Band Program Details for 2010-11

Band is a great way to make new friends, explore your musicality, and contribute to the cultural life of our school. At George Street Middle School, we offer three bands: Purple Concert Band for junior band students, Gold Concert Band for more experienced musicians, and Jazz Band for students interested in an extra challenge. GSMS bands give two concerts a year, play at school assemblies, and participate in the Fredericton Music Festival. We also offer an instrument rental program.

PURPLE CONCERT BAND – Conductor: Yvonne Kershaw
The Purple Concert Band is designed for students who are entirely new to band, as well as for students with one or two years of band experience. Students with no prior band experience are introduced to their instruments through the school’s SPARK program in September-October. (Interested grade 6s must select “BAND” for their first SPARK.) Full-band rehearsals and sectional rehearsals (where students focus on technique with an expert in their instrument group, e.g., woodwinds, brass, percussion) take place on Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 4:30. The more experienced band students begin rehearsing Wednesday, October 13, with the SPARK students joining them Wednesday, November 3.

GOLD CONCERT BAND – Conductor: Yvonne Kershaw
The Gold Concert Band is ideal for students with two or more years of band experience (though some students with less experience but demonstrable musical ability may be invited to join this band). Full-band rehearsals and sectional rehearsals (where students focus on technique with an expert in their instrument group, e.g., woodwinds, brass, percussion) take place on Tuesday afternoons from 3 to 4:30, starting October 12.

JAZZ BAND – Conductor: Kelly Waterhouse
Jazz Band is open to students registered in the band program who play jazz instruments (saxophone, trumpet, bass, keyboard, drums). Jazz Band rehearsals are held on Monday afternoons, from 3 to 4:30, starting October 25. More details to follow.

BAND INFORMATION & REGISTRATION NIGHT
A Band Information & Registration Night will be held on Wednesday, September 22, beginning at 6:30 pm and lasting until approximately 8:30 pm. This will feature a brief meeting, followed by registration and distribution of rental instruments. Registration forms can be sent to school before 22nd c/o Mrs. Maureen Steeves or Mr. David Steeves of the Music Department, but all band fees MUST be submitted on Registration Night. DO NOT send cheques to school. Band fees are nonrefundable after November 15. (A deposit of $25 will be withheld on all refunds up to the 15th.) Band subsidies are available for students in financial need: please contact Mrs. Steeves at 453-5419.

AUDITIONS
Please note that this year we will be holding auditions for ALL band students (with the exception of the SPARK students). Our conductors will meet with registered band students in grades 6, 7, and 8 for noon-hour auditions during the two-week period of September 27 to October 8. They will determine which concert band each student is best suited for, based on musical readiness as well as balance between the two bands. Jazz band auditions will take place at the same time.

If you have questions or are interested in seeing a registration form (which lists the fees for the program), please contact Mrs. Maureeen Steeves at maureen.steeves@nbed.nb.ca or Mr. David Steeves at gracemusic@rogers.com.