Posted on

Christmas in the Park Volunteers

Don’t forget Christmas in the Park is this Friday!

Our organization was selected to help Jackson County with the Christmas in the Park light display at Longview Lake. In turn for providing volunteers to collect donations, the LSW Music Parent group will receive a portion of the monies collected for the general fund…up to $1,000! We could still use a few more volunteers.

The details are:

* Day — Friday, November 29th

* Time — 5:00pm to 11:00pm

* Where — Longview Park

In order to receive our share of the funds we have to have at least 6 adults there at all times. Children 16 and older can also volunteer, but no one under the age of 16 can assist.

We can split the night into shifts; however, any volunteers that come after the park opens will need to wait in the line of cars to get to the park. The Friday after Thanksgiving will be a very busy night so that will make it difficult to volunteer for only the second part of the night. If you would like to volunteer for the just the second part of the evening, please let me know (I think I have Plan B that will work and only involves a short walk thru the woods.)

You can sign up to volunteer in Charms:

Go to www.charmsoffice.com
Select Enter in the upper right-hand corner
Select Parents/Students/Members
Enter school code: lswhsmusic
Click on the Public Calendar icon
Click on the hand to volunteer

Thank you!
Nancy Shaeffer
Volunteer Coordinator

Posted on

Titan Pride Update, Turkey and State Football edition!

Well, the Titans did it again. 42-14 was the final tonight over the Kearney Bulldogs. We are headed to STATE! Our last performance of the season will be in the Edward Jones Dome on Saturday, November 30th at 5:30pm.

This brings with it plenty of challenges, given we only have two days of school remaining before break. Please read the following carefully, so our trip logistics can run smoothly.

  • IF, for any reason, your son/daughter will be traveling one direction without the band (meaning they will not be on the bus), we NEED written verification of this.
  • IF they are riding to OR from with someone other than their own parents, they MUST fill out the approved travel release form that I will provide them MONDAY during class. This MUST be signed and returned NO LATER THAN Tuesday, November 26th at NOON!
  • IF they are riding to OR from with a parent, a hand-written note or email will suffice.
  • We will TRY to go outside to rehearse on MONDAY or TUESDAY during school. Please tell your son/daughter to come prepared to go outside in the cold those days.
  • I have a lot of things to iron out before I can give you an itinerary, but we plan to leave mid-morning and return LATE (as in after midnight).

Lastly, I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving! Have a relaxing time with your families. And don’t forget to put EVERYTHING on your Thursday dinner table between two pieces of bread on Friday! (That is my favorite part)

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

Posted on

Football playoff information

Greetings!

The LSW Titan football team had another great win this weekend. LSW will host the next game on Friday, Nov. 22nd, at 7:00pm against Kearney. The band will perform at the game and the call time for students is 6:00pm.

If the Titans win on Friday, the next game will be the state championship game! The game will be at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis on Saturday, Nov. 30th at 5:30pm and the band will perform at halftime. The band typically takes bus transportation to and from the event, leaving early morning and returning late evening. If you plan on going and prefer staying a night or two, I recommend the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. They have blocked a number of rooms for LSW…let them know you are calling for the $79 rate that is to be given to fans of the Lee’s Summit West football team.

Go Titans!

Nancy

Posted on

Fundraiser Due Tomorrow

Just a reminder that tomorrow the fundraiser is DUE!

There will be plastic containers in each room to turn in the orders.

NO LATER THAN TOMORROW!

I have to send in the order by Tuesday so that it will be received by Christmas.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

Andrea Kaiser
LSW Music Fundraiser Liaison

Posted on

Concert/Symphonic Band Playing Tests

Parents and students,

Band members in Concert Band (and Symphonic Band) are being assigned weekly playing tests through www.charmsoffice.com. These tests are designed to keep the students progressing and keep them practicing 20-30 minutes a day.

Here is some information on how to access Charms:
http://titanmusic.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/CHARMS-How-to-access.doc

Here is some information on how to access and use the Charms recording studio:
http://titanmusic.lsr7.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/08/RecordingStudioHelp.pdf

As with any technology, there has been a few problems with certain students getting their computer or iOS device (search for Charms Office in the App Store) to record their playing tests. Please note that this is NOT an excuse to miss a playing test deadline. Making sure your browser and Java version is up to date is the first step in troubleshooting. The students have heard me say it before, but I grade them all on a 7-year-old laptop of my o wn at home.

While having all the tests submitted through Charms would be preferred, the student should make arrangements to submit the recording one way or another by the deadline. See Mr. Harrel or Mr. Thurmond if you need some advice. You can always find the current playing tests and their deadlines by logging into Charmsoffice.com.

Parents, thanks for your help and encouragement of the students as they work consistently to improve their musicality and students, thanks for your hard work as always!

Posted on

Titan Pride Weekly Update

Hello. I’m sure most of you have been going through withdrawal from not receiving my email EVERY Friday.

Marching Band, the saga continues……….

What a glorious night it was last Monday. Marching band in 20 degree weather is how it’s supposed to be (says the guy who spent three years in the University of Colorado marching band)

There is a playoff game TOMORROW in Springfield at Kickapoo HS. The band will NOT be traveling to the game. In the event the team wins that game, we SHOULD have a home game on Friday, November 22nd. If this game takes place at Titan Stadium, we will again perform and have a 6pm call time.

Both Symphonic Band AND Concert Band members are taking WEEKLY playing tests via the CHARMS system. Please encourage your child to stay current on this, as getting behind will only have a negative effect.

Don’t forget the Winter Concert on December 10th at 7pm. All girls, at this point, should have a concert dress (purchased through the music staff). All boys, at this point, should have a rented tuxedo from the music staff. Boys are responsible for purchasing their own tuxedo shirt
(this is not a normal white dress shirt, it needs to be an actual tuxedo shirt), as well as their own bowtie. Percussion Ensemble boys are to wear black dress slacks, a black, long-sleeved, collared dress shirt, and black dress shoes. Percussion Ensemble girls have been instructed to wear all black matching the boys as best as possible (I’m not as good at describing their options).

Don’t forget that the current fundraiser orders/money are due THIS MONDAY.

Congratulations to the following students on their accomplishments at All-District Band Auditions this past Saturday. Students auditioned at Liberty High School against approximately 1000 other high school band members from the Kansas City area for a 100-piece concert band and a 20-piece jazz band:

The following were selected as members of the All-District Band
Shayla Brown, 7th chair flute
Maddie Krause, 8th chair flute
Courtney Bingham, 2nd chair oboe
Courtney Bingham, english horn 1st alternate
Allyssa DeJarnette, 3rd chair clarinet
Kayla Shaeffer, 1st chair baritone saxophone
David Burre, trombone 1st alternate
Sawyer Harmon, 1st chair tuba

The following were selected as members of the Honorable Mention Band
David Burre, 1st chair trombone

The following were selected to the All-District Jazz Band
Justin Nitz, 5th trumpet
Isaiah Carter, vibraphone
Isaiah Carter, drumset 2nd alternate
Kevin McMilian, vibraphone alternate
Quinn Mosier, piano

All of the above students are eligible to audition for All-State Band and Jazz Band on December 7th at Columbia-Hickman High School, more info to follow. In addition, they will be performing with their respective All-District ensembles the week of December 9th, please refer to their schedule for rehearsal and concert times.

Clifton D. Thurmond

Posted on

LSWMP November information and All District

This is a copy of a group email sent by Music Parent President.

Good afternoon,

Many students from the band and orchestra participated this past Saturday in All District auditions. As with Choir the music program at West has been blessed with many who made it.

Band had 10 students make all district, one student achieved it with two instruments, along with two making honorable mention. Orchestra had 29 students make all district. CONGRATULATIONS to all of those students. Next for these students is All State on December 7th.

Fundraising:
The current fundraiser that is going on is due no later than November 18th. If orders aren’t received by then they’ll be turned back to the students. The reason for this is for orders to be received before Christmas they must be placed by November 18th.As always all fundraisers are optional and studen ts aren’t required to participate in them. Student account fundraisers go to the specific student accounts and can be used for fees associated with music and the just announced music trip as well.

Andrea Kaiser is working on more fundraisers that will happen throughout the year, some of these will involve selling and some of them won’t. If you have ideas or suggestions please let her know.

Christmas in the Park: There are still volunteer opportunities for this event on Friday, November 29th. This is a general music account fundraiser. The general account is used for many things that you may or may not know about. For example: all state students receive a folio, plaque in the music hallway and per diem for their trip to the all state; general music equipment repairs, music awards and clinicians just to name a few.

Uniforms: Once the football season is over we’ll need help getting marching band uniforms ready to send to the cleaners. If you’re interested in this please let me know.

Music Trip: On Wednesday, November 6, the students were given a presentation for music trip that is happening March 12-17, 2015 to Washington DC. I’m currently working with the staff on an email I’ll be sending out with more information.

Upcoming Dates:

November 24 – Choir Exchange Concert at Redemptorist Catholic Church
November 29 — Christmas in the Park (Volunteer opportunity)
December 5 — LSWMP meeting
December 7 — All State Band/Orchestra/Jazz auditions
December 8 — Dinner and Divas — Women’s Choir
December 10 — Instrumental Winter Concert (1830)
December 16 — Winter Choral Concert

As always should you have any questions please let me know.

Brent Grigsby
LSWMP President
lswmusicpresident
We’re also on facebook at – https://www.facebook.com/groups/lswmp/

CHARMS Instructions for signing up to volunteer:

1. Go online to the charms website. https://www.charmsoffice.com/

2. Click on the box on the right that says ENTER:
Then hit drop-down and go to Parents/Student/Members – Click Here

3. In the box that asks for your school code type: LSWHSMusic
(upper/lower case does not matter)

4. Click: Enter Charms

5. Click on the Public Calendar (upper left, next to HOME)

6. Find the date(s) you plan to volunteer on the Calendar.

7. Click on the Hand icon by the day and time you wish to volunteer.

8. Fill out your name, phone number and email address in the area you wish to volunteer.

9. To log out, Click on EXIT CHARMS (below the HOME icon)

You do not need a student password at any time to volunteer.

You can volunteer in more than one time if you like

Posted on

2013 All District Band

Congratulations to the following for making the Kansas City Metro District #3 All-District Band, Honorable Mention Band, and Jazz Band:

BAND
Shayla Brown – flute 7th chair
Maddie Krause – flute 8th chair
Courtney Bingham – oboe 2, alt English horn
Allyssa DeJarnette – clarinet 3rd chair
Kayla Shaeffer- Bari sax 1
David Burre – trombone HM 1
Sawyer Harmon – tuba 1

JAZZ
Isaiah Carter – vibes, alt drums
Kevin McMilian – alt vibes
Quinn Mosier – piano
Justin Nitz – trumpet 5

Posted on

All District Orchestra

Please help me congratulate the following Orchestra students from Lees Summit West on making the KC Metro District No. 3 All District Orchestra.

Student Orchestra Instrument Ranking
Allison Tsay Full Orchestra Violin 1 1
Scotty Smith Full Orchestra Violin 1 3
Emily Swaters Full Orchestra Violin 1 6
Sierra Hegarty Full Orchestra Violin 2 4 (8th overall)
Jordyne Vanselow Full Orchestra Violin 2 7
Aysha Mahmood Full Orchestra Violin 2 16
Kathryn Hilger Full Orchestra Viola 1
Olivia Chapman Full Orchestra Viola 4
Travis Taylor Full Orchestra Viola 5
Danielle Adair Full Orchestra Viola 9
Ashley Thompson Full Orchestra Viola 11
Ethan Payne Full Orchestra Cello 6
Clayre Parson Full Orchestra Cello 12
Quinn Mosier Full Orchestra Bass 1
Kayla Brumley String Orchestra Violin 1 9
Caitlin Cook String Orchestra Violin 2 3
Lauren Erickson String Orchestra Violin 2 4
Emma Carr String Orchestra Violin 2 10
Katie Valentine String Orchestra Violin 2 15
Michelle Stout String Orchestra Violin 2 18
Katie Robinson String Orchestra Viola 1
Franklin Zhong String Orchestra Viola 3
Drew Nelson String Orchestra Viola 7
Preston Hereford String Orchestra Viola 12
Maddy Hanley String Orchestra Cello 7
Tyler Touchstone String Orchestra Cello 10
Jared Schwartz String Orchestra Cello 13
Shane Anderson String Orchestra Bass 6
Frank Brefo String Orchestra Bass 10