Spring S&E Info Posted for Middle School Festival

The times have been posted for middle school solo and ensemble festival. The festival is located at Clarkston Sashabaw MS on Saturday, April 19. A map and more information will be forthcoming...


9:52 am--Nicholas Rifel - District Solo - Cor/Trp/Flg (#25625)

P011: 11:19am--Nicholas Dolnicek - Ensemble-Quartet - Brass Ens (#25630)

P013: 11:19am--Lim-Lim Kobe - Piano Solo - Piano (#25639)

P011: 11:43am--Kyle Church - Ensemble-Duet - Brass Ens (#25632)

P003: 1:40pm--Lim-Lim Kobe - District Solo - Oboe (#25638)

P008: 2:12pm--Natalie Gerfen - District Solo - Cor/Trp/Flg (#25627)

P009: 2:36pm--James Demery - District Solo - Cor/Trp/Flg (#25634)

P010: 2:44pm--Daniel Okun - District Solo - Tuba (#25628)

P006: 3:31pm--Phillip Ring - District Solo - Alto Sax (#25629)

P007: 3:55pm--Sarah Binkow - District Solo - Bb Clarinet (#25626)

P001: 4:03pm--Jordan Akins - District Solo - Flute (#25636)

P007: 4:03pm--Taylor Hall - District Solo - Bass Clarinet (#25635)

A Quick Note About Norup Conferences

Due to conflicts with a Tri-M Music Honor Society trip to the DSO on Thursday, I can only be at Norup conferences on Wednesday night.

Photos from IB Jazz Performance

On Thursday March 20th, Norup was thrilled to host the Kris Johnson Quartet, a jazz combo from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's jazz education division. Kris, the group leader, is a very talented, up and coming trumpet player (see his website for more info--www.krisjohnsonmusic.com). Julie Smith and I brought them in as part of our 7th grader collaborative unit on jazz and the music of New Orleans. Here are some great pictures from the performance.

High School Conferences and Pie Sale

I will only be available TUESDAY night at BHS conferences. I hope to see all parents there.

Also, Grand Traverse Pies will be dropped off at BHS on Wednesday (3/19) morning, and can be picked up there any time between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

State Solo and Ensemble Wrap-up

Berkley was represented by the following soloists at State S & E, all of whom either received either a 1 or a 2:

Anna Dimanin--with a Berkley band high score of 94 in proficiency II!
Tyler Fritsch
Megan MacDonald
Mark Jones
Nick LeVeck
Peter Rifel

The following students also performed duets:

Brittany Shimshock/Jen Roediger--II rating
Anna Dimanin/Tyler Fritsch--I rating

And the brass quintet, receiving a I:

Nick LeVeck
Tyler Fritsch
Chelsea Rowe
Tim Higle
Mark Jones

Great job to all who participated! It is absolutely true that these students are the backbone of our program, and I hope they know how much I appreciate their extra effort.

Beware the State Solo and Ensemble of March

Just a reminder that State Solo and Ensemble is fast approaching (this only affects a handful of high school students). The festival is Saturday, March 15, so please check your time on the board in the band room, brush up on your major and melodic minor scales, and get in another rehearsal or two with your accompanist.

Also, for those students grades 8-11 who are selling Grand Traverse Pies to defray trip costs: all order forms and money are due on Wednesday, March 11th.

District Band Festival Results

It was a successful day on Saturday for the Berkley HS Concert Band and Symphonic Band. The concert band, who had never gone to festival for a rating before, received straight IIs. The Symphonic Band played well enough to receive a I rating overall in concert rating, but had an off-day in sight-reading, leading to an overall II rating. I was extremely proud of how both bands played, and it gives me (and the students, I hope) encouragement to continue to grow and get better. It was also really fun to see our Ferndale neighbors and our friends at Seaholm HS.