Joke of the Week

Do you know what would have happened if it had been Three DCS Band Moms in place of the Three Wise Men?

They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped to deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, fixed a dinner, and brought practical gifts!

Christmas Jazz Benefit Concert

An evening to benefit the Good News Health Center in Rockwood.

Performing will be the Jazz Express Big Band with Vocals.  The performance will be at Good Shepherd Community Church in Boring on Monday, December 8, at 7:30 PM. 

Admission is $10 for Adults, $5.00 for students and seniors, and children 5 and under are free.

This is an annual event and is always a great evening of Christmas music and jazz.

Beginning Band Holiday Sampler

Just a short note to let everyone know that the beginning band is doing a great job on their Christmas music.  We had a great rehearsal today!

New Advanced Band Members

Recently two new members have joined our band.  They are Faith P. a senior on clarinet and her sister Hope P. a sophomore on flute.  They also have a younger sister who plays violin named Charity.  We are very pleased to have them as members of the group.  They will be a great addition.  When you see them please say "Hi" and welcome them to our band at DCS.

Inspirational Music Quote of the Week

O come, let us sing onto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalms 95:1-2

Advanced Band Christmas Program Selections

The Advanced Band will be performing the following pieces of music at the Christmas Program on Friday December 12 at 7:00 PM

1. Joy by Frank Ticheli

2. O Come, O Come Emmanuel arranged by Claude Smith

3. Housetop Variations arranged by Bill Calhoun

4. Anchors Aweigh by Charles Zimmerman, arranged by Jerry Brubaker

5. A Christmas March by Philip Sparke

In addition, at the end of the concert we will be playing 3-4 Christmas Carols and have the audience and Halel join us in a sing along.

Saturday Barnes and Noble

Congratulations and Thank you to the Advanced Band members who played at Barnes and Noble. In the 7th and 8th grade group 11 out of 12 members were able to be there.  In the High School group 9 out of 12 students were there.  We received many compliments.  You represented DCS and yourselves in a very positive way.  Merry Christmas and Happy Turkey Day.

I hope that we can get 6-8 members of the band to play after school at Bi-Mart and Safeway.  In addition it would be great if we could play for the Salvation Army and provide music at several locations for their collection pots.

Barnes and Noble Saturday November 22

Additional information.  We will meet and perform on the second floor on the parking lot side.

Reminders, bring your instrument, music, folding stand (if you have one), wear red &/or green OR DCS shirt etc.

Jr. High meet at 10:45, perform at 11:00

High School meet at 11:15 and perform at 11:30.

Merry Christmas and Happy Thanksgiving

Playing Tests

Today the beginning band had a playing test.  Many of the students did very well.  Some students were not prepared.  If a student receives an 89 or lower they may retake the test during the next class period.  This will be the same for all bands.  The goal is to have all of the students progressing and playing their instrument well.

Clarification on class absence and forgetting Instrument

Band is both an academic and a activity class.  So when students are absent or forget their instrument the student is not able to participate.  They do not gain knowledge and the other students also miss from their not contributing to the band on that day.  So when a student misses band for illness or a school activity they will receive a zero for that day, however they may make up the full 100 points by practicing for 60 minutes and bringing a signed note from the parents, within a week.  A 50 is given when students forget their instrument.   Again the 50 points may be made up by practicing for 30 minutes and bringing a note from parents within a week.  This is not meant to be punitive, but to encourage progress to be made by all.  In addition to see how many are reading this blog, I will give $5.00 to the 5th student who emails me that they have read the blog.  

Barnes and Noble Saturday November 22

Reminder, the advanced band members will be performing Christmas Carols this Saturday at Clackamas Town Center.  

7th and 8th grade band members at 11:00 AM, be there by 10:45

High School band members at 11:30 AM, be there by 11:15.

Please bring folding music stands.

More information will be given during class.

Lame Music Joke of the Week

Why do bag pipe players walk while they play?   Its harder to hit a moving target!

Inspirational Music Quote of the Week

"Music gives a soul to the universe,

wings to the mind,

flight to the imagination,

and life to everything."

Plato

Clarinet Clinic

Today Dr. Stanford, retired Clarinet Professor from Portland State University,  gave two clarinet clinics.  The first one for the 5th and 6th grade and the second for the Advanced Band clarinets.  Dr Stanford told the clarinets that they should all be using #3 VanDoren reeds.   He feels that the harder reeds make playing easier.  He reminded them to have the lower lip over the teeth and the upper teeth on the mouthpiece and to blow at the reed.  He also used the idea of playing with "cold" air, blowing air with a "ooh" sound.  In talking with some of the students who attended his clinic, they said it was really interesting and helpful.   He told me that the students were a joy to work with and were doing very well.  We at DCS thank him for his help.  

Lame Music Joke of the Week

What is the range of a Tuba?

About 10 feet with a good arm!

Parent Teacher Conferences and Maple/Chocolate Bars

This past Thursday afternoon there were parent/teacher conferences.   Without telling the students it was decided to give a maple/chocolate bar to each band member if their parent came and discussed their student.  Sadly, I may have missed some parents on Friday AM, as I was teaching at Warner Pacific College.  Thank you to all the parents that came to the conferences.   We hope all will touch base with us next time.

The following students will be rewarded on Tuesday at the end of class.

5th Grade

Luke S

Bonnie M

Mike W

6th Grade

Nate S

7th Grade

Kayla K

Lydia M

Carrie O

Hannah S

Alyssa B

Sam M

Patrick W

Keira B

8th Grade

Lindi B

9th Grade

Donny O

Josh R

Joe W

Chelsea C

Jake S

Joke of the Week

Why did Ludwig Von Beethoven hate chickens?

Because they ran around all the time going Bach Bach Bach!

GROAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding Players

Each week we will select an outstanding player in each band.   The criteria for selecting the students will be, playing ability, attention, tests, cooperation, helping other students in the group, and other actions seen to be positive to the growth of the group.  Due to the public viewing of this site only first name, last name initial, and  instrument will be listed.

Pre-band Recorders Sara N

Beginning Band Grace M Trumpet

Intermediate Band Michael W Trombone

Advanced Band Jake S Trumpet

Jazz Band Lydia M Alto Sax

Congratulations to each of these musicians!

Upcoming Performances

November 22, Saturday,  Barnes and Noble at Clackamas Town Center.   11:00 AM  the 7th and 8th band members will be playing Christmas Carols.   11:30 AM the high school band members will be performing Christmas Carols.

December 11, Thursday, 8:30 AM, at Damascus Christian.   The Advanced Band and Jazz Band with Halel will be performing for a Christmas Chapel for the entire school.

December 12, Friday, 7:00 PM, at Damascus Christian.  The Beginning Band, Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, Jazz Band, and Halel will be performing at our Christmas Concert.