We had a wonderful week last night that is worth celebrating!
Schedule for the week:
Tuesday: Percussion Ensemble until 4:15 (switched from Thursdays to Tuesdays)
Wednesday: Jazz Band until 4:15
Drew Williams Selected for CSO Composition Competition
Drew Williams was chosen as one of the three winners of the 2023 CSO Young Composer Competition. His composition entitled, “Major Maxim’s Triumph” will receive its premiere by the Carroll Symphony Orchestra at their February 9th concert at the Carroll County Schools Performing Arts Center. Drew is the first student in CMS history to win this competition.
All State
Congratulations to Xander Adams and Brayan Calix Alberto who earned a spot in the 2024 Georgia All State Band. They auditioned with over 1200 students to earn a spot in this prestigious ensemble this past Saturday. These two students will travel to Athens, Georgia in early March to rehearse with a guest conductor and musicians from across the state. They will end perform a culminating concert with the ensemble on Saturday, March 2nd.
Xander and Brayan are pictured with CMS Principal, Eric Simmons
Pass Offs
Our students are working through a system known as a “pass off” system in all band classes. Students must successfully perform eleven pass off lines for one of the band directors in order to complete the entire page. Students perform these small songs meant to demonstrate their skill and understanding of various concepts. Once students complete their pass offs, their name is added to the wall of fame and they are invited to our donut and juice party at the end of the 9 weeks. Cooper Mullins was the first student to complete his pass offs successfully. Congratulations!
Tuesday: Percussion Ensemble rehearsal until 4:15 (moved due to our concert on Thursday)
Wednesday: Jazz Band until 4:15
Thursday: Winter Concert (Schedule below)
Winter Concert 12/14 @ Mabry Arts Center
We will have two concerts on Thursday night. 6th Grade and Symphonic Band will have their concert at 6 PM while Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will have theirs at 7:00. This allows for traffic to hopefully be as calm as possible with the amount of students in our middle school band program.
We have four bands in our CMS program. The itinerary for each is below:
CONCERT #1 6th grade/Symphonic 6:00 PM Mabry Arts Center
6th Grade Band:
5:15 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case
5:30 Have instruments and music on stage with cases in the back garage
5:30-5:55: Warm up on stage
6:00-6:20 Perform
6:20: Switch spots with our Symphonic Band to watch them perform
6:30-6:45: Watch Symphonic Band Perform
Symphonic Band:
5:15 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case
5:30 Have instruments and music with you in your assigned seats in the audience with cases in the back garage
6:00-6:20 Watch 6th Grade Band Perform
6:20: Switch spots with our 6th Grade Band and enter stage
6:20-6:30 Warm up
6:30-6:45 Perform
6:45 6th Grade/Symphonic Concert Concludes. Students Dismissed
CONCERT #2 Concert/Wind Ensemble 7:00 PM Mabry Arts Center
Concert Band:
6:30 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case (may have to wait in the lobby while the concert before finishes)
6:45 Have instruments and music on stage with cases in Mr. Cox’s room
6:45-7:00: Warm up on stage
7:00-7:20 Perform
7:20: Switch spots with our Wind Ensemble Band to watch them perform
Wind Ensemble:
6:30 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case (may have to wait in the lobby while the concert before finishes)
6:45 Have instruments and music in assigned seats in the audience with cases in Mr. Cox’s room
7:00-7:20: Watch Concert Band perform
7:20-7:30 Warm Up on stage
7:30-7:50 Perform
7:50 Concert/Wind Ensemble Concert Concludes. Students dismissed.
Concert Set Up and Tear Down Help
I will be in need of volunteers Thursday around 3:45 PM to help with moving equipment from the CMS Band room to the Mabry Arts Center. I will also need assistance bringing the equipment back and clearing off the stage at the end of the concert at 7:50.
If you are available to help, please email me at maria.menendez@carrolltoncityschools.net
HUGE Carowinds Update (8th grade only)
Our school system has acquired two charter busses to use for activities and overnight field trips. As of Friday, we received approval to use those busses for our Carowinds trip. This has reduced the price by almost $100 per person! This is a huge blessing to all of us and I am extremely thankful to have the price reduced by that much!
If you have not made an account (students or chaperones) please do so ASAP. Click below and make an account.
If you have paid in full already, you will be reimbursed the difference from Super Holiday Tours through your account.
This is going to reduce the cost of field trips for the school system as a whole and we are so thankful for that!
West Georgia Winds
Congratulations to our students who participated in the West Georgia Winds Fall Session concert last night. This ensemble has students from 12 different schools across our region of the state and rehearses on Sundays with Ms. Abigail Russom, Director of bands at Cass Middle School. The students performed wonderfully last night! Thank you to the following students for pushing themselves and being strong leaders in our band program: Viviana Deatherage, Abigail Keesling, Jenly Santos, Kylie Sheldon, Emmett Bush, Sameeah Aremu, Jamiya Buffington, Walkiria Lizano, Reese Roegnik, Wendy Whaley, Logan Rowell, Sierra Singer, Zifera Rivera Manon, William Rivera, Kevon Tucker, Taylor Warren, William Chapman, Lola Crandell, Colin Carr, Lucy McRae, Iker Delcid-Gonzalez, Xander Adams, Layla Skinner, Reed Butler, Cooper Mullins, and Drew Williams.
Wow! Only two weeks until Winter Break! Our students are hard at work preparing for their Winter Concert!
Wednesday: Jazz band until 4:!5
Thursday: Percussion ensemble until 4:15
A few reminders:
Carowinds bulk credits for the chocolate bar fundraiser should now reflect in your account! Please let me know if there are any errors.
It is not too late to add onto the trip! I would love more chaperones and for every students to join us!
Jacket/shirt orders should be in next week from Ozier apparel
Chair test results have been posted in Google Classroom. Please do not share the rosters publicly.
Our Winter Concert is next Thursday, December 14th. We are going to move our times a little after our Fall concert to keep things moving even faster. Our 6th grade and Symphonic Band will still have their concert at 6 while our Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will begin their concert at 7 PM rather than 7:30. I will post report times for all students on Sunday.
District Honor Band
Congratulations to all of our students who auditioned yesterday for District Honor Band. It took a lot of preparation and courage to audition. We are so proud of you all. A special congratulations to the following for earning a spot in the ensemble:
Band 1: Viviana Deatherage (4th chair), Reese Roenigk (10th chair), William Rivera (5th chair), Angel Lopez (12th chair), Emma Engelbird (4th chair), Will Chapman (10th chair), Xander Adams (1st chair), and Brayan Calix (6th chair).
Band 2: William Haley (4th chair), Wendy Whaley (10th chair), Walkiria Lizano (18th chair), Lola Crandell (1st chair), Mattaniah Wimberley (6th chair), and Cooper Mullins (1st chair).
2nd Alternate: Taylor Warren
This is the largest group that we have ever had make the District Honor Band!
In addition, the following students scored high enough to compete at the state level for All State Auditions on January 6th:
Xander Adams, Brayan Calix, Viviana Deatherage, William Rivera, Reese Roenigk.
This is the highest amount of students that have made it to the All State Audition in school history.
Congratulations to all students who earned a spot and to those who auditioned. You are leaders in our band program and you represented us well!
The “8th Graders Only” jacket is a requirement for high school band members so we like to offer that a little early for our 8th graders. Please purchase it in a size higher so that you will grow into it.
Other band members and loved ones may purchase this jacket, but please ensure that you think ahead about the size that you order as they are expensive.
Share this link with the community, friends, and loved ones
There is a countdown on the top of the website that shows when the order is due.
District Honor Band Auditions:
All students auditioning for DHB must plan to stay after either on Monday/Tuesday or both for DHB practice.
DISTRICT VII HONOR BAND AUDITIONS FINAL INFORMATION
SCHOOL ADDRESS: Cass Middle School
195 Fire Tower RD NW Cartersville, GA 30120
There are two entrances to CMS. We want to encourage parents to enter on “Brittani LN.”
Students may carpool or ride with their guardian. Ms. Menendez will be working all day at the event and cannot provide a bus.
Please arrive at 10:00 to check in, warm up, and then get in line when they call for Carrollton to stand in the audition lines. Your audition time is 11 but you will be able to line up earlier!
Students will check-in at the registration area labeled “Gym, enter here” on the campus map.
Students should wear semi-formal attire (no jeans) and nothing with our school logo on it.
Once you are done auditioning you may head out and enjoy the rest of your Saturday!
Carowinds (8th Grade Only)
If you have not created your Carowinds account and are not up to date, please update that this time. Our trip payments are spread out over months to make things more manageable.
I would love for all 8th grade band members to travel. Please contact me individually if your student has not signed up so we can work something out! It is a great experience that they deserve!
More chaperones are needed.
I will be submitting a credit to all Carowinds accounts for those who sold chocolate. I did not get that in last week like I wanted to. You should see that applied to your account in the next weeks.
Attached is the document with the trip itinerary, cost, and break down.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! I am extremely thankful for our Band community.
There are only five days left to order some CMS band swag! Orders can either be delivered to the band room or to your address. These will make great gifts for the holidays. Feel free to share this link with your friends and loved ones.
A special congratulations to the Carrollton High School Marching band on their trip and performance in New York City this past weekend! Another congratulations goes out to our CMS Wind Ensemble to who performed beautifully all day on Friday for the Veterans Assembly. Thank you to Mr. Derek Able for conducting the group as I was in NYC with the high school band. Our band program represented us well in many ways over the past week!
Week in a glance:
Tuesday: DHB practice until 4:15
Wednesday: Jazz Band
Thursday: No Percussion Ensemble rehearsal
Jacket Order
Each year we have a winter coat/jacket order to show of our pride and spirit. I am excited to offer some new products this year!
The “8th Graders Only” jacket is a requirement for high school band members so we like to offer that a little early for our 8th graders. Please purchase it in a size higher so that you will grow into it.
Other band members and loved ones may purchase this jacket, but please ensure that you think ahead about the size that you order as they are expensive.
Share this link with the community, friends, and loved ones
There is a countdown on the top of the website that shows when the order is due.
Carowinds (8th Grade Only)
If you have not created your Carowinds account and are not up to date, please update that this time. Our trip payments are spread out over months to make things more manageable.
I would love for all 8th grade band members to travel. Please contact me individually if your student has not signed up so we can work something out! It is a great experience that they deserve!
More chaperones are needed.
I will be submitting a credit to all Carowinds accounts for those who sold chocolate. I did not get that in last week like I wanted to. You should see that applied to your account in the next weeks.
Attached is the document with the trip itinerary, cost, and break down.
Friday: Wind Ensemble Veterans Day Assembly performance
Fall Concert:
Our first concert of the year is almost here! Tomorrow, on November 6th, our CMS band will rock the Mabry Arts Center.
Please click below to view out concert program!
We will have two concerts on Monday night. 6th Grade and Symphonic Band will have their concert at 6 PM while Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will have theirs at 7:30. This allows for traffic to hopefully be as calm as possible with the amount of students in our middle school band program.
We have four bands in our CMS program. The itinerary for each is below:
6th Grade Band:
5:15 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case
5:30 Have instruments and music on stage with cases in the back garage
5:30-5:55: Warm up on stage
6:00-6:20 Perform
6:20: Switch spots with our Symphonic Band to watch them perform
6:30-7:00: Watch Symphonic Band Perform
Symphonic Band:
5:15 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case
5:30 Have instruments and music with you in your assigned seats in the audience with cases in the back garage
6:00-6:20 Watch 6th Grade Band Perform
6:20: Switch spots with our 6th Grade Band and enter stage
6:20-6:30 Warm up
6:30-7:00 Perform
7:00 6th Grade/Symphonic Concert Concludes. Students Dismissed
Concert Band:
6:45 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case
7:15 Have instruments and music on stage with cases in Mr. Cox’s room
7:15-7:30: Warm up on stage
7:30-7:50 Perform
7:50: Switch spots with our Wind Ensemble Band to watch them perform
Wind Ensemble:
6:45 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case
7:15 Have instruments and music in assigned seats in the audience with cases in Mr. Cox’s room
7:30-7:50: Watch Concert Band perform
7:50-8:00 Warm Up on stage
8:00-8:25: Perform
8:25 Concert/Wind Ensemble Concert Concludes. Students dismissed.
Veterans Day Assembly Performance (Wind Ensemble Only):
Our Wind Ensemble band has the honor and privilege to play in the school-wide Veterans Day assembly each year. This occurs during the school day and all students will be excused from missing their classes. Students will be fed for free and need to wear their all-black concert attire.
Our high school marching band is traveling to New York City this week so we have asked retired band director, Derek Able to step in on that day! The Wind Ensemble will sound magnificent under his conducting.
Schedule:
8:15 AM Bus departs CMS to bring students to CHS gym
(students who have a late bus will grab instruments and walk to CHS gym at their earliest convenience.
8:30 am CES #1
9:20 am CES #2
10:00 am CHS #1 (Juniors & Seniors) (CMS Band students watch ceremony)
11:15 am – 11:45 Lunch in CHS Cafeteria
12:00 pm CUES
1:15 pm CMS
2:20 pm CHS #2 (Freshman & Sophomores) CJHS students walk back with Mr. Able to CMS during this time.
I hope that you all have a wonderful rest of your Sunday!
Our middle school has been invited to pack the stands and play for our 8th grade football team this Saturday, November 4th! The game begins at 7:30 PM at Grisham Stadium.
Report time will be 7:00.
Game begins at 7:30
Game concludes at 9:00 PM
Drop off/Pick up at CHS Band Room
Open to all band students
No money required
Students will be fed a snack and water
Students will get half time off to visit concession stands
Must wear white Trojan Band shirt. (I have extras)
The first 10 volunteers to sign up will be given a wristband to get in the game free as a parent volunteer. The administration wants to show their support for our strong parent presence that our band program could not survive without! (I will contact the first ten of you later this week to let you know).
Fall Concert
Our first concert of the year is almost here! One week from today, on Monday, November 6th our CMS band will rock the Mabry Arts Center.
We will have two concerts on Monday night. 6th Grade and Symphonic Band will have their concert at 6 PM while Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will have theirs at 7:30. This allows for traffic to hopefully be as calm as possible with the amount of students in our middle school band program.
We have four bands in our CMS program. The itinerary for each is below:
6th Grade Band:
5:15 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case
5:30 Have instruments and music on stage with cases in the back garage
5:30-5:55: Warm up on stage
6:00-6:20 Perform
6:20: Switch spots with our Symphonic Band to watch them perform
6:30-7:00: Watch Symphonic Band Perform
Symphonic Band:
5:15 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case
5:30 Have instruments and music with you in your assigned seats in the audience with cases in the back garage
6:00-6:20 Watch 6th Grade Band Perform
6:20: Switch spots with our 6th Grade Band and enter stage
6:20-6:30 Warm up
6:30-7:00 Perform
7:00 6th Grade/Symphonic Concert Concludes. Students Dismissed
Concert Band:
6:45 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case
7:15 Have instruments and music on stage with cases in Mr. Cox’s room
7:15-7:30: Warm up on stage
7:30-7:50 Perform
7:50: Switch spots with our Wind Ensemble Band to watch them perform
Wind Ensemble:
6:45 Report to Mabry Arts Center with instrument in case
7:15 Have instruments and music in assigned seats in the audience with cases in Mr. Cox’s room
7:30-7:50: Watch Concert Band perform
7:50-8:00 Warm Up on stage
8:00-8:25: Perform
8:25 Concert/Wind Ensemble Concert Concludes. Students dismissed.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out.
CMS Trojan Band 