Bastien’s Blog

Good Evening Everyone,First, let me say that the band sounded and looked great at today’s parade! Kudos to all of you in attendance. I had many Hudson residents come to me and EXCLAIM “How proud they were of you” and “How wonderful the band sounded”  NO, these people were not your moms, dads, siblings or any relative they were total strangers! I would also like to extend kudos to the Wilson’s for opening up their home to have an Apres Parade Cookout. Great job on the grill, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Hedrick and Mr. Brooks - the dogs and cheeseburgers were GREAT! (Geeeez, I sound like Tony the Tiger and the old Sugar Frosted Flakes commercial- ooops I’m dating myself).  The chaperone conversation was lots of fun - I won’t name names but we did share a lot of laughs :-)  Congratulations to  Anthony, Bria, Jake, Jenna, Olivia and Sara for putting themselves “on the line” and auditioning for the position of Junior Drum Major.  This was the first year that we did not make any cuts as the competition was excellent.   Special congratulations to Anthony in his pursuit as Junior Drum Major for the 2008-2009 AHS Marching Band.Reminder that Thursday night is our Elias Brody Memorial Spring Concert, it starts at 7:00 p.m. tell everyone-  as we say our final “good bye”(s) to the seniors. I would also like to remind everyone to double check your calendars as there is still a lot happening in the music department between now and graduation.In the original mailing (of last week) I listed June 10 as the ice cream social that has been changed to JUNE 16! That night we will be reviewing the year via a DVD (which all of you in attendance will receive) we will also be inviting the upcoming 8th graders. Anyone wishing to say a few parting words please see me this week.OK- I need to sign off and catch the Celtics game.  See you all tomorrow - two days till our Elias Brody Memorial Spring Concert - will we be ready?  (Don’t answer that). Good Night,Mr. B  

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Good Evening,Watch your mail! Yes, I have sent the final (yeah, I’ll probably send out another) letter for all our dates.I will send e copies to Mr. Stoughton to post or I could give it to you in this blog.On second thought here is the letter -

May 15, 2008

Dear Parents and Band Students,

 

We are only a few weeks away from completing the 2007-2008 School Year, and plans are already being made for the upcoming year of the Alvirne High School Music Department.   I have included an end of the year schedule (subject to change) to keep everyone organized (especially me).

 

 

May 24, 2008 6:00 p.m.-7: 00 p.m. Senior Spring Fling - AHS Cafeteria

Stage Band performance.

 

May 26, 2008      Memorial Day parade. (Phone tree WILL NOT BE ACTIVATED!)

 

Students will step off from Hannaford’s plaza at 2:00 p.m.

Students need to report to AHS band room by 11:15 a.m. for formal band picture

If you recall we began marching season with a uniform issue.  We were scheduled to have our formal band picture taken the Thursday of band camp but the heater pipe broke and well you know the rest of the story. I have contacted Cheetah Design Studios to take a formal picture of the band and colorguard the day of our Memorial Parade May 26, 2008

The formal picture will be taken at 11:45 a.m. and individual shots will be after. If you are interested in having a lasting memory please fill out the order form and bring it to AHS on Monday May 26, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.

FYI – The Memorial Day parade should be over by 3:30 p.m. followed by a cookout at Scott and Valencia Wilson’s home on Alvirne Drive (see additional information).

 

May 27, 2008  6:00-7:30 p.m. Instrumental Petting Zoo at Hudson Memorial

 All TRI M members are required to be there.

 

May 29, 2008       7:00 p.m.  Elias Brody Memorial Spring Concert – AHS Gymatorium

                              Final band/chorus concert of the year, graduating seniors are honored.  

    Flowers and Tissues are allowed!

 

June 2, 2008 7:00 p.m. 6^th Annual Instrumental Awards Night

                            See additional insert

 

 

June 5, 2008        7:00 p.m. Final FOM Meeting (By Laws and Election of officers)

 

 

June 7, 2008 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Chili Fiesta!

                             Stage Band performs 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

                             More information on the ahsmusic.org website.

June 10, 2008   6:00 p.m.   This is a traditional night to welcome incoming 8^th grade band students and parents. Parents and students are treated to ice cream sundaes and a slide show of 2007-2008 band activities. 

 

June 14, 2008       Graduation!

                               Band will leave for the Verizon at 8:00 Graduation is at 10: 00 a.m. 

                               We will be returning by 12:30 p.m.

 

 

Whew! I think that is it!

Mr. Bastien

Whew! I bet you thought I re wrote the whole thing - NO WAY - I love cut and paste!

Oh here are a couple of other snail mail items -

Après Parade

                                                              Memorial Day Picnic

 

           

            In appreciation for the commitment and effort, your child has shown us this past year– they are invited to attend a annual Memorial Day Picnic on behalf of the Music Department and Friends of Music.

 

            Mr. and Mrs. Scott Wilson (Valencia & Scott) of 31 Alvirne Dr. have graciously offered their yard for this special event.  The cookout will be held on Monday, May 26, 2008 after the Memorial Day Parade until 6:30 p.m. We will be serving hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chips, soda, water and various salads as well as desserts.  Students will also have a chance to enjoy a variety of backyard games.

 

Please, check out Map Quest for directions.

 

Parents will need to supply transportation to and from the picnic.

 

Please, pick up your child promptly at 6:30 p.m. from the Wilson residence. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call the music office 886-1265 or email gbastien@alvirnehs.org

 

On behalf of the marching band staff and Friends of Music – Thank You!

 

 

 

—————————————-Cut along this line —————————————-

 

 

YES, _______________________has my permission and will be attending the après Parade Memorial Day Picnic.

 

I am aware that I need to supply transportation to and from the picnic.

 

Parent’s Signature:____________________________

 

Date: ___________________

 

 Hold on I have another “cut and paste” special - 

 

May 15, 2008

 

 

 Dear parents, band, stage band and colorguard students,

 

 

You and your child are invited to the annual Instrumental Awards Night in the cafeteria on Monday, June 2, 2008 7:00 p.m. 

Our Friends of Music organization will supply soda, water and coffee. I am asking that anyone who will be attending bring a dessert dish.  

Please contact our volunteer coordinator Dianne McDonald at 595-2203 or rodyco@comcast.net for all baking particulars. Due to seating limitations, only band, colorguard students and parents may attend. Please do not bring siblings, grandparents, favorite aunts, uncles and cousins.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

 

This annual event is to recognize all members of the band, stage band and colorguard for the commitment to our music program this past school year. 

Please fill out and mail the form to my office or give it to your child so that we will have an exact count.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Mr. Gerry Bastien

 

 

 

 

—————————Cut along the dotted line———————-

 

 

 

YES, I ___________________________ and my parents will be attending the annual Instrumental Awards Night in the cafeteria on Monday, June 2, 2008 7:00 p.m. 

 

Our dessert dish will be ______________ 

 

I wonder if this is a record for a long blog

OK - time to surf I tunes, maybe do a little Smart Music then go to bed.

See all of you tomorrow.

Mr. B

 

PS.  

Ooops - Here is a pre matching test - Oh, there is no column to match - I guess you need to go and research the answers in a Grove Music Dictionary. Anyone who brings the matching in with the correct answers will be EXEMPT from the next “Band in a Box”

Now, I can say good night and watch the news.

 

 

Matching

 

 

Directions: Write the correct matching letter for the definition

 

1.     _____ A combination of three or more pitches

 

2.     _____ The steady pulse of music

 

3.     _____ A “C” Clef  that signifies the middle C is on the middle line    

                   of the staff

 

4.     _____ This is also called the “G” Clef

 

5.     _____  One of the notes in a scale

 

6.     _____The fifth scale degree of a diatonic scale

 

7.     _____ Any one of the common scales made of whole and half

     steps in a particular pattern

 

8.     _____ Two notes having the same pitch but different spelling

 

9.     _____  A combination of the treble and bass clefs that is commonly

     used to notate keyboard music

 

10.  _____ The smallest interval on the standard keyboard

 

11.  _____ A Bass melody with numbers and musical symbols beneath it to

     indicate the chords to be played

 

12.  _____ The difference in pitch between two notes

 

13.  _____ An arrangement of accidentals at the beginning of a staff

 

14.  _____ A small line written above or below the staff to extend the range

 

15.  _____ An organized succession of pitches

 

16.  _____ A system of seven tones with the same arrangement as from

    D to D on the white keys of the piano

 

17._____ A system of seven tones with the same arrangement as the

  natural minor key (A to A on the white keys of the piano)

 

18._____ The basic form of a minor scale with half steps between

   scale degrees 2-3 and 5-6

 

19. _____ A system used to help singers to remember the pitches

               of the various scale degrees in a diatonic scale

 

 20._____ A group of five horizontal lines on which music is notated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hi Everyone,Well, finally I’m able to blog again! It’s been quiet a while (obviously) - I forgot the password (old age).Can you believe that the end of the year is quickly approaching. Members of the FOM E Board and Mr. Stoughton (our web master) had a meeting last week to discuss the web page - EXPECT some MAJOR CHANGES in the very near future - a little bit of the old mixed in with a little of the new.Junior Drum Major Auditions will be held May 20-22, 2008 - look at the bulletin board in the music room for the specifics.Congratulations to our Concert Band and Stage Band for their “Superior/Gold” performance. To our Stage Band Trumpet Section (Kyle, Will, Ian, Jake, Matt and Neil) for taking one of three Maestro Awards and to our set drummer Linda Caporale for being “The Best” instrumentalist of the entire festival! Congrats to everyone! How many HLN’s did you buy? Thumbs very up to all!Ok, I have to chill a little as it is mother’s day and I need to spend some time with Mrs. B - actually we are going to watch one of my favorite TV shows Desperate House Wives ;-) Stay tune for more blogging from Mr. Blog himself ! Good Night!Mr. B 

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Good Day Everyone,It’s Friday February 22 - the day before our winter break. I know you have missed my banterings but “things happen!” I am so far behind that I am in first place. I do promise to get back into it  because I have been told that Mr. B’s blogs are the highlight of some people’s day - the only thing I can say is “Oh MY!”Have a great break, if time permits I will update you on the last couple of months.Enjoy,Mr. B 

Tags: Second Semester // Add Comment »

Just a quick word from Mr. B to say “Thank You” to all the parents who came by to visit for parent conference night.  I appreciate your support for our program and  the support you show for your young  student musicians. There is a lot to catch up on - maybe this weekend.Ok, school comes early in the morning. Who would have thought that the last teacher out of the building for parent conferences was the band director! I had a great night meeting and greeting all our “newbies”.later,B

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WOW, I haven’t written in a while due to many issues, professional, personal but mostly becuase I have been watching the RED SOX! It’s getting late so I am not going to write anything but come back in a few days and I’ll  have you all caught up!

 Regards,

Mr.B

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Rain, Rain Go Away……well if it wasn’t for bad luck we’d have no luck at all

I want to congratulate all the members of the Alvirne High School Bronco Marching Band and Colorguard. You worked very hard all week as well as Saturday in preparation for the Salem Band Show. I know you would have done extremely well making this director very proud of your hard work and focus.  Congratulations to all of you for your efforts - this work has not gone unoticed. To all the bands that participated in the Salem Band Show - we had the pleasure of seeing and hearing you - thank you for your efforts at the show- it’s great to see and hear all that is happening with marching bands in the State of New Hampshire.  I would also like to take this time to thank all the parents who volunteered as chaperones and pit crew for the Salem Band Show your efforts are well appreciated. To our parents and students who helped today putting the uniforms away and cleaning up the music room a BIG Thank You!

This week’s Friday night’s football game will be exciting not only from the aspect of the game but we will have approximately 400 youthful musicians. Our 7th and 8th graders will be coming up for our annual step up night and the Spaulding Band will be coming to Hudson and  joining us in the half time entertainment.

Parents - we will be having a Wednesday night rehearsal to help our 7th and 8th graders.  This is an optional rehearsal but I guarantee it will be a night of fun for not only our middle school students but our high school seniors as well. FOM will also have goodies for parents attending the rehearsal.

We are now beginning concert season - the next two weeks students will be auditioning for their seating. They will need to play the circle of fourths (by heart) C-Ab Major scales (by heart) a prepared grade 3 piece and sight read a grade level 2 piece.

I have just finished reading through and correcting the band critiques from our AHS vs. BG game - those will be distributed tomorrow during period J along with the test that was taken on the marching show. Students who need to do the critique make up  should schedule a time this week, also a couple of you have not taken the test with regards to the marching show - I hope you know your sets, counts and measures. All missed test and critiques must be made up by the end of this week.

I would also like to remind students who have not handed in their down payments for the trip to speak to me this week as I will be posting the final list by Friday.

I am looking for a fun filled week as we begin Spirit. I’m looking forward to video night this Thursday.

Regards,

Mr. B

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Good Evening,

The second half of the week went much better. The Friday night show went very well- there was pride on the field both with the band and our football team. This week’s focus will be on Saturday’s Salem Band Show. The show will be held this Saturday October 6 at 6:00 p.m. - there will be no rain date and the show will not be moved indoors. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. Bands that will be there are: Nashua High School South, Marshwood High School, Manchester West, Burlington HS, Merrimack High School Dover High School and Pinkerton HS. After the intermission, Londonderry HS, Spaulding HS, Methuen HS then YES, you guessed it - Alvirne High School. We will be judged on Music, Visuals, Colorguard, and Percussion. Our rehearsal will be begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday - if you are taking the SAT’s please report to Alvirne as soon as possible. The bus will leave at 4:30 p.m.!

Tomorrow we will watch our performance from Friday night’s Alvirne v. BG game - our second band critique as well as a quick quiz on counts and marking time will be the order of the day. Wednesday, is concert band day - seating will begin next week.

Progress report week is upon us - Jazz Band, I have your scores from Transposition # 1 and # 2. Band, unfortunately the second critique will not be completed by progress report time. Remember, any performance or rehearsal that  has ** means you OWE that work.

The Yankee Candle sale is over! If anyone still hasn’t paid their initial deposit for the Annapolis Trip this is  the final week - after  this week the list will be finalized  and we will start making the necessary arrangements. We also have room for 5 more chaperones. Parents interested please  email me ASAP.

Thanks for reading!

Mr. B

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How you feeling? HOT!  HOT! HOT!

The weather is definitely unseasonable, maybe that’s why our marching band rehearsal this evening lacked E N E R G Y ! The week has been busy as we are preparing for Friday Night’s home football game. This week we will be peforming all three tunes - should be interesting

Don’t forget to share the Salem Band Schedule with your parents!

Friday your Yankee Candle orders are due!

Stage Band members are you ready to be recorded playing your transcriptions?

See you all tomorrow- more writing and thoughts to come!

Good Night,

Mr. B

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Good Evening,

Greetings from Trois -Rivières QC  Canada

Now, you are probably wondering  “What is going on ?!?“ I am sitting here in Trois -Rivières Canada at my cousin`s Noella et Pauline`s house with Mrs. B. We have just finished having some fromage (cheese), pain (bread) and water  We have just arrived after a 5 hour drive for an enjoyable weekend with my cousins.

This week as usual was busy. Stage Band rehearsed along with our German counter parts playing various tunes from Dizzey Gillespie to Wild Cherry.

Marching Band finally finished the “The Mask of Zorro -Finale“ All sets are done, we have made a few changes and have spiced up the ending - wait till September 28- our parents and patrons will be pleasantly surprised!

Please do not forget your trip deposit as we have already started paying the deposits for the various activities, hotel and transportation.

I did receive some emails regarding some edline questions.

As you are looking at edline please read the legend as it will tell you what  project is  being graded. Some students did not hand in the “First Assignment“  others did not hand in the critiques or missed the deadline - this is why you will see a 0 or **.  ** will also appear if the column does not apply- for example, if your child plays clarinet and you look at the flute sectional column you will find ** by your child`s name  because that sectional does not apply to them (for obvious reasons).  Also an X indcates Exempt, as in the case of those students who performed in Romeo and Julliet. Regardless, if you are still confused after reading this (I am typing on a French keyboard) do not hesitate to email me.

Uniforms bags have arrived - I would like to thank Mrs. McDonald, our uniform chairperson along with her committee for rebagging and labeling the uniforms and shoes on Wednesday evening. Does the volunteering work ever stop?

Finally, what a week it was for the Carl Orff Band and the Hudson School District. Our exchange students from Carl Orff performed at Hills Garrison, HO Smith/Library St., Nottingham West and Hudson Memorial.  The Hudson students were very interested, polite and extremely excited about the music they heard from Munich Germany. Traditional Bavarian Music,  their interperation of our American Music, and let`s not forget ABBA`s “Dancing Queen“ medley as well as the finale - a polka. I overheard many students and faculty members of 20 years  saying that these assemblies were THE BEST! Many faculty and administrators enjoyed themselves and even showed our students a  step or two on how to polka.  I also know that  Elvis has nothing on Toby ask any 7th grade girl!

As many of you know today (9/21/07) was to be the finale peformance of the Carl Orff Band at Alvirne.  Unfortunately, that did not come to total  fruition (read the Alvirne home page). Regardless, the Carl Orff band students were pros and entertained the small but sincere gathering in our gymatorium and YES, we did dance a polka as the finale! We will miss our friends but we are very fortunate with today`s technology as they are only a click away. 

To our host students, parents and Carl Orff band mates - it`s not today, tomorrow but some time in the future when you least expect it   you will remember these past two weeks.

Aujourd’hui, c’est une journée mais les souvenirs demeureront toujours gravés dans leur mémoire et dans leur coeur!

Extra credit if you can translate the last sentence :-)  Faculty, you want to talk interdisciplinary

A plus tard ,

Mr. B

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