Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Drummers--Check This Out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t0VlzJeNvA

Trip Meetings

There will be two trip information meetings in the two weeks preceding the NYC Trip, on Tuesday, 4/14 and Tuesday, 4/21. Both meetings will begin at 6:30 PM with a meeting for students and parents, and continue with a rehearsal until 8:00 PM.

Parents should try to make one of the meetings, and all students attending the trip should plan to make BOTH rehearsals.

State Solo and Ensemble Results

Congratulations to the BHS students who attended State Solo and Ensemble festival at Farmington Harrison HS over the weekend. The following students received an overall II rating:
Megan Gilson
Rachel Barth

These students received a I rating:
Megan MacDonald: a score of 93 on Proficiency III
Anna Dimanin: a score of 97 on Proficiency III
Mark Jones: a score of 97 on Proficiency II
Nick Rifel
Daniel Okun

Mark and Anna's high scores qualified them to audition for the "Outstanding Soloist" competition at the prestigious Michigan Youth Arts Festival in May.

Congratulations and thank you to all the students who attended!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Congratulations to Norup Bands

Congratulations to Norup International School Bands on their introductory performances at District Band and Orchestra Festival today. The 7th grade band put on a solid performance earning an overall II (second division) rating among class D bands (reflects the size of the school and grade level of the players). The 8th graders similarly earned an overall II among class B bands with a very promising performance. It had been many years (if ever) since Norup bands competed at the annual event, and we look forward to good ratings in the years to come! Thank you to the very helpful chaperones and to the kids for putting in time on a Saturday.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Congratulations to BHS Bands

Congratulations to the BHS Bands for their performances at MSBOA Festival over the weekend. The Concert Band took straight IIs in performance and sight-reading, with slightly higher grades from the judges than last year. The Symphonic Band took its first overall I rating in some years, with two I ratings in performance, and a I in sight-reading!

I was very proud of all the students who attended, for putting in the time and careful rehearsal necessary, for giving up a Saturday to the time-vampire that is band, and for allowing me the pleasure of teaching them. What a great culmination for the Symphonic Band, too, after 7 Tuesday night rehearsals! Hard work pays off!

Of course, this now it makes us hungry for straight I ratings for both bands. Onward toward next year...