Welcome to Sante Fe Trail Elementary Bands

Upcoming band camp information as of 7/25/22

by | Jul 25, 2022 |

Hello everyone-

 

Beginning tomorrow (July 26th), all rehearsals (except the two evening varsity drumline rehearsals) will begin in the stadium.  In case of inclement weather, we will use the ReMind app to notify everyone we’re moving into the band room.  If you don’t get a text, we will always plan to meet in the stadium.

 

 

Things to do/bring/wear for outdoor rehearsals:

-A one gallon (hopefully somewhat insulated) water container, filled with ice and water.

-shorts and T-shirt

– sunglasses

– hat/visor

– tennis shoes with socks(NO flip flops or sandals, you can’t really march in those)

– sunscreen, to be applied before rehearsal begins

 

-Also, PLEASE eat some sort of breakfast before arriving.  Protein is best, as little sugar as possible.  If necessary, I would suggest no more than one cup of coffee.  Also, I would suggest little to no soda drinks.

 

– get a full night of sleep before rehearsals, and hydrate when you get home.

 

-Beginning this Thursday (July 28th), varsity marchers should bring a lunch, or money to eat at local fast food near North.  Students can either ride with other students, or walk.  Students will have 90 minutes for lunch each day.

 

-Please bring your instrument every day.  If you don’t have your marching instrument yet, we will get that to you upon arrival.  You will also receive new music upon arrival.

 

-JV/new marchers students, we plan on splitting time outside with playing in the shade or even indoors, depending on temperature.

 

– varsity students, we plan to be outside in the morning, and inside in the afternoon.  If it gets too hot in the morning, we’ll move to shaded areas.

 

 

Please feel free to email or text me with any questions or updates (car trouble, feeling sick, etc).  Please do NOT respond to a ReMind text.

 

 

-Another reminder to give us your T-shirt size with this G form.  Parents, you can order additional shirts with the same link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMH_t954wRiSmbNfSaP5DE9PPG5shzyqbj8GN7Q9g9OZvkkA/viewform?usp=sf_link

 

– Please take care of your band expense ASAP if you haven’t done so already.  (VARSITY $125, JV $75, dance team $50).  The easiest way is to play online at www.smnorthbands.org and click “group member payments”.

 

 

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in the coming days…we’re so excited to see everyone and make some music.

 

Mr. Reed

Ms. Fillingham

June updates to SM North band

by | Jun 2, 2022 |

Hello students, happy summer to you all!

Everyone is invited to the FREE Ice cream social on July 23rd. Your child will receive their 2022 band shirt (different designs every year) if they have a fully paid band account.

 

Although the July 26th/27th new marchers camp is optional for JV band members, please consider going to these fun two mornings!  It’s always great to reconnect with everyone.  New varsity marchers and section leaders are expected to participate these two mornings.

 

All varsity drumline members are expected to participate during drumline camp, and ALL varsity marchers are expected to participate during the July 28-Aug. 4th camp (no weekends).  I cannot stress how important these rehearsals are, as we learn a significant portion of our competitive show during summer camp.  Communication is the key- if there is a scheduling conflict with any of those dates, please let me know ASAP.  We can have students share a spot if we know they’re going to be gone for a portion of camp.  We can make other arrangements as well, but communication is the key.

 

REMIND Texts:

We frequently use ReMind texts for last minute changes or reminders.  If you have not done so already, please sign up for the appropriate ReMind class, so you will be in the loop!  Students AND parents can sign up.  Make sure to use the “@” sign.

Also, this is a one way communication device.  If you need to contact me regarding a ReMind text, please email me at [email protected] or text me on my phone if I’ve given you that number. To attain the Remind codes, please reference an email I sent on June 2nd.  If you didn’t receive an email, then email me at [email protected]

Hoping you’re all having a great start to your summer!

 

Mr. Reed

Ms. Fillingham

band announcements May 16-24 Almost there!

by | May 15, 2022 |

Wed. May 18- Graduation Day
Seminar- will try to run graduation music during seminar.  Kids, stay tuned for precise time, as seminar and lunch occur within the same block.  This is NOT a required rehearsal, but please attend if you can.  PLEASE take care of academic things first…but we are making this rehearsal an opportunity so the evening performance goes better.
5:45PM- All 9th-11th graders (except freshman percussion) are in graduation band.  Please dress nice, yet appropriate for weather.  Report to band room.  We will warmup/rehearse, then head to the stadium.  PLEASE bring as many clothes pins as you can, so we can attach music to stands.  Graduation begins at 7:00PM and should last until about 8:45 or so.  Parents of graduation band, we generally ask that you don’t attend, as the campus is packed with seniors and their families.
Fri. May 20th– Indoor rehearsal/pizza party!  Although this is optional for current 9th-11th graders, please plan on attending this fun event!  Free pizza!
5:40PM- section leaders report, get ready for everyone.
6:00- incoming freshman and section leaders begin eating.
6:20- current 9th-11th graders arrive and can have some pizza.
6:45- 8th-11th graders will do a little parking lot marching to music!
6:55- parent meeting in choir room, as sections break off and collect summer contact information.
7:20- all students in band room to play a couple pep-band tunes.
7:30 – rehearsal ends, and begin summer rentals
Mon/Tues, May 23/24 9AM-noon in stadium- varsity marching band rehearsals.  This is required for all 2022 varsity Marching Bison.  This helps secure your spot in the show for the upcoming season.  Please communicate transportation issues as soon as you can, so we can help get everyone to North.  Bring instrument, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water.  Wear tennis shoes, NO flip flops/sandals.
We’re looking forward to a fun conclusion of the school year.  As always, please communicate scheduling conflicts ASAP.  We’re almost there, just a few more days!  😊
Mr. Reed
Ms. Fillingham

important & time sensitive info- May 3-24

by | May 2, 2022 |

BAND EVENTS:
Friday, May 6th– Pizza Jazz 6-10PM in the cafeteria.  Free admission.  $1.50/slice or $6.00 all you can eat.  North jazz bands are playing plus several from Shawnee Mission and Olathe.
Saturday, May 7th– Drum line auditions in the band room.  9AM-noon.
Tuesday, May 10th– Spring Concert in the auditorium.  Concert begins at 7PM.  7th/8th Hocker bands, Freshman/Concert/Symphonic bands will play.  All band members, please report to band room by 6:40PM, dressed up, ready to go.  “Sunday best” casual-formal.  Please no jeans, T shirts, etc.
Thursday, May 12th– Band Banquet in cafeteria.  6-8:30PM.   See link below to reserve your dinner.  Again, reservation due TOMORROW, May 3rd!
Sunday, May 15th- Mattress fund raiser.  See attached flyer.  Remember that students get 100% of the profit!
Wednesday, May 18th– Graduation band (more info to follow, all band members (except freshman percussion) perform.
Friday, May 20th– Indoor rehearsal/summer rental night (more info to follow, all fall/2022 band members should attend).
May 23rd/24th– Varsity Marching Camp.  CHANGE OF TIME:  Since there’s no school that week, we’re adjusting these rehearsals from 9AM-noon (as opposed to 4:30-7:30PM).
LINKS AND FORMS:
Banquet reservation link, due TUESDAY, May 3rd!
senior memory form (current seniors only) due WEDNESDAY, May 4th!  (see attachment to this email)
senior picture submissions for video, due FRIDAY, May 6th:

 

band announcements April 5-15

by | Apr 4, 2022 |

April 5th– band booster meeting at 5:45PM in the band room.  Parents, this is a great way to get plugged into the band program.  Everyone is invited!

 

April 6th– slight change to accompanist schedule, please see update by band room office.

 

April 7th– a reminder that the SMSD block 2 Concert band will play @ SM NW high school at 7PM.  Block 2 will play their state contest pieces with the other 4 SMSD concert bands.  We will play 2nd out of 5.  Report time of 6:30PM in the SMNW band room, in full uniform and ready to play.

 

April 7th– Anyone interested in another jazz opportunity- Bryan Redmond will host an jazz clinic on 3:45-4:30PM at Hocker Grove.  You don’t have to currently be in a jazz class to attend.  He will cover tips and ideas on how to improvise.

 

April 9th– Regional solo/ensemble festival @ Olathe South.  Specific performance times are posted in the band room.  Parents, the festival host is still looking for 2 more SM North volunteers to help run the festival.  Please use this link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4ba4a62ea64-kshsaa1

 

April 11th– Contest Concert, 7:00PM @ North auditorium. Symphonic and Concert bands will play their two contest pieces after orchestra plays.  This concert begins as 7:00PM.  Report time of 6:50PM in the band/choir rooms, in full uniform, ready to go.

 

April 13- STATE LARGE GROUP CONTEST for Symphonic and Concert band.  Both groups will play at Blue Valley Southwest HS.  Symphonic band plays at 10:40AM and Concert band performs at 11:40AM.  Both performances are free and open to the public.

 

 

Mattress Fundraiser Information

We will have a mattress sale on Sunday, May 15th, 10AM-5PM in the aux gym.  You don’t have to do anything, except tell everyone you know about it!  Anyone that purchases a mattress that days and mentions your name…you receive all the profit in your individual band account, which can be used to pay for your Florida trip!  More information to follow.

 

We will have a brief meeting about this fundraiser on Monday, April 11th, after the symphonic/concert bands play their contest music.  It will be a very brief meeting…and if we have at least 100 people in this meeting, they will donate $500 to our booster organization!

 

Students in block 7 freshman band who are traveling to Florida, please consider attending this meeting.

 

Please click on the QR code on the flier for more info.

 

 

 

April 15th– 1st Florida installment due.  Payments can be made at www.smnorthbands.org then clicking “Group Member Payments”. Remember that the $900 installment costs $931.50.  The additional $31.50 is what PayPal charges.

 

We have a busy and important 9 days ahead of us…looking forward to it!

 

Mr. Reed

Ms. Fillingham

band announcements March 24- April 13

by | Mar 24, 2022 |

Parents, we have next year’s slate of officers ready to go, with one exception. We’re still in need of one or two parents to serve as the uniform chair or co-chair. Please contact Mr. Reed if you would consider helping in this capacity, thanks in advance!
To continue fundraising for this December’s trip to Florida, we will have a mattress sale on Sunday, May 15th. More information to follow, but if you’re in the market for a new mattress, please consider waiting until this date. Please begin to tell friends and family!  All profits go directly toward your individual trip expenses.
Upcoming events:
March 29- Symphonic band festival, at Shawnee Mission East.  Concert begins at 7 PM. Report time for symphonic band is 6:30 PM in their band room, in full uniform and ready to play. Parents, there is no admission for this event. All five high school symphonic bands in Shawnee Mission will play, and we are third. This is a required performance for symphonic band members, as well as staying for the entire concert. Students must provide their own transportation.
March 31- Symphonic band clinic, guest conductor, Dr. Popiel, Director of bands from KU. Students will miss block four for this event. This is a required clinic, unless prior notice has been given.
April 5- band booster board meeting at 5:45 PM in the band room. We always keep the meeting to less than an hour.  Parents, this is a great way to get plugged into the parent organization… The more the merrier!
April 7- Concert band festival, at Shawnee Mission Northwest.  Concert begins at 7 PM. Report time for concert band is 6:30 PM in their band room, in full uniform and ready to play. Parents, there is no admission for this event. All five high school Concert bands in Shawnee Mission will play, and we are second. This is a required performance for Concert band members, as well as staying for the entire concert. Students must provide their own transportation.
April 9- Regional solo/ensemble festival, held at Olathe South. Precise performance times will be posted as soon as we know them.  Parents, we still need two more volunteers to work at this festival.  Please use this link to sign up, and then email me when you have done so, so I know we have enough parents there!
Parent Solo/Ensemble signup link:
April 11- Contest concert, 7 PM in the North auditorium. Symphonic band and Concert band will play their contest pieces.  Report time of 6:40 PM in the band room, in full uniform, ready to play.
April 13- KSHSAA large group contest. Symphonic band and concert band will travel to a Blue Valley school to perform their concert pieces for a panel of adjudicators. This will happen during the school day.  Busses will be provided.  More information to follow.
So, a busy 4 weeks for band families…and we’re looking forward to ALL of it!
Mr. Reed
Ms. Fillingham

band announcements March 1-11

by | Mar 1, 2022 |

Upcoming events-
Friday, March 4th– Spring Swing dance party!  6:30-8:30PM, cafeteria. Student $7 admission, adults $15. This is a fun, fantastic party that we host every year, with North jazz bands playing Glenn Miller dance music as we serve appetizers and desserts. Students received two lettering points for attending, don’t miss out on this fun event.
Wednesday, March 9th, North Area Band Festival. Block 1 symphonic band and block 4 jazz ensemble will perform. Begins at 6:30PM in the field house.  Symphonic band should wear all black, and please dress up.
Parents, we will need a few volunteers to work at the solo/ensemble festival on Saturday, April 9th, to be held at Olathe South HS. Please click the link below to take a shift. You’ll definitely be able to leave your post to watch your child perform if they are performing that day. We are required to have at least four parents take shifts, thanks in advance for your help help. Also, once you signup, would you please email, so I know how many parent helpers we have.
Solo/ensemble parent helpers link:

 

Band announcements- Jan.27 – Feb. 17

by | Jan 27, 2022 |

 

Feb. 1- Winter sports assembly.  2021 drumline battery, and block 4 Jazz Ensemble, you should leave your block 2 class at 9:00AM, reporting to the band room to prepare drum cadences and setup for jazz band in the field house.

 

Symphonic band sectional rehearsals are next week.  Students should be in the band room no later than 7:00AM, in their seats and playing by 7:03AM.  Sectionals will end at 7:35AM.  These are graded/required sectionals.  There will be two more before spring break.  Schedule as follows:

Monday, Jan 31st- flutes/clarinets/alto-tenor sax, bassoon, percussion

Wednesday, Feb. 2nd– trumpets/horn/trombone/tuba

 

 

Feb 7- Pancake Dinner. Due to mitigation, we will not be serving pancakes!  Please eat dinner before you arrive. No admission fee.  ALL participating students should wear all-black attire (or as close as possible).  Jazz students should wear their jazz shirts and black pants.

 

Here’s the run-down of the concert, all of which will occur in the auditorium:

5:40PM- jazz students report to band room to warm up

6:00- Block 3 jazz band performs, then block 4.  Although not required, EVERYONE is encouraged to attend this portion of the concert.

6:45- INTERMISSION.  Freshman/Concert/Symphonic band members report band room to warm up.

7:00- Freshman band performs, followed by Concert band, then Symphonic band.

7:45- concert concludes and dismiss.

 

March 9- North Area Band Festival- 6:30PM in field house (Symphonic band and Jazz Ensemble only).  This is the reschedule date.  Report time of 6:00PM for Symphonic band/Jazz Ensemble in full uniform.  Concert begins at 6:30 PM and concludes at 7:30 PM.  FYI- there is an SM North choir concert in the auditorium, beginning at 7:30PM.

 

 

 

Upcoming basketball pep-band games:

Feb. 4- report time of 5:30PM

Feb. 8- report time of 5:30PM

Feb. 15- report time of 5:30PM

Feb. 17- report time of 6:15PM

 

Looking forward to a fun and safe February!

Mr. Reed

Ms. Fillingham

Dec/2022 Florida band trip- initial info

by | Jan 21, 2022 |

Hello students 8th-11th grade students and families-
Although the attachment was handed out to students last Wed/Thurs, I wanted to make sure everyone had an electronic copy of the letter of intent.
The SM North bands are slated to travel to Orlando, FL, departing Dec 26th or 27th and return Jan. 1st or 2nd.  More details and activities will be announced as plans are confirmed.  It will be a packed week of fun and music in Florida!  Highlights include a halftime performance at the Cheez-It Bowl, a parade running through Disney World, and time to play at Cocoa Beach.  We’re also scheduled to have a music workshop at Disney, as well as spend time at Universal Studios and Island of Adventure.
Although this is an optional trip, all students in Fall/2022 varsity band and JV band can participate.  If you intend to participate, please print the letter of intent, sign and return to Mr. Reed by Friday, Feb. 4th.  No funds are needed at this time, as the first monetary installment is not due until April 15th.
There will be a written cancelation policy posted at www.smnorthbands.org before any money is due.  We are creating contingencies to get money refunded if a student/parent cannot attend due to a Covid issues before the trip.
Parents, we would be thrilled for many of you to travel with us as chaperones!  We usually have a 6:1 student/adult ratio, so we hope many of you can go.  We will offer a price break to chaperones, but we won’t know the exact amount until we know how many students and parents are going.  We were able to offer a $300 price break to chaperones on our last trip, and we’re shooting for the same on this trip.  If you plan on participating as a chaperone, please indicate that on the letter of intent.
Please email me with question, but more information will follow as we get closer to the trip.  Looking forward to a great experience this December!
Mr. Reed
Ms. Fillingham

band announcements Jan. 6th

by | Jan 6, 2022 |

Hello everyone-
Although we are still good to go for the basketball pep-band to play tomorrow night (Jan. 7th, report time of 5:30PM) we will NOT be playing in the hallways during block one. So all students should stay in class tomorrow morning.
We have a booster meeting next Monday (Jan. 10th) at 5:45 in the band room.  Everyone is welcome and we always keep the meetings to one hour or less.  One item of discussion is the 2022 Winter trip for marching band!
5th Grade Band Practice and Homework Assignments
6th Grade Band Practice and Homework Assignments
Elementary Band Handbook
Instrument Rental/Purchase Guidelines