Category Archives: Music

For the first “Semester Enrichment” performance 6th – 12th grade music students will have the opportunity to attend the United States Air Force Offutt Brass section at CSC ballroom on Tuesday, Sept. 16th at 7:30 pm. The bus will leave Hay Springs at 6:45 pm, students need to be dressed nicely. We will be returning as soon as the concert is over. Seats are open to all 6th-12th grade music students, once those students have signed up it will be open to any 6th-12th grade Hay Springs student, then if there are any seats open we will open it up to the public. There is limited seating, so students hurry up and sign up on the sheet outside of the music room.

We are NOT doing practice records this year!  Yes, you heard right, NO PRACTICE RECORDS!  Instead I am implementing a program called “Band Ninja.”  This is an opportunity for students to earn different levels of “belts” (really they are ribbons) that they will tie around their instrument as badges of honor.  Any 6th-8th grade student has a copy of the requirements to earn belts.  If they earn all belts they will have the opportunity to become a “band ninja.” We already have white belt players and several who are now attempting their yellow belt!

We have a new opportunity offered this year called the “After School Band Club (ASBC). ” Mrs. Mikaila Reimer or myslef will be in the music room from 4:15-5:00 Monday-Wednesday for ANY student who is struggling or who wishes to earn a belt for the “band ninja” program.  Of course those overachievers who are pages ahead of the rest of us are also be welcome if they come across something they don’t understand.  We have a few weeks under our belt and have found it to be a huge success!  It’s so encouraging to see the band room filled with 6-10 students every night either looking for help or trying to earn a belt!

The high school band is planning a trip in May of 2014 to Kansas City.  This trip will be at the cost of each student.  We will continue to fundraise, right now we are signed up to do several concession stands this fall-only students who help in the concession stand will receive a portion of the proceeds.  Students can make payments into their accounts held here at the school. Deposits can be turned into Mrs. Varvel.  The trip is projected to cost less than $500 a student; I highly recommend that students try to save or fundraise $200 a quarter. Students who began fund raising last year and/or made payments over the summer have been given a copy of what they currently have in their account.  Stay tuned for more details!

Watch future newsletters for Christmas concert dates!

Due to concerns with weather and scheduling conflicts.

The performance schedule for districts will remain the same.

We may be settling down into the 4^th quarter, but your 4^th-8^th grade students should still be hard at work practicing their 60 minutes a week!

In preparation for our trip to Kansas City NEXT spring we will be doing some different fundraisers.  We’ve just completed our Deli International Sales (thanks to all who supported that) and we are going to try our hand at a new fundraiser!  It’s called “FLOWER POWER Fundraising.”   Please stay tuned for more information, or see any 8^th-12^th grade music student for more information.

Make sure to “like” the new Music notes facebook page.  There are regular posts and updates.

An exciting change for next year…  Next year high school swing choir will be a part of the school day!  We will meet during the regular choir time!  You do NOT have to be in swing choir to be a part of choir, but you WILL have to be in the choir class to be a part of swing choir!  This means no more 7am practices-YAY!!

Mrs. Jungck and I will once again be doing a swing choir fun camp!  This year we are opening it up to 4^th-8^th grade.  It is tentatively set for the 3^rd week in June, the 17^th-20^th.  We are limiting the amount of campers we will take, so make sure to sign up early!!

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:

April 2^nd                   High School Choir & Swing Choir to perform for Security Gold Club at Security First Bank 7:30p

April 11^th                  Elders Wisdom Program  – K-5^th grade students perform

April 16^th                 Pre-Contest Concert & Recital – HS Choir, Swing Choir, ML & HS Band

April 17^th                 District Music Contest – Alliance, NE

May 14^th                  K-5 Music Program

The Pop’s Concert is scheduled for Thursday,  February 21^st at 7pm.  The theme for this years concert is “kids music,” it will consist of many Disney songs as well as a few selections from some musical theater!  The Swing Choir and High School Choir & ML/HS Band will perform.  There will also be a special performance by this summers “elementary swing choir fun camp” group.  Please plan to attend!

There will be an informational meeting for 8^th-11^th grade music parents whose students are interested in going on a music trip in the Spring of 2014 on Tuesday, February 5^th at 7pm in the music room.  We will discuss the trip itself, the cost and fundraising options.  Please plan to attend!

Any household with a 4^th grade student should be hearing the toot of a new instrument!  Please remember that music students 4^th-8^th grade are expected to practice at least 60 minutes a week.  Parents are suppose to sign the practice record on Sunday of each week so their students can turn them in for a grade.

Beginning Band Schedule: Each week we will have individual sectionals with the different families of instruments.  On Mondays I will meet with the woodwinds (flutes, clarinets & Alto Sax’s); on Tuesdays I will work with the Brass instruments (Trumpets, Trombones & Baritones) on Wednesdays I will be with the percussionist and then on Thursday we will have a full band rehearsal!  Please help your beginning band students remember their supplies (instrument & book) for band rehearsal on their assigned days.