Bugler's Holiday

Here's video from the DSO Civic Ensembles performance of "Bugler's Holiday." That's our very own BHS trumpet player, Nick Rifel, on the far left.

Bugler's Holiday

Track Listing for BHS Band CD

I realized I didn't include the track listing with the 2010 BHS Band CD.

Here it is:

Beat It
Billie Jean
Smooth Criminal
Thriller
Cambridge Carol
Courtly Airs and Dances
Carol of the Bells
Chant Rituals
Loch Lomond
Minnie the Moocher
25 or 6 to 4
Basin Street Blues
Critical Mass
Tales of the Emerald Isle
Mambo Cubano
In That Number
"Wicked" Medley

2010 Marching Band Information

The schedule (albeit somewhat tentative) for the 2010 marching band season has been posted. You can follow a link to it, here:
2010 Marching Band Information

Please fill out the enrollment form and return it to Mr. Shaw as soon as possible.

Thanks!

Norup Students Excel

We've had reason to be proud of our Norup band students lately. A small group attended solo and ensemble festival on April 17 and performed very well, taking home top honors. They are:

--Audrey Pittman (flute solo): I (superior) rating
--Arkadiy Frasinich (trumpet solo): I (superior) rating
--Samantha Taub (trombone solo): II (good) rating
--Krissary Newby (clarinet solo): I (superior) rating

Congratulations to all who participated!

We also were fortunate enough to have 4 of our 8th grade band members make the prestigious "MSBOA District IV Middle School Honors Band." They were selected from among hundreds of nominees to participate on Saturday, May 1, in the one-day event. They joined about 120 other band students from the area to rehearse and perform under the baton of Associate Director of Bands at the University of Michigan, Prof. Scott Boerma. They did an excellent job preparing their music!

Australian Visitors

During the week of March 8-12, we were thrilled to host a talented group of musicians from the Ringwood Secondary College near Melbourne, Australia. Berkley was the group's only stop in the US! Their other destinations on their month-long tour included Canada, England, and Thailand.

While at Berkley, the 42 students stayed with our band, choir, orchestra, and student leadership students and got to see a Red Wings game as well as sight-see in Detroit. On Friday the 12th, they put on 3 excellent performances for students and community members. The theme of the performance was "This is Melbourne, Australia."

Please see the pictures and video below:

Guest Artists

On Wednesday, March 23, the BHS Symphonic Band was treated to performances by some excellent local musicians. We called the event "Chamber Music Day," with the hope of inspiring students to form small groups together. Our very own BHS Brass Quintet also performed!

Shown in the photos are the "Northstar Saxophone Quartet" and the "Oakland Brass Band Brass Quintet." Thanks to all who came!

On Wednesday, March 23, the BHS Symphonic Band was treated to performances by some phenomenal professional musicians. We called the event "Chamber Music Day," with the goal of demonstrating the fun of playing in a small ensemble.

Festival and State S&E Wrap-Up

It's spring break, and as I sit on my couch I realize it's time to do a festival wrap-up.

Four of the BSD bands attended District Festival on March 19-20, and all had successful experiences. The 7th grade band attended for comments only and were given helpful advice. The 8th graders improved on their ratings last year, working very hard to achieve a "I" rating in the sight-reading room and a "II" overall. What's most remarkable about their sight-reading score is the environment in which they played. When we got to the room, we didn't have all the right percussion equipment. Then the bells were upside down in their case and almost fell out all over the floor. We were given the wrong music to sight-read. Finally, the judge took a time out to ice the kicker and hecklers shouted "Noonan!" But the kids persevered and stayed focused!

The high schoolers had a mixed bag experience. The concert band got their first ever "I" rating in the sight-reading room, and a "II" rating overall. They have shown improvements each year, and hope to hunt down their first overall "I" next spring. The symphonic band did not match their overall "I" from last year, instead equaling the ratings of both concert band and the 8th grade band. It was a good learning experience for both me and the band, as it reminded us of the dangers of choosing a very difficult piece. It can be a great learning experience, but can sometimes be just beyond your grasp and make for a slightly tentative performance.

We had a great showing at State Solo and Ensemble festival on March 27. All high school soloists received a "I" rating, and ensembles did great! They are:

Nick Rifel (trumpet): qualified for MYAF with a score of 97
Shelby Chessman (trumpet): score of 91 in Proficiency I
Mark Jones (euphonium): score of 89 in Proficiency III
Megan Gilson (flute): score of 89 in Proficiency I
Matt Germaine (trombone): score of 92 in Proficiency I
Daniel Okun (tuba): score of 86 in Proficiency I
BHS Brass Quintet (Nick Rifel, Alissa Rowe, Chelsea Rowe, Matt Germaine, Mark Jones): I rating
Katie Murphy & Sarah Shaw (clarinet duet): II rating

Great job to all who participated.

Directions to Band Festival

Hello to all Norup 7th and 8th grade band parents and BHS band parents,

Please find directions to festival sites, here. Norup bands will play at Clarkston High School on Friday, March 19:

Directions to Clarkston HS

Here is a link to the schedule for the day:

NIS Festival Schedule

Berkley HS bands will play at Novi HS on Saturday, March 20:

Directions to Novi HS

Here is a link to the schedule for the day:

BHS Festival Schedule

TUESDAY REHEARSAL CANCELED

Tonight's Tuesday rehearsal has been canceled due to inclement weather (fancy way of saying too much snow). We'll pick up again after Feb. break...

Congratulations to BHS Solo and Ensemble Participants

Congratulations to all of the students who represented the BHS Bands at MSBOA District IV Solo and Ensemble Festival over the weekend. We had 25 events attend, a record for my time at BHS. Below is a breakdown of the students who earned a first-division or second-division rating. Those students who earned a first-division rating are now eligible to attend State Solo and Ensemble Festival at the end of March.

First Division Ratings
--Nick Rifel: trumpet solo
--Matt Germaine: trombone solo
--Amy Molner: piano solo
--Ryan Levy: snare drum solo
--Shelby Chessman: trumpet solo
--Daniel Okun: tuba solo
--Mark Jones, Chelsea Rowe, Alissa Rowe, Matt Germaine & Nick Rifel: brass quintet
--Mark Jones: euphonium solo
--Kris McGough: euphonium solo
--Sarah Shaw & Katie Murphy: clarinet duet
--Megan Gilson: flute solo

Second Division Ratings
--Max Dubrinsky: snare drum solo
--Cassi Fitch & Justine Ciaravino: flute/clarinet duet
--Lim-Lim Kobe: piano solo
--Mitchell Hart & Zack Lask: mallet duet
--Sydney Oliva: tenor saxophone solo
--Ashleigh Merriman: clarinet solo
--Joylene Jabboori: flute solo
--Chelsea Rowe & Alissa Rowe: trombone/trumpet duet
--Chloe Bennett, Anna Goldberg & Michelle Henning: clarinet trio
--Phillip Ring: alto saxophone solo
--Sarah Binkow & Zilphia Martin: clarinet duet

Great job, Berkley Brass Quintet

On Sunday, January 17, the Berkley Brass Quintet had their debut, performing as part of the "Friends Day" celebration at the Huntington Woods Library. They performed alongside a cello quartet and woodwind quintet, playing "Sonata from Die Bankelsangerlieder."

The best part is--they got paid! I can't wait to see them keep playing together and get more gigs along the way.

Here is the video from the performance:

Brass Quintet at HW Library

Just for Fun...

Maybe this is the next generation. If I were an orchestral player, I guess I might get a little nervous...

Robot Clarinet