CVCS 5th-8th Grade Band

click here to download Band Participation Survey

Band Survey for Interest in Participation Next Year

Due Monday, March 22

Please give to your homeroom teacher

What's New in Band?

3/7/10

On Friday, March 5th, the CVCS 7th/8th Grade Band performed at the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Large Group Festival in Waverly, Iowa. Congratulations to all students in our 7th/8th Grade Band for a fantastic performance and excellent marks from the judging panel!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Spring Recorder and 5th-8th Grade Band Concert held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 6th in the Columbus High School Gymnasium. A special Art Display will be showcased at Columbus prior to the concert at 6:30 PM (location TBA). Students will need to be at the High School to warm up.

2/18/10

On Thursday, February 18th, Dr. Leonard Upham, University of Northern Iowa Professor, conducted a clinic with our 7th/8th Grade Band. Dr. Upham worked with the students on many valuable musical qualities such as breath support, tone quality, musical style, and a balanced sound. His advice will be very valuable as we continue to practice for our Large Group Band Festival performance in March.

1/19/10

Congratulations to band students Noel M., Maria R., Herlinda A., Michielu M., Amber K., Katelyn R., Brock U., and Eliott K. for being selected to attend the 2010 Marion Junior High Honor Band! They will be among several hundred of the top middle school band students in Eastern Iowa! Students and directors take home new ideas from their experiences at honor bands. I hope all students in our band program will have the opportunity to be rewarded with an invitation to an honor band during their music careers for their dedication to our band program.

The 5th through 8th grade bands are back at it this semester and have many exciting things coming up! The 5th Grade Band just started their first full-length band piece that really rocks! In fact, the piece is named “Let’s Rock!” We will especially enjoy one of our 5th grade percussionists playing the big drum set for our new piece. 6th Grade Band is playing the popular songs entitled “My Heart Will Go On” and “Do Re Mi.” We are also learning the pieces “Drums of Corona” and a march entitled “Laredo.” This semester, the 7th/8th Grade Band has begun learning “Bella’s Lullaby,” a piece for band featuring Sacred Heart 8th grade piano soloist, Michielu Menning. You may recognize this song from the popular hit movie, Twilight. This somewhat haunting, yet absolutely gorgeous melody will have the audience sitting at the edge of their seats from beginning to end! Other pieces to be played by the 7th/8th Grade Band this semester include a beautiful arrangement of the Easter hymn “Alleluia”(Lyra Davidica) and a toe-tapping march entitled "March for a Festive Occasion."

Mr. Wiltgen is in the process of scheduling special guests to come in and perform a clinic with all three bands. This will be a great opportunity for the band to hear comments and suggestions for improvement from a master band director.

Please visit our band website frequently for updated information.