Category Archives: Jazz Ensemble

Weekly Update: January 14th through 18th ~ Gettin’ Back To Work!

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Wind Symphony, and Matt Murphy/Daniel Harshmen represent Apopka @ All State Convention!

  • The clinic audience
  • Our clinicians: Mr. Kaminsky, Mrs. Dorsey, Mr. Fielder, Mr. Wansley, and Mr. McConn
  • Matt and Daniel representing APK at All State!
  • Mr. Wansley’s and the band!
  • Back stage ready to enter!
  • Izaih PROUDLY posing for a Pre-Performance Pic!
  • The stage view
  • With Mr. Wansley
  • With Mr. Kaminsky
  • Yeah, of course. 🙂
  • Again. 🙂
  • Getting ready!
  • Tampa Convention Center, Home of the Florida All State Convention!

We are proud of our All State Participants, Matt Murphy and Daniel Harshman for your perseverance, dedication, and commitment to pursuing music at the highest level! You have gone ABOVE AND BEYOND in order to achieve this honor and we salute you on a wonderful weekend of growth and performance! Congratulations gentlemen! We are PROUD OF YOU!

  • Mr. L and Matt
  • Daniel and Mr. L

To our Wind Symphony, you accepted a challenging task of taking part in a two-plus hour clinic session to help Band Directors from across the state of Florida learn and grow to better develop their own performers. I am so humbled by your discipline and attentiveness to work with each of the five clinicians and your willingness to be part of this process. The day was a tremendous success for Music Education.

Many thanks to Mrs. Kim Bercegeay, Mr. Cody Smith, Mrs. Marcy Warren, Mrs. Teresa Paylor, Mrs. Janice Pedroza and Mrs. Annie Coffee for being there with us and supporting our members as chaperones for the day! It was also awesome to have Mrs. Tracy Murphy and Mrs. Kim Harshman join us! We are grateful to our incredible Army of Parents for taking great care of our members each and every opportunity we have to travel and perform!

IEGYB!

Spring 2019, APK Wind Symphony @ All State Convention

This Week

  • Monday
    • 6 PM Band Parent Meeting (Band Room)
  • Tuesday
    • 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Wind Symphony (MPA Prep)
    • 4 PM Wolf Lake S&E Help Sessions
  • Wednesday
    • No Scheduled Events
  • Thursday
    • No Scheduled Events
  • Friday
    • 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM Darter Sound Pep Band
  • Saturday
    • 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM Darter Sound Pep Band

Looking Ahead 

  • Wind Symphony After School Rehearsal Schedule
    • Tuesdays from 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM 
      • 1.22, 1.29, 2.5, 2.12, 2.19*, 2.26 (* 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM for Clinician) 
  • Wolf Lake Middle School Help Sessions
    • 4 PM – 4:45 PM
    • (1.15) 1.22, 1.29, 2.5, 2.12 (Tuesday’s through S&E)
  • OCPS All County Week January 21st – 26th (Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday) 
  • Epcot Performance Schedules! 
    • Freshmen Jazz Ensemble: February 12th (1 Date) 
    • Jazz Ensemble 2: January 26th, February 2nd, February 20th (3 Dates) 
    • Jazz Ensemble 1: January 23rd, January 30th, February 25th (3 Dates) 
    • All performances are at 9:50 AM and 10:55 AM (30 minute sets) 
  • FBA District Jazz/S&E/Auxiliary Performances @ University HS February 7th – 9th  
  • Concert Ensemble PRE-MPA Performance February 12th, 7 PM (Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony)  
  • FBA District Concert MPA @ Cypress Creek HS February 28th – March 2nd 

Chaperone Opportunity – Epcot’s “International Festival Of The Arts”

We are in need of chaperones to accompany each of our Jazz Ensembles for our Epcot performances. If interested, please contact Mrs. Ledford at tmrdled@gmail.com to let her know of your availability. The dates are listed above in the “Looking Ahead” section. Chaperones will each receive 2 free Disney passes for attending a day with us. The average schedule is departing at approximately 7:45 AM – 8 AM and returning around 12:30 PM. Please sign up for a time when your child will be performing with their Jazz Ensemble. (JE1, JE2, FJE)

NYC TRIP UPDATE!

Account statements were distributed on TUESDAY for all that signed up for the NYC Trip. Each member should have made THREE PAYMENTS at this point. Reminders: Fair Share MUST be paid off in order to attend. Please visit charms office.com to check on your account status. 

We still have several outstanding members who have not turned in their Pretzel Rod sales. Account balance slips will be given to those members as well.

All questions for our NYC trip should be directed to Kim.Bercegeay@ocps.net.

Big Apple, HERE WE COME!

Weekly Update: January 7th through January 12th ~ It’s All State Week!

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Weekly Course Schedule: Coming Later Today!

This Week

  • Monday
    • No Scheduled Events
  • Tuesday
    • Wind Symphony 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Wednesday
    • No Scheduled Events
  • Thursday
    • Wind Symphony @ All State Convention – See Schedule Below.
  • Friday
    • No Scheduled Events

Looking Ahead

  • Wind Symphony After School Rehearsal Schedule
    • Tuesdays from 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM 
      • 1.15, 1.22, 1.29, 2.5, 2.12, 2.19*, 2.26 (* 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM for Clinician) 
  • OCPS All County Week January 21st – 26th (Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday) 
  • Epcot Performance Schedules! 
    • Freshmen Jazz Ensemble: February 12th (1 Date) 
    • Jazz Ensemble 2: January 26th, February 2nd, February 20th (3 Dates) 
    • Jazz Ensemble 1: January 23rd, January 30th, February 25th (3 Dates) 
    • All performances are at 9:50 AM and 10:55 AM (30 minute sets) 
  • FBA District Jazz/S&E/Auxiliary Performances @ University HS February 7th – 9th  
  • Concert Ensemble PRE-MPA Performance February 12th, 7 PM (Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony)  
  • FBA District Concert MPA @ Cypress Creek HS February 28th – March 2nd

Solo & Ensemble Sign Up

Sign ups for our annual S&E performances are occurring NOW! To visit the Florida Bandmasters Association Music List Page, click HERE. Scroll down to S&E Music list and look for your instrument tab. All approved music is listed within this file. Be sure to get the FBA CODE for your selection and add it to the Google Form below. 

(MUST BE LOGGED IN TO YOUR OCPS STUDENT ID TO ACCESS THIS FORM.) 

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE GOOGLE FORM FOR YOUR S&E ENTRIES. 

THIS MUST BE COMPLETED BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 11th.

Looking forward to hearing some incredible chamber music this year! IEGYB! 

Each member will need to pay $5 per performer for each event. (Solo = $5, Duet = $10, etc.) Also, you will need to secure an accompanist if your piece requires it. See Mr. Langford if you need contact information for an accompanist. 

NYC TRIP UPDATE!


We will distribute account updates to each member that signed up for the NYC Trip. Each member should have made THREE PAYMENTS at this point. Reminders: Fair Share MUST be paid off in order to attend. Please visit charms office.com to check on your account status.

We still have several outstanding members who have not turned in their Pretzel Rod sales. Account balance slips will be given to those members as well.

Congratulations Daniel and Matt! Represent APK Well At All State This Week!

Wind Symphony Schedule – Thursday, January 10th

  • 9 AM (3rd Period) Report to Band Room (Fully Dressed)
  • 9:30 AM Depart for Tampa
  • 11:30 AM Arrive Tampa Convention Center/Meet Mr. Langford – NO BAGS.
    • Take any needed money in pockets.
  • 12 PM Load In Instruments/Exhibition Hall/Eat (In Exh. Hall)
  • 1:15 PM Watch Ensemble Rehearsals
  • 2:00 PM Warm Up (Ball Room A/B/C)
  • 3:00 PM Clinic Session 1 “How To Fix It”
    • Mr. Fielder, Mr. McConn, Mr. Wansley
  • 4:15 PM Clinic Session 2 “How To Fix It”
    • Mr. Wansley, Mrs. Dorsey (Small Group), Mr. Kaminsky
  • 5:30 PM Load Busses
  • 6:00 PM Depart for APK
  • 7:30 PM Arrive APK (Approximate Time)

Chaperone Opportunity – Epcot’s “International Festival Of The Arts”

We are in need of chaperones to accompany each of our Jazz Ensembles for our Epcot performances. If interested, please contact Mrs. Ledford at tmrdled@gmail.com to let her know of your availability. The dates are listed above in the “Looking Ahead” section. Chaperones will each receive 2 free Disney passes for attending a day with us. The average schedule is departing at approximately 7:45 AM – 8 AM and returning around 12:30 PM. Please sign up for a time when your child will be performing with their Jazz Ensemble. (JE1, JE2, FJE)

Weekly Update: December 31st – January 5th ~ Happy New Year! Wind Symphony All State Rehearsal Week!

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This Week

  • Monday
    • New Year’s Eve
  • Tuesday
    • Happy New Year!
  • Wednesday
    • No Scheduled Events  
  • Thursday
    • No Scheduled Events 
  • Friday
    • 10 AM Band Room Set Up/Spring Semester Prep 
  • Saturday
    • 9 AM – 2 PM Wind Symphony All State Clinic Rehearsal
      • Members of the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Percussion Ensembles are encouraged to attend and sit in the rear of the room to gain invaluable knowledge if you are able to attend. Be reminded that this will be an active rehearsal setting from 9 AM – 2 PM. If you are with us and would like to partake in the pizza deal for lunch, read below and ensure you have your money ready.
    • See below for rehearsal details.

Looking Ahead 

  • Wind Symphony After School Rehearsal Schedule
    • Tuesdays from 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM 
      • 1.8, 1.15, 1.22, 1.29, 2.5, 2.12, 2.19*, 2.26 (* 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM for Clinician) 
  • FMEA/All State Performance Rehearsal Schedule (Plan Ahead!) 
    • Tuesday, January 8th 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
    • FMEA/All State Conference January 9th – 12th 
    • Thursday, January 10th 3 PM – 5 PM Wind Symphony Performance Tampa Convention Center
    • Please ensure that your ACCURATE and CORRECT Black Tux Shirt & Pants are ready for this performance. Must be IRONED and pressed out. 
  • OCPS All County Week January 21st – 26th (Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday) 
  • Epcot Performance Schedules! 
    • Freshmen Jazz Ensemble: February 12th (1 Date) 
    • Jazz Ensemble 2: January 26th, February 2nd, February 20th (3 Dates) 
    • Jazz Ensemble 1: January 23rd, January 30th, February 25th (3 Dates) 
    • All performances are at 9:50 AM and 10:55 AM (30 minute sets) 
  • FBA District Jazz/S&E/Auxiliary Performances @ University HS February 7th – 9th  
  • Concert Ensemble PRE-MPA Performance February 12th, 7 PM (Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony)

Wind Symphony Saturday Rehearsal

Wind Symphony members should arrive between 8:30 AM – 8:45 AM to get set up and seated for the rehearsal block. Please bring your sheet music and pencil for the day. Rehearsal blocks will go as follows:

  • 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM Mr. Fielder “Warm Up”
  • 9:50 AM – 10:35 AM Mr. McConn “Quintus”
  • 10:40 AM – 11:25 AM Mr. Wansley “Kentucky 1800”
  • 11:30 AM – 11:55 AM LUNCH BREAK*
  • 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM Mrs. Dorsey “Sonatina For Band” (Small Group)
  • 12:50 PM – 1:35 PM Mr. Kaminsky “American Riversongs”

*Wind Symphony Members should bring $3 each for pizza/water during lunch break OR bring their own snack. Please bring a bottle of water with you to have throughout the day. Money will be collected early in the rehearsal for those wishing to do pizza.

Solo & Ensemble Sign Up

Sign ups for our annual S&E performances are occurring NOW! To visit the Florida Bandmasters Association Music List Page, click HERE. Scroll down to S&E Music list and look for your instrument tab. All approved music is listed within this file. Be sure to get the FBA CODE for your selection and add it to the Google Form below.

(MUST BE LOGGED IN TO YOUR OCPS STUDENT ID TO ACCESS THIS FORM.)

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE GOOGLE FORM FOR YOUR S&E ENTRIES.

Looking forward to hearing some incredible chamber music this year! IEGYB! 

Each member will need to pay $5 per performer for each event. (Solo = $5, Duet = $10, etc.) Also, you will need to secure an accompanist if your piece requires it. See Mr. Langford if you need contact information for an accompanist. 

Weekly Update: August 13th – August 17th ~ Welcome Back! FB @ Mainland!

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***SEE VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE BELOW REGARDING MEDICAL FORMS & FRIDAY’S TRAVEL EXPERIENCE***

THIS IS A BIG WEEKLY UPDATE! READ ALL THE WAY DOWN! IEGYB! 

This Week

  • Monday
    • First Day of School! IEGYB!
  • Tuesday
    • BDMB 6 PM – 8:30 PM
    • Concessions Team Meeting 6:30 PM (Band Room) 
  • Wednesday
    • Percussion Sectional 2:30 PM – 5 PM
  • Thursday
    • BDMB 3 PM – 5:30 PM
    • New York City Trip Interest Meeting! 6:00 PM (In Auditorium) 
  • Friday
    • FSU Band Day Sign Up/Payment DUE $25.00 (Students & Chaperones)
      • SchoolPay is an option.
      • Cash or Check is an option. (Turn in to safe.)
    • All State Contracts/Sign Up DUESee Mr. L for Contract
    • ALL STATE CONTRACTS CHANGED: Due Wednesday, August 22nd
    • Morning Pep Rally! 7 AMDoors Open @ 6:30 AM
    • Football @ Daytona Beach Mainland HSUniform: Under Uniform (Band T-Shirt, Band Shorts, Band Shoes, Back Pack, Hat)4:15 PM Call Time
      • TIMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED! PLEASE MAKE A NOTE! KICK OFF TIME MOVED FROM 7:30 PM to 7:00 PM. THANK YOU! 
      • 4:00 PM Doors Open
      • 4:20 PM Seated/Dressed.
      • 4:30 PM Depart
      • 5:15 PM Arrive Seminole Towne Center (Dinner Stop @ Food Court)
      • 6:00 PM Depart for Daytona Stadium
      • 6:30 PM Arrive Daytona Stadium
      • 7:00 PM Kick Off!
      • Return Info TBA
        • Return estimates/Info will come via Remind Text at conclusion of game. (Join by texting @apkbdmb to 81010!)

Looking Ahead 

  • Monday, August 20th – Student Leadership Meeting 2:40 PM – 3:15 PM
  • Week 2: Winds (Woodwinds/Brass) Full Group Sectionals will commence on Wednesday’s from 1:20 PM – 2 PM every other week and last through MPA week. A detailed schedule will come out later this week.
  • Saturday, August 25th – BDMB Rehearse-A-Thon 8 AM – 12 PM (Mandatory)
    • EARN FUNDS! Use this REHEARSE-A-THON FORM to solicit your donations today! SchoolPay can be used for those who wish to make a donation on your behalf!
  • Saturday, September 15th – FBA All State Auditions @ Ocoee HS
    • Student/Parent Contracts DUE Friday, August 17th!

***Medical Forms*** 

Visit our FORMS page to download, fill out, and turn in your Medical Form for the 2018-2019 season. You WILL NOT be allowed on the bus to travel with us to Daytona this Friday without this form. Paper copies are available in the band room.

Band Calendar

Please check the following locations for our Band Calendar and updates to our schedule:

Rehearsals and Performances begin this week and are considered mandatory for all performers. 

  • Google Calendar found at apopkabands.com/calendar
  • Printable Wall/Refrigerator Calendar found at apopkabands.com/calendar
  • Wall Calendars in Band Room
  • White Board Calendar in Band Room

New York City Trip INTEREST Meeting! 

Join us on Thursday evening for our initial NYC TRIP INTEREST meeting where we will lay out the Itinerary/dates, approximate costs, payment schedules, and possible fundraising initiatives. This meeting will occur in our Auditorium at 6 PM following BDMB Band Practice! Band members AND Parents should attend to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

All State  

Students auditioning for All State should turn in their contracts by Friday. If you are unaware of this process, please see Mr. L well in advance of Friday. If you have considered auditioning for All State but have not yet looked the music, please consider All County as it is too late to begin working on music for this audition. (All County prep is already underway! OCPS uses shortened versions of the All State excerpts!)

Volunteer Forms

Please visit the FORMS page to download, fill out, and turn in your Volunteer Form for 2018-2019! Our parents are the backbone of our success! Paper copies are available in the Band Room.

Band Uniforms 

Please see Ms. Janice ASAP if you have not yet ordered any necessary shoes, uniform items, etc. as related to the BDMB. Concert Uniforms will be ordered later in the Fall semester.

AHS Campus/First Day Updates 

  • Schedule Change requests will not be open until WEDNESDAY. A Google Form link will be offered via the apopkahs.ocps.net website for you to fill out. The window will close on Sunday at 11:59 PM.
  • Students in the 1600 will have a NEW pathway in 18-19. In an effort to maximize student safety, ALL STUDENTS will be directed into the courtyard nearest the football stadium and will have to enter the 800 building via the Student Services entrance. We will no longer use the EXTERIOR BAND ROOM DOORS during school. Only BEFORE and AFTER school.
  • Band Room will open at 7 AM each morning. Students should be departing at 7:10 AM for class. 1st Period Concert Band Members should begin preparing for the rehearsal by warming up/following daily plan that is posted.
  • ProgressBook is your location for your schedule. No more paper schedules. Follow most up-to-date version on Monday.
  • Tardies will be tracked starting on Wednesday. Teachers will lock doors and you will have to receive a Hero note to enter the door. This will also be in effect for those in North Campus and 1600 Building. Move with a purpose!
  • MASTERY LEARNING is the goal of our campus. For all students, in all facets. We, as a faculty, have been challenged to focus on students developing a mastery level of learning in all that we do. These are exciting times to be a Student and Teacher at AHS and we look forward to seeing each of our members become MASTER LEARNERS!
  • The Apopka Band will utilize Canvas for the coming year! Have your laptops charged and ready to roll in class on Day 1! INSTRUMENTS on Day 2!

From AHS:

One Mill Tax Vote

One Mill Header

Click HERE to read the full article at ocps.net.

——————————————————————————————————————-

The renewal of a one-mill property tax will be on the ballot to:

  • Retain highly qualified teachers

  • Protect arts and athletics programs in schools

  • Maintain academic programs and student activities

This renewal is of a tax in place since 2010. Without it, OCPS will lack funding to continue fully supporting teachers and students. On Aug. 28, Orange County voters will decide if the one-mill property tax should be renewed for an additional four years.

The Big Picture

Without an extension of the one mill, OCPS will have $1,437 less in per-student funding than what 2007 funding would provide today, adjusted for inflation.

Without an extension of the one mill, OCPS anticipates a 2019 budget reduction of $143 million which will impact many hundreds of teachers, academic programs, arts and athletics. 

THIS REFERENDUM IS THE ONLY QUESTION ON THE ORANGE COUNTY BALLOT FOR AUGUST 28th. IT IS THE LAST ITEM ON THE BALLOT.