Weekly Update
We hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Thank you for taking the time to read our weekly band update.
Director Contact Information
If you need to contact either of us, our emails are as follows:
Ms. Kelly Cooper: kcooper01@sd308.org
Mr. Stevan Rexroat: srexroat@sd308.org
Please note there is a ‘01’ in Ms. Cooper’s email. Without the numbers, the emails go to a secretary, Kimberly Cooper, at Murphy Junior High.
OEHS Band Booster Meeting: October 7th
Our OEHS Band Booster organization is a vital part of the OEHS Band Program. By having a student in the OEHS Bands, you are automatically part of the booster organization (there is not a fee to join). The OEHS Band Boosters help the program by volunteering at different band events and by helping to raise money for the band program. Our next meeting will be on October 7th at 6.30pm. The meeting will be online. Once we are closer to the date, we will include the link for family members to access the meeting.
Handbook and W.A.G. (Week at a Glance) Links
Within each Google Classroom, we will be including links to our band handbooks. Each class has a specific handbook. On the final page of the handbook, there is a QR code. Please scan this code and fill in the needed information.
Our handbook and W.A.G. information can also be accessed through our band site: www.oswegoeasthighschoolbands.org
Once in the site, scroll over Classroom, then scroll over Curricular Ensembles, and then choose your student’s band. There are links to the handbook and W.A.G. for the class within that location.
Teacher/Class Information Videos for Parents/Guardians
A link to Ms. Cooper’s (Concert Band Period 6, Concert Band Period 7, Wind Symphony) and Mr. Rexroat’s (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band) class videos will be provided within the class W.A.G. In the videos, we will be helping to explain various points in the handbook, as well as help everyone navigate our band site.
SmartMusic
We will be using the SmartMusic program in order to help students better understand their band music, as well as provide for them a means to hear the other band parts, thus giving them a better ensemble understanding and experience. Please make sure your student has signed up for the SmartMusic class.
Private Lessons
Students who study with private lesson teachers prove to excel on their instrument(s) at a quick pace. We have a number of private lesson teachers who are able to teach remotely (while online school is in session) and live (when we return to the building). A link to District 308 approved lesson teachers can be found by visiting: http://www.oswegoeasthighschoolbands.com/lesson-teachers.html
If your student is already studying with someone not on the list, that is absolutely fine. The list just represents the many teachers who have worked with the band program before.
Jazz Band Info
Jazz Band Audition Results
Thank you to everyone who auditioned! Jazz band audition results will be released tomorrow, Monday, September 14th. Rehearsals will begin with each band next week (9/21-9/25). Mr. Rexroat will communicate directly with students and families with information regarding each ensemble’s rehearsal schedule.
If you did not audition, but would still like to be a part of the jazz program, please contact Mr. Rexroat. We could use a few more brass players to even out the instrumentation.
All audition information and materials can be found on the OEHS band website at http://www.oswegoeasthighschoolbands.com/jazz-band-auditions-2020.html
Jazz Google Classroom
If your student is interested in auditioning for the OEHS jazz bands, please join the OEHS Jazz google classroom. The classroom code is: iy4emym
Jazz During Remote for All
During remote for all, students will still be placed into ability based jazz bands based on their audition. The jazz bands will rehearse with an amended rehearsal schedule each week. Without meeting in person, there will be more of a focus on jazz theory, improvisation, style, etc. We will work hard to also provide a collaborative element for the students. All of these elements will be worked on at a level that is appropriate for each band.
When we return to in person learning, the jazz bands will resume their normal rehearsal schedules.
Jazz Remote for All Rehearsal Schedules
During remote for all, the jazz bands will rehearse one day a week. As we progress into the school year, an additional rehearsal will be added. Here are the days each ensemble will rehearse:
Big Band (3rd level jazz band) - Thursdays, 3pm-4pm
Jazz Band (2nd level jazz band) - Tuesdays 3pm-4pm
Jazz Ensemble (top level jazz band) - Mondays 3pm-4pm
Jazz In Person Rehearsal Schedules
When we return to school in person, each jazz band will rehearsal with the following schedule:
Big Band - Tuesdays 4pm-5pm, Thursdays 2:40pm-4pm
Jazz Band - Tuesdays 2:40pm-4pm, Thursdays 4pm-5pm
Jazz Ensemble - Mondays 2:40pm-5pm, Thursdays 6pm-8pm
The jazz bands perform at four in house concerts during the school year and participate in festivals/competitions. Complete schedules will be communicated to each ensemble after auditions are completed.
Director Contact Information
If you need to contact either of us, our emails are as follows:
Ms. Kelly Cooper: kcooper01@sd308.org
Mr. Stevan Rexroat: srexroat@sd308.org
Please note there is a ‘01’ in Ms. Cooper’s email. Without the numbers, the emails go to a secretary, Kimberly Cooper, at Murphy Junior High.
OEHS Band Booster Meeting: October 7th
Our OEHS Band Booster organization is a vital part of the OEHS Band Program. By having a student in the OEHS Bands, you are automatically part of the booster organization (there is not a fee to join). The OEHS Band Boosters help the program by volunteering at different band events and by helping to raise money for the band program. Our next meeting will be on October 7th at 6.30pm. The meeting will be online. Once we are closer to the date, we will include the link for family members to access the meeting.
Handbook and W.A.G. (Week at a Glance) Links
Within each Google Classroom, we will be including links to our band handbooks. Each class has a specific handbook. On the final page of the handbook, there is a QR code. Please scan this code and fill in the needed information.
Our handbook and W.A.G. information can also be accessed through our band site: www.oswegoeasthighschoolbands.org
Once in the site, scroll over Classroom, then scroll over Curricular Ensembles, and then choose your student’s band. There are links to the handbook and W.A.G. for the class within that location.
Teacher/Class Information Videos for Parents/Guardians
A link to Ms. Cooper’s (Concert Band Period 6, Concert Band Period 7, Wind Symphony) and Mr. Rexroat’s (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band) class videos will be provided within the class W.A.G. In the videos, we will be helping to explain various points in the handbook, as well as help everyone navigate our band site.
SmartMusic
We will be using the SmartMusic program in order to help students better understand their band music, as well as provide for them a means to hear the other band parts, thus giving them a better ensemble understanding and experience. Please make sure your student has signed up for the SmartMusic class.
Private Lessons
Students who study with private lesson teachers prove to excel on their instrument(s) at a quick pace. We have a number of private lesson teachers who are able to teach remotely (while online school is in session) and live (when we return to the building). A link to District 308 approved lesson teachers can be found by visiting: http://www.oswegoeasthighschoolbands.com/lesson-teachers.html
If your student is already studying with someone not on the list, that is absolutely fine. The list just represents the many teachers who have worked with the band program before.
Jazz Band Info
Jazz Band Audition Results
Thank you to everyone who auditioned! Jazz band audition results will be released tomorrow, Monday, September 14th. Rehearsals will begin with each band next week (9/21-9/25). Mr. Rexroat will communicate directly with students and families with information regarding each ensemble’s rehearsal schedule.
If you did not audition, but would still like to be a part of the jazz program, please contact Mr. Rexroat. We could use a few more brass players to even out the instrumentation.
All audition information and materials can be found on the OEHS band website at http://www.oswegoeasthighschoolbands.com/jazz-band-auditions-2020.html
Jazz Google Classroom
If your student is interested in auditioning for the OEHS jazz bands, please join the OEHS Jazz google classroom. The classroom code is: iy4emym
Jazz During Remote for All
During remote for all, students will still be placed into ability based jazz bands based on their audition. The jazz bands will rehearse with an amended rehearsal schedule each week. Without meeting in person, there will be more of a focus on jazz theory, improvisation, style, etc. We will work hard to also provide a collaborative element for the students. All of these elements will be worked on at a level that is appropriate for each band.
When we return to in person learning, the jazz bands will resume their normal rehearsal schedules.
Jazz Remote for All Rehearsal Schedules
During remote for all, the jazz bands will rehearse one day a week. As we progress into the school year, an additional rehearsal will be added. Here are the days each ensemble will rehearse:
Big Band (3rd level jazz band) - Thursdays, 3pm-4pm
Jazz Band (2nd level jazz band) - Tuesdays 3pm-4pm
Jazz Ensemble (top level jazz band) - Mondays 3pm-4pm
Jazz In Person Rehearsal Schedules
When we return to school in person, each jazz band will rehearsal with the following schedule:
Big Band - Tuesdays 4pm-5pm, Thursdays 2:40pm-4pm
Jazz Band - Tuesdays 2:40pm-4pm, Thursdays 4pm-5pm
Jazz Ensemble - Mondays 2:40pm-5pm, Thursdays 6pm-8pm
The jazz bands perform at four in house concerts during the school year and participate in festivals/competitions. Complete schedules will be communicated to each ensemble after auditions are completed.