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    Mrs. Upton conducts all fall conferences at Milan Middle School. Band families, please email Mrs. Upton with questions about your musician's progress in class.

    Band families, high school students will find relevant information in Schoology. You can register for access as a parent/guardian. Middle school students will find relevant information in Google Classroom. In addition to the Friday performances listed below, high school band members can expect two formal concerts in our wonderful auditorium and events through the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.

    Thanks for a great set of rehearsals, band members! If you were unable to attend, please make sure you have your instrument, flip folder, and lyre with you on the first day of school. We will be concentrating on "Paint it Black" and "All Star" for the first Friday performance. Send me an email (uptona@milanareaschools.org) if you have any questions.

    Welcome Back Band Members!

    I am looking forward to seeing all of you soon. Below is a list of HOME football game performances for the 23-24 school year. You should already have received the following music reading information session dates. Rehearsals will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 in the high school band room. Please contact me by email if you have any questions!

    Monday, August 14, DRUM LINE ONLY

    Tuesday, August 15, Everyone

    Wednesday, August 16, Everyone

    September 1

    September 8

    September 22

    September 29 (Homecoming)

    October 20 (Metallica Show)

    Congratulations to the 23-24 Milan High School Bands Student Leadership Team

    Head Drum Majors, Allyson Jones and Ella Cummings

    Assistant Drum Majors, Mackenzie McDaniel and Eowyn Johnson

    Drum Line Captains, Angelina Pena and Owen Burdette

    Pep Band Captain, Mackenzie McDaniel

    Tri-M Music Honor Society President, Kayden Englehart

    Jazz Band Captains, Allyson Jones and Eowyn Johnson

    Woodwind Choir Captain, Ella Cummings

    Students: If you have an interest in one of our extra-curricular ensembles or activities, please send an email to the students listed above *and* copy me (uptona@milanareaschools.org). High school band members who are new to Milan, please email me directly.

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    Band Member Letter Policy

    Band members are eligible for letters:

    1. At the mid-point of senior year, all group performances successfully completed.

    2. At the mid-point of junior year, with a minimum of one *band*, extra curricular musical activity-successfully completed.

    3. At the mid-point of sophomore year, with a minimum of two *band*, extra-curricular musical activities are successfully completed.

    Students with questions regarding their letter status can see Mrs. Upton in person.

    Instrument Storage

    Your instrument should be in your locker or in its assigned spot in the band room. Make sure that it is clearly marked with your name. Each day, you MUST bring your instrument, accessories, a pencil, and your method book to class. I strongly recommend that you use a lock on your locker! Percussionists, make sure you understand what parts you are playing and what accessory items you will need as the year goes on.

    Music

    There is no “required” method book, but I would strongly encourage you to have a Book 3 level fingering chart with you at all times so you can check out trill fingerings and trick fingerings without asking me.

    Apps in Band:

    PLEASE make space on the device you use daily for a free tuner. Bandmate chromatic tuner is free and useable on all devices. Metronome online can be used via the internet on phones, tablets, and Chromebooks.

    You can order supplies through Marshall Music by calling 800-221-1755. We are visited weekly. You are also free to use any other reputable retailer, but be careful! Ask Mrs. Upton if you have any questions.

    While you are welcome to eat lunch in the band room if Mrs. Upton is present, this is a no-peanut classroom. Additionally, food is not permitted in the room when any rehearsing is taking place. Gum and cough drops are major choking hazards and considered the same as food. Water is fine, especially in a no-spill bottle (there is a water fountain in the band room).

    Grades at MHS:

    All grades are assessed using the state of Michigan instrumental music power standards. Students may continue to reassess throughout the semester by recording after school or by submitting audio recordings to uptona@milanareaschools.org. Mrs. Upton is at MMS in the morning and is not available then. Students who miss full group performances are required to submit an alternative assessment as proof of skill development/achievement on the pieces performed. When in doubt, ask Mrs. Upton: she will always help you.

    Uniforms:

    Full marching uniforms will be checked out to students (pieces are sized and individually numbered). Families can expect concert uniforms in mid to late October. Wind Ensemble members, please plan on supplying your own extremely dressy concert blacks. If you need help in obtaining anything, ASK in plenty of time.