.wwbw.com/DEG-A16-HC260-Trumpet-Lyre-450278-450278000000000.wwbw. Flutes have flip folders/lyres that attach to their arm https://www.wwbw.com/DEG-A16-HC225-Flutists-Friend-Flute-Piccolo-Lyre-450275-450275000000000.wwbw. You can purchase these online (wwbw.com, amazon, etc.) or at music stores (Music & Arts, Hillje, etc.).

8^th graders that help out with the HS football team should plan to perform with the band at halftime. 

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Conard at danette.conard@blancoisd.org.

Band Book, Binders, and Supplies

All 7th-8th grade students should have all the required supplies for band and bring them to class every day:

• Black Binder (with pencil bag and pencils, 5 tab dividers, plastic sheet protectors, paper
• EE Book 2
• Instrument
• Accessories 

Limited supplies (such as reeds and valve oil) are available for purchase at the BMS Band Hall.

Students are expected to have their own copies of all music that is handed out, and their name should be on each piece of music. Replacement fee for lost music is 25 cents/page.

60% of the final band grade is based on daily classroom participation, which includes showing up with all your stuff!

Fiesta TX Band Trip Info

On Friday, April 27^th, the BMS 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 $40 (includes admission to the park, one meal, and transportation). If you have a season pass, the cost will be $15 (includes one meal and transportation). Parents and guardians are allowed to accompany their children for the same cost. We plan to get to the park at 10:30am when it opens, and we plan to arrive back to BMS around 5:30pm. Students leaving the park earlier must have parents sign them out.

We will be splitting up the cost into two payments in order to make it easier on those families that need it. If you have 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 we will buy tickets early to get a discounted rate, there will be no refunds available. Tickets are valid until January 2019.

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

Friday, April 13^th                   $20 Deposit ($15 with Season Pass)

Monday, April 23^rd                 $20 Final Payment (without season pass)

Make checks payable to: Blanco Middle School

If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you!

BMS Band gets Sweepstakes at UIL for the 2nd Year in a Row!

Congratulations to our Award-Winning Band!

(click on photo to enlarge)

The BMS Band competed in the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest yesterday at Canyon Lake HS. The concert program was Forward March by Paul Murtha, Ming Court by Donald Pitter, and Night Fury by Carol Brittin Chambers. The band received division 1 "Superior" ratings from all 6 judges! Receiving both a "1" in concert and a "1" in sight reading earned the band the highest award--the Sweepstakes Award! This makes the second year in a row that the BMS Band has received highest honors. Way to go, Panthers!

Guest clinician coming tomorrow!

We are very fortunate to have guest clinician, Mrs. Rhonda Alm, coming out tomorrow to work with the BMS Varsity UIL Band. She will rehearse the band and discuss different "opportunities" within the context of the music. Her professional advice will help us work our way towards another Sweepstakes award. To the top, Panther band!

Pre-UIL Contest is Tuesday, February 13th

Pre-UIL band contest is on Tuesday, February 13th,  for all eligible 7th-8th grade band students. This event takes place during the school day at Lytle HS, and we will be back before school is out. Here is the info that was sent home.

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.

9:00am – Load bus and trailer.

9:10am – Depart Blanco MS.

10:40am – Arrive at Lytle HS. Unload bus and trailer.

11:00am – Band goes into warm-up room.

11:30am – Pre-UIL contest performance. This is open to the public. Parents may come and watch.

1:00pm – Eat lunch at CiCi’s Pizza in San Antonio.

2:00pm – Depart for Blanco.

3:15pm – Approximate return time to BMS.

What do I wear?

2017-18 BMS Band T-Shirt and nice blue jeans. Together, we are a team. Please do not wear anything that would draw attention to yourself, like big hair bows, neon green shoes, etc.

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 - $10 for lunch (includes tip)

_____Positive attitude

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Conard at danette.conard@blancoisd.org, or call the middle school office at 830-833-5570. Thank you!

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...