CMS Band

3/2-3/7

Happy Sunday! We have a busy week here at CMS!

Wednesday: Jazz Band after school until 4:15

Thursday: Pre LGPE (7th and 8th graders only)

Friday: Wind Ensemble field trip to UWG

Congratulations!

Reese Roenigk traveled to Athens Georgia this Thursday and participated in the GMEA All State Band! He earned a spot in one of the two middle school bands and performed a concert under the direction of Travis Downs on Saturday.

It is incredibly difficult to earn an audition spot for this ensemble, let alone earn a spot to spot in the ensemble itself. We are so proud of Reese and his hard work!

Raffle Funrdaiser

We are excited to have our 2nd of two fundraiser going! This fundraiser involves selling $10 raffle tickets in order for students to earn money towards their upcoming field trip. The tickets can be sold as physical tickets that the students receive in school or online through the following form: https://form.jotform.com/250355110934146

Please share that link through text, email, and social media! It works!

A few reminders:

  • Each $10 ticket enters our customers into a drawing for one or multiple of the following prizes:
    • $50 Amazon gift card
    • Set of Airpods Pro
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Ninja Air Fryer
  • Top 3 students winners will get to pie Ms. Menendez in the face along with Mr. Cochran and one of our band directors.
  • Students who sell to tickets will be admitted into our Raffle Party which will include a glow party followed by an ice cream sundae bar and an inflatable obstacle course in the commons area.
  • Field Trips:
    • 8th graders will earn $10 towards their Carowinds trip for every 5 tickets sold.
    • 6th graders will earn $5 off their field Lakepoint Station field trip for each ticket sold. The field trip costs $30.
      • (date to be announced)
    • 7th graders will earn $5 off their Urban Air field trip for each ticket sold. The field trip costs $30
      • (date to be announced)
  • Student incentives:
    • Every five tickets sold enters them into the grand prize drawing
    • 10 names will be drawn for a fast food lunch
    • Students who enter the raffle party will receive a piece of duct tape to tape Ms. Menendez to the wall before she is pied in the face!

Pre LGPE (7th and 8th grade only)

Our annual Pre LGPE Concert will be this Thursday, March 6th. Our Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble will perform the same concert two times. Once at Pre LGPE next Thursday and then once at the beautiful Carroll County Performing Arts Center later in March. These performances allow for our students to perform music for certified adjudicators and are extremely memorable for our students.

Our schedule will be as follows:

  • Concert Band: 6:00 PM
    • Report to MAC at 5:15 PM
  • Symphonic Band: 6:30 PM
    • Report to MAC at 5:45 PM
  • Wind Ensemble: 7:00 PM
    • Report to MAC at 6:30 PM

All groups will wear their concert all black uniform. We will share our concert with the high school ensembles as well on Thursday the 6th. It will be a wonderful evening of music. Students are only required to stay for their own performance and may leave afterwards.

This concert is free and open to the public. Let’s fill up the MAC to support these wonderful students!

UWG Field Trip (Wind Ensemble Only)This Friday

As our W.E. rehearses for their Georgia State performance, they have been graciously given an opportunity to rehearse at the University of West Georgia. Dr. Byrd will rehearse with the ensemble and the students will work in a new environment to continue perfecting this music. The students will then tour the campus and eat at UWG’s Dining hall!

The JotForm is live and ready for our WE students to fill out. We will need for all students to be present for this field trip. The itinerary, cost, and other details are located on the form.

Upcoming Dates:

  • 2/26 Raffle Fundraiser begins: all band students
  • 3/6 Pre LGPE Concert at Mabry Arts Center 7th and 8th grade only
  • 3/18 LGPE
    • Concert Band: 3:30 PM
    • Wind Ensemble: 7:30 PM
  • 3/19 LGPE
    • Symphonic Band: 5:15
  • 3/20 Raffle Fundraiser Drawing
  • 3/24 WE GSU MFA Preview Concert at 6:00 PM Required for all students to attend
  • 3/25 Carowinds payment due
  • 3/26 WE GSU MFA Performance: All Day. Itinerary to come soon
  • 4/1 Raffle Party after school

Have a wonderful rest of your Sunday and I look forward to seeing the students tomorrow morning!

Sincerely,

Maria Menendez

maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net

2/24-2/28

We are back from break and are hitting the ground running! I hope that you had a restful Winter Break and am excited for this part of the semester with our wonderful students!

Week at a Glance:

  • Monday: Added Jazz Band rehearsal
    • After school until 4:15
  • Tuesday:
    • No after school activities
  • Wednesday:
    • Raffle Fundraiser begins!
    • Jazz Band Rehearsal
      • After school until 4:15
  • Thursday:
    • All State Band Day #1: Reese Roenigk (Congratulations!)
  • Friday:
    • All State Band Day #2
    • Black History Month Assembly
      • Jazz band performance, during the school day
  • Saturday:
    • All State Band Day #3
      • All State Band Concert

UWG Field Trip (Wind Ensemble Only)

As our W.E. rehearses for their Georgia State performance, they have been graciously given an opportunity to rehearse at the University of West Georgia. Dr. Byrd will rehearse with the ensemble and the students will work in a new environment to continue perfecting this music. The students will then tour the campus and eat at UWG’s Dining hall!

The JotForm is live and ready for our WE students to fill out. We will need for all students to be present for this field trip. The itinerary, cost, and other details are located on the form.

Jazz Band

Our jazz band will perform on Friday at the annual CMS Black History Month Assembly. Because of this, we will have two rehearsals this week to prepare. The assembly is during the school day on Friday and the students will just need to wear something nice (no jeans or sweatpants). Business casual will suffice. I will share their specific schedule this week during rehearsal.

Pre LGPE: 7th/8th Grade Only

Our annual Pre LGPE Concert will be next Thursday, March 6th. Our Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble will perform the same concert two times. Once at Pre LGPE next Thursday and then once at the beautiful Carroll County Performing Arts Center later in March. These performances allow for our students to perform music for certified adjudicators and are extremely memorable for our students.

Next Thursday or schedule will be as follows:

  • Concert Band: 6:00 PM
    • Report to MAC at 5:15 PM
  • Symphonic Band: 6:30 PM
    • Report to MAC at 5:45 PM
  • Wind Ensemble: 7:00 PM
    • Report to MAC at 6:45 PM

All groups will wear their concert all black uniform. We will share our concert with the high school ensembles as well on Thursday the 6th. It will be a wonderful evening of music. Students are only required to stay for their own performance and may leave afterwards.

Upcoming Dates:

  • 2/25 Carowinds Payment due
  • 2/26 Raffle Fundraiser begins: all band students
  • 3/6 Pre LGPE Concert at Mabry Arts Center 7th and 8th grade only
  • 3/18 LGPE
    • Concert Band: 3:30 PM
    • Wind Ensemble: 7:30 PM
  • 3/19 LGPE
    • Symphonic Band: 5:15
  • 3/20 Raffle Fundraiser Drawing
  • 3/24 WE GSU MFA Preview Concert at 6:00 PM Required for all students to attend
  • 3/25 Carowinds payment due
  • 3/26 WE GSY MFA Performance: All Day. Itinerary to come soon
  • 3/27 Raffle Party after school

Have a wonderful rest of your Sunday and I look forward to seeing the students tomorrow morning!

Sincerely,

Maria Menendez

maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net

2/10-2/14

Week at a Glance

  • Tuesday: Wind Ensemble photos for GSU performance
    • Location: MAC.
    • Time: During 1st block.
  • Wednesday: Jazz Band Rehearsal 2/12/25
    • Location: CMS Band Room
    • Time: Afterschool until 4:15PM

District Honor Band

Congratulations to our 10 wonderful students who participated in District Honor Band this weekend! Our students joined 18 of our CHS band members are rehearsed Thursday evening, Friday, and Saturday morning to prepare a concert. The students enjoyed bowling, Krispy Kreme Donuts, card games in the lobby of the hotel, and a lot of music making. Congratulations to our students for working so tremendously hard and we are proud of you for representing your school system at this prestigious event.

  • Viviana Deatherage CHS
  • Carry Chen CHS
  • McKenzie Swain CHS
  • Emily Hicks CHS
  • Sylvia Morales CHS
  • Cadence Carr CHS
  • Marie Fujita-Block CHS
  • Haley Rowell CHS
  • Ann Haley CHS
  • Kylie Maxwell CHS
  • Samuel Wimberly CHS
  • William Haley CHS
  • Tyler Clotfelter CHS
  • Demarcus Burch CHS
  • Xander Adams CHS
  • Brayan Calix CHS
  • Max Duncan CHS
  • Hunter Moore CHS
  • Abigail Keesling CMS
  • Wendy Whaley CMS
  • Zio Rho CMS
  • Gina Lin CMS
  • Lola Crandell CMS
  • Emmett Bush CMS
  • Reese Roenigk CMS
  • Mattaniah Wimberly CMS
  • Gray Esslinger CMS
  • Joseph Ballew CMS

Wind Ensemble photo Tuesday @ MAC

Our Wind Ensemble will depart at 8:30AM on Tuesday morning to ride over to the Mabry Arts Center for us to take our photos for the GSU MFA program. Students will need to wear their all black concert uniform for this photo. The students will return back in to CMS in time to attend their second block as normal.

Have a wonderful rest of your evening!

Sincerely,

Ms. Menendez

maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net

2/3-2/7

Week at a Glance

  • Wednesday: Jazz Band Rehearsal 1/29/25
    • Location: CMS Band Room
    • Time: Afterschool until 4:15PM
  • Sunday: West Georgia Winds Rehearsal
    • Location: CMS Band Room
    • Time: 1:45PM-4:00PM

District Honor Band

Our district honor band participants should have received an email with information regarding DHB this Thursday through Saturday. I look forward to traveling with you to Ringgold, Georgia and watching you make music! Please let me know if you did not receive the information that was sent out last week.

CHS GMEA Performance

Our high school Wind Ensemble performed a beautiful concert this past Friday at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. Congratulations to all involved. It was a special history making performance and our community is beyond proud of you all. Our band program continues to grow and thrive!

Have a wonderful rest of your evening!

Sincerely,

Ms. Menendez

maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net

1/27/25-1/31/25

Week at a Glance

  • Tuesday: CHS Wind Ensemble GMEA Preview Concert 1/28/25
    • Location: Mabry Arts Center
    • Time: 7PM
  • Wednesday: Jazz Band Rehearsal 1/29/25
    • Location: CMS Band Room
    • Time: Afterschool until 4:15PM
  • Sunday: West Georgia Winds Rehearsal
    • Location: CMS Band Room
    • Time: 1:45PM-4:00PM

GMEA All-State

Congratulations to all of our members that auditioned for the GMEA All-State Band. We are very proud of these students for making it this far in the audition process. We are happy to announce that CMS band member Reese Roenigk (8th Grade) made the All-State Band on Bass Clarinet. Reese will be joining many other students across the state in February to participate in the All-State Band experience.

CHS GMEA Performance

We are excited to have the CHS Wind Ensemble perform at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service conference on Friday, January 31st at 8:45AM in Athens, GA.

Here is some info from Dr. Carr about the CHS Wind Ensemble’s GMEA Performance:
“This year, only 3 high school bands were selected for this honor and our Carrollton High School Wind Ensemble’s submission was one of them. This is the first time in the history of Carrollton City Schools for an ensemble from Carrollton High School to be selected to perform at the GMEA In-Service conference.

The students will perform a program highlighting Carrollton and our history of excellence in the Arts. We will open with an Irish fanfare to pay homage to Carrollton’s namesake Charles Carroll of Carrollton, an Irishman and the oldest surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. Later in the program, Mr. Hall will guest conduct a march that he first conducted as the band captain at UGA in 1963. Former Carrollton City Schools Superintendent Dr. H.M. Fullbright witnessed Mr. Hall’s performance in Jesup, GA before hiring him as the band director at Carrollton many years later! William Cooper, class of 2009 and current trumpeter with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, will be featured alongside Mr. Trumble as trumpet soloists with the band. Ms. Menendez and Mr. Nelson will each guest conduct a piece on the concert, and to top it off, we will perform pieces by Will Pitts, class of 2004, and Katahj Copley, class of 2016 including the world premiere of Copley’s newest work The Wayfinder. The world premiere will include antiphonal trumpets and triangles performed by former students, and former student teachers. “

The CHS Wind Ensemble will perform this Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 7:00PM in the Mabry Arts Center to preview their performance in Athens, Georgia. We would like to have a full house in support of this prestigious invitation! I ask that our middle school band members show up and show their support! The concert will be an hour in length and will be one that you will not to miss.

You can view the digital program here.

West Georgia Winds: First Rehearsal

We have several students who are participating in West Georgia Winds this semester. Congratulations to all who are participating. The first rehearsal will be this Sunday at the Carrollton Middle School Band room. Report time is 1:45 pm and the rehearsal will be from 2-4 PM. I look forward to seeing many of our CMS students there!

Have a wonderful rest of your evening!

Sincerely,

Ms. Menendez

maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net

Welcome Back!

Wow, that was an interesting first week back! The students did a great job getting back into a routine and were full of smiles all week. I cannot wait to continue working with them this semester!

Our students performed beautifully at our Winter Concert in December. The students who spoke about each piece did a great job and the musicians on stage brought the house down. What a great way to showcase the many talents of our students! Congratulations!

Going into the Spring semester, for now, the only updates include upcoming dates to keep on our radar.

Upcoming Dates

  • 1/25 Carowinds payment due *8th grade only*
  • 2/6-2/8 DHB Participants will receive more information this week!
  • 3/6 Pre LGPE 7th and 8th Grade only
  • 3/18 LGPE Concert Band @ 3:30 PM
  • 3/18 LGPE Wind Ensemble @ 7:30 PM
  • 3/19 LGPE Symphonic Band @ 5:15 PM
  • 3/24 MFA Preview Concert Wind Ensemble Only. All band students encouraged to attend to support!
  • 3/26 MFA Performance at GSU Wind Ensemble only

We will begin our Raffle fundraiser in the near future and will begin talking about all of the exciting field trips coming up for our students.

Be safe and warm tonight and I look forward to another great week with the CMS Band program.

Sincerely,

Ms. Maria Menendez

maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net

12/16-12/20

Good evening,

It is hard to believe that this is our last week until Winter Break!

UGA MidFest Honor Band

Congratulations to Emmett Bush, Lola Crandell, Reese Roenigk, Wendy Whaley, and Abigail Keesling! They participated in the 2024 University of Georgia Middle School Honor Band. They each rehearsed with a guest conductor in the ensemble and presented a wonderful concert on Saturday!

The students were able to watch guest performances by Taylor Road Middle School, Barber Middle School, and the University of Georgia’s Wind Symphony.

Congratulations!

It is going to be a wonderful last week of school and I hope that you have a wonderful rest of your Sunday!

Sincerely,

Ms. Maria Menendez

maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net

12/8-12/13

Good evening,

This is going to be another exciting week for our band program!

Week at a Glance:

  • Tuesday: Winter Concert
  • Thursday-Saturday: MidFest Honor Band for five of our band members: Emmett Bush, Lola Crandell, Reese Roenigk, Wendy Whaley, and Abigail Keesling.

Winter Concert: Tuesday 12/10

The uniforms for our students includes black dress shoes, black pants or a black long skirt with leggings underneath, and something festive for their upper body. This can include hats, headbands, ugly Christmas sweaters, etc.

Our concert times are as follows:

6th grade/Symphonic Band:

  • Report to MAC @ 5:15
  • 6th grade performs @ 6:00PM
  • Symphonic Band performs @ 6:25
  • 6:40 PM Dismissal for both groups

Concert Band/Wind Ensemble:

  • Report to MAC @ 6:50
  • Concert Band performs @ 7:15
  • Wind Ensemble performs @ 7:45
  • 8:00 PM Dismissal for both groups

District Honor Band Results

We had several students audition yesterday in order to potentially earn a spot in the District VII Honor Band. The students have been working since August to prepare for this audition and deserve so much credit for the determination and courage that it took to audition yesterday.

Congratulations to the following students on being accepted into the 2025 District VII Honor Band:

Band 1: Abigail Keesling (8th chair), Emmett Bush (2nd chair), Reese Roenigk (4th chair), Wendy Whaley (8th chair), Zio Rho (12th chair), Gina Lin (13th chair), Lola Crandell (1st chair), Mattaniah Wimberly (2nd chair), Gray Esslinger (2nd chair).

Band 2: Joseph Ballew(16th chair).

We are so proud of all of the students from all schools present yesterday for the hard work leading up to the audition. Thank you to our Carrollton students who auditioned and who are leaders in our program.

I look forward to seeing you all at the concert on Tuesday and I cannot wait for you to hear the students play!

Sincerely,

Ms. Maria Menendez

maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net

12/2-12/6

I hope that your Thanksgiving was a wonderful one! We are back to school for a few weeks and have a wonderful concert that we are preparing for you!

Upcoming Dates:

12/7: District Honor Band Auditions at Cass Middle School. Report time to Cass Middle School is 12:30. Auditions should be down within an hour or so.

12/10: CMS Band Winter Concert

12/12-12/14: UGA MidFest Honor Band. Congratulations to Emmett Bush, Lola Crandell, Reese Roenigk, Wendy Whaley, and Abigail Keesling on their invitation to participate!

Winter Concert

Our winter concert will be next Tuesday, December 10th. The uniforms for our students includes black dress shoes, black pants or a black long skirt with leggings underneath, and something festive for their upper body. This can include hats, headbands, ugly Christmas sweaters, etc.

Our concert times are as follows:

6th grade/Symphonic Band:

  • Report to MAC @ 5:15
  • 6th grade performs @ 6:00PM
  • Symphonic Band performs @ 6:25
  • 6:40 PM Dismissal for both groups

Concert Band/Wind Ensemble:

  • Report to MAC @ 6:50
  • Concert Band performs @ 7:15
  • Wind Ensemble performs @ 7:45
  • 8:00 PM Dismissal for both groups

Christmas Sponsorship

Our band program likes to sponsor families in the school district that are in need during the holidays. As of now, we have all students accounted for! Thank you to everyone who signed up to purchase gifts for those family members! The presents need to be delivered to the CMS Band room or the front office by December 6th. What a tremendous gift that our community is giving!

Have a wonderful rest of your Sunday!

Sincerely,

Ms. Maria Menendez

maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net