Three big things coming up over the next few days-- make sure you know everything going on!

1. HS Awards Banquet
Tomorrow evening (Wednesday, May 22) is our annual HS Awards Banquet.  You can find details in a previous announcement linked here.

2. MS/HS Spring Concert.
Thursday evening (May 23) at 6:30 pm (MS) and 7:45 pm (HS) is our big Spring Concert!  Details in the second half of a previous announcement linked here.

3. Marching Band Forms Due
This Friday, all Marching Band forms and money are due in the band office.

Have a great day!

Scrip Order Forms went out today!  We had 9 families participate this week.  Next week our goal is 20.  Remember, this can be done at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU.  Please consider shifting your spending habits to take advantage of this opportunity to raise money for the band program without having to sell anything.  Order forms are due back to the band room by Monday.

Have you begun purchasing gas cards for your weekly gas purchases?  If not, now is the time!  If you have done that, this week consider adding your grocery bill if you shop at Meijer or Wal-Mart.  If you are already doing that, check out the huge list of restaurants and pick one you were already planning to go to and order it today!

Thank you to all of you that have participated so far.  Remember, the goal is to make it a weekly habit, so that we have a steady small stream of income that doesn't cost our band families any extra money to generate.

Thank you for your help!

Our final concerts are almost upon us!  The MS Concert will feature music from Adele, many cartoons, and Halo.  The HS Concert will feature Miles Davis Jazz, a piano concerto by Gershwin, and even Les Miserables.

MS Concert Thursday, May 23
6:30 pm.  Students there at 6:00 pm
Proper concert attire required.
Awards will be presented at the concert.

HS Concert Thursday, May 23
7:45 pm.  Students there at 7:15 pm.
Proper concert attire required.
Awards to be presented at awards banquet the day before.

As this is a curricular, performance based course, concerts are graded, required school functions.  For more details, please consult your band handbook online at the link in the upper right.

This is going to be a fantastic evening of music for all, and represents the culmination of a year's work for all band students.  Consider coming to both!  Admission is free.

Jazz Band Auditions

The Bremen High School Jazz Band is looking for talented players for the 2013-2014 school year.  The following openings are available:

3 Trumpets
1 Trombone
1 Saxophone
2 Drum Set Players
1 Guitar Player

Auditions will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, May 29-30 in the band room.  Please sign up for an audition time outside the band office.

Music to be prepared for the audition can be found outside the band room office.  If you have any questions about the music, please speak with Mr. Sutton.

To listen to an example of your audition music performed well, go to the following link and click on the word “Listen:”

http://www.jwpepper.com/Blue-Train/10061497.item

For the past year many students have given time and talent to help create and expand the quality of our Emerald Alliance Bremen Band program.  Their hard work and dedication have helped continue the tradition of musical excellence within our organization.

As a result, and to recognize our students' leadership and ability,  I cordially invite you and your family to attend our 3rd annual Bremen Band Awards Program to be held on Wednesday, May 22th, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.  The program will be held in the HS Cafeteria.

Our awards program will consist of a carry-in dinner followed by the award presentations.  Please bring a dish to share, as well as paper plates/utensils for your family.  The Bremen Band Boosters will provide drinks (water and lemonade).  If your last name begins with A – R, please bring a Main Dish or Side Dish.  If your last name begins with S – Z, please bring a dessert.

Aside from the dish itself, there is no cost to you for this program--- just come and enjoy!

Once again, congratulations on all of our student's successful year, and thank you for your dedication to the Band program.

MS parents are welcome to attend as well.  However, please do not send your child to the award program on their own.  MS band students will not be admitted without their parents in attendance.

Don't forget our booster meeting on Tuesday!  We will be talking about volunteering for marching band, election of officers, discuss the progress of Scrip, and preliminary planning for this summer.

Come join us!  Every band parent is encouraged to come.  7 pm, in the band room, and it will last a little less than an hour.

Scrip Order Forms went out today!  If your child doesn't bring it to you, ask for it!

Our challenge this week: try it out by purchasing a gas card this week.  All three gas stations in Bremen accept them.  Use the card to fill up your gas tank next week, and smile knowing that part of your gas money went to tools to help students with their education.

High School parents:  Don't forget the extra bonus Men's Warehouse is offering this week!  If you purchase a $25 gift card from them, you will also receive a coupon good for $40 off a tuxedo rental, just in time for prom season.  If you want to get in on this one, simply write in your order for Men's Warehouse somewhere on your form.

Order forms are due back on Monday.  Late orders will be placed in next week's order. If your child forgot the order form, we have it below to print out. Have a great day!

Next Thursday May 9th, the Jazz Band will be performing as they do each year at the Senior Scholarship Awards Night in the auditorium.  Students in Jazz Band will need to be in the band room by 6:00 pm to set up.  We will begin to play at 6:30, and will finish playing at 7 pm.  After packing up, the students are free to go!  They do not need to stay for the rest of the program if they do not wish to.

Jazz Band students should wear dress clothing of their choice to this event.

Scrip fundraising has arrived!  A new and exciting fundraising program called "scrip" is available through the Bremen Band Boosters.  You can now raise money without buying unwanted items and with no extra cost to you.  Supporting our band has never been easier!

Scrip refers to gift cards.  We can purchase gift cards from hundreds of retailers nationwide at a discount.  These are the same gift cards that you would purchase if you went to the retailer directly.  The difference is our profit.  By purchasing scrip gift cards before you shop for your everyday items - like groceries, gas, clothes, and restaurants - we raise money, without you spending a penny extra.  Special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays are also times to purchase gift cards as a gift for a special someone.  It's just that simple!

Our goal in the next year is to help raise funds for band equipment, repairs, uniforms, and general band expenses.  With scrip, our goal is to raise $7,000 in the next year.  With an average profit return of 5%, if your family buys $400 worth of gift cards per month you would raise $240.  If just 30 families can do this, we would meet our goal.

Scrip Order forms will be sent home with your child this Friday!  You can participate by returning your order form with your check to Mr. Sutton on Mondays no later than 3:00 pm.  We will post a new order form on the website every week.  You can pick up your order on Fridays in the band room office from 2-4 pm.  If you are unable to pick up your order please sign the release authorization section on the order form and we will send your cards home with your child.  If you have any questions, please contact Rita Jeffirs at 574-546-3090.  Help us exceed our goals, and thank you in advance for your support!

The following is a copy of the letter sent home today with all marching band students for 2013.  Rehearsals beginning in June!

On this Friday evening, the Bremen High School Concert Band performed as they do each year for a large band festival at Concord High School featuring 35+ bands from our northern Indiana area.  Each band performs a 30 minute program at their own chosen difficulty level, and 3 judges rate their performance in many different criteria.
For the 3rd year in a row, and 4 of the last 5, the Concert Band received a superior rating while entering at the highest difficulty possible (Group I).  This consistent performance at a very high level shows the incredible dedication and hard work of our Bremen Band students.  I am honored to get to lead such a dedicated group.

In addition, this performance had a special significance.  While I haven't completely tabulated the scores myself and it isn't official until the Indiana State School Music Association announces it at the end of the year, I believe that we have for the first time qualified for the "All-Music Award" for our instrumental program, the highest honor given by the organization.  

To be eligible for the All-Music Award, every part of the overall instrumental music program must be successful.  Requirements for the award include a competitive marching band that earns a Gold Award rating at the ISSMA District competition, both soloists and ensembles that advance to the Solo/Ensemble competition state finals, a jazz program that earns a Gold Award at ISSMA Jazz Contest, and an additional Gold Award rating at the annual concert band competition.  The All Music Award last year was given to less than 10% of the approximately 375 high schools in Indiana last year, and this year Bremen should be among that 10%.

An award like this not only recognizes the students, but also recognizes the parents, community, and administration that supports and encourages the arts in our school.

Thank you to all of you, and be sure to congratulate a high school band member this week!

Matthew Sutton, Director of Bands