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April, 2006

Volume XX,No. 2

Band Staff

Andrew ButtermoreChris EwanRon FerneauDeb FritcherJenifer LeidingThomas NehlsMary Peterson

In this issue…

High School BandNews – Pages 5-10

Middle School BandNews – Pages 3-4

Elementary BandNews – Page 2

Summer LessonInformation -Page 2

At the end ofJanuary, middleschool bandstudents and staffwere able tomove into theirnew, state of theart facilities.Students and staffmembers havebeen happy withthe new bandroom.

Mr. Bill Holt, editor of the Ames bands newsletter, has recentlyretired from his position. The publishing of the band newsletterbegan in 1986. Mr. Holt started editing the band newsletter in1993. The Ames band staff would like to extend a special thankyou to Mr. Holt for all of his hard work in putting the newslettertogether these past 13 years.

View the color version of the band newsletter on the web atwww.amesbands.org You can also read about current eventsat each grade level and view pictures of the Ames bands inaction.

Elementary Band News2006 Ames Elementary Band Concerts

Fellows Elementary Band Thursday, April 20, 2006 7:00 PM Thomas Nehls – Band Director Mary Peterson – Assistant for Lessons

Mission Control………….Mike HannickelChina Suite……………….Mike HannickelThe Banana Boat Song…...Arr. Mike StoryStar Wars (Main Theme),...John Williams/Strommen

Meeker Elementary Band Thursday, April 27, 2006 7:00 PM Thomas Nehls – Band Director Mary Peterson –Assistant for Lessons

Mission Control………….Mike HannickelChina Suite……………….Mike HannickelThe Banana Boat Song…...Arr. Mike StoryStar Wars (Main Theme),...John Williams/Strommen

Mitchell Elementary Band Thursday, May 4 2006 7:00PM Thomas Nehls – Band Director

Mission Control………….Mike HannickelChina Suite……………….Mike HannickelThe Banana Boat Song…...Arr. Mike StoryStar Wars (Main Theme),...John Williams/Strommen

Fifth grade band members across the AmesSchool District will be presenting theirspring concerts in April and May. This isthe first year that our elementary bands aremade up entirely of beginners. Studentshave been playing their instruments sincemid September and have been rehearsingat the individual schools before schoolsince October. They are excited to sharetheir accomplishments, as are theirdirectors, Thomas Nehls and MaryPeterson.

Sawyer Elementary Band Thursday, April 27, 2006 7:00 PM Mary Peterson – Band Director Thomas Nehls – Assistant for Lessons

Let’s Go Band II………..Albert Aronheim/ Andrew Balent

Mission Control…………Mike HannickelAyre……………………..Bruce PearsonStar Wars (MainTheme)…John Williams/Strommen

Edwards Elementary Band Thursday, May 11, 2006 7:00 PM Mary Peterson – Band Director Thomas Nehls – Assistant for Lessons

Miramar Fanfare……………Brian BalmagesMission Control…………….Mike HannickelChina Suite…………………Mike HannickelLet’s Go Band II……………Albert Aronheim/ Andrew Balent

Summer Lesson OpportunitiesSummer is an ideal time for students to improvetheir individual skills. Several Ames band staffmembers will be giving summer lessons. Each staffmember charges $14 for a 30-minute lesson. Toarrange for summer lessons contact the teacherdirectly.

Chris Ewan –AHS – 817-0600 – PercussionAndrew Buttermore – AHS – 290-8680 – BrassDeb Fritcher – AMS – 268-2400Thomas Nehls – Fellows – 239-3765Mary Peterson – Sawyer – 239-3790 - Flute

Middle School Band NewsSixth Grade Band – by director Jenifer LeidingThis year has presented several scheduling and rehearsallocation issues since moving into the new middle school.However, I have been very pleased with the flexibility of the6th grade band class in the transition to our new wing. Thisclass has excelled in reading new literature, listening, and inenthusiasm. So where are we now and what’s in store forthe summer? The final concert is Tuesday, May 9th at 7:00P.M. in the new AMS auditorium. The students willperform four of the ten pieces we have studied this pasttrimester and be followed by the 7th and 8th concert bands.This is a great opportunity for them to hear the olderstudents and what band is like as you progress in theprogram. For the rest of May, in lessons and rehearsals wewill begin to study 7th grade level band literature, scales andchair placement audition materials, and finish the bluelesson book. There are honor/festival bands available in thefall of 7th grade that students will have information for priorto the summer. I want students to feel very prepared andcomfortable returning to AMS as 7th graders in the fall. Tohelp with this, I would also remind parents of the summerlessons offered by our band staff, summer music camps, andAmes Parks and Rec Band. These are terrific ways to keepyour student’s skills active. It has been a wonderful yearwith this 6th grade class! I look forward hearing all theelementary spring concerts and to meeting the outgoing fifthgraders in the fall. You’ll have a wonderful experience inthis new facility.

Sixth Grade Euphoniums hard atwork.

The sixth gradeband preparesfor theirupcomingconcert.

Middle School Band News

BUSY YEAR FOR SEVENTH GRADE BAND – DirectorDeb FritcherA teacher new to the system, transition from elementary to middle school, jazz band, and gettingsettled into a new building – it’s been a busy but very exciting year for the seventh grade bandmembers. We began with “Mission Impossible” in the fall busing over to the old middle schoolfor every rehearsal and still managed to give a very nice concert in November. Since then thejazz band has performed at the CJC Jazz Band Clinic in Waukee and will be performing at theJazz Showcase on April 11th. In February, both the concert and jazz bands performed in the veryfirst concert given in the new middle school auditorium. In March, the seventh graders hadseventeen events at solo/ensemble contest.

We are currently preparing for our spring concert which will be given with the sixth and eighthgrade bands. The music for the spring concert is challenging and presents some concepts notcovered in our previous concerts. “Thus Spoke The Raven,” is a piece based on the poem byEdgar Allen Poe and reflects the dark, mysterious mood of the poem. The “Chorale fromJupiter” arranged by James Curnow from “The Planets” by Gustav Holst has been described asone of the most beautiful chorales ever written. A quick trip to the opera with “Highlights fromCarmen,” arranged by Mark Williams is one of their favorites and features some of the most wellknown melodies from this famous opera. The last piece on the concert is called “The Cluster,Fluster, Bluster March,” by David Holsinger. It is a contemporary piece by a composer who isknown for his creative interpretations. Mr. Holsinger employs the use of “wrong note harmony,”but as the seventh graders are learning, you have to play the “right” wrong note. It makes for avery interesting and challenging march.

The seventh grade band has made great progress this year. There are many fine musicians andjust all around great students in this group. We look forward to the last concert and will beanxious to see the continued progress they should make as eighth graders.

Upcoming Events

The sixth, seventh and eighth grade band concert will be on Tuesday, May 9in the AMS auditorium at 7:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you at ourupcoming concert.

High School Band NewsAll-State Band Participants

AHS Students Involved in Honor BandsSeveral AHS band members traveled to many honor bands. State and district music associationsas well as many universities and colleges sponsor these honor bands that give students theopportunity to work with leading conductors from around the nation. In addition, they have theopportunity to meet and perform with musicians from other schools. Students often audition toearn membership into these honor bands. In addition to being selected to the All-State andSCIBA District Honor Bands, AHS band students performed at Iowa State University and theUniversity of Northern Iowa this year.

Young People's ConcertThe Symphonic Band performed a Young People's Concert for all fourth grade students in theAmes school district on Friday, January 27 in the high school auditorium. A variety of musicwas played by the band, including a salute to the circus and a medley from the animated film,"The Incredibles". Members of the band demonstrated their instruments for the students so theycould hear how they sound and see how they are played and what they look like. The bandshared this performance with the Ames High Orchestra.

Congratulations to the Ames High bandstudents who participated in the Iowa All-State Festival held in Ames on November19.

Pictured are:Front Row (L-R):Anda Tanaka - Trumpet (alternate)Sarah Shin - FluteAustin Skarshaug - Percussion

2nd Row (L-R):Rachel Lowry - FluteCourtney Calhoun - Flute (alternate)Manuel Melendez - Flute

3rd Row (L-R):Caitlin Anderson - HornLaura Larabee - Horn

Top Row (L-R):Sarah McClanahan - ClarinetScott Simpkins - Bass TromboneEdward Cho - Clarinet

SCIBA Honor Band Participants

Ames Solo-Ensemble ContestThe Ames High School Music Department participated in the Ames Solo Ensemble Contest onSaturday, April 1 at Ames High School. A special commendation to each student who preparedmusic for contest and who improved their own personal performance skills.

Solo-Ensemble Contest Division I Ratings - Solos

Front Row (L-R):Anda Tanaka - TrumpetKelsey Kaufman - TrumpetSpencer Botine - AltoSaxophoneLauren Schwab - Trumpet

Row Two (L-R)Lauren Jones - FluteCourtney Calhoun - FluteHaema Nilakanta - FluteDaniel Park - Percussion

Row Three (L-R)Wern Ong - PercussionZach Heilman - HornKelsey Simpkins - HornJessica Nehls - Flute

Row Four (L-R)Keith Davis - PercussionRobert Koehler - PercussionRyan Pesch - HornAndy Lane - Trombone

Back Row (L-R)Kevin Raab - PercussionDavid Naylor - TrumpetJim Strickland - TrumpetMatt Flynn - Trombone

A record number of 20 AHS students were selected to participate inthe South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association District HonorBand. Congratulations to Ames High band members who performedin the SCIBA District Honor Band on January 7 at Drake University.

Piccolo SoloRachel Lowry

Flute SoloCourtney CalhounShing-Shing HoLauren JonesRachel LowryJessica NehlsHaema NilakantaSarah Shin

Alto Flute SoloRachel Lowry

Clarinet SoloEdward ChoSandy HuangSarah McClanahan

Alto Sax SoloSpencer BotineLauren Frandsen

Trumpet SoloLauren SchwabAnda Tanaka

Horn SoloLaura Larabee

Trombone SoloMatt FlynnBen Scallon

Marimba SoloSarah KoehlerGreg ShirbrounWern Ong

Timpani SoloAustin Skarshaug

Snare Drum SoloJoshua Larson-KonarKevin RaabAustin SkarshaugMatt SkarrshaugShanna WellsAnson Woodin

Multi-Tenor SoloTim Morgan

Solo-Ensemble Division I Ensembles

Solo-Ensemble Contest – Other Participants

Flute DuetLauren Jones and Shing Shing Ho

Flute Clarinet DuetSarah Shin and Sarah McClanahan

Trombone DuetEmma Israel and Aaron Lott

Trumpet TrioAnda Tanaka, David Naylor and JimStrickland

Horn QuartetLaura Larabee, Caitlin Anderson, KelseySimpkins and Ryan Pesch

Trombone QuartetScott Simpkins, Jon Rohlf, DanielRamey and Aaron Lott

Snare Drum DuetGreg Shirbroun and Ross Koppenhaver

Percussion QuartetAustin Skarshaug, Keith Davis, WernOng and Robert Koehler

Novelty PercussionQuartetAustin Skarshaug,Keith Davis, WernOng and RobertKoehler

Horn ChoirLaura Larabee, EmilyMorris, Tricia Hawley,Caitlin Anderson,Kelsey Simpkins,Andy Mungons, RyanPesch and ZachHeilman

Flute ChoirAnnika Anderson, Maria Fabiosa, Rachel Lowry, Manuel Melendez, Erin Bagnall,Ben Leung, Haema Nilikanta, Anju Somani, Courtney Calhoun, Martha Garasky,Sarah Graveline, Shing Shing Ho, Lauren Jones, Rachel Miller, Sarah Shin, AnnaFrishman, Carolyn Metz, Jessica Nehls, and Rachael Shaw

Flute SoloAnnie AhnErin BagnallLauren ForthAnna FrishmanMartha GaraskySarah GravelineManuel MelendezRachel Miller

Clarinet SoloBrittany Thompson

Flute DuetRachel Miller andMartha Garasky

Sax DuetLauren and AlyssaFrandsen

Trumpet SoloKelsey KaufmanDavid Naylor

Horn SoloCaitlin AndersonZachg HeilmanRyan PeschKelsey Simpkins

Tuba SoloMatt Saxton

Mixed DuetSarah Schreitmuellerand Erin Bagnall

Sax DuetAaron Lewis andPatrick Jahren

Trombone SoloKurtis FergusonJill JoergerScott Simpkins

Marimba SoloYeil Park

Snare Drum SoloRobert KoehlerBen NadlerDaniel ParkMichael WagnerJon Cowan

Horn DuetCaitlin Anderson andKelsey Simpkins

Trumpet TrioLauren Schwab, DanielJahren, Karrissa Allyn

The Ames High SchoolBand will once again bemarching the VEISHEAparade on April 22 with stepoff at 10:40 AM on the ISUcampus. We hope you cancome and support the band.

225 members of the Ames High School Band will betraveling to Chicago on April 28, 2006 - May 1 2006.In addition to performing at Six Flags Great Americaamusement park, the bands will be receivinginstructional clinics at the University of Iowa,Northwestern and VanderCook College of Music. Otheractivities planned for the students include seeing theBlue Man Group, a Chicago Cubs baseball game andvisiting one of several museums.

Band Travels to Chicago

Jazz IIAlto Saxophone

Spencer BotinePatrick JahrenConrad Luecke

Tenor Saxophone Wyatt Miller Aaron Lewis

Bari SaxophoneMarc McClanahan

Trumpet Kelsey Kaufman Lauren Schwab Daniel Jahren Mark Gilarski Ian Hermann

Trombone Matt Flynn Sam Bird Jill JoergerTad FairNathan Davis

PianoKelsey Simpkins

BassRay Wolt

DrumsGreg Shirbroun

Jazz 1 performs at Jazz Encounters

Spencer Botine takesa solo at JazzEncounters

AHS Jazz Bands 2005-2006 Personnel

Jazz IAlto Saxophone

Manuel Melendez Lauren Frandsen

Tenor Saxophone Zach Brenner Sam Robson

Bari SaxophoneAndy Feller

Trumpet Jim Strickland Anda Tanaka David Naylor Derek Lewis

Trombone Jon Rohlf Kelsey Torgerson Andy Lane Aaron Lott

PianoChris Simonson

GuitarJeff Kollasch

BassScott Simpkins

DrumsAustin Skarshaug

AHS Jazz Band news This year's "Jazz Encounters" was held in the new high schoolcommons. This change of venue was received enthusiastically bythe audience and band members alike. The table settings,decorations and desserts made it more enjoyable for all. Specialthanks to Terri Flynn for her wonderful decorations.

In addition, Ames High Jazz Ensembles I andII performed in the South Central IowaBandmasters District Jazz Festival inWaukee on Saturday, December 10. Bothbands performed three selections for threeauditors and a fourth auditor worked with theband after their performance. Jazz Band IIearned 3rd place in the second band class.

The two bands also participated in the IowaHigh School Music Association's State JazzFestival on Saturday, January 28. In additionto performing for auditors who gavecomments to help the bands improve, at thisfestival each band was required to sight-reada jazz arrangement for an auditor. The bandswere rewarded for their hard work withdivision I ratings.

At the "Foundations in Jazz" Woodward-Grainger Jazz Festival on February 25, JazzII earned first place in the second band class.This festival also honored Ames HighAlumnus Ed Darlington. Ed, a talentedprofessional musician and a dedicated musiceducator, led the Woodward-Graingerinstrumental music program from 1959 to1966. Ed often joked that his own lifechanged when he was in junior high and washanded a saxophone. Growing up in a non-musical family in Ames, he loved sports andwas playing junior high basketball before hefirst played the sax. When he was 13 yearsold his passion changed to listening to bigband music recordings and analyzing everyjazz solo he heard.

On April 6, Jazz II performed at Sawyer andSt. Cecilia elementary schools and Jazz Iperformed at Mitchell and Meekerelementary schools. Jazz I will conclude itsperformance season with a concert onSunday, April 23 in the AHS Media Centerin conjunction with the Ames High SeniorArt Show.

Pictured in Photos are Jon Rohlf (Top Left),Jim Strickland, Austin Skarshaug, JeffKollasch and Chris Simonson (Right), DanielJahren (Bottom Left)

AHS Pep Band entertainsThe 2005-2006 AHSPep Band kept a busyschedule withappearances at homebasketball games and anISU basketball game. Awide variety of up-tempo, spirited musicmakes this a popularorganization at AmesHigh. Theseenthusiastic studentsenjoy showing theirschool spirit with themenights like hat night andtie night.

FluteRachel LowryCourtney CalhounLauren JonesErin BagnallMartha GaraskyRachel MillerLauren ForthBecky Kerr

ClarinetChelsea DavisMeredith ParsonsBrittany ThompsonMagon LiuLauren Swanson

Alto SaxNina CarlsonAmanda PerdueNeal MacDonaldConrad LueckeJacob RosenbergSpencer Botine

TrumpetJim StricklandMichael DunlayDavid NaylorDerek LewisCraig BoekeKelsey KaufmanAnne TodeyJoseph FullerMegan ReynoldsLauren SchwabEllen HeikensKarrissa Allyn

HornCaitlin AndersonErika Bjorklund

TromboneScott SimpkinsKelsey TorgersonEmma IsraelKurtis FergusonAaron LottAndy Lane

Matt FlynnTad FairRich GauntNathan DavisMichael MastellerJill Joerger

SousaphoneJeremy GirtonRyan GibsonChris HarderSean SiberskiT. J. MillerZach WayneSarah SchreitmuellerEllen HeddendorfDaniel Ramey

Drum SetAustin SkarshaugKevin RaabJosh Larson-Konar

Electric BassLaurel Smith

ISU Groove JoinsAHS Drumline forClinicThis year on April 8, we hadthe unique opportunity to bea part of the SpringDrumline Clinic sponsoredby the Iowa State Universityclub drumline, "Groove".Groove asked us toparticipate in this event thatallowed our percussionstudents to work with aclinician to improve theirperformance skills and alsoto get specialized instructionon the instruments of themarching drumline. Grooveis sponsored by the GSB(Government of the StudentBody) at ISU and includesmembers from all curricularareas at ISU.

2005-2006 AHS Pep Band Members

HIGH SCHOOL BAND NEWS

(Dates with an * indicate all band members in grades 9-12 are involved. Other dates includespecific bands or additional opportunities. Credit in band is based on attendance.)

Ames Senior High SchoolBand Department Calendar

2005-2006

Date Event Location Time*April 22 Veishea Parade ISU 10:40 am

April 28 - May 1 Band Tour Chicago

*May 5 Spring Band Concert AHS Auditorium 7:30 PM

*May 15 Pops Concert AHS Gym 7:30 PM

*May 21 Commencement Hilton Coliseum 2:00 PM

BAND BOOSTERSORGANIZATIONAL

MEETINGThursday, May 25, 2006

7:00 PMAHS Band Room

Visit www.amesbands.orgfor important information

on Ames School Bands.View 2005-2006 Ames Band

Newsletters in full color

MARCHING BANDWORKSHOP

All incoming 9th-12thgrade students arerequired to attend themarching bandworkshop to learn andreview the fundamentalsof marching band.

August 16-18, 21-221:00-3:00 PM dailyAHS Band Room

Grades 9-12

The Importance of Lessons to Your Child's Musical Development

Experts in music education agree that the success your child will experiencebecause of music education is directly impacted by the availability of lessons ontheir instrument.The delivery of the instrumental music curriculum is dependent upon the dualcurriculum concept. Properly taught, this dual curriculum should include:roup or individualized instruction for the development of psychomotor

nd musicianship.Large group instruction in which to develop aesthetic sensitivity through the studyand performance of exemplary music literature.

These curricular areas are interwoven and interdependent. It is, therefore, essential that theybe taught separately and concurrently with sufficient opportunity to accomplish their uniqueobjectives.Recognized authorities in the music education profession agree that without individualizedinstruction (lessons), there is little opportunity for the development of musical skills.Without musical skills, there is insufficient opportunity for experiences with exemplarymusic. And, without exemplary music as the basis of instruction, there is little to justify theinclusion for instrumental, choral, or classroom music in the daily curriculum.In addition, research consistently demonstrates that students who are excused from class onetime per week to study instrumental music do not suffer academically.

SUMMER MUSIC CAMPSIn State Music Camps

Ames Park & Recreation BandAmes High SchoolJune 5-July14Grade 6-7 MWF TBAGrade 8-9 TRF TBACost: $ TBADeadline: TBA515-239-5350

Ames Park & Recreation JazzBandAmes High SchoolJune 5-July 14Grade 7-9 TRF TBACost: $ TBADeadline: TBA515-239-5350

All State Music CampIowa City, IAHS Band: June 11-17;HS Jazz: June 25-July 1;HS Percussion: June 18-23Cost: $475Deadline: May 51-800-553-IOWA ext.1635kevin-kastens@uiowa.eduwww.uiowa.edu/-bands/asmc/

Dorian Music CampDecorah, IAMS: June 11-17; HS: June 18-24Cost: $365Deadline: May 31563-387-1389buzzja01@luther.eduhttp://music.luther.edu/dorian/summer_programs/high_school_camp/index.html

Orpheus Music FestivalSimpson CollegeIndianola, IAJune 16-23Cost: $525Deadline: May 15701 North C Street 50125

Wartburg College Band CampWartburg, IAJuly 23-29Cost: $400Craig Hancock319-352-8296craig.hancock@wartburg.eduwww.wartburg.edu/music/camps.html

UNI Junior Band CampCedar Falls, IAJune 20-23Cost: $270Rod Chestnut 319-273-2173www.uni.edu/contined/ces/juniorband

Simpson Big Band Jazz CampJune 11-16Cost: $435Deadline: May 1Dave Camwell515-961-1575www.simpson.edu/music/camps/jazz.html

UNI Jazz Combo CampCedar Falls, IAJune 18-23Cost: $355Deadline: June 5Chris Merz319-273-3077chris.merz@uni.eduwww.vpaf.uni.edu/events/jazz

University of Okoboji / ReggieSchive SummerJazz CampEstherville, IAJune 11-16Cost: $375712-362-7962cayres@iowalakes.eduwww.iowalakes.edu/music “jazzcamp” link

Out of State Music Camps (many others exist)Bands of America Summer CampNormal, ILJune 26-July 1Deadline: May 20Cost: $485800-848-BANDwww.bands.org

Blue Lake Fine Arts CampTwin Lake, MIMS: June 28-July 9 OR August 9-20HS: July 12-23 OR July 28-August 6First come, first servedCost: $950800-221-3796www.bluelake.org

Indiana U. Summer Music CampBloomington, INHS: June 11-17Deadline: May 2Cost: $445812-855-1372iusmc@indiana.edu

www.music.indiana.edu/som/hsclinic/

Indiana U. Summer Music CampBloomington, INHS: June 11-17Deadline: May 2Cost: $445812-855-1372iusmc@indiana.eduwww.music.indiana.edu/som/hsclinic/

National High School Music InstituteEvanston, ILHS: June 25 - July 28Cost: $4100Deadline: April 24Audition Tape Required847-491-3141musiclife@northwestern.edumusic.northwestern.edu/nhsmi

Upper Midwest Junior-Senior HighSchool Summer Music CampVermillion, SDJuly 9-14Deadline: June 15Cost: $350605-677-5721Dr. Matthew Hardenwww.usd.edu/cfa/Music/MusicCamp2006.pdf