BMS Bands to Perform for the School

BMS 6th-8th Grade Bands will perform Friday, December 15, at 11:25am in the BMS Cafeteria. Parents and families are welcome to attend. The concert will be video recorded so those that cannot attend will be able to view it. Students should wear their band t-shirt and blue jeans for the performance. Lunch will be after the concert, and students will be dismissed at 1:00pm for the holiday break.

Christmas Concert - CANCELLED due to snow

The annual BMS Christmas Concert was scheduled for Thursday, December 7th at 7pm at BHS. Due to the rare event of SNOW, it was cancelled so everyone could stay warm and safe.

Don't forget, you can check the Band Calendar 24/7 for information on all MS Band Events. 

8th Grade Band Night

Tomorrow, Friday, November 3^rd, is BISD’s annual “8^th Grade Band Night” at the HS football game. We invite all 8^th Grade Band students to play along with the high school band. 

Students are to meet in the stands at 7:00pm. Students should bring their instrument in its case into the stands. 

Students must wear their current band t-shirt and blue jeans. Wearing the shirt and holding an instrument is their ticket into the game; band students get in for free! (They may wear/bring a jacket if it is cold, but it’s not supposed to be cold.)

Students will share music with the high school band students. The 8^th graders will join the HS band on the field at halftime to perform “Rock It.” 

Students will have 3^rd quarter off for concessions. Bring money for food/snacks. They will be dismissed after the School Song is played at the end.

Three important things:

1.) 8^th grade band students will stay with the HS Band all night. They will have 3^rd quarter off to visit with friends/family.

2.) All performances are required performances. As stated in the band handbook, I need a written note, in advance (email or text is fine), if unable to attend a performance. So far, nobody has notified me that they will not be able to attend.

3.) Students must be eligible in order to participate in extra-curricular events. Any failing grades from the 1^st 6 weeks report card must have been brought up to a “70 or above” on the last progress report. 

2017-2018 Band T-Shirts are in!

BMS Band T-Shirts arrived last week. Students that have paid for a shirt should have received their shirt. Band students are expected to wear the shirts for informal performances (such as pep rallies) and band trips. Every 6th-8th grade band student needs a band shirt. If you have not yet purchased one, they are $15. Make checks payable to Blanco Middle School. 

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Band Forms Added to our Website

Hello everyone!

I have added a section entitled "BMS Band Forms" which can be found on the right side of the website. Here, you can access the BMS Band Handbook, the Band Parent Information Form, and various Instrument forms. Isn't technology wonderful? 😁

Students will be sent home with a letter explaining which forms you will need to fill out at the beginning of the school year, but please set aside some time to read through the band handbook. There is a lot of useful information in it.

BMS Band Ranks Among Top 10 in the State!

It brings me great joy to announce that the Blanco Middle School 7th/8th Grade Band made the State Finals in the 2017 ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series for their peformance of "Postwood March" in the Class C March Competition.

This was a three-step process that took place over the summer. The first round of competition was at the Regional level. BMS Band placed 1st in Region 12. That accomplishment took us to the Area competition where the judges ranked us 2nd place overall. Only the top two bands advance to the State competition. We then placed 9th overall at the State level, which placed us higher than any other middle school band in our region. 

I am thrilled to have accepted the recognition and honor for this award. BMS Bands are the best!

Spring Band Concert Tomorrow Night!

Our Final Band Concert of the year is tomorrow night, May 25, at 7:00pm in the BHS Cafeteria.

Featuring BISD's:

5th Grade Beginning Band

6th Grade Concert Band

7th/8th Grade Symphonic Band

&

MS Drumline

We'll be playing selections from UIL competition, songs from the movies, songs from the radio, and so much more! Tell all your friends and family. See you there!

BMS welcomes Dr. Jones, Professor of Flute at TX State University

Dr. Adah Toland Jones, Professor of Flute at Texas State University, will present a master class with our young, talented Blanco flutists this afternoon. We are honored to have her here to share her expertise with our students. You can read more about Dr. Jones here.

Fiesta TX trip information

We are going to Fiesta TX on Friday, May 19th. Most 7th and 8th grade band students have chosen to attend this fun trip.

Students should wear a Blanco shirt (band shirt or other) along with shorts or jeans.
Students will be dismissed from class around 9:15am, and we plan to leave BMS around 9:30am.

While at the park, students are to stay in groups of 3 or more, and we will have at least one check-in.

We plan to stay until 5pm. If you are picking up your child before 5pm, please text me and I will meet you at the front gate to sign out. Do not leave with your child without touching base with me or Mr. H.

Depending on traffic, we expect to be back to BMS around 6:00pm.

The weather forecast calls for a chance of rain on Friday. Please keep all fingers crossed, pray, send good vibes, etc. that we will have nice weather. We are working on a Plan B just in case.

If you have any questions, please email.

Letter Sent Home - Pirateland Band Contest - 6th Grade Only

A letter was sent home last week about our upcoming 6th grade band contest and year-end celebration. Please email me if you did not receive it and would like another copy of the letter. More information can be found on the 6th grade band page. $15 (cash only) payment is due by Friday, May 12th. Thank you!

Meeting this Thursday for 8th Grade Band Parents

We will have a meeting this Thursday, May 4th, at 6:30pm in the middle school band hall for all parents of current 8th grade band students. The reason for this meeting is to go over high school marching band information. We will go over schedule, equipment requirements, and will answer any questions you might have. Since high school band is very different than middle school band, please make every effort to attend this meeting. A letter was sent home with all 8th graders last week. If you have any questions prior to the meeting, email Mr. Hecimovich, BHS Band Director. Thank you!

Summer Music Camps

A letter is being sent home with a list of summer music camps. I encourage you to consider sending your child to a band camp. They will learn a lot, make a lot of new friends, and be able to share new ideas and music they learned with our own band when they come back next school year.

I have posted a tab on the main page where you can click on each of the camps to find out more information. Don't delay! Many camps have audition music your child will need to prepare in advance as well as application deadlines.

If you have trouble finding the link on the main page, you can click here!

Letter Sent Home about Fiesta TX Band Trip

7th and 8th grade band parents -

A letter was sent home on April 4th with information about the end-of-the-year band trip to Fiesta TX.

$20 deposit and the form is due to Mrs. Conard by Wednesday, April 12.

Here is a link to the letter:

Fiesta TX Band Trip Letter

Email Mrs. Conard or leave comments below if you have any questions.

Important Board Meeting Tonight

Important Board Meeting Tonight at BES cafeteria at 6pm

Our award-winning Blanco Band organization needs your support! We are successful because of the current team of teachers that is in place. Please come out and show your support for ALL the awesome teachers and staff in BISD. Let your voice be heard.

Band Calendar Updated

The Band Calendar has been updated to include Pirateland Music Fest (6th Grade) and end-of-year band trip to Fiesta TX (7th/8th Grade).

New link added - "Music Events Near Me"

• I have added a new link on the main page under "Free Stuff" called Music Events Near Me.

Click on the link for current music events happening in Blanco and in the surrounding areas. Most events posted are FREE admission. You can't beat free! Keep the arts alive by attending these free concerts!

6th Grade Chair Test Tomorrow

6th Grade Band has a chair test tomorrow over line 54 in Book 2. An email has been sent out with a recording so students can play along as they practice at home. If you did not receive an email, please email me at danette.conard@blancoisd.org so I can include you in the mailing list.

More info can be found on the 6th grade band page.

BMS BAND SETS NEW RECORDS IN 2017!

Our Blanco Band Kids are AMAZING! They have set TWO new records for BMS in 2017!

1.) January 17, 2017 - ATSSB All-Region Band - 22 students made the band. This is an all-time BMS record! 

2.) March 2, 2017 - Region 12 UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest -  BMS Band received a "1" on stage and a "1" in sight-reading, earning the highest "Sweepstakes" Award. This was the first time in at least 10 years (and possibly in Blanco MS history) that BMS Band has received Sweepstakes!

More information can be found on the 7th/8th grade band page and on the Awards page.

Keep up the GREAT work, kids!

Panther Band - To The Top!!!

UIL Contest This Thursday!

What: UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest

Who: BMS 7th and 8th Grade Varsity Band

When: Thursday, March 2, 2017. 

Time: Dismiss at 9:30am. Warm-up at 11:15am. Perform at 11:45am. Sight-reading to follow.

Where: Canyon Lake High School 

Please see the 7th and 8th grade band page  for more detailed information. 

Pre-UIL Contest this Thursday!

Wish the 7th and 8th grade band "good luck" as we go to our first concert contest this Thursday in Lytle, TX. We perform at 2:00pm. The performance is free and open to the public. More information can be found on the 7th/8th grade band page.

BMS Band Students Take Front Page!

Region Band Results

We are extremely pleased to announce that 22 of our BMS band students made the Region 12 ATSSB All-Region Band! We believe this is a school record!!!

Blanco Middle School students that made the Symphonic Band are:

·         Ananda Flores (7) – 4^th Chair Flute

·         April Bucklin (7) – 7^th Chair Flute

·         Lori Lewis (7) – 6^th Chair Clarinet

·         Harley Hensley (8) – 1^st Chair Alto Saxophone *Best in the Region!*

·         Emily Windham (7) – 1^st Chair Tenor Saxophone *Best in the Region!*

·         Caleb Meyer (7) – 2^nd Chair Tenor Saxophone

·         Trayton Preiss (7) – 12^th Chair Trumpet

·         Juan Olmedo-Barraco (7) – 8^th Chair Trombone

·         Julian Pesina (8) – 2^nd Chair Tuba

·         Buddy Hunt (7) – 4^th Chair Percussion

Blanco Middle School students that made the Concert Band are:

·         Alexia Lopez (8) – 6^th Chair Clarinet

·         Jaley Brown (7) – 15^th Chair Clarinet

·         John Handley-Kainer (8) – 3^rd Chair Tenor Saxophone

·         Ty Adkinson (8) – 3^rd Chair Trumpet

·         Natalia Hernandez (8) – 10^th Chair Trumpet

·         Lauren Anderson (7) – 13^th Chair Trumpet

·         Kathryn Hull (8) – 14^th Chair Trumpet

·         Wyatt Richnow (7) – 2^nd Chair Trombone

·         Brylon Crenshaw (8) – 2^nd Chair Euphonium

·         Preston Guinn (6) – 3^rd Chair Euphonium *Only 6th grader in the Region!*

·         Cadence Drum (8) – 4^th Chair Percussion

·         Bruno Lopez (8) – 5^th Chair Percussion

Alternates include:

·         Casey Eskew (8) – 1^st Alternate Flute

·         Katie Reno (7) – 2^nd Alternate Flute

·         Avery Nance (7) – 1^st Alternate Alto Saxophone

·         Duke Eskew (7) – 2^nd Alternate Tenor Saxophone

·         Joseph Hernandez (7) – 2^nd Alternate Trumpet

Students that placed in the All-Region Band will participate in a clinic and band concert on Tuesday, January 24. The concert begins at 7:00pm and will take place at LaVernia HS Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. Way to go, band!

Region Band Letter Was Sent Home

If you have not seen the letter about Region Band tryouts, here is the scoop.

What? Middle School All-Region Band Auditions

When? Tuesday, January 17 at LaVernia HS. Students will be dismissed at 12:30pm. Auditions start at 4pm and usually go until at least 9pm. We expect to return to the school between 10:30-11:30pm.

Who? If you are reading this, your child is signed up to participate.

How are we getting there? We will take a bus from school. Parents wishing to meet at LaVernia HS and take their child home may do so (there will be a sign-out sheet). Please notify a band director if you are planning to pick up your child from LaVernia.

What happens when my child makes the Region Band? Any student that makes the band will miss school all day Tuesday, January 24 for a required rehearsal and concert with the All-Region Band. The concert will begin at 7:00pm at LaVernia HS and is open to the public. More information will be in their Region Band folder.

What do I need to bring? Instrument (in good playing condition), audition music (including any handouts or fingering charts you use), accessories (reeds, valve oil, sticks/mallets), a pencil (to mark the cuts in the music), a cell phone (not allowed in the audition rooms, but needed to call home when finished), money (there will be a concession stand for snacks, and we will stop at a convenience store on the way there), and books/homework.

What do I need to wear? Casual, comfortable clothes. Nobody will see you during the auditions, but you are representing Blanco MS and need to dress appropriately.

Region band info/music can be found online at http://atssb.org/Region12/middle_school_region.htm.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Conard or any of the band directors.