Category: In Class Activities

Section Meetings this Week

5/25/2020

We have setup a few different Google Meets this week with the different sections to talk about band, summer rehearsals, the fall season, and more. If you have questions or ideas, this is a great time to share them. We hope to see you at your Google Meet!

If you aren't able to meet with your section, you can certainly jump in at a different time that works for you - but it would be best if you were with you section.

Percussionists, remember your audition videos are due on Friday!

This is the second year that the Memorial Day parade and ceremony has been cancelled, either due to weather or a global pandemic. The Chippewa Falls band directors got together to record Brian Sadler's brass quintet arrangement of "America the Beautiful". If you haven't heard it yet, take a moment today to listen. Ignore the fracked French horn note and spend time remembering in gratitude all those who have died in service to their country.

Veteran's Day Program Schedule

11/7/2019

November 11, 2019

All music students report directly to the music department at the beginning of the day. Do not go to your first hour class.

The band will be setup in the gym in the same area as we play for assemblies. Next to the band will be all choir students. It is important that we are in the gym right away in the morning so that the freshmen class doesn't spread over into our area. The band needs to be completely in the bleachers.

We will be performing only the National Anthem.

We are not wearing uniforms and you don't need to wear concert black. This is a community performance, so do dress appropriately - but there is no particular dress code.

National Anthem Music

8:15am	First Bell
8:20am	Second Bell
8:30-9:30	Veteran's Day Program
9:35-10:50	Period 1

Memorial Day Parade Info

5/22/2019

This information was shared with students in class over the last few weeks.
High school students will be wearing their uniforms. You will need your white uniform shirt and black socks and shoes!

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
9:15am Meet at BMO Bank/Central Lutheran parking lot
10:00am Parade line-up
10:15am Parade step-off
~10:45am Parade end
The parade “ends” in Irvine Park.
Parking in the pool lot would be smart.
~11:00am Ceremony begins in Irvine Park. Only the Symphonic Band plays for the ceremony. Varsity Band is dismissed at the end of the parade, or can stick around to play kickball/Big Base afterwards.
~11:15am Ceremony ends
~11:30am Big Base/Kickball

Reminder about upcoming events

4/23/2019

With the month of May right around the corner, it might be helpful to review the upcoming events on the band calendar before the end of the year gets too crazy!

May 3, 2019	ENCORE!	Symphonic Band
May 4, 2019	State Solo & Ensemble @ UW-Eau Claire	Student events who advanced to the State level
May 5, 2019	Eau Claire Marathon Pep Band! 9am to approx 12:30pm	All interested students
May 11, 2019	Marching Cardinals Open Rehearsal	All percussion. Guard and winds are HIGHLY encouraged to attend if available.
May 13, 2019	Spring Band Concert & End-of-Year Awards	All band students
May 27, 2019	Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Irvine Park	All CFHS and CFMS 8th Graders
June 9, 2019	Graduation	Symphonic Band

2019-2020 Wind Ensemble Auditions

3/11/2019

All students interested in auditioning for the Wind Ensemble for next school year will submit a video audition.

A few of the positive reasons we are using video auditions:

You are able to submit your best performance, demonstrating your proficiency.
You are able to make your recording on your own time.
You are assessed on your best performance.

With all of the snow days, we weren't able to establish a consistent audition timeline, so this is out next best option.

All video auditions must be submitted to Mr. Renneke no later than Wednesday, March 20. Please be aware that this is in the middle of spring break.

Any auditions that are time-stamped after March 20 will not be considered.

Video Audition Requirements

Your video must show you performing - include your fingers/hands, sticking, etc.
You may record as many auditions as you like, but only submit your best one.
The first video you submit will be the one that is considered for your audition.
Be sure to test the audio on your video to make sure you can be heard.
Try to limit background distractions (extraneous noise, a family member vacuuming, two cats fighting in an alley, etc.)
Video record yourself performing the complete etude. No scales are required.
You are allowed to have a metronome running during your recording, but it should be audible on the recording. (A metronome is not required, but it is allowed.)

Percussion Camp II Schedule

2/21/2019

We are looking forward to our upcoming Percussion Camp on Saturday, February 23! This will be the final camp before auditions in March. This is a great opportunity for you to practice technique and get final feedback before auditions.

Percussion Camp II Schedule

Saturday, February 23, 2019 @ CFHS Band Room

8:00am	Check-in, Introductions, Welcome Divide students into two groups
8:15am	Session 1 Group A: Battery Review and Mock Audition Group B: Front Ens. Review and Mock Audition
9:00am	Session 2 Group B: Battery Review and Mock Audition Group A: Front Ens. Review and Mock Audition
9:45am	Break Treats!
10:00am	Session 3 Group A: Battery Technique, Movement 2 Group B: Mallet Technique, Movement 2
10:45am	Session 4 Group B: Battery Technique, Movement 2 Group A: Mallet Technique, Movement 2
11:30am	Session 5 Full Group Jam Session Movement 2, Movement 1 Review
12:00pm	Dismiss Go home and practice

Rehearsal Recordings 12/4/18

12/5/2018

Follow the links below to listen to the recordings from rehearsal on Tuesday.

You will need to be logged in with your @chipfalls.org login to be able to listen.

What to wear for a concert at the High School

12/4/2018

"Concert dress" is the term used to describe what to wear for a particular performance.

For football games and marching competitions, our concert dress is our marching band uniform.

For our more formal concert performances in the auditorium, our concert dress is what we in the music department lovingly call "concert black".

We ask students to wear all black, formal clothing. That means black dress pants and a black dress shirt. It might also mean an appropriate-length black dress, or a nice black sweater with no writing. Black jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt would not be appropriate for the formal nature of our concert performances.

Things to Consider:

Bare shoulders are not appropriate for a formal concert performance.
The length of your skirt or dress should be at least to your knees. Remember you are sitting on an elevated stage.
For the Holiday Concert, we do allow you wear Santa hats, scarves, and add a "bit of holiday color" to your outfit.

Examples of Appropriate Concert Black:

Examples of Inappropriate Concert Black:

How does an ensemble support a soloist?

11/28/2018

This is the scoring guide for the essential question "How does an ensemble support a soloist?"

Students answered this question in class during rehearsal.

4	Student response includes multiple strategies; new/unique strategies; extends beyond the example given in class.
3	Student response includes strategies beyond dynamic contrast.
2	Student response includes "dynamics". Ideas are generally related to the question, but not specific.
1	Student response repeats the prompt; student response defines the term "solo" or "ensemble".

Varsity Band Reference Recordings

10/30/2018

Varsity Band Fam:

Below are some resources that might prove practical in your personal preparation of our concert music.

Additionally, this is our rehearsal plan and practice targets. These will be shared with you in class, but the practice targets will help you focus your personal preparation.