11/28/23 - Jazz Orchestra Updates

Hello Middleton Jazz Orchestra families,

As I hope you are aware, your students will be performing at UW Jazzfest on December 2nd, this Saturday! Your students have been working incredibly hard and rehearsing really well over the last couple of rehearsals.

The day includes clinics on improvisation, sectionals, and full ensemble clinics with esteemed jazz artists from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison areas. Students were given a link to the schedule last night which I will also provide HERE for your convenience. Only reminders on their end is that the start of the event is at 10:30am, they need to sign and submit the transportation waiver, and concert attire will be all black.

The entire event culminates in a concert starting at 3pm including Memorial High School, Middleton, Waunakee, and UW-Madison. Concert admission will be free to all. For friends and families who are unable to attend the concert in person, it will also be live-streamed on the Mead Witter School of Music’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MeadWitterSchoolofMusic . Please note that the live-stream will be available for the rest of the day, but due to copyright restrictions, it will not be available after Saturday, Dec. 2.

As a note, we will also be playing these works again in January at our usual jazz concert if you are unable to attend or watch.

-- Eric Rothacker

11/20/23 - Band Updates

Hello, MHS band students and families,

1. Jazz bands still meeting Mondays

Including tonight! (Every day that school is in session!)

2. Concert Performance Links

A huge CONGRATS to all students for your excellent performances last week, and THANK YOU to the family and friends who attended in support.

Cardinal Band

Concert Band

Symphonic Winds

Chamber Winds Night 1

Chamber Winds Night 2

3. Fruit Delivery Day, December 9th

Remember that all fruit should be picked up on this day. Adults, please sign up to volunteer to help! Student volunteer sign-up will be out next week.

4. Pep Band Starting Soon

The dates for the pep band are set. Get excited! Each student should plan to attend at least three of these evening dates, though you can come to more if you would like.

12/7, 12/8, 1/5, 1/25, 2/2, 2/9

5. The Nutcracker Both Ways, December 19th

Tickets are now available for our winter "Nutcracker Two Ways" concert. This performance features the MHS Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, and 7 o'clock jazz band, along with a number of professional guest musicians, including members of the Isthmus Brass. You'll hear the familiar orchestral "Nutcracker" suite by Tchaikovsky alongside Duke Ellington's jazz ensemble setting. Bring your friends!

6. Other Upcoming Opportunities

• Luther College Dorian Band Festival - Sunday/Monday, February 25/26. Concert bands and a jazz ensemble. $34 includes housing. Director nominations are required, plus a video audition for the top band and jazz ensemble. Seniors can audition for Luther College music scholarships at the festival. The deadline is next week, so reach out to Mr. V immediately if you're interested. More info here.

• UW-Stevens Point Clarinet Festival - Saturday, December 9th. Free and open to all clarinetists. 11:00 am-6:30 pm at the Noel Fine Arts Center, Stevens Point. Featuring masterclasses, a clarinet choir, and the Barcelona Clarinet Players. Registration is onsite at 10:30 am.

• UW-Madison Badger Orchestra Clinic - Saturday, February 4th. Video audition required. Open to strings, winds, brass, and percussion. Registration is due January 15th. $100. More info here.

--

Michael Ver Voort

11/14/23 - Band Updates

1. Concerts this Week!

Don't forget about our concerts this week!

Block 1 (Cardinal) -- report 6:50 Wednesday, dress nice

Block 2 (Concert) -- report 6:50 Wednesday, all black

Block 6 (Symphonic) -- report 6:50 Thursday, all black

Block 7 (Chamber) -- report 7:00 Wed/Thurs, all black 2. Fruit Delivery Day, December 9th Remember that all fruit should be picked up on this day. Adults, please sign up to volunteer to help! 3. The Nutcracker Both Ways, December 19th Tickets are now available for our winter "Nutcracker Two Ways" concert. This performance features the MHS Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, and 7 o'clock jazz band, along with a number of professional guest musicians, including members of the Isthmus Brass. You'll hear the familiar orchestral "Nutcracker" suite by Tchaikovsky alongside Duke Ellington's jazz ensemble setting. 4. Ward Brodt Pre-Black Friday Sale Attached to this email is a flyer from our Ward Brodt Music sales contact, Rob Smith. If you are considering a step-up or professional instrument, they have a few instruments available at very good prices this week, so I thought it was worth passing this on. You can contact him directly at the contact info on the flyer. 5. Other Upcoming Opportunities

• UW-Stevens Point Clarinet Festival - Saturday, December 9th. Free and open to all clarinetists. 11:00 am-6:30 pm at the Noel Fine Arts Center, Stevens Point. Featuring masterclasses, a clarinet choir, and the Barcelona Clarinet Players. Registration is onsite at 10:30 am.
  

• College of St. Scholastica Honor Band Festival - Monday, January 15th. Open to grades 10-12. $15 fee. Let me know directly if you are interested in being nominated for this festival - especially any upperclassmen considering applying to the College of St. Scholastica.
  

• UW-Madison Badger Orchestra Clinic - Saturday, February 4th. Video audition required. Open to strings, winds, brass, and percussion. Registration is due January 15th. $100. More info here.

-- Michael Ver Voort

Music Teacher & Director of Bands