Mr. K's Bands

2009-11-17T09:35:00.003-06:00

Here are mp3s of your concert songs.

7th Grade Band
==> Cardiff Castle
==> Bunker Hill March
==> Radiance

8th Grade Band
==> Rocky
==> Cluster Fluster Bluster March
==> Nutcracker Suite

Enjoy!

Mr. K.

First Concert!!!

2009-11-17T09:24:00.002-06:00

OUTSTANDING!!!

Ok, maybe I'm biased because you are my 7th Grade Band, but hey, you played very well at your first concert of the year. I've got the recordings of your tunes ready to post, but it will be a while to upload to the server. I don't think I'm able to upload mp3s here, so I put them on the MG Music website (that server seems to be down at the moment.)

Like I said, you played very well last night. We do have a couple of things to address, and improve for our next concert. I will discuss this in class this week.

Congratulations!

Mr. K.

We're Back!!!!!

2009-11-12T14:09:00.002-06:00

Ok, it's been a while. I didn't add anything over the summer, and we are now approaching our first concert of the 2009-10 school year. No, I haven't been lazy, just busy.

The 09-10 7th Grade Band rocks!

Your first concert is in 4 days. You are ready. It will be fun!

Jazz Band, we have several students signed up, but we should have more. There are too many 8th Grade Band students who SHOULD be in Jazz Band. It is a fun experience. If you think it's too early in the morning, you should try my schedule. Get up at 4:00 a.m. and spend 45 minutes in the car to get here! If I can do it (remember I'm an old geezer) you should have no problem geting up at 6 to be here by 7. Remember, sometimes doughnuts show up!

HAPPY SUMMER BREAK!!!!!

2009-06-12T10:12:00.004-05:00

WE MADE IT!

OK, that sound like it was a harsh year. It really wasn't. It was a lot of fun.

7th Grade Band, you all rocked! You had some challenges with the music, especially the last concert, and you didn't back away. I am proud of you! When I get some time (and I probably will have some time soon) I'll post mp3s of your concert music. Sorry, I haven't gotten a recording of Star Trek from Video Club yet.

Jazz Band... you were also awesome! I looked forward to those early mornings! It is real cool to see and hear the changes from last fall to this spring. You have really grown as musicians. I look forward to continuing with you next year as MGHS Jazz III!

For those of you who are in band next year, good for you! Keep playing because the more you learn, the more you can play, and the funner (yeah, it's not a word but too bad) band gets! Stay in through high school and you probably will have the chance to ...

===> Play at Camp Randall for UW-Band Day
===> Take a trip to a large metropolis (we recently went to NYC)
===> Play in the "pit" for the Musical
===> Play in different types of ensembles
===> And many many more opportunities

If you are not signed up for band.... DO IT! You will have a lot of fun! It is work, but very rewarding!

Have a Great Summer!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. K.

2009-05-14T12:06:00.003-05:00

Hey....Look what I found! A couple of years ago, Jazz I talked Mr. Dorn into singing on "Zoot Suit Riot", and we have the video to prove it!

Jazz Band Performs at Talent Show

2009-04-26T11:32:00.003-05:00

On April 24th, the GDS Jazz Band performed at the First Annual Glacial Drumlin Middle School Talent Show. Tunes performed were Satin Doll (with Ellen Albright on alto sax and Matt Frisque on tenor sax0, and Baggy Pants Blues (with Dalton Bright on mallets and Hayden Newton on trombone.) The jazz band played at both the 12:00 pm show and the 7:00 pm show.

Nicely done!

2009-04-09T08:10:00.004-05:00

Tunes from the Winter Concert...

7th Grade Band, here are the recordings of your concert tunes from your concert this past March. I know, it took forever for me to upload them. But here they are...

Black Forest Overture
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Aliens Landing In Your Back Yard
Razzberry Waltz

March 9th Concert!

2009-03-13T11:57:00.005-05:00

7th Grade Band....GREAT JOB!!!!

Outstanding performance on this concert! Many parents commented on your playing. I am very pleased with your performance, including the way you handled yourselves during the 6th Grade portion, and before/after the concert. Keep up the good work! I'll post MP3s of your songs in a few days.

Special thanks again to our Phy Ed Staff, who sacrificed their space to our performance. Also to our Custodial Staff for chairs and everything they did. We also want to give a shout to our Adminstration, Ms. Tennant and Mr. Whisler for their support.

Also, thanks to Mrs. Stone and Mr. Dorn, and the GDS and Winnequah 6th Grade Bands for playing "Razzberry Waltz" with us!

Mr. K

2009-01-24T09:06:00.006-06:00

First Performance!

On Friday, January 23, 2009, the Glacial Drumlin Jazz Ensemble performed in public for the first time! We took the stage in the GDS Cafeteria and played for the breakfast shift. The tunes we played were:
Baggy Pants Blues
Jingle Bell Rock
Frosty the Snowman
Santa Rocks The House

We originally planned on playing last December 19, but were snowed out (but hey, we got an extra day of Holiday Break!)

The members of the GDSJE did an outstanding job of setting up, playing, and clearing out! I think I owe them some doughnuts!

Thanks to Ms. Tennant and Mr. Whisler for allowing us to play. Also thanks to Mrs. Stone for sitting in on trumpet!

Way to go GDSJE!!!!

Mr. K.

Back At School!!!

2009-01-20T08:54:00.001-06:00

Hey! Happy 2009!

We're back at GDS wrapping up the 2nd Quarter. All students who have not tested as of today should get it DONE! Any students who have not tested by Friday (1/23) will not be able to attend Winterfest until they have tested.

Sorry, that's the way it is.

2008-12-08T18:38:00.002-06:00

FREEZING RAIN! ICE! SNOW!!!

Attention all Jazz Band Members...

Due to the probability nasty weather all day Tuesday, and into Tuesday night, we will cancel Jazz Band rehearsal for this Wednesday (12/10/2008). This is just a precaution because I may not be able to contact each and every one of you personally if we have no school on Tuesday. Just playing it safe. Even if there IS school on Wednesday, I won't make you come in at 7:00 am. Be safe.

Mr. K.

Glacial Drumlin Jazz

2008-11-20T08:54:00.003-06:00

The FIRST Glacial Drumlin Jazz Ensemble is already rehearsing!
Twenty-two 8th Grade Band students are getting to school at 7:00 am to learn jazz, blues, big band, rock, swing, latin, and other styles of music, including improvisation (the sun has not exploded!) We are currently working up some winter-ish tunes for a little suprise in December.
They keep wondering about doughnuts. Well... you never know when they will appear!

First Concert!

2008-11-20T08:42:00.007-06:00

GDS 7th Grade Band, along with the GDS 8th Grade Band (Mrs. Stone, Director), performed their first concert of the year in the GDS Gym! It was outstanding!

Thanks go out to our Adminstration for their support of music.

Special thanks to our Phy Ed Staff for giving up their space to rehearsals, and to our Custodial Staff for their assistance in preparing the gym! We could not have done it without you!

Also, we thank the parents for their support and encouraging students to make music a part of their lives.

And a huge thanks to the students. It took about 10 minutes to clear all the equipment, chairs, and stands from the gym (everyting was back in it's proper place in the band room too!) That is awesome!

In case you would like to listen to the 7th Grade Band, here are the songs we played in mp3 format...
Flourish For Winds and Percussion
Northern Lights
The Name's Claus...Santa Claus
The Marchman

Glacial Drumlin Bands!

2008-09-22T19:14:00.002-05:00

Hey Kids! Here we are now at our NEW location...Glacial Drumlin School! The band room is awesome and DRY!

Sorry I sort of took the summer off to do a few things at home (like move to a new house) but I'll be back putting up information and other junk that may be useful.

In the mean time, practice and check back periodically.

Mr. K.
Red Hawk Bands

Star Wars Movie Survey

2008-06-18T09:40:00.003-05:00

Ok Star Wars Geeks (it's ok to admit you are one.)
Of all 7 Star Wars films, including the CGI animated "Clone Wars", which one do you like the most, and why?

Post your answers!

Been a little busy

2008-06-18T09:11:00.002-05:00

Ok, I'm back. It's been a little busy. You know, all the end of the year stuff. Hey 7th Grade Band... Awesome Concert!!!!
We made it through to the end. The band room flooded again (a lot) the weekend after our concert. There was about 2 inches of standing water throughout the band room. Mrs. Stone, Mr. Dorn, Ms. Tam, and I moved all the equipment and instruments out. The good news is that we were able to move a lot of stuff out to the Glacial Drumlin School band room.

I got to tell you, the new band room at GD is AWESOME! We were there on Thursday, June 12. It has that "new band room" smell! It also has windows, so we can get natural light!

So, if you have been reading this blog at all, feel free to post a comment. Keep it appropriate or I'll just delete it (probably ban you too.)

Jazz Band

2008-05-02T10:08:00.002-05:00

Winneqah has had a jazz band for many years. I have been fortunate to have outstanding students over the past 8 years. This year's Jazz Band made their performance debute last week at the Winnequah Talent Show. We played "Stepping Up to the Blues" and "Let It Groove." Megan Bower, Matt Blair, and Jack Allen played solos.

Awesome 7th Grade Band!

2008-05-02T10:05:00.002-05:00

The 7th Grade Band is divided into two sections (for rehearsals) and combined for concerts. Both sections rehearse the same music, and work together in GIGS. We have awesome students! They follow instructions without question or complaint! I'll be sorry to let them go at the end of the year, but I know I'll get some of them back for Jazz Band!

Riser Demolition Begins

2008-05-02T09:13:00.004-05:00

This morning I came in early for Jazz Band, in case the kids did not figure out that we wouldn't be having jazz band due to the water problem. Our great custodial staff was already there to clear out the room. I mean, everything. The band room has never been this empty since it was built! Once everything was out, or put up on the shelves, the dismantling of the risers began! Fire up the sawsall!

Again, Mrs. Stone has been taking pictures, which I hope to post soon.

The forecast for next week is wet. I'm hoping Mother Nature will be kind and give us enough dry days for the room to dry up. Then we can get back in to rehearse!

Allways look on the bright side of life! The band room will now have a "flat" floor which will give the bands more flexibility with seating. I believe we will be able to fit more students in there as well.

Lake Spitvalve

2008-05-01T07:54:00.003-05:00

I checked the band room today (temporarily renamed "Lake Spitvalve"), and it is still flooded. Looks like 7th Grade Band will be rehearsing the cafeteria today. Yikes!

I have to comment on the attitude of the 7th Grade Band. They have been remarkably resilient in this adventure! Kudos to the 7th Grade Band!

The staff has been also very supportive, especially Ms. Bussan, Ms. McCarty, and Mr. Davick. All three of them have allowed our students into their rehearsal space, while taking their groups elsewhere or otherwise adjusting. Kudos to them, and their students as well!

First Post!

2008-04-30T08:48:00.001-05:00

Ok. So since Mrs. Stone has a blog, I probably should jump on the bandwagon (hahahaha) and get one going. I teach band at Winnequah with Mrs. Stone and Mr. Dorn. I have the 7th Grade Band, plus a lot of brass and percussion GIGS (Guided Instruction GroupS). Currently, the Bands are rehearsing in alternate rooms due to the fact that the bandroom has turned into a lake. All the rain we've had, plus the 100 or so inches of snow, has saturated the ground to the point where the water has nowhere to go. Mrs. Stone took some pictures, so I'll bug her to send me some. Guess I should post them for the world to see.