Doc’s Blog

Our second annual Moonlight and Jazz event was a huge success!  People who attended can’t stop commenting on how professional the Jazz Ensemble sounded!  The event was well-attended and the food was awesome.  It looks like we will clear over $11,000 profit for the band program!! We can now purchase some much-needed items like a second marching tuba, additional marching snare and bass drums, a new sound system for the band room, and additional items for the band department.  A special thanks to all the parents and volunteers who made this event such a success.  Most want to stay anonymous, but I have to mention our band boosters Presidents, Scott and Angie Simoneaux, our treasurer, Sonia Head, and the parent who chaired the event, Jamie Monic.  We also had donors who picked up the tabs for the professional sound and lighting, the cost of the stage, the printing costs, the wine, and - most importantly, the cost of the catering.  While they all wish to remain anonymous, we want to offer our sincere gratitude for their generosity and promise them that we will keep them in our prayers.

Doc

The St. Michael High School Band enjoyed a truly “Magical Experience” at Walt Disney World over the Easter break as they competed in Musicfest Orlando. This annual festival/competition attracts some of the top band, orchestra, and choral programs from around the country.  School musical groups prepare material to be adjudicated by leading college music educators.  The St. Michael Concert Band and the St. Michael Jazz Ensemble each earned second place awards at the competition this year.  Junior tenor saxophonist, Dane Monic, received additional honors as he was selected as the “Most Outstanding Jazz” musician for the weekend. St. Michael Band Students were also able to enjoy three days of fun in the Disney’s parks.

The St. Michael Jazz Ensemble earned a superior rating for their performance at the Loyola University Jazz Festival.  The judges commented that the band performed a very demanding and exciting show.  Congratulations go out to Dane Monic, Dylan Parker, Taylor Stoma, and Eric Peters for receiving Outstanding Musicianship awards.  It was a long day but it was worth the stay as our students were able to participate in outstanding master classes and they were able to hear a wonderful concert by the Loyola University Faculty Sextet. I’m very proud of their hard work and look forward to “tweaking” the performance to do even better in Orlando.

Doc

Trombonist, Craig Klein, of Bonerama, visited St. Michael Tuesday and directed a Master Class with our Jazz Ensemble!  Mr. Klein, father of St. Michael junior, Kelsey Klein, had many cool things to say about our band.  He sat in a played on Caravan, and on Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.  He also gave out cards for our students to get five free downloads from their web site.  Speaking of the web site check it out at http://www.bonerama.net/newsevents.html There’s a YouTube video of their performance on the David Letterman Show from earlier this year. Mr. Klein enjoyed his visit with our kids and looks forward to coming back soon and possibly joining the Jazz Ensemble as a guest artist in our Spring Concert.

Doc

welcome-to-incoming-students.mp3This podcast answers many questions incoming students and parents have about the high school band program at St. Michael. 

It’s never too early to begin thinking about next year!  I know we will have openings in our Jazz Ensemble for bari sax and trombone.  I will post downloads to the audition material here.  The excerpt will be Amen.  You will have to play this with a recorded accompaniment. I will also take one “second” drummer.  A word of caution about the second drummer spot.  This person will not have the luxury of scheduling Percussion Ensemble next year so he/she must make sure to have lunch during 6th hour so he/she can practice with the Percussion Ensemble.

Speaking of Percussion Ensemble, we will have openings on snare drum, tenors (quads), bass drums, and pit (frontline) for next year’s drumline.  Auditions for the drum line will be held this year on April 16 at 4:30 in the band room.  There will be a clinic for all percussionists on April 9 from 4:30 to 5:30. This informative clinic will help answer any questions that new members may have and will help to prepare them for the audition. The dates for this year’s drumline camp haven’t been finalized but they will probably be three weeks before school starts in the fall.

All percussionists should subscribe to the Vic Firth Percussion Podcasts in iTunes.  The link can be found to your left under my blogroll.  Also check out my percussion page and the audition material page for downloadable audition material. Currently, all audition material is for drumline except for Amen.  That’s the Bari Sax music for Jazz Ensemble. I have also included several video excerpts of our St. Michael Drumline performing our warmup routine and some of the audition material.

Hey, I got tired of the lime green Blog site and opted for the simple look.  The header I chose is actually from one of my Dad’s watercolors. My father and my brother are both fabulous artists.  Next time you are in the band room check out the pen and ink sketch that my Dad did of our Jazz Ensemble.  It is framed and hanging on the wall to the right of my podium.

How did  your exams go?  I hope to have a lot of you make “A’s” and “B’s” on the band exams.  Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas.  It’s been a great semester!  I expect the next semester to be just as eventful.  Get some rest and be ready to get ready for Disney!

 Doc

Here is the updated study guide powerpoint presentation.  There are a few more slides that weren’t on the midterm.

Band Study Guide 

Doc

Welcome to my new blog.  I will try to keep this updated so all my students and parents can keep up with our busy schedule at SMHS.  I will try to add links to other music web sites and music education blogs. 

Doc