ALL REGION - GOBBLE, GOBBLE!

What can I say about this year's All Region experience?  It was the usual "LONG" preparation process.  Students and directors met the challenges of improving with enthusiasm, determination, and a sincere desire to make the individual musician better, in turn making the band better.  Thank you to all those who prepared and auditioned.  We are all EXTREMELY pleased with the results. 

DMS had the MOST 1st chairs of any middle school in the Region with a total of 5 OVERALL 1st Chairs.  This is NO small accomplishment.  The standard has been raised yet again for the directors and students.  Our 8th grade musicians are leaving a great legacy behind.

We are currently preparing for our Winter Concerts.  The Symphonic Band is a larger group this year, and WOW are they really beginning to sound as an ensemble.  It is exciting to see and hear the work the students and Mr. Slusser are doing daily - your efforts will be on display in a couple weeks.  It will also be really cool to have the Concert Band students join the Symphonic Band on our concert.

Our beginning students are awaiting information for their Color Instrument auditions.  They have passed the beginning levels of tone production and are now working through the challenges of reading and playing written music.  We know they are excited to display the skills they have learned at their Recital in ONE week!

The Honor Band continues to be diligent in their preparations for their Holiday Tour and Winter Concert.  You can find information about one of your Objectives below:
Woodwind Accompanist:  Patricia Lilley
Brass/Percussion Accompanist:  Eliza Ching

I appreciate every one's passion and loyalty to our program.  It is infectious.

GOBBLE, GOBBLE.

2011 All Region Band FINAL Results

Thank you to everyone who qualified to audition.  You have improved greatly and made our band program stronger.  Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.  Congratulations to the students listed below for making the All Region Bands this year.

Shruthi Avantsa, Flute  Symphonic Band  Chair 8

Karen Stephenson, Bassoon  Symphonic Band Chair 1
David Nguyen, Bassoon, Symphonic Band Chair 2

Sahar Hussain, Clarinet, Symphonic Band Chair 6
Llaren Turner, Clarinet, Symphonic Band Chair 10
Audrey Spitz, Clarinet, Symphonic Band Chair 11
Denielle Braxton, Clarinet, Concert Band Chair 3
Caroline Mousa, Clarinet, Concert Band Chair 5

Sarah Gregory, Bass Clarinet Symphonic Band Chair 1

Abigail Trautmann, Alto Saxophone Symphonic Band Chair 1
Alberto Salazar, Tenor Saxophone Symphonic Band Chair 1
Victor Burgess, Tenor Saxophone Symphonic Band Chair 2
Kim Gleason, Baritone Saxophone Symphonic Band Chair 1

Natalie Stephenson, Trumpet Symphonic Band Chair 7
Zachary Bergman, Trumpet Symphonic Band Chair 8
Will Tevis, Trumpet Concert Band Chair 4
Alex Rosenbalm, Trumpet Concert Band Chair 8

Zachary Vetter, French Horn Concert Band Chair 6

Cameron Taylor, Trombone Symphonic Band Chair 3
Shane Whitmire, Trombone Concert Band Chair 1
Ben Rudzinski, Trombone Concert Band Chair 5

Cameron Wicks, Euphonium Symphonic Band Chair 2
Nicholas Ong, Euphonium Concert Band Chair 2

JR Anduyan, Percussion Concert Band Chair 5

ALL REGION 2011 Friday Night Results

See the list below for students that ADVANCE to Phase 2 for tomorrow (Saturday).  Please see the file attachment for details.  Remember, this does NOT mean that you made All Region, but return for Phase 2. 

You will only perform your etudes (probably the most difficult portions).

Arrive EARLY to Baines MS and check in at the DMS Table with the DMS Band Parent on duty.  Also,

CHECK OUT with the DMS Band Parent before you leave.  Best Wishes for a great audition!

Shruthi Avantsa, flute
Audrey Spitz, clarinet
Denielle Braxton, clarinet
Llaren Turner, clarinet
Sahar Hussain, clarinet
Caroline Mousa, clarinet
Michael Ramirez, trumpet
Alex Rosenbalm, trumpet
Will Tevis, trumpet
Natalie Stephenson, trumpet
Zachary Bergman, trumpet
Cameron Taylor, trombone
Shane Whitmire, trombone
Ben Rudzinski, trombone
Victoria Levin, trombone

Long time no BLOG.....

Well it has been over a month since our last Blog Post!  So much has happened with the DMS Bands.  From the Fall Fundraiser, to Costume Party, DHS Game, All Region Master Class, Officer Elections, Fall Concert, and now All Region is upcoming this week.  We are the most dedicated Vikings around.  It continues to be an honor to work with such an amazing group of young people and supportive community.

Check out the Fundraiser results below:

Top Selling Class:  Honor Band (2nd Period) - Reward:  1 Free Objective Pass Off (non-playing)
Top Selling Student:  Ryan Harrington (2nd Period, Honor Band, Bass Trombonist)
 **Ryan receives a 5lb. Hershey Chocolate Bar!
5lb Hershey Kiss:  This was drawn at our Reward Party (Costume Party):  Tailer Nguyen, 6th Grade Percussionist was the winner!  You had to have sold 15 items to attend the party and have your name in the drawing.

The totals are below:
Gross amount of funds:  $20, 825.00
Net profit amount:  $12, 058.80
Participation:  191 students out of 223  (86%)
Average Profit per seller:  $42.09
Average items sold per seller:  10

Thank you very much for your continued financial support of our DMS Band family.  Without these funds, our program could not exist.  Most of the funds are budgeted a year in advance for annual events such as the Winter Party, incentives, recordings of performances, contest entries, music, disposable supplies, instrument maintenance, clinicians, etc.

STAND PARTY 2011

Thank you to everyone who helped assemble our stands on Saturday.  It was super fun and amazingly FAST!  Kuddos!  It was yet another great day to be a Viking.

Band Leadership Team 2011-2012

We applaud everyone who ran for the team this year.  Please remember that we judge the essay's and look at the voting to compile the team.  You do not have to be on the leadership team to be a leader in our program - that is perhaps the greatest lesson to take from this experience.

Congratulations to those who are taking on this responsibility to serve the students and directors of the DMS Band Program for 2011-2012.

Dulles Middle School Band Leadership Team

2011-2012

Co - Presidents            
Natalie Stephenson           Trumpet              
Shruthi Avantsa                 Flute                   

Sarah Gregory                   Bass Clarinet      

Vice-President             
Llaren Turner                     Clarinet              

Librarians       
Audrey Spitz                       Clarinet              
Hannah Westerberg          Horn                    

Historians                    
Kim Gleason                      Bari Sax              
Alberto Salazar                  Tenor Sax           

HB WWD Capts   
Sahar Hussain                   Clarinet               
Caroline Mousa                 Clarinet               

HB Brass Capt 
Nicholas Ong                    Euphonium         

HB Perc Capts            
Jr Anduyan                        Percussion           
Shawn Chacko                  Percussion           

SB WWD Capts            
Sandra Morfin                  Clarinet                  
Matthew Nguyen             Alto Sax                 

SB Brass Capt               
Zachary Blackwell           Trumpet               

CB Representative        
Arman Nazerian              Trumpet               

1st Day of School Ready!

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of this year's kiddos!  Best Wishes to everyone for a great first week.

Summer Band/Cookout - Day 5!

What an amazing Summer Band this year!  It was so great to get into the new band hall and get to work with such an amazing Viking Band family this year.  I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and is working hard in preparation for the start of school.

Congratulations to Zach Bergman & Michael Ramirez (peanuts M&M's) for winning our final Theme Day: TWIN DAY.  They each got a box of TWINKIES!

Please enjoy the pictures below and be checking your email this week for regular updates!