From the Directors:
Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks it has been. As the new semester takes off, we are happy to update you on the many positive happenings of the WBHS band program. Please take note of some very important items below, keep encouraging your kids to sell pizzas (sell ’em!), and we look forward to performing for you soon!
Yours In Music, Jeremy Figlewicz & Chad Mielens
DISNEY 2012-2013 While still in planning mode, the WB Bands are planning to head to Walt Disney World next year! This event will be open to ALL WB Bands students (concert and marching). Events will include a musical clinic in Walt Disney World, a chance to be in a parade (we will have to audition for this), and much, much more! Many details are TBA, so please keep checking the website and encourage your student to fund raise for their account, as money raised can help with their Disney expenses!
WBHS Band Students hit all the right notes at District Solo and Ensemble We are so proud of all of our recent participants in the District 4 Solo and Ensemble Festival! The following students showcased the WB Bands this past weekend at Hartland High School, and brought home tremendous results. This is the highest participation we have had in festival in years, and everyone that participated should be so proud of their hard work!
Calvin Boyd, Anthony Fritz, Daniel Lau, Payton Mallory – Trombone Quartet Katy Lau, Anna Ringuette – Oboe Duet
Harrison Mateika – Bb Clarinet Solo
Emily Levine, Payton Mallory – Bassoon & Trombone Duet
Emily Levine – Bassoon Solo David Browder – Timpani Solo
Lauren Klemz – Flute Solo Rian Berry – Flute Solo
Meghan Lederman – Bb Clarinet Solo Michael Bologna – Alto Sax Solo
Calvin Boyd – Trombone Solo Rachel Berkowitz – Flute Solo
Rachel Berkowitz, Bradley Joshowitz – Flute & Clarinet Duet
Lana Sharba – Flute Solo
Lauren Klemz, Esha Biswas – Trio members (flute, clarinet, cello)
Bradley Joshowitz – Flute Solo Brittany Jenkins – Flute Solo
Christian Kolo, Brian Korot – Alto Sax & Tenor Sax Duet
Esha Biswas – Piano Solo Rachel Berkowitz – Flute Duet
Christian Kolo – Alto Sax Solo Bradley Joshowitz – Bb Clarinet Solo
Marissa Hansen – Flute Solo
Many band members to represent WB Bands at State Solo & Ensemble Festival In addition to the many outstanding participants in District Solo and Ensemble Festival, individuals that received a “Division 1” rating (superior performances) may also elect to participate at State Solo and Ensemble Festival. We are proud to announce that the following students will be representing the WB Bands at the State Solo & Ensemble Festival:
Marissa Hansen – Flute Solo Brittany Jenkins – Flute Solo (Proficiency I)
Rachel Berkowitz – Flute Solo (Proficiency II)
Lana Sharba – Flute Solo (Proficiency I)
Bradley Joshowitz – Clarinet Solo (Proficiency II)
Lauren Klemz – Flute Solo (Proficiency III) Rian Berry – Flute Solo
Emily Levine – Bassoon Solo (Proficiency II)
Bradley Joshowitz – Flute Solo (Proficiency II)
Meghan Lederman – Clarinet Solo
Christian Kolo – Alto Sax Solo (Proficiency I)
Calvin Boyd, Anthony Fritz, Daniel Lau, Payton Mallory – Trombone Quartet
Emily Levine, Payton Mallory – Bassoon & Trombone Duet
Rachel Berkowitz, Bradley Joshowitz – Flute & Clarinet Duet
Christian Kolo, Daniel Korot – Alto Sax & Tenor Sax Duet
State Solo & Ensemble Festival Details When: March 24, 2012
Where: Farmington-Harrison High School, 29995 West 12 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Cost: $15 for solo events, $21 for proficiency events, $16 for duets, and $20 for quartets
WB Band Students receiving additional advice from instrumental professional teachers The WB Bands have been seeing some new faces in the band room recently, as sectional teachers begin to work with the bands to prepare for festival, encourage private lessons, and improve musical fundamentals. We are happy to introduce the following instructors, who are distinguished professionals and teachers of their instruments:
Mrs. Shelly Rouse-Freitag, Flutes Mrs. Sarah Ebert, Clarinets
Mr. Greg Koltyk, Saxophones Mr. James Bostek, Trumpets
Mr. Doug Blackwell, Low brass and woodwinds
Ms. Denise Martaus, Percussion
Thanks to your support, these teachers will be out at WBHS helping your students to become better musicians. All of these teachers are also available to teach private lessons, and we STRONGLY recommend private lessons for anyone planning to audition for the WB Symphony Band next year. Please contact Mr. Fig and/or Mr. Mielens for additional information regarding private lessons.
6th Annual Winter Invitational Recap Our 6th Annual Winter Color Guard and Drumline Invitational was a HUGE success! With 30 groups performing, Super Bowl Sunday was even better this year. Thank you to all of the booster parents that made the event run smoothly and without a hitch. We were proud to debut the West Bloomfield Winter Drumline with their 2012 production “Stuck”. The drumline opened their first competition in WGI Scholastic World with a score of 72.25! The invitational also debuted the newly formed West Bloomfield Middle School Winter Guard, who performed their program “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”. The guard featured 20 girls from 6th-8th grade and from both OLMS and AMS, and their performance in front of a packed house was wonderful! The future is bright for our winter drumline, and for the future of our color guard program!
Pizza Kit Fundraiser Our Little Caesar’s Pizza Kit fundraiser began February 1st! If you have not received an information packet on this from your band student, please email the boosters at wbbands@gmail.com. Students should take advantage of this fundraiser that contributes greatly to their student accounts!
Sale Begins: February 1st Sale Ends: February 15th
Pizza Delivery: February 23rd, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. (outside of WBHS Band Room)
Upcoming Concerts (WBHS) Our next concert series is a busy one, but is on track to be excellent. Please see below for more details:
Pre-Festival Rehearsal (Required): February 28, 2012, (times TBA), WBHS Auditorium
Spring Concert (Required): February 29, 2012, 7:00 p.m., WBHS Auditorium
MSBOA Festival Performances: March 3rd, 2012 @ BRIGHTON High School (The festival location has changed, please take note!):
- Wind Ensemble 11:30 a.m. call time, 12:20 p.m. performance
- Symphony Band 1:45 p.m. call time, 2:40 performance
Marching Band Informational Meeting and Registration Nights
Mark your calendars!
- Tuesday, March 13: Marching Band Informational Meeting
- Tuesday, April 10: Marching Band Registration Night
Next Booster Meeting (Board) The next booster board meeting is to be held Tuesday, February 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the WBHS Media Center. Mr. Fig, Mr. Mielens, and the booster board will be discussing several important items as we near festival, our finale concert, and the upcoming summer season. Please come by to listen, become informed, and enter to win a gift card!
Thank you again for everything that you do to keep your students encouraged in their musical endeavors, they are a joy to teach!
