Thursday, September 8, 2011

Panther Pep Band Winter 2011-12

Check out the pep band schedule for winter 2011-12. Remember that pep band is open to all 8th through 12th grade band students and 7th grade after winter break. See you at the games!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Welcome Back!!

It seems like just yesterday that we were marching in the Fall Festival parade and sitting in a bus stopped in the middle of I-94(talk to Mr. P or Mike Arvidson for the full story:). However, we're back at the beginning of another exciting school year. I hope that everyone is excited or a mildly eager to be in school again.
I've spent some time going through both new music as well as the music in our band library and have come up with some awesome possibilities for this year's concerts. In addition to the music, we have a couple new tools to use in band. First is SmartMusic. SmartMusic is a program that will play accompaniment, change tempo, record your performance and rate your performance. It's really cool and the students that have used it so far have enjoyed seeing their results. The other tool we have is Finale. Finale will allow us to write music and exercises to use for individual practice or large group applications. No more hand written parts from Mr. P. !! If you want to check either of these programs out, let me know and you can come in and give them a try. See you all next week!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Fall Festival and Valleyfair

The attendance at practices has been great. I appreciate those that took the time and the heat to make sure that we can put a quality performance on the street this weekend.
We'll meet at 11:30 in the high school music room for the parade on Sunday.
The bus will load at 7:45 on Monday to leave for Valleyfair. Don't forget your sunscreen, $ for two meals, a change of clothes and swim stuff if you plan to go to the water park.
See you this weekend!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Junior High Concert

The concert by the junior high band and choir was a great example of what some good musicians can do when they work together. I'm very proud of what the band has accomplished this year and look forward to more concerts..

Great Job!!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Elementary Spring Music Program

The Parkers Prairie 5th and 6th grade band will be performing for parents and the community on Friday, May 27, at 12:30, in the elementary gym. We ask that the kids dress nicely. Jeans are allowed but the kids should wear a nice shirt without large writing. See you next Friday.

Here are videos of two songs that will be played in the concert:

Junior high band and choir concert next Monday

The junior high band and choir will be performing their spring concert next Monday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the high school gym. The kids have been working hard on this music, some of which is quite difficult.

New marching band song and cadence

We've got a new marching band song this year, "Forget You" by Cee Lo Green. Most of you have heard the song before. It's a really great arrangement for marching band and fun to play. Both the Junior High and Senior High bands have only looked at it a couple times but we'll hit it hard after both concerts are done. Check out the link on the sidebar to hear the new marching band song and to see the 2011 marching band schedule.
The percussion section is also working on a new cadence for this year. Click the link on the sidebar to hear the new cadence.