Sunday, September 25, 2011
Change, can it happen?
I love this video. In my master's class, we are discussing how to make
change and we viewed this video on YouTube. Is it possible to make
change happen? How should we go about doing it so that it works and
everyone involved understands why?
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Our First Phantom Phest Competition
Wow, what a great night it was in Mukwonago. The students had their first opportunity to perform their show this year and did it for a crowd that understood music and marching bands. The night was cool, the food was plentiful, and the music and marching was great. It was the first show of the marching season and we were excited to host it in Mukwonago. Keep it up bands! See you in Whitewater for the WSMA State Marching Band Championships.
~Mr. Werner
~Mr. Werner
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Monday, March 15, 2010
Bingo Night - PVMS
Happy March, band families!
The Mukwonago Band Boosters are hosting the Bob Kames Foundation Bingo Roadshow Event at Park View Middle School on Friday, March 19th. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with Bingo beginning at 6:30 p.m. Students/children under 18 years of age are allowed to play bingo with a parent or guardian present. This is a professional bingo event with all callers and money handled by certified bingo officials, courtesy of the Bob Kames Foundation. Cash prizes will be awarded throughout the evening, and there is a Progressive Jackpot that is currently estimated at over $2,200.00! There will be live entertainment throughout the night as well as concessions, including MHS' Jazz Ensembles I and II, plus a basketball pep band, too!
Proceeds of this event will benefit the band program here in our district, specifically the fundraiser to purchase new Marching Band Uniforms. Your Mukwonago High School Marching Band has been invited to march in the 2011 July 4th Parade in Washington D.C. to represent the state of Wisconsin. Our goal is to have our new uniforms before this trip so we can proudly represent Mukwonago as well as the entire Badger State in our nation’s capitol. Won’t you please join us for this fun and family friendly event and support this worthwhile cause? Any questions, contact Julie Kuzminski @ (262) 378-4137.
The Mukwonago Band Boosters are hosting the Bob Kames Foundation Bingo Roadshow Event at Park View Middle School on Friday, March 19th. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with Bingo beginning at 6:30 p.m. Students/children under 18 years of age are allowed to play bingo with a parent or guardian present. This is a professional bingo event with all callers and money handled by certified bingo officials, courtesy of the Bob Kames Foundation. Cash prizes will be awarded throughout the evening, and there is a Progressive Jackpot that is currently estimated at over $2,200.00! There will be live entertainment throughout the night as well as concessions, including MHS' Jazz Ensembles I and II, plus a basketball pep band, too!
Proceeds of this event will benefit the band program here in our district, specifically the fundraiser to purchase new Marching Band Uniforms. Your Mukwonago High School Marching Band has been invited to march in the 2011 July 4th Parade in Washington D.C. to represent the state of Wisconsin. Our goal is to have our new uniforms before this trip so we can proudly represent Mukwonago as well as the entire Badger State in our nation’s capitol. Won’t you please join us for this fun and family friendly event and support this worthwhile cause? Any questions, contact Julie Kuzminski @ (262) 378-4137.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
2010 Marching Band Show
For those looking for definitive answers to next year's show, I will say that it is in homage to a great Mukwonago event in recent memory. It is one of the most revered compilations of music in the world. It is a show I believe every student should play in some form at least once during his/her music education.
Many of you guessed it right away. The Cadets in 2009 felt as strongly as I do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm3FP4BB6uQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN3hqHSY9Vs
UPDATE: This is a much better video of the first six minutes of the show with better audio quality.
http://www.youtube.com/user/glennatienza#p/u/32/aYt3JpKYnIU
There are two arrangers who have put together the music. One is scored for smaller bands, and one is scored for bigger bands. Both are very good. Depending on how many people we get to participate will determine what show I buy.
The 2010 Mukwonago High School Marching Band is going to focus on succeeding on three levels: success as an individual (mentally, physically, and musically); success as a collective band (musically and visually), and success socially (traveling together, working together, and PLAYING together). If Marching Band only interests you as a casual hobby, I don't know if this activity will be right for you this year. I only want you to sign up for the class if you have an interest in getting better at your instrument, learning new skills (Color Guard, too!) and accomplishing things you've never done before. I respect Leonard Bernstein's work too much to give it casual treatment (and those of you who were a part of the stage show in 2009 would probably agree), so only serious musicians need apply. To incoming freshman for 2010, you are ALL welcome to be a part of something big and be a member in the show!
Something else that has not been offered before but will be new for 2010: MHS Football Pep Band. If you only want to be involved in playing the rock music during games (Crazy Train, Paranoid, 25 or 6 to 4, and all of your other favorites), you will have the option to do so alongside those who are performing the field show. Again, this is OPTIONAL and will be extra credit (points towards your letters/numerals/awards or volunteer hours for Tri-M). This option will be available to any band members in grade 10-12 who want to blast music at football games rather than sit with the kids who stand around texting or throwing things at each other. This will also be made available to any alumni who want to play music at MHS games (Homecoming and all other home games). More details of this new option will be made available in the near future.
Thanks, everyone! I'm really excited to hear you all play this AMAZING music and march a show in front of thousands! Expect to travel more this year than in recent memory :)
Sincerely,
Mr. Gard
Many of you guessed it right away. The Cadets in 2009 felt as strongly as I do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm3FP4BB6uQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN3hqHSY9Vs
UPDATE: This is a much better video of the first six minutes of the show with better audio quality.
http://www.youtube.com/user/glennatienza#p/u/32/aYt3JpKYnIU
There are two arrangers who have put together the music. One is scored for smaller bands, and one is scored for bigger bands. Both are very good. Depending on how many people we get to participate will determine what show I buy.
The 2010 Mukwonago High School Marching Band is going to focus on succeeding on three levels: success as an individual (mentally, physically, and musically); success as a collective band (musically and visually), and success socially (traveling together, working together, and PLAYING together). If Marching Band only interests you as a casual hobby, I don't know if this activity will be right for you this year. I only want you to sign up for the class if you have an interest in getting better at your instrument, learning new skills (Color Guard, too!) and accomplishing things you've never done before. I respect Leonard Bernstein's work too much to give it casual treatment (and those of you who were a part of the stage show in 2009 would probably agree), so only serious musicians need apply. To incoming freshman for 2010, you are ALL welcome to be a part of something big and be a member in the show!
Something else that has not been offered before but will be new for 2010: MHS Football Pep Band. If you only want to be involved in playing the rock music during games (Crazy Train, Paranoid, 25 or 6 to 4, and all of your other favorites), you will have the option to do so alongside those who are performing the field show. Again, this is OPTIONAL and will be extra credit (points towards your letters/numerals/awards or volunteer hours for Tri-M). This option will be available to any band members in grade 10-12 who want to blast music at football games rather than sit with the kids who stand around texting or throwing things at each other. This will also be made available to any alumni who want to play music at MHS games (Homecoming and all other home games). More details of this new option will be made available in the near future.
Thanks, everyone! I'm really excited to hear you all play this AMAZING music and march a show in front of thousands! Expect to travel more this year than in recent memory :)
Sincerely,
Mr. Gard
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Break your band geek stereotypes
Just some food for thought, the following people were high school band kids:
Trent Reznor, lead singer for Nine Inch Nails, played saxophone and tuba in high school marching band and jazz band. He was also Professor Harold Hill in his high school's production of "The Music Man" as well as Judas in his high school's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar." (Where have I heard of that EXTREMELY POPULAR show before, known worldwide?)
Pamela Anderson, star of Baywatch and lots of other... things. She was also a high school sax player.
Jennifer Garner, star of TV's Alias, wife of Ben Affleck, and amazing actress in such movies as "Juno," "Elektra," and "13 Going on 30." Sax player.
Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the United States, was not only a sax player but also drum major in his high school band. He credits marching band as one of his first opportunities to learn how to lead.
Neil Armstrong (you know, the guy who walked on the moon) played baritone in school.
Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots linebacker, was a sax player.
Drew Carey, from "Whose Line Is It Anyway" and "The Drew Carey Show" was a trumpet player in high school.
Richard Gere played saxophone and piano.
Julia Roberts played both oboe and clarinet in high school.
John Smoltz, future Hall of Fame pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, plays ACCORDION!
Gwen Stefani, from the band "No Doubt", is a flute player.
Dan Akroyd, movie star from "The Blues Brothers" and "Ghostbusters", plays tuba.
Steven Spielberg plays clarinet.
Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) played trumpet.
Nelly Furtado, NASCAR's Tony Stewart, and Bill Engvall (Blue Collar Comedy Tour) all shared the same interest in high school: trombone.
Aretha Franklin played... you guessed it, tuba!
Ewan McGregor ("Moulin Rouge"), Vanessa Williams ("Ugly Betty") and Samuel L. Jackson were all French horn players.
NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham was also a French horn player.
And lastly, for anyone who still has the Mukwonago stereotype that athletes and musicians are two incompatible breeds, watch this Superbowl commercial if you haven't seen it already: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPLX_ckw0G4
Have a great summer, and practice your instruments!
-TG
Trent Reznor, lead singer for Nine Inch Nails, played saxophone and tuba in high school marching band and jazz band. He was also Professor Harold Hill in his high school's production of "The Music Man" as well as Judas in his high school's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar." (Where have I heard of that EXTREMELY POPULAR show before, known worldwide?)
Pamela Anderson, star of Baywatch and lots of other... things. She was also a high school sax player.
Jennifer Garner, star of TV's Alias, wife of Ben Affleck, and amazing actress in such movies as "Juno," "Elektra," and "13 Going on 30." Sax player.
Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the United States, was not only a sax player but also drum major in his high school band. He credits marching band as one of his first opportunities to learn how to lead.
Neil Armstrong (you know, the guy who walked on the moon) played baritone in school.
Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots linebacker, was a sax player.
Drew Carey, from "Whose Line Is It Anyway" and "The Drew Carey Show" was a trumpet player in high school.
Richard Gere played saxophone and piano.
Julia Roberts played both oboe and clarinet in high school.
John Smoltz, future Hall of Fame pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, plays ACCORDION!
Gwen Stefani, from the band "No Doubt", is a flute player.
Dan Akroyd, movie star from "The Blues Brothers" and "Ghostbusters", plays tuba.
Steven Spielberg plays clarinet.
Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) played trumpet.
Nelly Furtado, NASCAR's Tony Stewart, and Bill Engvall (Blue Collar Comedy Tour) all shared the same interest in high school: trombone.
Aretha Franklin played... you guessed it, tuba!
Ewan McGregor ("Moulin Rouge"), Vanessa Williams ("Ugly Betty") and Samuel L. Jackson were all French horn players.
NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham was also a French horn player.
And lastly, for anyone who still has the Mukwonago stereotype that athletes and musicians are two incompatible breeds, watch this Superbowl commercial if you haven't seen it already: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPLX_ckw0G4
Have a great summer, and practice your instruments!
-TG
Monday, May 18, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
New Website
The Mukwonago Bands website has received a face lift. Please visit us at www.mukwonagobands.com and let us know what you think. Their is a feedback form located at the bottom of the site for comments. Or if you have an ideas for us to consider you can do that too.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Musicians Use Both Sides Of Their Brains More Frequently Than Average People
Supporting what many of us who are not musically talented have often felt, new research reveals that trained musicians really do think differently than the rest of us. Vanderbilt University psychologists have found that professionally trained musicians more effectively use a creative technique called divergent thinking, and also use both the left and the right sides of their frontal cortex more heavily than the average person.
read more at PhysOrg.com
Science Daily also has the article with links to related studies
read more at PhysOrg.com
Science Daily also has the article with links to related studies
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Marching Band Registration
Dear Parents/Students,
We have released the 2009-10 marching band registration form. If your child is interested in joining this ensemble, offered to grades 9-12, please fill out the registration form and return it by May 1st.
Please note on the form that there are two fees for marching band. One fee should be payable to Mukwonago Area School District for $45, while the other fee goes to the Mukwonago Band Boosters for equipment/transportation/uniform fees.
Our first rehearsal is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th from 6-9pm in the MHS Band room.
We have released the 2009-10 marching band registration form. If your child is interested in joining this ensemble, offered to grades 9-12, please fill out the registration form and return it by May 1st.
Please note on the form that there are two fees for marching band. One fee should be payable to Mukwonago Area School District for $45, while the other fee goes to the Mukwonago Band Boosters for equipment/transportation/uniform fees.
Our first rehearsal is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15th from 6-9pm in the MHS Band room.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Marching Band Calendar RELEASED
The 2009 Mukwonago Marching Band Calendar has been released. Please click here to go directly to the file, or visit our web page at www.mukwonagobands.com.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Marching Band 2009
If you want to know about the 2009 Marching Band show, your best bet is to always jam closely supervised.
(This is your hint)
-TG
(This is your hint)
-TG
Thursday, October 16, 2008
WSMA State Marching Band Championships
Good Luck to the MHS Marching Band as they return once again to the WSMA State Marching Band Championships this Saturday at UW-Whitewater. They will again be performing in the Festival class that first debuted last year.
Students - be responsible! That statement covers a number of topics (i.e. review music, review dot books, learn what is on the packing list and pack it, read your e-mail and review the upcoming schedule, know where you are supposed to be and when, act appropriately at UW-W, etc.).
Parents - please pay close attention to the parent section of the schedule. It has important information regarding the parking & cost of the event on Saturday. We hope to see you there on Saturday to support your marcher. To learn more, visit http://www.wsmamusic.org/programs/marching_band/index.html.
Have a great time and good luck! I already know how much time the marching band has put in and I know it's going to be a great show. Now get out there and practice. :)
Cappy
Students - be responsible! That statement covers a number of topics (i.e. review music, review dot books, learn what is on the packing list and pack it, read your e-mail and review the upcoming schedule, know where you are supposed to be and when, act appropriately at UW-W, etc.).
Parents - please pay close attention to the parent section of the schedule. It has important information regarding the parking & cost of the event on Saturday. We hope to see you there on Saturday to support your marcher. To learn more, visit http://www.wsmamusic.org/programs/marching_band/index.html.
Have a great time and good luck! I already know how much time the marching band has put in and I know it's going to be a great show. Now get out there and practice. :)
Cappy
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Homecoming Nominees
Congrats to Marching Band members K.M. for the guys and K.G. for the girls! Due to the whole internet privacy deal, I'm not going to spell out their full names for all to see. But congratulate them when you see them in school!
P.S. If you don't know who I'm talking about, K.M. is the low brass section leader and K.G. is the drum line captain.
P.S. If you don't know who I'm talking about, K.M. is the low brass section leader and K.G. is the drum line captain.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Great start!
Hey 2008 marching band,
Outstanding performance last night! It's always great to get the first show in front of an audience under your belt. I heard so many good things from parents and alumni. I'm even happier to hear good things from you all... according the Keith, "That was AWESOME!"
Thanks also to the Mukwonago Summer Band. We hadn't played together in a couple weeks, but you still played very well. Once we got our marching band t-shirts on, it was amazing to see how many students crossed over from both ensembles. I suppose that's bittersweet; it would be nice to have more of the young musicians involved with the group during summer months, but it's also really cool to see how many of you enjoy music so much that you want to be involved in multiple groups. Good for you guys!
So, marching folks, it's time to take a day off, reflect on how you did, and come Wednesday night fired up for our first evening rehearsal. It's time to get pep band music out, and I promise those three hour rehearsals are going to move quick! DON'T FORGET THE BUG SPRAY!!!
Can't wait to see you all soon. Oh, and as the new school year approaches, dust off those scales, high schoolers!!!
-Yoda (TG)
Outstanding performance last night! It's always great to get the first show in front of an audience under your belt. I heard so many good things from parents and alumni. I'm even happier to hear good things from you all... according the Keith, "That was AWESOME!"
Thanks also to the Mukwonago Summer Band. We hadn't played together in a couple weeks, but you still played very well. Once we got our marching band t-shirts on, it was amazing to see how many students crossed over from both ensembles. I suppose that's bittersweet; it would be nice to have more of the young musicians involved with the group during summer months, but it's also really cool to see how many of you enjoy music so much that you want to be involved in multiple groups. Good for you guys!
So, marching folks, it's time to take a day off, reflect on how you did, and come Wednesday night fired up for our first evening rehearsal. It's time to get pep band music out, and I promise those three hour rehearsals are going to move quick! DON'T FORGET THE BUG SPRAY!!!
Can't wait to see you all soon. Oh, and as the new school year approaches, dust off those scales, high schoolers!!!
-Yoda (TG)
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Summer Band and Marching Band
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to remind members of the Summer Band that we have one more performance this summer on Saturday, August 23rd. We will be playing at the MHS Marching Band Preview Picnic beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the high school. Please bring the picnic food you've been assigned, and join us for a cookout before the performance! Don't forget your music and instrument, too!
You all played great at Mt. Olympus, and I enjoyed the friendly go-cart competition. Next time, don't expect me to be so courteous on the track ;) Oh, and Connor, even though you broke the roller coaster first thing in the morning, I still enjoyed racing in the afternoon.
The MHS Marching Band is once again looking and sounding great. It's an ensemble I'm continously impressed by, and we're very lucky as a community to have such a great group. A quick piece of business: the North Prairie Harvest Festival is a week later than we originally thought, so there is a calendar adjustment. The parade will be on Sunday the 21st rather than the 14th. That will be our busiest weekend of the season, with the first FB game on the 19th, Germantown Marching Festival on the 20th, and the parade the 21st. On the other hand, it just freed up your weekend of the 13th!
Looking forward to seeing everyone for our performance on Saturday the 23rd. Don't worry; if there's inclement weather, we'll perform inside. We'll find a way to feed everyone, too!
-TG
I just wanted to remind members of the Summer Band that we have one more performance this summer on Saturday, August 23rd. We will be playing at the MHS Marching Band Preview Picnic beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the high school. Please bring the picnic food you've been assigned, and join us for a cookout before the performance! Don't forget your music and instrument, too!
You all played great at Mt. Olympus, and I enjoyed the friendly go-cart competition. Next time, don't expect me to be so courteous on the track ;) Oh, and Connor, even though you broke the roller coaster first thing in the morning, I still enjoyed racing in the afternoon.
The MHS Marching Band is once again looking and sounding great. It's an ensemble I'm continously impressed by, and we're very lucky as a community to have such a great group. A quick piece of business: the North Prairie Harvest Festival is a week later than we originally thought, so there is a calendar adjustment. The parade will be on Sunday the 21st rather than the 14th. That will be our busiest weekend of the season, with the first FB game on the 19th, Germantown Marching Festival on the 20th, and the parade the 21st. On the other hand, it just freed up your weekend of the 13th!
Looking forward to seeing everyone for our performance on Saturday the 23rd. Don't worry; if there's inclement weather, we'll perform inside. We'll find a way to feed everyone, too!
-TG
Drill is on Charms
Quick update-
I've got the drill posted on Charms in the "Handouts-Marching Band 2008-Class specific" folder. All four tunes are listed there seperately.
Have fun-
Mr. K
I've got the drill posted on Charms in the "Handouts-Marching Band 2008-Class specific" folder. All four tunes are listed there seperately.
Have fun-
Mr. K
Marching Band Cruising
Hey everybody-
Because we wanted to get you all out of rehearsal on time and cram as much in as we could, I didn't really get to say what I wanted to at the end of rehearsal. I'm psyched at how far we have come in the first 6 days of camp. Think back to what we did the first day (simple forwards and backwards, posture, style, etc.) to what we finished yesterday (marched through the entire 43 chart drill).
That kind of progress is amazing. I could tell from some people's expressions that there was a decent level of frustration and confusion since we poured through the charts so fast. That frustration and confusion is OK and normal after doing what we just did. If you are confused and lost during some portions of the drill, you are not behind (at this point in the season).
Take time today to relax and enjoy non-marching band life for awhile. Before Wednesday, be sure to look at your music and really start to get those parts under your fingers. Try playing the last 8 bars of a piece and work your way back to the beginning by gradually adding a couple of measures to memory each time. The more that you go through it, the more you will actually know it.
Again - Great job during the past three days, and be ready to work and clean each one of those tunes over the next 4 days of camp. I'm going to try and post the drill charts in a PDF format on charms for those people that didn't get everything during the last three days of camp. I hope to have that up by the end of 8/17.
Until Wednesday-
Mr. K
Because we wanted to get you all out of rehearsal on time and cram as much in as we could, I didn't really get to say what I wanted to at the end of rehearsal. I'm psyched at how far we have come in the first 6 days of camp. Think back to what we did the first day (simple forwards and backwards, posture, style, etc.) to what we finished yesterday (marched through the entire 43 chart drill).
That kind of progress is amazing. I could tell from some people's expressions that there was a decent level of frustration and confusion since we poured through the charts so fast. That frustration and confusion is OK and normal after doing what we just did. If you are confused and lost during some portions of the drill, you are not behind (at this point in the season).
Take time today to relax and enjoy non-marching band life for awhile. Before Wednesday, be sure to look at your music and really start to get those parts under your fingers. Try playing the last 8 bars of a piece and work your way back to the beginning by gradually adding a couple of measures to memory each time. The more that you go through it, the more you will actually know it.
Again - Great job during the past three days, and be ready to work and clean each one of those tunes over the next 4 days of camp. I'm going to try and post the drill charts in a PDF format on charms for those people that didn't get everything during the last three days of camp. I hope to have that up by the end of 8/17.
Until Wednesday-
Mr. K
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Successful Summer Band
Hi All-
Just a quick post to say how impressed I was with summer band this summer. Rehearsals went well and it was capped off by a great concert at Mt. Olympus. My hat is off to everyone who made it a success this year.
Thanks
Mr. K
Just a quick post to say how impressed I was with summer band this summer. Rehearsals went well and it was capped off by a great concert at Mt. Olympus. My hat is off to everyone who made it a success this year.
Thanks
Mr. K
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)