Due to an athletic conflict the 7th and 8th Grade Band concert on Thursday, December 3rd has been changed from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Students should report no later than 7:15.
October 1, 2009
Homecoming Parade
Dear Parents and Students,
On Friday, October 2nd, the TKMS 7th and 8th Grade Bands will combine to perform in the TK High School Homecoming Parade. Students must report to the middle school band room by 4:30 that afternoon. Students must wear athletic shoes, blue jeans, and their choice of the TKMS Band T-Shirt or some other TK shirt (sports jersey, sweatshirt, etc.). The parade begins at Lee Elementary at 5:15 and ends at the Football Stadium.
As part of the festivities students will receive a pass good for free admission to the game that evening. Also, the high school athletic booster will be offering free food and activities in the parking lot prior to the game. At the conclusion of the parade students will walk back to the Middle School to put away instruments and equipment. The parade should be concluded by 5:45 PM. They will then be released to either take part in the activities and game on their own, or to go home.
Due to the early report time for this event, I will be providing an after-school activity for those students who must stay at school in order to be on time for the 4:30 report time. We will be watching a movie and having snacks in the band room. However, I do need an accurate count of how many students will be staying so that I may purchase the snacks. With that in mind, please fill out and return the below information so that I can plan for the appropriate number of students.
October 1, 2009
Performance Schedule for 2009-2010
TKMS Bands Schedule of Events for 2009-2010
6th Grade
Winter Concert – Tuesday, December 8th, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
Spring Concert – Monday, June 7th, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
7th Grade
Homecoming Parade – Friday, October 2nd. Report to TKMS at 4:15, parade starts at 5:15
Winter Concert – Thursday, December 3rd, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
Grand Rapids Griffins National Anthem performance @ Van Andel Arena – Saturday, Jan. 16th, 5:00-10:00 (optional activity)
Portage Northern Band Festival Performance – Exact day and time will be assigned in January. Performance will most likely be March 22nd in the late afternoon or evening.
Spring Concert – Monday, May 24th, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 31st, 9:30 AM to 11:15 AM @ downtown Middleville.
8th Grade
Homecoming Parade – Friday, October 2nd. Report to TKMS at 4:15, parade starts at 5:15
Winter Concert – Thursday, December 3rd, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
Grand Rapids Griffins National Anthem performance @ Van Andel Arena – Saturday, Jan. 16th, 5:00-10:00 (optional activity)
Portage Northern Band Festival Performance – Exact day and time will be assigned in January. Performance will most likely be March 23rd in the late afternoon or evening.
Spring Concert – Monday, May 24th, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 31st, 9:30 AM to 11:15 AM @ downtown Middleville.
May 11, 2009
6th Grade Summer Band Camp
Summer Band 2009
TKMS 6th grade beginning band camp will begin on August17th and 18th. This is a great way for students to get started on their instrument in smaller, like-instrument groups. Please see the schedule below for specific days and times. The cost of the camp is $20.00, payable by cash or check made out to Thornapple Kellogg Schools. This is an optional activity. Students who are unable to attend usually catch up quickly during the school year with the help of those students who were able to attend. Those students renting or buying an instrument from Meyer Music (1-800-792-0123) should receive their instrument the first day of band camp.
Week 1 (August 17th – 21st)
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Tuesday/Thursday
9:00 Clarinets 9:00 Trumpets
10:00 Flutes 10:00 Trombones/Baritone
11:00 Saxes 11:00 Percussion
Week 2 (August 24th – 28th)
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Tuesday/Thursday
9:00 Trumpets 9:00 Clarinets
10:00 Trombones/Baritones 10:00 Flutes
11:00 Percussion Saxes
Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone classes meet:
Week 1: 8/17 & 8/19 & 8/21 Week 2: 8/25 & 8/27
Trumpet/Trombone/Baritone/Percussion classes meet:
Week 1: 8/18 & 8/20 Week 2: 8/24 & 8/26 & 8/28
May 11, 2009
6th Grade Band Sign-ups
There is still plenty of time for current 5th grade students to sign up for 6th grade beginning band for the 2009-2010 school year. If your child would like to be part of the TKMS Band Program, please email me at mhagemann@tkschools.org, or call at 269-795-3349 ext. 4659. Let me know his or her name and which instrument they will be playing. Many of our students obtain their instruments from Meyer Music either by purchase or their rental program. If finances do not allow for this please let me know as we have a limited number of school-owned instruments for students to use free of charge who may be in this situation.
March 18, 2009
2009 8th Grade Band Festival
Dear Parents and Students,
On Tuesday, March 24th, the TK 8th Grade Band will be participating in the 2009 Michigan Wind and Percussion Festival at Portage Northern High School. This is an exciting opportunity as the band will be playing for a panel of judges which include the Band Directors from Western Michigan University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Grand Valley State University. After our performance one of those directors will conduct a ½ hour clinic with our band. Here is the schedule:
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
2:00 Students are released from class to load busses.
2:15 Leave TKMS
3:30 Arrive Portage Northern High School.
3:45 Warm-up/Set-up time
4:20 Performance
4:45 Judge’s Clinic
5:15 Load busses, depart PNHS
5:30 Stop for dinner at Ci Ci’s Pizza (all you can eat pizza, salad, pasta and pop for $6.50)
7:30 Arrive @ TKMS
Students should either wear or bring to school their black and white clothes for our performance. Also, students should bring $6.50 for dinner at Ci Ci’s Pizza. If there is a financial situation that prevents a student from bringing money for dinner, please let me know and I will make sure that student is confidentially taken care of. If you have any questions, please contact me at school at 795-7251 ext. 4659.
Also, if you would like to be a chaperone, please call me at your earliest convenience.
Mark Hagemann
TKMS Band
March 18, 2009
2009 7th Grade Band Festival
Dear Parents and Students,
On Wednesday, March 25th, the TK 7th Grade Band will be participating in the 2009 Michigan Wind and Percussion Festival at Portage Northern High School. This is an exciting opportunity as the band will be playing for a panel of judges which include the Band Directors from Western Michigan University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Grand Valley State University. After our performance one of those directors will conduct a ½ hour clinic with our band. Here is the schedule:
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
2:00 Students are released from class to load busses.
2:15 Leave TKMS
3:30 Arrive Portage Northern High School.
3:45 Warm-up/Set-up time
4:20 Performance
4:45 Judge’s Clinic
5:15 Load busses, depart PNHS
5:30 Stop for dinner at Ci Ci’s Pizza (all you can eat pizza, salad, pasta and pop for $6.50)
7:30 Arrive @ TKMS
Students should either wear or bring to school their black and white clothes for our performance. Also, students should bring $6.50 for dinner at Ci Ci’s Pizza. If there is a financial situation that prevents a student from bringing money for dinner, please let me know and I will make sure that student is confidentially taken care of. If you have any questions, please contact me at school at 795-7251 ext. 4659.
Also, if you would like to be a chaperone, please call me at your earliest convenience.
Mark Hagemann
TKMS Band
October 17, 2008
2008-2009 TKMS Band Performance Schedule
TKMS Bands Schedule of Events
6th Grade
Winter Concert – Tuesday, December 9th, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
Spring Concert – Monday, June 1st, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
7th Grade
Winter Concert – Thursday, December 11th, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
Grand Rapids Griffins National Anthem performance @ Van Andel Arena – Saturday, Jan. 31st, 5:00-10:00 (optional activity)
Portage Northern Band Festival Performance – Exact day and time will be assigned in January. Performance will most likely be either March 16th, 17th, or 18th in the late afternoon or evening.
Spring Concert – Monday, May 18th, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 25th, 9:30 AM to 11:15 AM @ downtown Middleville.
8th Grade
Winter Concert – Thursday, December 11th, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
Grand Rapids Griffins National Anthem performance @ Van Andel Arena – Saturday, Jan. 31st, 5:00-10:00 (optional activity)
Portage Northern Band Festival Performance – Exact day and time will be assigned in January. Performance will most likely be either March 16th, 17th, or 18th in the late afternoon or evening.
Spring Concert – Monday, May 18th, 7:00 PM @ TKMS Gym
Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 25th, 9:30 AM to 11:15 AM @ downtown Middleville.
May 14, 2007
6th Grade Band FAQ
Here are a few frequently asked 6th grade band questions:
Q: How do I go about obtaining a band instrument?
A:For the most part, parents participate in rental programs designed especially for school band programs provided by qualified music dealers. Meyer Music has serviced the TK schools for well over 20 years and has proven to be fair and reliable with excellent customer service. The advantage of a rental program is that in the event that the student does not continue in band past the first year the instrument can be returned with no further obligations.
Q: We have an old instrument sitting in our attic. Is it in good enough shape to play?
A: Chances are it will need some maintenance to get it into playing shape. Woodwind instruments tend to have bigger issues than brass instruments after having been stored for a long period of time. Have it checked out by a reputable music repair shop. Meyer Music has an excellent repair shop. Marshall Music is another music dealer in the
Grand Rapids area with a repair shop. They can let you know if it is worth repairing or not. In some cases the repairs cost more than the worth of the instrument. However, in other instances these “elderly” instruments can provide an excellent value with a small investment.
Q:Should I buy the band instrument I saw for sale at Walmart?
A: Some chain stores have begun carrying “off brand” band instruments. I have found these instruments to be of poor quality with little or no customer service. When buying an instrument, make sure to purchase it from a store that will stand behind the product and make needed repairs when necessary. Also, be wary of buying instruments on the internet. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Q:Are there any other items that I may need to purchase for band?
A: You will also need to purchase the band method book, Band Expressions – Book One. This book comes with a CD to aid the student in their home practice. Clarinet and Saxophone players will have to purchase reeds on a regular basis. Brass players will have to occasionally purchase valve oil. You may also want to obtain a folding music stand for home practice.
Q: We are experiencing some financial challenges at this time. Can my child still participate in band even though we cannot afford to rent or purchase an instrument?
A: Yes! The school owns a limited number of instruments for students to use who are in this situation. Please contact me and I will make sure your child has an instrument to play in the fall. As there is a limited number available, you may not get your first choice of instrument. But, I will make sure that each child is able to participate in band regardless of financial status.
Q: How does band fit into the school schedule?
A: 6th grade students attend band every other day during their exploratory hour. Each day is designated either “A” or “B”. Some students are assigned to the “A” day band and others are assigned to the “B” day band. Here is what a 6th grade students schedule might look like:
1st Hour – Integrated Arts; 2nd Hour “A” Day – Band; 2nd Hour “B” Day – Physical Education; 3rd Hour – Math; 4th Hour – Science; 5th Hour – Social Studies; 6th Hour – Language Arts.
In this sample schedule the student has band on “A” days and Physical Education on “B” days. During the second semester the student would still have “A” day band, but the class in the “B” day slot would rotate to a different exploratory class (Art, Spanish, Tech Ed, etc.)
Q: What kind of activities do band students participate in?
A: In 6th grade we concentrate on learning the basics of the instrument, performing only a Winter and Spring concert. This year the 7th and 8th grade bands performed winter and spring concerts, played the National Anthem at a Grand Rapids Griffins game, and participated in the Michigan Wind and Percussion Festival held at Portage Northern High School in March. The combined 7th and 8thgrade bands will also be marching in the Middleville Memorial Day parade. The middle school bands do not perform at middle school football games. Students will also have opportunities to perform solos and in small ensembles at some point during their middle school career.
Q:Do sports conflict with band at TKMS?
A: No. We work hard to coordinate our performance schedule with the athletic department so that there are no conflicts. In fact, most band students also participate in one or more sports during the course of the school year.
Q: Does my child need to practice their instrument at home?
A: Yes! I suggest at least an hour a week at home, broken into three 20 minute practice sessions. If a student simply brings their instrument home each weekend they can easily fulfill that recommendation. Band is more fun and enjoyable with regular home practice.
Q: Are students graded in Band Class?
A: Yes. For the most part, the grade is based on class participation. Students also have a written test on music fundamentals each marking period, as well as a playing test. For playing tests students are assigned a song to practice and perform on their own. They may perform it for me during class, or before or after school if they prefer. Students also earn points towards their grade by taking part in our Winter and Spring concerts.
