April 1, 2008

Greetings everyone –

Band-Aides meeting tonight 7:00 p.m. in the band room. Come help us close out this year and plan for our future. The future is bright, but it is brighter with you involved. Come join us if you can!

Jazz on the Bridge is this Friday evening. We have a wonderful evening of Jazz featuring artist Stan Kessler with the Overland Express, the OE Alumni Band, of course our own Jazz Lab Ensemble and then bands from Shawnee Mission North, Northwest, South, Blue Valley Northwest and Blue Valley North. You can just stop off on your way home from work as we will have dinner for you. Speaking of dinner, I think we still need another gas grill, a few more deserts, another food warmer (roaster oven) and a few people willing to help serve the food for an hour or so. Remember how people are so amazed at how the West Band Parents turn out to help. Let’s not let them down. Come help for an hour – even if you don’t yet have a student in the jazz program. We’re all part of the band family. Contact Jean Hillmer if you can help in any way.

Red Wheel Fundraising is in full swing! Have you bought a few goodies for your own family? How about extended family in the area. What about your colleagues at work? You know they always ask you if you would like….. Now it’s your turn. I like offering food as fundraisers because we all eat. I don’t have to feel guilty about selling food because it gets consumed. It doesn’t sit on a shelf and collect dust. This is primarily a London Fund raiser, but also helps out the rest of the program through paying entry fees, purchasing extra percussion needs, sometimes music etc. The district provided budget has been gone for a while so anything else we need has to come from money such as this. This year 70% goes to each students London Account and the remaining 30% goes to the band club account. Non-London participants monies go entirely into the club account. Last year we averaged 5 orders per student without a huge incentive such as a trip. This year wouldn’t it be incredible to have an average of 8-10 per person! What can you do?

Red Wheel Order Forms and Money are to be turned in on Monday April 7 during class in the envelope provided.

Tuesday, April 8 the Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform at SM East Auditorium in the Pre-Festival Concert beginning at 7:00 p.m. The students are to wear their concert black and report to the East Cafeteria at 6:15 in order to warm-up and be seated prior to the start of the concert. This is a required event.

The Regional Solo and Ensemble festival will be held at Blue Valley High School on Saturday April 12. I just got the schedule so I will make it available as soon as I have a chance to go through it and assign times. Transportation is of course on your own for that day. I will be available all day on site if there is a problem or need. Make sure you have an original copy for the judge with the measures numbered and “SM West” on it. Dress nicely. Take everything you need Friday after school as West will not be open Saturday morning. GOOD LUCK!

Wednesday, April 16 is the State Large Group Music Festival held in the Blue Valley High Schools. Please make plans to attend your son or daughters performance if possible. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble plays at Blue Valley HS at 9:15 while the Freshman Concert Band plays at Blue Valley North HS at 10:50. Transportation is provided for this event. Breakfast will also be provided for both bands prior to departure from West. Thank you Band-Aides for your help with this event. This too is a required event. Concert dress is also the order of the day.

Upcoming Events:

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Bill Thomas

Director of Bands

Shawnee Mission West High School

email: wethomas@smsd.org

voice: 913-993-7852