Congratulations to Norup Solo and Ensemble Participants!

On Saturday, December 6th, the Norup International Band program was well represented at District IV Solo and Ensemble Festival in Brighton, MI. For the second year in a row, all students who participated received a rating of I or II (on a 5 point scale)--a great accomplishment for the students!

8th grade participants:
--Sydney Oliva: tenor saxophone solo (Rating = I)
--Phillip Ring: alto saxophone solo (Rating = I)

7th grade participants:
--Lauren Boyd, Madison Cross, and Olivia Wood: flute trio (Rating = II)
--Audrey Pittman: flute solo (Rating = I)
--Audrey Pittman, Annika Johnson, Allie Archambault: mixed trio (Rating = I)
--David Pellerito: trombone solo (Rating = I)

Congratulations to all the students!

Holiday Lights Parade Reminder

This is a reminder for BHS Marching Band students and parents that the Berkley Holiday Lights Parade will begin at 5:30 PM on Saturday, December 6. Students will need to arrive between 5:00 and 5:15. The starting location is on Thomas St., about a block or two South of 12 mile (just look for the band).

Students must wear the full marching band uniform minus the hat (students can wear whatever warm, winter hat they like instead). Please take care to layer lots of warm clothes under your uniform, and to wear thin gloves under your uniform white gloves. Students are also encouraged to wear either Santa hats or even Christmas lights.

The parade will start promptly at 5:30 and should be done by 6:00 PM at the corner of 12 mile and Coolidge (in front of city hall).

Please call Mr. Shaw if you have any questions (248) 837-8119.

Wow, YouTube.

Check this out--very interesting!

http://www.youtube.com/symphony

Middle School Solo and Ensemble Rules

If your son or daughter is attending Middle School Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday, December 6th, please take a look at the following document:

http://berkleybands.pbwiki.com/Middle-School-Solo-and-Ensemble-Rules

Pieces for Festival 2009

This is a recording of the required piece that Symphonic Band will play at District Band Festival in 2009. http://www.imeem.com/people/ouLmAZ/music/2vrw9H_5/david_holsinger_havendance/

You're going to love the piece...but it's hard!! Listen to this and figure out your part BEFORE we start rehearsing in January.

This is a recording of the required piece that Concert Band will play at District Band Festival in 2009. http://www.halleonard.com/dealerAudioTerms.jsp?myName=J.W.%20Pepper%20%26%20Son%20Inc&mp3=26423011.mp3

Same thing applies...listen, listen, listen so we can do our best in March!

Photo from Homecoming Parade

This originally appeared in the Woodward Talk Newspaper...

http://candgnews.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=21017776&event=624875&CategoryID=44184

Middle School Solo and Ensemble Schedule Posted

P001 11:43am Lauren Boyd - Ensemble-Trio - Flute (#2338)
P006 11:51am Audrey Pittman - Ensemble-Trio - Woodwind Ens (#2337)
P002 1:08pm Christian Dolnicek - Ensemble-Duet - Bb Clarinet (#2330)
P001 1:08pm Audrey Pittman - District Solo - Flute (#3096)
P011 1:40pm Nicholas Dolnicek - Ensemble-Quartet - Brass Ens (#2331)
P007 2:04pm Nicholas Dolnicek - Ensemble-Duet - Cor/Trp/Flg (#2333)
P009 2:20pm Zachary Schildcrout - District Solo - Cor/Trp/Flg (#3098)
P005 2:36pm Sydney Oliva - District Solo - Tenor Sax (#2332)
P001 2:44pm Amber King - District Solo - Flute (#2336)
P008 3:15pm David Pellerito - District Solo - Trombone (#3099)
P003 3:23pm Lim Kobe - District Solo - Oboe (#2329)
P005 4:59pm Lee Stinson - District Solo - Alto Sax (#2339)
P005 5:07pm Phillip Ring - District Solo - Alto Sax (#2335)

Holiday Wish-List

If Mr. Shaw could have only one thing this holiday season it would be for each band student to get something from this list as a present...well, ok, he'd like Guitar Hero IV, too...

METHOD BOOKS

FLUTE
Rubank Intermediate Method
Rubank Advanced Method
Altes Method
Art and Practice of Modern Flute Technique – Kincaid
Eck Method / Practical Studies / Tone Development
Moyse "De La Sonorite" Tone Method

CLARINET
Rubank Intermediate Method
Rubank Advanced Method
Klose Celebrated Method for Clarinet
Rose: 40 Studies for Clarinet, Book I
Melodious and Progressive Studies – Hite

OBOE
50 Classical Studies for the Oboe - Joppig
Rubank Advanced Method
Andraud Practical and Progressive Method
Barrett Oboe Method

BASSOON
Rubank Intermediate Method
Rubank Advanced Method
Weissenborn Practical Method for Bassoon


SAXOPHONE
Rubank Intermediate Method
Rubank Advanced Method
25 Daily Studies--Klose
Gatti: 35 Melodious and Technical Exercises

TRUMPET
Rubank Intermediate Method
Rubank Advanced Method
Arban Complete Conservatory Method
Remington Warm-up Studies--arr. Hunsberger
Herbert L. Clark Technical Studies
Schlossberg Daily Drills and Technical Studies

HORN
Rubank Intermediate Method
Rubank Advanced Method
Kopprasch – Sixty Selected Studies for Horn (Vol. 1 & 2)
Concone – Lyrical Studies for Horn or Trumpet
Practical Studies – Getchell

TROMBONE / EUPHONIUM
Rubank Intermediate Method
Rubank Advanced Method
Rochut Melodious Etudes Book I and II
Arban Method for Trombone / Euphonium
Schlossberg Daily Drills
Clark Method for Trombone / Euphonium

TUBA
Rubank Intermediate Method
Rubank Advanced Method

MOUTHPIECE UPGRADES (These will sound better than the mouthpiece that came with your instrument)

CLARINET
Van Doren B45
DEG Barrels
Rovner Ligatures

SAXOPHONE
Selmer C* S80

TRUMPET
Bach 3C

HORN
Schilke 29 or 30

TROMBONE
Bach 5G or 4G
Schilke 51 or 51 D

TUBA
Helleberg 120 S
Bach 18

PERCUSSIONISTS SHOULD OWN
Pair of snare sticks: Vic Firth SD1

RECORDINGS: BUY ANYTHING BY...
FLUTE Jean-Pierre Rampal, Jim Walker, James Galway, Irv Monroe
CLARINET Harold Wright, Larry Combs, Sabine Meyer
OBOE Joseph Robinson, John Mack, Alex Klein
BASSOON Bubonic Bassoon Quartet, Christopher Millard
SAXOPHONE Donald Sinta, Jean Rousseau, Joseph Lulloff, Steven Mauk
TRUMPET Phil Smith, Adolph Herseth, Wynton Marsalis
HORN Dale Clevenger, Dennis Brain, Philip Farkas
TROMBONE Joseph Alessi, Christian Linberg
EUPHONIUM Brian Bowman, Roger Behrend
TUBA Arnold Jacobs, Sam Pilafian
PERCUSSION Evelyn Glennie, Jeff McQueen

Tag Days 2008

Here are some pictures from Tag Days 2008. Thanks to Robertta Goffeney for the pictures and for her wonderful help organizing this important fundraiser.

Late October Notes

I thought I'd post and update on some of the things that have gone on in October. First, I'm happy to say that our annual tag days fundraiser went well, with the Berkley community showing up big in their usual way with donations. I was worried that with the state of the economy and the construction in and around Berkley, we might have a low total. Maybe people are simply throwing out their 401K statements when they come in the mail. Whatever the case, the band and orchestra appreciate the generosity.

The marching band is about to wrap up its 2008 season. We had a long Homecoming day on Friday with practice from 7:40 - 8:50 AM, a pep assembly from 11:25 - 12:25, a "parade" in the rain from 5:15 - 5:45 PM, and a game that seemed to never end. Simply put, I couldn't have been more proud of the band that day. I told them at the game what class they have. Most kids would simply not be selfless enough to devote that kind of time and energy to a group endeavor. I hope they know how much I appreciate them. BIG time props to our three band members who made the homecoming court: sophomore Elliott Littman, junior Brittany Weinstein, and--drumroll--Homecoming king Ben Levin! Drum Major Megan MacDonald said it well: "Maybe everyone is starting to notice how cool we music geeks are." Props also to Aaron Levin, drumline section leader, for time spent developing a new cadence to play at the game.

This Wednesday we will travel to Anderson MS at the end of the school day for a brief assembly (an important recruiting effort for us). Thursday night is our indoor marching concert at 7:30 in the BHS Auditorium. People consistently tell me how much they enjoy this concert, and I'm hoping this year will be even better than last. I think the best part about it is the interaction between the band and the audience, or maybe more specifically, the proximity between performers and those in attendance. Finally, many of the marching band and concert band kids will travel to Ann Arbor Saturday night for the annual U of M Band-O-Rama concert. Whew--lots going on.

Norup 7th and 8th graders will lead the Halloween parades at both Burton Elementary and Norup on Friday. Should be lots of fun. I'll be dressed as the farmer from "American Gothic," complete with pitch-fork donated by my step-dad.

Look for tag days photos to come...

Last Call for NYC Trip Chaperones

Mr. Shaw will be accepting chaperone applications for the Spring 2009 NYC trip through the end of this week (ending Friday, October 24th). If you are interested in chaperoning our trip, please fill out the attached application and either email it or have your student bring in a hard copy. Here's the application:

http://berkleybands.pbwiki.com/NYC-Trip-Chaperone-Application


I currently have completed applications from the following parents:

Lois Davis
Sheryl Stoddard
Mary Jo Israel
Emily Desmond
Robertta Goffeney
Kenyatta Franks

We need a total of 8 chaperones for the trip. I would love to have some male chaperones attend. Please do not worry that you've missed a deadline for turning in money--the travel company is being flexible as we decide on chaperones.

Thanks,
Ryan Shaw

Information on Birmingham Groves Invitational

This Saturday, the marching band will participate in the Birmingham Groves Marching Band Invitational at Groves HS. Band members must arrive at 5:30 PM, put their cases and coats in the coat room, and be outside to warm-up with the band at 6:00 PM. At 6:45 PM, there will be a parade of bands around the track, the playing of the national anthem, and then our band will perform first at 7:00 PM.

Here is a link to directions to Groves HS from Berkley:
http://www.mapquest.com/mq/10-u0y34bI8fwja1I6l

It should be fun. We will get to see both the Southfield and Southfield Lathrup bands, which always put on a good show. Hope to see everyone there!

Band Camp Photos

Andover Invitational Reminder

This is a just a reminder that the Andover Invitational is this Saturday at Andover High School in Bloomfield Hills. Students must have their own transportation to the site (no busing). Here is a link to directions to the school:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Berkley&1s=MI&1z=48072&1y=US&1l=42.4978&1g=-83.1826&1v=ZIP&2c=Bloomfield+Hills&2s=MI&2a=[4150-4198]+Andover+Rd&2z=48302&2pn=Andover+High+School&2y=US&2l=42.5795&2g=-83.2846&2v=STREET&r=s

Students must arrive between 6:15 and 6:30 PM and should gather near the front circle drive at Andover. You should of course be in full uniform, and please remember to take your instrument home with you on Saturday night.

Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for kids. If you want a ticket, they will be available at tonight's trip meeting, or you can see an instrumental booster tomorrow night at the home football game, or when you arrive on Saturday.

This invitational should be great--participating bands include Lahser HS, Troy HS, Dakota HS, Waterford Kettering HS, Utica Eisenhower HS, and Birmingham Groves HS.

BHS Marching Band: Week 1 (BHS vs. Lahser HS)

Last night we had our first home game as Berkley played Lahser. It was a bit odd, because normally everyone kind of accepts that our team won't be dominant. This year, though, Berkley had won the opener, Lahser had lost theirs, and Local Channel 4 made us the Football Frenzy game of the year. Excitement in the air, right? Playoffs? I told the band at practice that if we won the State championship, I'd shave my head.

Well, the game didn't go as well as anyone in Berkley had hoped. And actually, we weren't completely surprised, since a prominent source close to the team told me beforehand how the game would likely end up. After the team held Lahser to a scoreless first quarter, they routed us 44-0. See the pictures, here:
http://studentandathlete.com/sa_football_lahser_0905.htm

The band on the other hand, did a good job for its first week out. I couldn't believe the reaction from the student section. Normally, I expect the band parents to dig the show no matter what. But the student section is tough. At my high school, not only would they completely ignore us (and we had 240 kids in the band!), they would often taunt us and even throw pennies at us. The Berkley kids, though, usually show us some love: singing along with our stands' tunes, clapping for us. But this was different last night. Kids were up out of their seats, let out big cheers when I announced the songs, and responded to the on-field visuals well (when the band swayed during "Piano Man," they swayed, too).

Next Friday we'll have the whole show on the field (we have one song, "American Pie," yet to add), and we'll have cleaned up all our little errors. That's right--we made a lot of little mistakes. But they were the kind that only I notice. Hopefully, we'll also have a few injured members back. For crying out loud, the amount of wrapped ankles in the band is crazy. Who knew marching band was as dangerous as it is.

We also head to Andover HS for their "Early Bird" invitational on Saturday evening. It can be both really cool and, I think, intimidating for some of the kids. They get to see how they stack up against area bands, some of whom are competitive bands with huge budgets (Troy).

More pictures to come from band camp...

Virtuosity

If you are one of my students, check out this video and come tell me what it's about. If you do so, I'll give you extra credit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-jDld11jhw&feature=related

Release Form--for MB Section Leaders

All marching band section leaders: please click on this link and print the release form. You'll need it to participate in August 17th's afternoon of teambuilding/leadership training.

http://berkleybands.pbwiki.com/STEPS-Teambuilding-Release-Form

Summer Schedule Posted

Hello to everyone. I just wanted to note that the complete summer schedule (which was detailed in the info packet brought home in May) has been posted on the band documents site. Just click on the link on the left sidebar of this page, click on "Show all pages" at the bottom the pbwiki site, and find the "Summer Schedule" page. There are details on the Oak Park July 4th parade, as well.

MMB Videos

Here are links to youtube videos that feature the Michigan Marching Band performing the very same arrangements that are featured in our Fall 2008 marching show.  It would be a good idea to listen to them and maybe even try to play along with them.

You Shook Me All Night Long:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3gb3-P3ygU

Piano Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEZquSzkul8

American Pie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCx9tP_PG8s

Great Article

This is a link to a great article in the Arts section of the New York Times from over the weekend. It's a very accurate picture, I think, of the dichotomy facing working classical musicians, with professional pursuits on one hand and the real world public school situation on the other.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/arts/music/22waki.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=arts

Thank you to Carole Gatwood for the heads-up on the article...

Other SB Spring Concert Videos Posted

As promised, here are the other two videos of the Spring Concert Symphonic Band performance:



Second Suite in F--Gustav Holst

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8508469009405818991&hl=en



Old Churches--Michael Colgrass
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fSRtoBU8Yho

Thanks again to Peter Rifel.

Video Clips from BHS Spring Concert

Last week was the BHS Bands Spring Concert. It was one of the most fun concerts I've ever been a part of. A good feeling on stage and good comments from audience members afterward.

Luckily, Peter Rifel was able to post videos of the Symphonic Band performance on YouTube. You can find one of the pieces here:

Xylophonia - http://youtube.com/watch?v=om3tnJIeXSk

I'll post the other pieces as soon as I'm able.

Restaurant Night Re minder

This is just a friendly reminder that tomorrow night is the Berkley Instrumental Booster's annual "Restaurant Night" at L. George's Coney Island. The restaurant is located on Greenfield Rd. just south of 11 mile. Please stop by and join us between 5:00 and 8:00 PM, as 15% of revenue goes directly to the boosters.

You will also hear band and orchestra students perform, be host/hostesses and bussers, and can have a chance to throw pies at the instrumental teachers!

See you tomorrow night!

Junior Band Jam 2008

Just a reminder that tomorrow night, Tuesday the 29th, is the Junior Band Jam concert at Anderson MS. The concert features the combined 5th grade and combined 6th grade bands and will begin at 7:30 PM.

Hope to see you then!

Middle School Solo and Ensemble

Norup International School was well represented at District IV Solo and Ensemble on Saturday in Clarkston. I was especially proud because all Norup students received a first or second division rating.

Receiving a first division:
Jim Demery--7th grade trumpet solo
Lim-Lim Kobe--7th grade oboe solo
Lim-Lim Kobe--7th grade piano solo
Nicholas Rifel--8th grade trumpet solo
Natalie Gerfen--8th grade trumpet solo
Daniel Okun--8th grade tuba solo

Receiving a second division:
Nicholas Dolnicek, Christian Dolnicek, Alex Bergsman & Jack Reedy--7th grade mixed quartet
Jordan Akins--7th grade flute solo

And Kyle Church and Jacob Lurie were DQed on a technicality, but played very well in their duet.

Good job to all who came and participated!

Pictures from 2nd Annual Tri-M Concert

The kids did a great job on Wednesday night...