Happy Summer! (06/25/09)

Thanks to all of the members of the eighth-grade class for a wonderful three years of music making. We'll be back online for next year's sixth-, seventh- , and eighth-grade class about the middle of August. Enjoy your summer break!

Music Students to “Music in the Parks” Saturday (May 30, 2009)

Symphonic Band, Chorale, Chamber Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra students will be traveling to Hershey Park this Saturday, May 30th, to participate in the Music-In-The-Parks festival. Students who are attending the trip will need to report to Ellicott Mills Middle School at 4:30am dressed in concert dress. Students will be responsible for their instrument, bringing a snack for the bus, bringing at least $20 to purchase meals in the park, and a change of clothes. After the performances, students will change into park-appropriate clothing for our day in the park. Sunscreen is also recommended. After the awards ceremony students will board the buses for the return trip to EMMS. Parents should arrange to pick up their students by 8:15pm. Please do not block the bus lanes! We will have 5 buses that will need to pull against the curb in the front of the building in the morning and the evening.

Jazz Band update (5/22/09)

The Jazz Band will be performing on Friday, June 19th at the Eighth Grade Awards Assembly. Our last two rehearsals will be on Friday mornings June 5th and June 12th. We will NOT be rehearsing on Friday, May 29th.

Wind and Percussion Sectional Schedule (5/14/09)

The last Wind and Percussion Schedule of the year can be found by clicking on the link above.

Concert Band Seating Auditions (5/4/9)

The seating auditions for Concert Band will be held during their regular sectional scheduled for the week of May 11-14. All wind students should prepare "Meadowlands". This can be accessed by clicking on the Concert Band link above. Students should prepare the first part (e.g. first trumpet, first clarinet, etc.). Percussionists will prepare the march on page 48/49 of the Roy Burns book. The tempo for both wind and percussion excerpts is quarter note = 120.

State Band Festival Permission Slip (5/1/9)

You can obtain a copy of the permission slip for the Symphonic Band trip on Tuesday, May 5th by clicking here. Permission slips were due on Friday, May 1st.

Fourth Quarter Playing Chart (4/3/09)

The playing chart for the fourth quarter can be accessed by clicking on the link above.

Concert Band Adjudication (3/23/09)

The original permission slips given to Concert Band members (the "yellow" version) had incorrect information on the front page. The Band will be returning to EMMS on the evening of April 28th at 8:00 PM. To reflect the correct information, new permission slips have been issued (the "blue" version). All students will need to re-submit blue versions of their permission and health forms if they have already submitted the yellow version. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Email Dr. Roberts if you have questions.

Symphonic Band seating auditions (3/20/09)

Symphonic Band seating auditions will take place during the regularly-scheduled sectional the week of March 30th. Students on every instrument except horn should prepare "Hosts of Freedom" in Bb and Eb (the trio). Tempo is half note = 120. Horns should prepare "Air for Band" in C (minor and major). Tempo is quarter note = 60.

All students should prepare the "first" part for their instrument, e.g. 1st trumpet, 1st clarinet, etc.

Email Dr. Roberts if you have questions!

Choir music files (3/18/09)

The mp3 files for choir are listed on the choir page. Click on the "Choir" tab above to gain access to them.

Symphonic Band Assessment Permission forms (2/27/09)

Symphonic Band members should have turned in permission slips by February 15th. If you're one of those who have not, you can click here to download and print the forms (cover letter and itinerary, permission slip, required health form). Attendance at this event is mandatory and a permission slip is required.

Revised Wind and Percussion Sectional schedule (2/25/09)

The Wind and Percussion sectional schedule has been revised to reflect the need to schedule Symphonic Band sectionals previous to the concert (on March 3rd) and the Festival (on March 11th) and to make revisions to work around MSA testing days. Please print a new copy for the coming four weeks.

Festival Concert, Band Assessment (2/24/09)

The Symphonic Band will be performing a Festival Concert with the Concert Band and WInd Ensemble of Howard High School on Tuesday, March 3rd, at Howard High School. The performance will begin at 7:00. Students should arrive at Howard High School in concert dress at 6:30 PM. We will warm up in the band room.

The Symphonic Band will be performing at our yearly adjudication (this year it is being called "Howard County Middle School Band Assessment") on March 11th at Hammond High School. Students have been given permission slips for this trip. Students are to arrive at Ellicott Mills on March 11th at 5:15 in concert dress. We will travel on school buses to Hammond. Our performance time is at 7:30 PM and we will sight-read immediately after. The public is invited and there is no admission.

Wind and Percussion Sectionals (2/12/09)

The new wind and percussion sectional schedule is available by clicking on the link above.

Jazz Band Practice Music (2/6/09)

At long last! Jazz Band practice music is available by following the Jazz Band link above. Email Dr. Roberts if you've forgotten your username and password. You can also find the "Tequila Vamp" on the Jazz Band page.

Cajun Folk Songs (2/4/09)

Students can download and copy (for free!) Frank Ticheli's "Cajun Folk Songs" which the Symphonic Band will be performing at festival this year at www.manhattanbeachmusic.com. Every student needs to know this piece!

Playing Charts, third quarter (1/23/09)

The third quarter playing charts can be accessed by clicking on the "Practice/Playing Chart" link above. Third quarter charts are due April 3rd.

Band Seating Auditions (1/21/09)

Seating auditions for Concert and Symphonic Band members will be held next week during their regularly-scheduled sectional. (Week of January 27-30) Details are as follows:

Concert Band: All students should prepare the "first" part for their instrument for the piece "Black Forest Overture". Percussionists should prepare the snare drum part. The key is F (dorian mode) and tempi are as follows: m. 1 and m. 21 (and following) quarter note = 138, m. 9 (and following) quarter note = 108, m. 48 (and following) quarter note = 84.

Symphonic Band: All wind students should prepare the "first" part for their instrument for the piece "Cajun Folk Songs". Key of the first movement is C (dorian mode) and tempo is quarter note = 63. Key of the second movement is F (mostly!) and tempo is quarter note = 160. Symphonic Band percussionists should prepare the snare drum part for "Genius March". Tempo is quarter note = 120.

Winter Concerts (1/9/09)

The Winter concerts will be held on Monday and Tuesday, January 12-13 at Ellicott Mills Middle School. Monday's concert will feature the (sixth grade) Concert Choir and Concert Orchestra and the (seventh and eighth grade) Chorale and Chamber Orchestra. Tuesday's concert will feature the (sixth grade) Concert Band and the (seventh and eighth grade) Symphonic Band and the (after-school) Symphony Orchestra.

All concerts will begin at 7:00 PM. Students should arrive at EMMS at 6:30 in concert dress: white shirt, black pants and socks, and dress shoes (NO tennis shoes!)

Choir part assignments (12/19/08)

Click on the link to hear the choir part for each piece:

Soprano Wild Geese

Soprano Mighty Stream

Soprano Domini

Alto Wild Geese

Alto Mighty Stream

Alto Domini

Tenor Wild Geese

Tenor Mighty Stream

Tenor Domini

Bass Wild Geese

Bass Mighty Stream

Bass Domini

 

Wind and Percussion Sectionals (12/10/08)

The wind and percussion sectional schedule has been updated for the next six weeks (12/15/08 to 2/13/09). You can print your own copy by clicking here or by following the link (Wind & Percussion Sectionals) above.

BSO and NSO links (12/8/08)

We've added two links (above) for the Baltimore and National symphonies. Students (and their families) are encouraged to take advantage of student-priced tickets and special events. As band and orchestra students who attended recent performances of the BSO and the US Navy Band can attest, there's nothing quite like live music!

Wind and Percussion Sectionals (12/8/08)

The wind and percussion sectional schedule for the week of December 8th as been modified. Here's the latest!

	12/8	12/9	12/10	12/11	12/12
Time
8:40-9:20		SB Sax + Flute	SB Trumpet
9:20-9:59		SB Percussion	SB Horn
10:02-10:45		CB Tpt + Sax	CB Fl. + L. Br.
10:45-11:28
1:40-2:25		CB Horn	CB Clarinet
2:25-3:10		SB L. Br. + Cl.	CB Percussion

Jazz Band (12/2/08)

The next rehearsal of the Jazz Band will be Friday, January 9, 2009. There will be NO rehearsal on Friday, December 5, 2008.

Orchestra Field Trip to Baltimore Symphony - 11/21/08

Navy Band in Concert- FREE!! (11/17/08)

The United States Navy Band will be performing a free concert on Friday, December 5th at River Hill High School. The concert will begin at 7:30 PM. This is an outstanding opportunity to hear LIVE band music played by one of the greatest concert bands in the world today. Extra credit will be given to all band members who staple a concert program to their playing chart.

Seating Auditions for Symphonic and Concert Band (11/12/08)

Seating auditions will be held for all wind and percussion students during their sectional scheduled the week of November 17th. Please Note: Because of performances at awards assemblies on November 17th, the sectionals originally scheduled for that day willl be moved to Friday, November 21 instead.

Symphonic Band winds: First movement of "Three Pieces for American Band, Set 2". Use a Concert D for tuning. Tempo is 104.

Symphonic Band percussion: Roy Burns, page 48. Tempo is 120.

Concert Band winds: Hal Leonard #36. Use an Eb for tuning. Tempo is 120.

Concert Band percussion: Roy Burns, summary on Page 18. Tempo is 120.

The Concert Recording for Fall Concert I is available on the recording page. If you forgot the username and password, please email your director. (11/10/08)

Second Quarter Playing Chart (10/31/08)

The second quarter playing chart is available by clicking the link above entitled "Practice/Playing Chart".

EMMS Fall Concerts at Howard High School (10/29/08)

The Music Department will be presenting its fall concerts on Monday and Tuesday, November 10 and 11, at Howard High School at 7:00 PM.  The seventh- and eighth-grade performing groups are scheduled for Monday and the sixth-grade groups are scheduled for Tuesday.  All students should arrive at the auditorium wing of Howard High School by 6:15 in concert dress. Concert dress is a white front-buttoning shirt, black pants, and dark shoes and socks/hose.  Tennis shoes or sneakers are unacceptable. 

Out of respect for all of the performers we expect all students to stay for the entire performance.  The concerts should last somewhere around one hour.  Please check with your child’s director if you have any questions.

Howard County Middle School Honors Band (10/27/08)

The HCMS Honors Band will be a band composed of representatives from every middle school band program in Howard County. If you are interested in becoming a member of this organization 1) check the schedule below to make sure that you would be able to participate in all rehearsals and the concert and 2) email Dr. Roberts to let him know that you are able to do it and interested. Students will be picked the week of November 24.

Friday, December 19	Honors Band Music Distribution	Music ponied to schools for students
Tuesday, January 13	Rehearsal	4:30 – 7:00 pm	Clarksville MS
Thursday, January 15	Rehearsal	4:30 – 7:00 pm	Clarksville MS
Tuesday, January 20	Rehearsal	4:30 – 7:00 pm	Clarksville MS
Thursday, January 22	Rehearsal	4:30 – 7:00 pm	Clarksville MS
Monday, January 26	Rehearsal	9:00 – 2:00 pm	Clarksville MS
Wednesday, January 28	Rehearsal	4:30 – 7:00 pm	Clarksville MS
Friday, January 30	Optional Rehearsal	4:30 – 7:00 pm	Clarksville MS
Saturday, January 31	Dress Rehearsal	9:00 am – 12:00 pm	Location TBA
Sunday, February 1	Concert	3:00 pm	Location TBA
Monday, February 2	Snow Make-Up Concert	7:00 pm	Location TBA

New Music for Symphonic Band (10/24/08)

Symphonic Band members can gain access to the new music by following the links on the Symphonic Band page.

Wind and Percussion Sectionals (10/16/8)

The Wind and Percussion sectional schedule for the next six weeks is now available. You can print your own copy by clicking here or by following the link (Wind & Percussion Sectionals) above.

Back to School Night (10/2/08)

In case you missed the pre-Back to School Night Meeting held at 6:30 last Thursday, you can download the information sheet by clicking here! The second page is our form for the music department fundraiser. Rather than having our students sell items door-to-door, we ask for a direct donation to the music department. We print the list of supporting patrons in the concert programs. If each family makes a donation of only $20 to the department we will have plenty of extra support for continuing our instrument, equipment, and music purchases to keep the music coming.

If you've already sent in a donation we thank you very much!

Concert Band Seating Auditions (9/19/08)

Seating auditions for all concert band members will be held during regular sectional times scheduled the week of September 29- October 3. The music for all woodwind and brasswind players will be numbers 12 and 14 (on page 4) in the Hal Leonard Intermediate book (the one with the orange cover). Students should practice with the Bb sounding for intonation. Music for percussionists will be the Summary on page 18 in the Roy Burns Elementary Drum book (the one with the blue cover). Tempo for all students is quarter-note=120.

Practice carefully so that you can play your best!

Listening Assignment (9/12/08)

All wind and percussion students in both Concert Band and Symphonic Band have been given a listening assignment. To complete the assigment, the student must find recorded music of their instrument being played by professionals. The assigment gives the student an opportunity to "choose" the sound that they are most drawn to and, as we share these recordings with each other during our sectional time, will provide a wide repertoire for all of us to hear. Since most of what we learn in music is by imitation and since our primary concern as musicians is to make beautiful sounds, it's extremely important for us to have a "superior concept" of our instrument's sound in our ear. Each student has been asked to listen to these recordings on a daily basis. We're "programming" our ears with the very best sounds that we can find!

Students may fulfill this assignment by purchasing a CD, downloading mp3 files and either saving to an mp3 device (such as an iPod), or saving to computer and burning to CD. Contact Dr. Roberts if you have questions about how to fulfill this requirement.

Online Grades (9/12/08)

Grades are now available for band students. Follow the link above that reads "Grading" and then click on the link that reads "Band Grades-Click Here". You will be asked for student last name and the password. The password is the one that you provided to Dr. Roberts on the Information Sheet. If you have forgotten your password email Dr. Roberts.

Percussionists rock! (9/5/08)

Due to the overcrowded situation in the Symphonic Band, the percussion section has been given regular Plus assignments rather than having the opportunity to rehearse with the band every day. In order to help percussionists stay on top of their responsibilities Dr. Roberts has put together a chart of assigned parts for each of the pieces that we will be performing. The names listed as "principal" are the primary performers of that part and the names listed as "assistant principal" are the backup performers. It will still be necessary for all percussionists to know all parts, as they have in the past, but this will allow us to make the most of our sectional rehearsal time as well as being prepared for the band rehearsals that they will attend. You can download the assignment list here!

Band Sectional Schedules (9/3/08)

The Wind and Percussion Sectional Schedule is now available. Click on the link above that reads "Wind and Percussion Sectionals". All band members should have their required materials for the first sectional.

Concert Band Practice Copies (8/28/08)

Concert Band members can access the music for the first quarter by clicking on the "Concert Band" link above. Remember that you will need the Acrobat Reader to download and print out the music. If you don't have Acrobat Reader you can download this free program by going to http://www. adobe.com and clicking on the "Get Acrobat Reader" button.

Symphonic Band Seating Auditions (8/26/08)

All students in the seventh- and eighth-grade Symphonic Band will audition for chair placements the week of September 8-12. (The exact schedule will follow soon!) You can gain access to the parts by clicking on the "Symphonic Band" link above. You should prepare the entire 1st part for your instrument for the piece "Canticle of the Sun".

If you have forgotten the password to gain access to these files email Dr. Roberts.

Welcome Back! (8/25/08)

We are very excited about starting the new year at EMMS. This website is our primary means of communication with parents and students in the EMMS music program. Explore the links on this site, and watch for changes as the year progresses. This home page consists of the site links and this announcement section, presented in the style of a blog. New announcements will be added at the top of the section with the date attached so you can keep up with what is going on and what has changed on the website. Each ensemble has a page that contains information pertinent to that ensemble, and the links for those ensembles are on the top of every page. Symhonic Band and Chamber Orchestra are 7th and 8th grade groups while Concert Band and Concert Orchestra are 6th grade groups. Both choirs are currently served by one page. One section of the website that is unique to EMMS is our Tuning Page. This page provides reference pitches that students will use in a variety of exercises.

Calendar Updates

Concert dates are posted on the calendar (click on the calendar tab on the left). Back to school night is September 25th, and the annual meeting for music parents starts at 6:30 pm before the rest of the back to school night activities. By default, the calendar shows one week at a time. There is a preferences icon on the bottom left of the calendar that allows you to change the default setting to view one month at a time instead.

The Refresh Button

Your browsers refresh button can be your best friend in making sure that you have the most up to date information on this website. Until we figure out how to automatically refresh pages every time you open them, your browser may load the old image from the cache memory and not display the most recent information. Click refresh often on all pages!

G/T Ensemble information

G/T ensembles are great opportunities to broaden experiences for the musician who just can't get enough. The middle school G/T orchestra has expanded into two groups, opening up many more opportunities this year. Information about G/T orchestra, band, and chorus can be found by clicking on the links on the left side menu of this page.

Music Department News

  In a continuing effort to save our paper and copy resources for music, we are asking that parents of all performing arts students, that is all students in band, choir, and orchestra, after reviewing the information, print out, complete, and return the Parent/Student information sheet to your child’s director as soon as possible and no later than Friday, August 29th, 2008.  Click here for your copy.

Thanks to all of the families and friends who made monetary contributions to the Music Department for the 2007-2008 school year.  With your generous support we were able to purchase new portable recording equipment, upgrade our website server and software, and purchase two piano dollies for the department pianos.  We spent every bit of the $2000 dollars generated by donations and fund-raising activities.

Thank you!