Week 35: May 13 - 18, 2024
MONDAY |
No Scheduled Events |
TUESDAY |
Jazz & Drums Concert CBMS Cafeteria: 6:00pm |
WEDNESDAY |
No Scheduled Events |
THURSDAY |
No Scheduled Events |
FRIDAY |
No Scheduled Events |
SATURDAY |
No Scheduled Events |
As always, please check the band's calendar at:
FROM THE DIRECTORS:
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the students, parents, and supporters who attended the annual "Pops at the Bluff" Spring Concert this past week. Your presence and enthusiasm made the evening truly special, and we are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication shown by all of our band students from 6th–12th grades. Photos and video recordings of each piece can be found on the Cherokee Bluff Band Parents Association - CBBA Facebook Page. We encourage all families to join this private page for great connections with other band parents and to stay updated with the latest information. Special thanks to Mrs. Dana McQueen for capturing these memorable moments for our families. She was able to capture all of the sights and sounds of the event - THANKS, DANA!
JAZZ & DRUMS CONCERT! TUESDAY 6:00PM CBMS Cafeteria
We cordially invite everyone to the inaugural Drums & Jazz Concert this Tuesday at 6:00pm in the Cherokee Bluff Middle School cafeteria. This unique concert will showcase several of our percussion students in a chamber group setting, highlighting their exceptional performance skills. Mr. Matt Andrews, percussion director, and the featured students have worked tirelessly this semester to present this program.
The concert will also feature a combined performance by the Johnson High School Jazz Knights and the CBHS Bear Jazz Ensemble. We are excited to host Johnson High School and their director, Mr. Steve Giove. Our own Bear Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of our jazz band director, Mr. Wally Conrath, will be presenting a fun variety of various jazz pieces, featuring jazz guitarist, Mike Bacarella.
All 6th and 7th-grade percussionists and high school percussionists should arrive at CBMS by 4:00pm for setup and a last-minute "touch-up" rehearsal. Jazz Ensemble students should report to the CBMS Band Room for a quick rehearsal as well. Pizza will be provided for students following the rehearsal, followed by the concert.
We cordially invite everyone to the inaugural Drums & Jazz Concert this Tuesday at 6:00pm in the Cherokee Bluff Middle School cafeteria. This unique concert will showcase several of our percussion students in a chamber group setting, highlighting their exceptional performance skills. Mr. Matt Andrews, percussion director, and the featured students have worked tirelessly this semester to present this program.
The concert will also feature a combined performance by the Johnson High School Jazz Knights and the CBHS Bear Jazz Ensemble. We are excited to host Johnson High School and their director, Mr. Steve Giove. Our own Bear Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of our jazz band director, Mr. Wally Conrath, will be presenting a fun variety of various jazz pieces, featuring jazz guitarist, Mike Bacarella.
All 6th and 7th-grade percussionists and high school percussionists should arrive at CBMS by 4:00pm for setup and a last-minute "touch-up" rehearsal. Jazz Ensemble students should report to the CBMS Band Room for a quick rehearsal as well. Pizza will be provided for students following the rehearsal, followed by the concert.
MARCHING BEARS ONLINE FORMS AND DEPOSITS ARE DUE!
CALLING ALL 2024 MARCHING BEARS! A friendly reminder that all Google Forms and Membership Deposits are due immediately. You can find the online forms HERE. We are excited about the possibilities this upcoming season, where we will field the largest marching band in school history!
There will be a New York City Trip Meeting on Monday, May 20, at 7:00pm in the CBHS Band Room. Please make sure to attend if you are interested in this trip.
We Need Your Help with Recruitment!
As we strive for excellence, part of our success lies in recruiting new students who enter the program from 5th grade. We need your help in spreading the word about the band program to rising sixth-grade students and families. While we have resources available on our website and social media platforms, the most effective recruitment strategy is word of mouth. Your testimonials and advocacy for our program make a significant impact. Please share your positive experiences with friends, family, and neighbors to help us continue to grow and thrive. You can share this recruiting document. The sign-up link is HERE.
As we strive for excellence, part of our success lies in recruiting new students who enter the program from 5th grade. We need your help in spreading the word about the band program to rising sixth-grade students and families. While we have resources available on our website and social media platforms, the most effective recruitment strategy is word of mouth. Your testimonials and advocacy for our program make a significant impact. Please share your positive experiences with friends, family, and neighbors to help us continue to grow and thrive. You can share this recruiting document. The sign-up link is HERE.
In conclusion, we want to express our gratitude to the parents and supporters of our band program. We feel incredibly blessed to lead such a wonderful group of students and to have such a supportive community behind us. Thank you for all that you do!
GO BEARS!!
CBBA GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CBBA GENERAL MEETING
All parents are welcome to attend (Grades 6-12) as we work together to build an awesome experience for our kids.
Our next CBBA General Meeting (All Parents) is *Sunday, July 14th (5pm).
All parents are welcome to attend (Grades 6-12) as we work together to build an awesome experience for our kids.
Our next CBBA General Meeting (All Parents) is *Sunday, July 14th (5pm).
It's true that band is a wonderful experience for the students. It's also true that there's a lot of work required to support it! That's why we need you as a volunteer. And, yes, you really will have fun when you volunteer and get to know other parents and band students. Check out our SIGNUPGENIUS link to see how you can help us!
If you haven't already, join our Cherokee Bluff Band Parents Association - CBBA Facebook Group - this is a wonderful place to get answers, share photos, and talk with other band parents. Just search Cherokee Bluff Band Parents Association - CBBA (see image below)
FLING (Flute Intensive of North Georgia)
FLING! (Flute Intensive of North Georgia) is a summer flute intensive that we recommend our flute students to checking out!
June 17-21 at Buford High School
9am-4pm daily (with aftercare options available)
It's a great way to keep up your playing this summer and advance your skills. Some highlights include:
You can check out the website HERE for more information. https://www.georgiafluteacademy.com/fling
Please note that there is only enough space for 100 flutists, so if you’re interested in participating, please register soon!
Please contact FLING director and founder, Dr. Katherine Emeneth with any questions: katherine@gaflute.com
June 17-21 at Buford High School
9am-4pm daily (with aftercare options available)
It's a great way to keep up your playing this summer and advance your skills. Some highlights include:
- Performances and classes with professors from the University of Georgia and Georgia State
- Flute Choir (including playing alto and bass flute!)
- "How to Make All State Band 10"
- World flute classes
- Performances by local professional flutists
- Private lessons
- Classes on performance anxiety (aka stage fright), how to practice, rhythm, sightreading, extended techniques, beatboxing, and more!
You can check out the website HERE for more information. https://www.georgiafluteacademy.com/fling
Please note that there is only enough space for 100 flutists, so if you’re interested in participating, please register soon!
Please contact FLING director and founder, Dr. Katherine Emeneth with any questions: katherine@gaflute.com
Middle School Announcements:
6th Grade Band
- Bravo! Congratulations on a fantastic performance last week at our Pops at the Bluff Spring Band Concert! We are so proud of our students. Go Bears!
- Jazz and Drums Concert this Tuesday: We are having a performance for our High School Jazz Ensemble and All Percussion students this Tuesday, May 14th at 6:00pm in the Middle School Cafeteria. We are excited for our 6th Grade Percussion students to showcase their talents at this concert! We are asking for all 6th Grade Band Percussionists to stay after school this Tuesday so we can get equipment set up and have a little time to play through our music prior to the concert. Students should bring $5 for dinner, and we will have pizza, snacks, and drinks provided. Attire for the performance is our middle school band uniform.
- Last Day for Instruments: The last day that 6th Grade students will need instruments at school is this Friday, May 17th. Our final week of school is spent with exams, field day, yearbooks, and awards ceremonies, so we will not be playing the last week of school. All student owned instruments, music, and equipment should be taken home for the summer this Friday.
- Final Exams: 6th Grade Band students will have a final exam on May 20/21 during class, and it will be a rhythm test where students will clap rhythms (no instruments are needed).
- Return of School Owned Instruments: All school owned instruments (French Horns, Baritones, and Tubas) need to be returned to Mr. Lonberger by the end of this week so they can be sent off for summer cleaning and repairs. These can be dropped off at the front office at any time during the school day. Thank you!
- Scheduling for Next Year: All current 6th Grade Band students are automatically enrolled in Band for 7th Grade next year unless a parent reaches out to Mr. Lonberger indicating otherwise. Nothing needs to be done by students or parents for your child to remain in Band.
7th Grade Band
- Bravo! Congratulations on a fantastic performance last week at our Pops at the Bluff Spring Band Concert! We are so proud of our students. Go Bears!
- Jazz and Drums Concert this Tuesday: We are having a performance for our High School Jazz Band and All Percussion students this Tuesday, May 14th, at 6:00pm in the Middle School Cafeteria. We are excited for our 7th Grade Percussion students to showcase their talents at this concert! We are asking for all 7th Grade Band Percussionists to stay after school this Tuesday so we can get equipment set up and have a little time to play through our music prior to the concert. Students should bring $5 for dinner, and we will have pizza, snacks, and drinks provided. Attire for the performance is our middle school band uniform.
- Last Day for Instruments: The last day that 7th Grade students will need instruments at school is this Friday, May 17th. Our final week of school is spent with exams, field day, yearbooks, and awards ceremonies, so we will not be playing the last week of school. All student owned instruments, music, and equipment should be taken home for the summer this Friday.
- Final Exams: 7th Grade Band students will have a final exam on May 20/21 during class, and it will be a rhythm test in which students will clap rhythms (no instruments are needed).
- Scheduling for Next Year: All current 7th Grade Band students are automatically enrolled in Band for 8th Grade next year unless a parent reaches out to Mr. Lonberger indicating otherwise. Nothing needs to be done by students or parents for your child to remain in Band.
- Return of School Owned Instruments: All school owned instruments (French Horns, Baritones, and Tubas) need to be returned to Mr. Lonberger by the end of this week so they can be sent off for summer cleaning and repairs. These can be dropped off at the front office at any time during the school day. Thank you!
- 8th Grade Band/Chorus Trip Next Year: We are in the planning stages of a joint 8th Grade Band and Chorus Trip for next school year. We cannot officially announce the trip details until they are approved by the Board of Education. We wanted to make parents aware of this for planning purposes. We are planning for this trip to occur in early December. More info is coming soon...
8th Grade Band
- Bravo! Congratulations on a fantastic performance last week at our Pops at the Bluff Spring Band Concert! We are so proud of our students. Go Bears!
- Jazz and Drums Concert: Due to our focus on LGPE and the Carowinds/Spring Concert music, we did not have time to prepare an 8th Grade percussion ensemble piece. The 8th Grade Percussion students will NOT be performing at the Jazz and Drums Concert this Tuesday, but they are certainly encouraged to attend and support our other percussionists. The concert will be held this Tuesday, May 14th, at 6:00pm in the Middle School Cafeteria.
- Last Day for Instruments: The last day that 8th Grade students will need instruments at school is this Tuesday, May 14th. Due to the 8th Grade trip to Washington DC, we will have too many students out to play at the end of this week. Our final week of school is spent with exams, field day, yearbooks, and awards ceremonies, so we will not be playing the last week of school either.
- Final Exams: 8th Grade Band students will have a final exam on May 20/21 during class and it will be a rhythm test that students will clap rhythms (no instruments needed).
- Return of School Owned Instruments: All school owned instruments (French Horns, Baritones, Tubas) need to be returned to Mr. Lonberger by the end of this week so they can be sent off for summer cleaning and repairs. These can be dropped off at the front office at any time during the school day. Thank you!
- High School Band Registration: Please be sure that you have completed the appropriate items for your child to be enrolled in High School Band for next year. The registration links and information can be found HERE.
- New York Trip Meeting: We recently announced plans for a High School Band/Chorus/Theater Fine Arts Trip to New York City next school year. There will be a trip informational meeting with details of dates, costs, travel plans, and more next Monday, May 20th at 7:00pm in the CBHS Band Room. All rising High School Fine Arts students and parents are welcome to attend to find out more. Go Bears!
High School Announcements:
- Pops at the Bluff Spring Concert: A Huge Success! We are so very proud of our students and their outstanding performance this past week. From the music-making to the honoring of our hard-working students, the night was truly fantastic! Seniors: What an awesome way to collectively end our journey together. Go Bears!
- Jazz & Drums Concert TUESDAY: This inaugural event is on Tuesday, and features ALL of our Jazz and Percussion students. The percussion groups have worked really hard to work up some chamber pieces, along with the Bear Jazz Ensemble. Come out and support your friends at this really cool event! 6:00pm CBMS Cafeteria.
- Band Registration for 2024-25: Please be sure that you have completed the appropriate items for your child to be enrolled in our program for next year. From marching band and color guard to concert band- only (no marching band, just class), all students must have a completed registration form. The registration links and information can be found HERE.
- New York Trip Meeting: We recently announced plans for a High School Band/Chorus/Theater Fine Arts Trip to New York City next school year. There will be a trip informational meeting with details of dates, costs, travel plans, and more next Monday, May 20th at 7:00pm in the CBHS Band Room. All rising High School Fine Arts students and parents are welcome to attend to find out more.
- Return of School-Owned Instruments: All school-owned-instruments (piccolos, oboes, bassoons, bass clarinets, tenor/baritone saxophones, baritones/euphoniums, sousaphones/tubas, and percussion) need to be returned to Mr. Cantrell on THURSDAY of this week so they can be sent off for summer cleaning and repairs.
- Final Exams: Seniors will be taking final exams this week in class. Underclassmen will take final exams during their scheduled dates and times next week. Please see the exam schedule for exact dates and times.
- SCROLL DOWN AND LOOK AT ALL OF THE EVENT DATES ON THE CALENDAR! There is a list of events and a calendar. All parents and students need to mark these events on their own individual calendars. There is no excuse for not knowing what's going on - please mark your calendars!
- Attendance: Every parent and student should read the ATTENDANCE POLICY. Please be reminded that if you see that you are going to be absent from class or rehearsal, please notify Mr. Cantrell so that we can plan accordingly for our rehearsals. it is recommended that you notify him well in advance (NOT THE DAY OF THE ABSENCE!). This is the link for the ABSENCE REQUEST FORM if you know that you will be missing a rehearsal or event.
MARCHING BEARS ANNOUNCEMENTS:
We are very excited about our upcoming season with the Marching Bears. Information about auditions, meetings, and rehearsals can be found below.
2024 Marching Bears Information
Information about the Marching Bears can be found by clicking the button below. After arriving on the Marching Bears page, scroll to the bottom to find: the summer schedule, band camp info., full marching band schedule for the season, and other marching band resources for parents and students.
Student attendance at ALL rehearsals is required. Failure to communicate pre-arranged absences will result in a penalty or withdrawal from the group. In order for us to be successful, we need ALL STUDENTS at rehearsal ALL OF THE TIME!
Marching Bears Weekly Practice Schedule
WEEKLY PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Mondays: Guard & Percussion Sectionals (4pm-7pm) / Winds Sections (TBA)
Tuesdays: FULL BAND (All Students) (4pm-7pm)
Thursdays: FULL BAND (All Students) (4pm-7pm)
Fridays: Football Game Performances
Saturdays: 9/7, 9/14, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19
Mondays: Guard & Percussion Sectionals (4pm-7pm) / Winds Sections (TBA)
Tuesdays: FULL BAND (All Students) (4pm-7pm)
Thursdays: FULL BAND (All Students) (4pm-7pm)
Fridays: Football Game Performances
Saturdays: 9/7, 9/14, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19
Looking ahead to 2024:
Please note that the above dates are required for full participation in the Marching Bears.
You can NOT miss any of those dates - NO EXCUSES!
- Guard & Percussion Camp: June 24 - June 28 (All Colorguard and Percussion students must attend!)
- Parent Meeting: July 14 (CBHS Theater - 5:00pm)
- Marching Bears Pre-Camp Rehearsals: July 15-16, July 18-19 (All Marching Bears members must attend)
- Marching Bears Band Camp: July 22 - July 26 (All Marching Bears members must attend)
Please note that the above dates are required for full participation in the Marching Bears.
You can NOT miss any of those dates - NO EXCUSES!
CHEROKEE BLUFF BAND CORPORATE SPONSORS
2023-2024