La Cima Band

2011-11-17T14:22:00.000-08:00

La Cima Band will participate in the Oro Valley Christmas Parade this year!
Meet at La Cima on December 10 at 7:30 AM

(black pants, socks, and shoes with red La Cima T-shirt and white undershirt)

to GET ON THE BUS!!!!
Please feel free to print and sign this form saying your child has permission to be in the newspaper:

My child ______________ has permission to be in the newspaper or on TV.
Parents Signature:_________________________________
Nancy Cowan, Director
ncowan@amphi.com

Upcoming Events!

2011-11-07T16:14:00.001-08:00

First and most importantly: Holiday Concert, December 8 6:30 PM in the MPR. REQUIRED of all music students at La Cima. This is your big test! Think of it as a FUN test.

Oro Valley Christmas Parade: December 10. Meet in the parking lot of Mountain View High School at 8 am to set-up and warm-up. Hopefully the weather is nice! Uniform will be red t-shirt with collared white shirt underneath, black pants and black shoes.

Fundraiser ends this Thursday, November 10. Congratulations to all the participants for raising funds for YOUR own portion of the Forum Music Festival Trip in April.

We will have FULL BAND PRACTICE after school after the Thanksgiving Break. Monday and Tuesday after school, be ready for after school band practice indoors and outdoors. Cookies and Punch will be served afterwards!

Thanks for supporting the band!!!!

Instrument Crunch

2011-08-16T19:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Band People,

This first week has been challenging with our 6th grade band for one simple reason: Not enough instruments. Although having more students is a great thing, having students without instruments can cause problems. We are currently waiting on a few donated instruments to come in, and I have applied for grants to hopefully get some more instruments. In the meantime, I ask for everyone's patience and possibly even trying out different instruments. We have 2 french horns at our school! We also have another trombone, and some percussion like the xylophone and timpani. Many students do not learn how to play these instruments in elementary school, but in order to round out the middle school band, these additional instruments are important. They are also closely related to the instruments elementary students play! I should also mention that these other instruments fetch some hefty college scholarships in the hands of skilled players.

Open House is Thursday, August 25. Hope to see a lot of people there! We have a music boosters parent club for parents interested in supporting students in our music program.

Sincerely,
Nancy Cowan
ncowan@amphi.com

Welcome to La Cima Band!

2011-08-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

Our first day of band will be Thursday, August 11 because of block scheduling.
We have a lot of fun things planned already!
Look for information about a party for all band families in the near future.

All students will be given a packet with registration and dates. Please make sure to fill out registration completely and return it to Mrs. Cowan ASAP.

Put the dates on your calendar, please!

We have a Winter Concert December 8 (Thursday)

Advanced Band, plan on marching in the Oro Valley Christmas Parade

District Festival and State Contest are in the same week in March (dates TBA)

Spring Concert May 3.

Concert May 3 Tuesday

2011-05-01T21:29:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to the Band for recieving a 'silver' rating at the Forum Music Festival in Irvine, CA April 29. A rewarding trip was had by all! 47 students from band, choir, and orchestra, teachers, and chaperones were crammed on a tour bus, slept through the night with a faulty 'beeper', and still managed to play their best. As a reward for their hard work, we spent over 12 hours at Disneyland. I am still feeling it, if you know what I mean!

Band members (Choir and Orchestra too!), please be at La Cima no later than 6 pm to set-up and warm-up. The concert starts at 6:30 sharp and all students are to be seated before the concert begins.

I have 'van training' that same night but I plan on being there by 6 pm. Music Boosters and fellow teachers will be asked to supervise in my absence. Students, you know what to do. Help the percussionists move equiptment and share music stands as needed.

Our concert will consist of:
Chorale 11 warm-up
Chapel of Love
Tanoan Echoes
Pirate's Cove
Thriller
La Cima Stand Up and Cheer

See everybody at the concert!

-Nancy Cowan

April!

2011-04-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

The band had some 'paperwork' to do for a grade. Students, please turn in your worksheet packet and practice logs! Many students have not turned in their March practice logs, and April is almost over! Mondays after school: Disney Band 3:40-4:30 Tuesdays after school: Jazz Band Open to all interested band students 3:40-4:30 April 19: Music Boosters Dress Down Day April 28-30: Forum Music Festival Leave Thursday Night, Perform Saturday, then go to Disneyland! Return Saturday Morning Fine Arts Festival is May 3!!!!! And May will have several performances as well. Stay tuned for May's schedule. Sorry this is one paragraph but the blog is not taking paragraphs and breaks for some reason.

March Calendar of Events

2011-02-24T00:07:00.000-08:00

March 2011
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
	Flute sectional Practice logs due	1 Clarinet sectional	2 trumpet sectional	3	4 Sax bass bari sectional	5
6	7 percussion sectional	8	9	10 Advanced Band Contest CFHHS Leave 12 Perform 3:30 Return 4:30	11 Bands help set up Fitness Fair	12
13	14	*15 Both Bands Practice after school (new)**	16 Both Bands: Amphi HS Fest. Be there 6:30 pm Great Job!	17 Mrs. Cowan plays for students	18	19
20	21 Spring Break	22	23	24	25	26
27	28 School starts back "Disney Band" meets weekly	29 Jazz Band resumes	30	31 Practice logs due		April 8-Advanced Band Plays at Honor Roll Breakfast

Spring 2011 Dates

2011-01-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

We have a lot of new music to practice along with practice logs to fill out. Our next upcoming concerts are in March. On March 10 the Advanced Band will travel to the ABODA Jr. High Band Festival and will perform three pieces for a rating by judges. Then on March 16 both bands will perform together at the Amphitheater High School District Band Festival. That is an evening concert and parents bring students to that concert.

On March 10, students in advanced band will leave school around 12 (after eating lunch) and will get on a bus to Catalina Foothills High School. There they will hear other bands before their performance at 3:30. Our bus should return to La Cima by 4:30 pm. Please be prepared to pick up your children by then. If you cannot make arrangements to have your child picked up, I will drive a van and deliver them to their bus drop-off.

March 16, parents and students come to Amphitheater High School's Auditorium (Yavapai south of Prince) at 6:30 for the Amphi Band Fest. The band will sit together while the parents sit in a different area. Please plan on staying for the entire concert so you get a chance to see the other bands! Concert starts at 7 and lasts around one hour.

The Forum Music Festival is April 29. We leave on a chartered bus in the evening, play our concert in the morning, listen to other groups and stay for the awards ceremony, and then go to Disneyland! All students have recieved their packet so if anyone lost theirs, let Mrs. Cowan know!

The final performance of the year is scheduled for May 3 (new date!!!!) in the MPR. This is in conjunction with the fine arts fair. Jazz Band will also perform in the lobby.

Please remember that most of these performances are worth most of the students' grades! If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Cowan!

ncowan@amphi.com

Winter Concert

2010-12-06T11:40:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

Remember, our Winter Concert is scheduled for Thursday, December 9 at 6:30 pm. Please get here at 6 to have time to warm-up and set-up.

In the performing arts, it is customary to attend ALL public performances of your group. If you are absent, it is customary to recieve an F for that grade. If for any reason you cannot make the performance, please just write or call me to let me know the circumstances and see if it can be excused (illness or family emergency).

Nancy Cowan
Band, Donaldson Elementary
Band, La Cima Middle School
Orchestra, Mesa Verde Elementary
cell (520)834-8329

2010-10-29T16:47:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone,

We have taken the final step to make the Music Boosters Club official. We now have a business account! That means we need to collect the membership fee!
After two meetings, we decided that $10 per member will be the yearly fee. The bank gave us one week to reach the minimum goal of $100.

Please, please PLEASE deliver a check or money order payable to "La Cima Music Boosters Club" in the amount of $10 per voting member. We can either deliver the checks to the office and I will collect them, give them to our treasurer Cecille Muller, or we can have a meeting and collect the dues then. Whatever we do, we need to decide quickly. If you bring me a check I will gladly deliver it to the bank.

To those who came to our last meeting, thank you for your support. If you didn't get to come, it's not too late to join! Anyone with a kid in band, choir, or orchestra is welcome to join. We just ask you pay the dues and participate in activities that will help our music students.

BY THE WAY- our holiday concert will be here before you know it. Please make sure your kids take their instruments home and practice "Christmas Carol Collage," "Clarinets Cookin," and "Winter Wonderland". We will have playing tests and I would hate to have someone not play a song because they didn't practice it. If and when they have questions, tell them to write the question on their music so we can bring it up in class.

Sincerely,

Nancy Cowan
ncowan@amphi.com
http://www1.teachertube.com/viewProfile.php?user=Nancycowan

Practice Sheets, Tax Credit Forms, and Booster Club

2010-08-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

All students will recieve monthly practice logs that are to be signed by parents on the day the student practices. 3 or more hours a week equals an A. This is necessary to keep students focused on our quarterly performance goals. Remember, this strongly affects their grade!!! If students lose their practice log, they will have to start over again or keep track of it another way.

Mid-October=Virtual Concert at teachertube.com.
December=Winter Concert.
Feeder Pattern Band Festival=TBD
March 10=Regional Concert Band Festival in Tucson.
April=Forum Music Festival.
May=Spring Concert and 8th grade promotion ceremony.

Here is a link to the digital copy of the AZ tax credit form. Remember to click on "other" and type in BAND if you want your donation to go directly to the BAND. Click on option #3 and type in your child's name to donate your tax credit directly to your child to pay for the Forum Music Festival trip in April.
http://www.amphi.com/district/news/files/69E7B51BADCC47C09C2252D6D483D6DD.pdf

Formation of a boosters club requires signatures of officers on a charter. Parents will be recieving calls when the details are finalized.

Email me if you want me to send you a digital copy of the practice sheet. You can keep it on your computer and sign it there and just email it back to me.
ncowan@amphi.com

Instrument Maintenance

2010-08-26T17:12:00.001-07:00

Everyone needs to maintain the playability of their instrument. That doesn't mean you have to go out and purchase a pre-packaged cleaning kit. Here are instrument-specific links with information on how to properly maintain instruments:

flute: http://www.zacharymusic.com/Zachary_Music/FLcarePics.htm
clarinet: http://www.zacharymusic.com/Zachary_Music/ClcarePics.htm
saxophone: http://www.zacharymusic.com/Zachary_Music/AScarePics.htm
trumpet: http://www.zacharymusic.com/Zachary_Music/TRcarePics.htm
trombone: http://www.trombone.org/jfb/library/jfb-keepitclean.asp
tuba can also read the trumpet information above
drums: http://vicfirth.com/ everything drums is on here!

Welcome back, and welcome newcomers!

2010-08-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

All students will recieve a welcome letter and a handbook. The handbook should be read through with parents/guardians and students, last page filled out completely, and returned as soon as possible.

We have more instruments to check out this year, but only one clarinet works! Clarinet players will need to rent or buy from a store. Remember to get cleaning kits, reeds, cork grease, valve oil, slide oil, and all that good stuff. Vandoren reeds size 2 or higher is recommended.

For a complete list of books and things, see the very first post on this blog.

Jazz Band will be Tuesday after school.

We want to do more festivals this year. Keep an eye posted for updates on this blog. As soon as performance dates are confirmed, they will be posted on this blog!

Have a great year!

Nancy Cowan
ncowan@amphi.com
(520)834-8329 msg

Great Year

2010-05-14T18:27:00.000-07:00

After three successful local performances and earning a 'silver' rating at the Forum Music Festival, I think La Cima Band has had a pretty good year. Half the band was able to attend the Forum Music Festival Trip, and for half the band winning silver, I think all of the band would have gotten gold. We'll keep that in mind next year.

Our final performance will be at the 8th grade promotion ceremony. Congratulations to our wonderful 8th graders who will be moving on to bigger and better things. We hope they continue their band journey.

Thanks to all the students and their hard work this year, and may next year be even better with more challenging music, fundraisers, field trips, and more special projects! We could use all the help we can get, so if you're a parent or teacher willing to help, please let Mrs. Cowan know!

ncowan@amphi.com

Disney trip very soon!

2010-04-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

Disney Band-
Be at La Cima Thursday night 9 pm to pack the bus.
Benji, Omar, Damery, and Sabrina are the student leaders (8th graders) who will help make sure we are quiet so we can get some sleep. Friday will be a very long day and we need sleep to sound our best.

After La Cima's ensembles play between 8 and 9 am, we will stay and listen to some other performances. Then we depart for the park. Groups have been assigned and each group will have one adult chaperone. The groups need to stick together, and remember to be back at the meeting place on time! It's not a good idea to get on a ride 10 minutes before your meeting time.

Have a fun trip and make wonderful music!

Latest Update

2010-04-09T00:05:00.000-07:00

Due to unforseen circumstances, Mrs. Cowan has to go out of state for a little while. In her absence, a substitute will run the class, sectionals will take place, and the president and student conductors (Sabrina, Cassie, Omar, Benji) will lead the band thru warm-ups, scales, purple book and other book, "Badge of Honor", "Ceremonium", and "Aliens Landing".

Remember to view notes on the smartboard entitled "band notes cowan" before practicing in sections. This will help remind students what to practice in particular. Pay close attention to dynamic contrast and remember to MAKE MUSIC, not just play notes.

On Wednesday, students will be allowed to watch a DVD of "Band Bloopers". Mr. Koster has instructions on how to find that DVD.

Please call (501)680-0898 with any questions.

March and April

2010-03-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

March is almost over and April will be busy due to the annual "Forum Music Festival" trip planned for the last weekend of April. The band, choir, and orchestra make the yearly trip to Anaheim, CA to play at the Forum Music Festival, followed by a trip to Disneyland.

Our work is cut out for us, and students will be expected to practice DAILY at home in order to prepare for the festival, whether or not they are attending. Students will be graded, and some students can expect a B or C for the quarter for not practicing daily. It is obvious to an instrumentalist who has been playing for over 20 years whether or not a student has been practicing at home (and that instrumentalist is me, Mrs. Cowan, the one who writes these blogs)!!!

To those who are on scholarship for the trip, please remember that the scholarship pays for HALF of the cost of the trip. The full portion is $175. That does NOT cover cost for food. Feel free to pack some snack food but remember that food cannot be brought into the park.

Plan on playing the following:
Badge of Honor
Ceremonium
Aliens Landing

March 2 concert!!!

2010-02-21T19:07:00.000-08:00

Concert March 2nd, Amphi High School
Be there no later than 6:15 to get your folder and other equiptment from van.
The following pieces will be performed:
Air of Nobility
Aliens Landing in Your Backyard

Remember to wear black pants and a clean white shirt! Have extra reeds and valve oil with you!
Students will have a one-at-a-time playing test on Monday, March 1. Be ready!!!

If you need transportation, contact Mrs. Cowan ASAP.
ncowan@amphi.com

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

The La Cima Band has a busy Spring ahead.

March 2nd:

We will be participating in a district band festival that includes schools from the Amphi High Feeder Pattern. We will give a performance for all the schools and listen and watch the other schools perform Students need to be at Amphi High School no later than 6:15 on March 2nd. The concert begins at 7 pm, and La Cima will play after two elementary bands play.

Our program will include:
Air of Nobility
One other piece to be determined as of Jan 12, 2010.

In late April we are planning on going to the Forum Music Festival in Anaheim, CA. Our band has consistently got high ratings, and this year we will strive to do our best.

As soon as dates, times, and music is finalized, it will be posted, so please check back here for more information.

Winter Concert Success

2009-12-14T20:01:00.000-08:00

The La Cima Middle School Band had a fabulous performance at the Winter Arts Fair held December 9, 2009. The turnout was huge and the reception from the audience was very positive.

More great things lie ahead in the spring with a district band, orchestra, and choir festival, Forum Music Festival in California, and the Spring concert. Expectations are still high and students should continue to practice music from the plethora of books they have in their folder and the music library. They are allowed to practice at their leisure over the holidays by picking music they like and practicing it. They should also continue to practice scales (concert pitch) F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and add C and Db to the list.

Beginners should continue to practice music from "Accent On Achievement" and listen/play along with the accompaniment CD included in the book.

The Spring will be even more challenging but the students of La Cima Band are fully capable of meeting those demands!

Holiday Concert Around the Corner

2009-11-25T14:51:00.001-08:00

December 9 will be here before you know it, so let's make sure we go over details before the concert. The concert is a requirement of the class, since it is a performing group and it is for CREDIT. If you do not attend the concert, your grade will be dramatically reduced!

Be 30 minutes early, and even more early to set up if you are in Jazz Band.
Have a crisp white shirt and black pants. Please iron them so they look nice.
You will be able to warm-up and tune in the band room before our performance begins.
Line up in order before we make our way to the stage so that we look orderly when we enter the stage. 1st row, starting with first clarinets, then 2nd row starting with saxophones, 3rd row starting with the tuba. The percussion should be set up before we go on stage, and that will happen during the school day.
HAVE FUN! You're going to do great!

Uniforms, concerts, tests, more info

2009-11-06T15:15:00.001-08:00

La Cima Middle School Band should wear black pants and shoes and a clean white shirt as a uniform. The director will gladly make extra clothes available for those who cannot afford black pants or white shirts. However, the school uniform has a white shirt.

Our first public performance of the 09-10 school year will be December 9, at La Cima Middle School, along with Chorus and Orchestra. Students should be at the school by 6 pm. There may be a pot-luck dinner, and more information will be posted shortly.

Also, The United States Air Force Band of the West (http://www.bandofthewest.af.mil/) is giving a FREE concert at Flowing Wells High School on November 13 at 7 pm. Tickets can be picked up at FWHS office or by calling 520-696-8146.

Last but not least, November 8th playing test will be #20 from "the purple book", 101 Rhythmic Rest Patterns (http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/101-Rhythmic-Rest-Patterns/1428942)

Thanks for your support, everyone!!!

End of October update

2009-10-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

The Winter Concert is December 9, and the following pieces will be performed:
"O Come Emmanuel"
"Hark, The Herald Angels Sing"
"Hanukkah Begins Tonight"
"Holly Jolly Christmas"

Students are expected to practice these pieces along with supplemental materials at home. Those supplemental materials come from the following books:
"The Artistry of Fundamentals"
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/The-Artistry-of-Fundamentals-for-Band/3515445
"101 Rhythmic Rest Patterns"
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/101-Rhythmic-Rest-Patterns/1428903