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Washington DC Trip EXTRA REHEARSALS and other information

Hello Washington DC Trip Participants:

Happy New Year! It is time to put the trip into gear and the staff at LSWHS is VERY excited about this trip.

We will be having 3 Extra Evening Practices to prepare for the trip.

Please take note of these dates and times listed below:
January 20th (Tuesday): 6:30-8:30pm Band and Orchestra Only

February 18th (Wednesday): 6:30-7:30pm, Choir – 7:45-8:45pm, Band and Orchestra

March 3rd (Tuesday): 6:30-7:45pm, Band and Orchestra – 8:00-9:00pm Choir

We will have our Pre DC Trip Performance on: March 10th (Tuesday) at 7:00pm

We still have 28 students who did not turn in their medical forms. Please do so immediately.

Don’t forget the dates of the trip:

Leaving – Thursday, March 12 at 4pm. Returning – Wednesday, March 18 at 10am.

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All State Band Honors

This just in, three of our own Titan Pride received honors at the Missouri All-State Band auditions today!

Congratulations to Kayla Shaeffer for getting FIRST CHAIR baritone saxophone! Congratulations to Sawyer Harmon for getting first alternate tuba! Congratulations to Kevin McMilian for getting honorable mention for jazz vibes!

Nice job today by all participants, directors are so proud of you!

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Titan Pride Update, Turkey edition 2014

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. I hope this email finds you well and looking forward to a relaxing long weekend. Here are some bits of information and updates for the band world:

All State Band Auditions
There are several students involved in All-State Band auditions on Saturday, December 6th. If you have one of these students, you will need to transport your son/daughter to/from Columbia, MO. The auditions will take place at Columbia-Hickman High School. There are no scheduled times for these auditions. Mr. Thurmond and Mr. Harrel will be on-site with registration forms. You will need to find us upon arriving at the high school and get your audition number. At this point, students will go to their audition room and sign up for an audition spot (no times). More information (including maps and transportation release) will come home next week.

Winter Concert – December 8th
All bands will be performing at our Winter Concert. Please make sure all uniform parts are purchased and in order before the concert.

Concert #1 will start at 6pm and will include the Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band
Concert #2 will start at 7:30pm and will include the Symphonic Band and Titan Jazz Band
We hope all family and friends can attend this concert at such a wonderful time of year.

Are you going to Washington DC with us?
If so, you need to be at the MANDATORY trip meeting in between the two concerts on December 8th at 7pm in the PAC.
At this meeting you will be given lots of information that will take some immediate action on your part, so don’t miss it.
PLEASE make sure you have caught up on payments by THIS SUNDAY!

Cinderella Pit Orchestra
If your son/daughter made it into the pit orchestra for the winter musical, Cinderella, please print off the attached schedule and get the dates into your calendar now to prevent conflict.

Pep Band
ALL band students will participate in TWO pep band performances this winter. Please add these two dates to your calendar as well.
Friday, January 9th
Tuesday, February 24th
Call times TBD. We will be wearing our blue pep band tee shirts (from the marching season) and our ball caps. Please locate these now.

Again, I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.

Cinderella Pit Orchestra Schedule.docx

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All District Band Results

KC Metro District No. 3 All District Band/Jazz Band Audition Results
Congratulations to the following students who made the KC Metro District No. 3 All District Bands.  Thank you to all of our students who tried out Saturday.  We are proud of all the students who auditioned.  

KC Metro District No. 3 All District Band (These students are eligible to audition for All-State Band on December 6th)
Janine Nunes – 11th chair flute
Michelle Liu – 4th chair alto saxophone
Kayla Shaeffer – 1st alternate bari saxophone
David Burre – 7th chair trombone
Sawyer Harmon – 1st chair tuba
Peyton Gilbert – 2nd alternate tuba

KC Metro District No. 3 All District Jazz Band (These students are eligible to audition for All-State Jazz Band on December 6th)
Quinn Mosier – Piano
Kevin McMilian – Vibraphone

KC Metro District No. 3 All District Honorable Mention Band
Maddison Krause – 4th chair flute
Emily Wiencek – 3rd chair clarinet
Julia Krause – 8th chair clarinet
Kayla Shaeffer – 1st chair bari saxophone
Peyton Gilbert – 2nd chair tuba

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Band Update

Wow! What a banquet. Thank you to all the parents and students who made an evening to remember. It was a great ending to an awesome marching season and tribute to our outgoing seniors.

Here are some bits of information for you:

All-District Auditions
Tomorrow, several of our students will be auditioning for a spot in the All-District Band, Honorable Mention Band, and Jazz Band. Good luck to all!
Here is the information I sent home with the kids last week and a schedule:
(See attached file: All District Logistics.docx)(See attached file: Copy of LEE’S SUMMIT WEST FINAL.xlsx)

Pep Band
We will be having a pep band this year for the basketball games. Here is how it will work:

  • 2 games will include the whole band, please put these dates in your calendar now so conflicts can be avoided. Friday, January 9th AND Tuesday, February 24th. (Call time and such will be announced at a later time)
  • 5 games will be with an auditioned pep band. Auditions will take place the first week of December. Stay tuned for more information and dates

Pit Orchestra
Students interested in auditioning for the pit orchestra for our school musical, Cinderella, will sign up next week for an audition that will take place the week of November 17th. The musical takes place in February and is a time committment, so please make sure you can commit before auditioning.

Percussion students
Percussion students have received the equipment that they have purchased for the year to keep their stick bags complete and repaired. An invoice for this equipment is being sent home today (some have already paid for it). Please submit payment by next Friday, November 14th. Thank you.

Winter Concert
The Winter Concert for ALL band members is on Monday, December 8th.
6:00pm – Concert 1 begins (Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble)
7:00pm – Mandatory meeting for ALL Washington DC participants
7:30pm – Concert 2 begins (Symphonic Band, Jazz Band)
Note: All girls should have their concert dress at this time and will need to take care of alterations before the concert. Also, they will need black hose and black shoes to wear.
Note: All boys should have received their tuxedo by now and will need to purchase their tuxedo shirt and bow tie before this time. Also, they will need black dress socks (NOT ATHLETIC SOCKS) and black dress shoes.

All-State Auditions
If your son/daughter makes it into the All-District Band or All-District Jazz Band (or as an alternate to either group), he/she will be eligible to audition for All-State Band and Jazz Band. These auditions will take place on Saturday, December 8th. As in District Auditions, we will not be providing transportation to/from Columbia, MO for this event. Please plan accordingly. Audition times will be handed out before Thanksgiving, I hope.

Have a GREAT day!

Clifton D. Thurmond

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER: This e-mail and any attachments may be confidential and may contain privileged or copyright information. If you are not the intended recipient, please call (816) 986-1444 and inform us that you have received this message in error. Please do not copy, distribute or use this e-mail or the information contained in it for any purpose.

All District Logistics.docx

Copy of LEE’S SUMMIT WEST FINAL.xlsx

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Titan Pride Update, Week of November 3

Marching Band Banquet (TIME CHANGE)
Monday, November 3 7:00PM
The Bordner Events Center
Attached you will find the information sheet I sent home with your kids yesterday. It has logistical information AND directions/map.
Students involved in Una Voce’ will leave LSW at 7pm and arrive to the banquet around 7:20 or so. We won’t even have finished going through the dinner line yet. Program won’t start til later.
All marching band kids cost is covered.
All guests who RSVP’d (if you did, we ordered food for you, please pay for your RSVP’d amount of guests) will need to bring $7/guest in the form of cash or check (made payable to LSW Music Parents)
(See attached file: 2014 Titan Pride Band Banquet.docx)

Symphonic Band Chair Test
All members of the Symphonic Band except bass clarinet, bari sax, and euphonium have a recorded test due by Wednesday. Their syllabus (that should have been signed and turned in today) has instructions on how to submit recording via google classroom. Attached is the syllabus for Symphonic Band members.
(See attached file: 2015 SB Syllabus.doc)
Following the results of this chair test, there will be ONE opportunity for students to challenge the seat above them next week.

All-District Band Auditions
Saturday, November 8th – Liberty High School
Students involved will be screened THIS Monday morning at 6:45am, please have them to school on time.
Attached is the information I gave them yesterday concerning the logistics and schedule for their audition.
Next week I will be sending home a transportation release form that needs to be completed and signed explaining how each student is getting to/from Liberty HS. (Because of the scheduling, we will NOT be taking a bus)
(See attached file: All District Logistics.docx)(See attached file: Copy of LEE’S SUMMIT WEST FINAL.xlsx)

Winter Concert and Washington DC Meeting
Monday, December 8th
6:00PM Concert #1 – Concert Band and Percussion Class perform
7:00PM Washington DC Meeting – All Participants on the trip must be at this short meeting in the PAC
7:30PM Concert #2 – Symphonic Band and Jazz Band perform

Have a GREAT weekend and see you all Monday night!

Clifton D. Thurmond
Director of Bands, Lee’s Summit West High School

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER: This e-mail and any attachments may be confidential and may contain privileged or copyright information. If you are not the intended recipient, please call (816) 986-1444 and inform us that you have received this message in error. Please do not copy, distribute or use this e-mail or the information contained in it for any purpose.

2014 Titan Pride Band Banquet.docx

2015 SB Syllabus.doc

All District Logistics.docx

Copy of LEE’S SUMMIT WEST FINAL.xlsx

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Titan Pride Update, End of Marching Season edition

Well……we’ve almost made it. The kids did a marvelous job at Odessa last week and came home on cloud nine. This week we are hungrier than ever and excited to end our season with a bang.

Saturday – small change of plans
Due to some scheduling conflicts with some students, we will be unable to participate in the Indoor Percussion Competition this weekend, so the itinerary has changed to reflect ALL band members arriving at school around 8:45am to be ready in the stadium for a 9am rehearsal.
Here is the updated itinerary:

RSVP for the Banquet
The banquet is rapidly approaching and we need to turn in numbers to the caterer. Please RSVP for the banquet THIS weekend.
It is Monday, November 3rd beginning at 6:30pm at the Bordner (more details to follow next week)
Seniors!!!!! Please send a baby picture and a recent photo to Michelle Krause ASAP for the slide show
Please click on this link to RSVP for the banquet:
Band Banquet RSVP

Band Fees
There are still 20 students with outstanding balances for their band fees. Last week I sent home an invoice in an attempt to wrap this up by yesterday (Wednesday). Please take care of this ASAP so that we may close the books on this marching season.

Concert Season
Begins MONDAY! Have your concert instrument in good shape and ready to play Monday during class. All students should come ready with their instrument (and all necessary supplies) and a PENCIL for every rehearsal.

Symphonic Band Chair Test
All members of the Symphonic Band will be taking a seating test the week of November 3rd. The music for the test is hanging on the windows in front of the Ensemble Room. Please prepare for this test.

Concert Band Chair Test
All members of the Concert Band (3rd Hour) will be taking a seating test the week of November 3rd. The music for the test will be handed out next week. Please prepare for this test.

Percussion Class
Beginning Monday, it is expected that all percussionists in 2nd Hour will have the following in class every day: complete stick/mallet bag, black music binder, and stick pad

All District Band
Participants auditioning for All District Band will have a "screening" audition with Mr. Thurmond or Mr. Harrel during the week of November 3rd that they must pass in order to continue on to the actual audition.
The auditions themselves will take place on Saturday, November 8th at Liberty High School. Times are different for each student and will be posted sometime next week.
Transportation to the auditions is NOT provided, therefore, parents will need to transport their student to/from the audition. If a student needs to drive him/herself (students cannot ride with other students), there will need to be administrative approval through the office.

Concert Uniforms
All females at this time should have their uniform skirt and blouse. If alterations are needed, please see to it that this occurs before our winter concert
All males at this time should have taken home a tuxedo coat, pants, and cummerbund. Boys will need to purchase their own tuxedo shirt and bow tie at a local department store or online. Please make sure this is done before our winter concert.

Winter Concert
Our Winter Band Concert will be on Monday, December 8th in the PAC at LSWHS. Attendance and participation in this concert is required, please block out this date on your calendar at this time to prevent conflicts.
6pm Concert – Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble
7:30pm Concert – Symphonic Band and Titan Jazz Band

Jazz Band
Titan Jazz Band will begin on Tuesday, November 11. Rehearsals will be every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30-3:15.
For the first session (winter concert), anyone interested in participating in jazz band is welcome.
In January, there will be an audition for the contest jazz band. This select band will compete throughout the spring at several area jazz festivals.
For more information, please contact the Titan Jazz director, Shawn Harrel, at shawn.harrel@leesummit.k12.mo.us

Clifton D. Thurmond

UCM Festival of Champions.doc

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October news and notes

Good afternoon,

There has been a lot going on which has led to this being a later than expected email, although much shorter than normal. Let me first start by congratulating all of our All-District choir members (we had the most of any school in the disctrict):

  • Ashlee Briggs
  • Amanda Brobst
  • Emily Coffin
  • Clayre Parson
  • Maddie Sahudin
  • Gianna VanPelt
  • Danielle Adair
  • Autumn Black
  • Emma Carr
  • Marli Griffith
  • EmmaRae King
  • Kate Mosier
  • Hannah Ratigan
  • Maya Strickland
  • Scott Ferguson
  • Easton Morrill
  • Travis Taylor
  • Seth Harper
  • Nathan May
  • Justin McKinney
  • Braden Oldham
  • Davis Perry
  • Kimberly Hodson (Women’s Honor Choir)

All –State audition for these students is this Saturday, good luck!!

Marching Band:

Thank you to all of the parent volunteers that have made it possible for our students to wear their brand new AWESOME marching band uniforms. In addition to the new uniforms we’ve been modifying the trailers with lights and shelving. The Marching Band cleaned up this past week in Odessa — congrats to them!! Next up is the UCM competition and then a banquet.

Upcoming dates:

  • October 25 — All-State Choir Auditions
  • October 25 — UCM Festival of Champions (Marching Band)
  • November 6 — LSWMP Meeting
  • November 8 – All District Auditions (instrumental)
  • November 23 – SLMS and LSW Church Concert

Go Titans!

Brent Grigsby
LSWMP President