Early Bird Jazz Band 2012-2013 Starts October 2

We'll start the 10th season of Early Bird Jazz Band (well, my 10th season at least) promptly at 8am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 in the Linus Pauling Middle School band room.

Things for students to bring:

• instrument & equipment (reeds, cables, sticks/brushes, tuner)
• a pencil

Note that rhythm section players (drums/bass/guitar/piano) should typically arrive by 7:45am to get setup.

I will be handing out new folders with sign-up materials that need to get home to parents and signed.

We probably will NOT meet on October 9 or 11 because I will be in CHINA for a gig that week!

I'm looking forward to a fun and musical year - I truly enjoy the opportunity to work with the EBJB students!

More information to come - the main things for you and your student to consider:

1. Have they played their instrument for about a year and are interested in additional playing/performing opportunities?  Definitely try out Early Bird Jazz Band!
2. #1 above is true but they attend a different middle school (or home school) and can get a ride with a parent or family member to their school:   Definitely try out Early Bird Jazz Band!
3. My student was in Early Bird Jazz Band last year and is a returning LPMS student:  Yes, see you soon in EBJB! 

As always, if you have any questions or comments, contact me!

Rob Birdwell

Early Bird Jazz Band - 2010-2011 Sign-up General Information

Early Bird Jazz Band 2010-2011

Rob Birdwell, Music Director

http://earlybirdjazz.birdwellmusic.com/

General Information for the 2010-2011 Early Bird Jazz Band Season

Early Bird Jazz Band is a before-school music enrichment program open to students who meet the basic Musicianship Requirements (see below).  Rob Birdwell is the music director for the class - this year will mark his 8th season leading and directing this music program.  For more about Rob, visit BirdwellMusic.com.

Start Date:  Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 7:45am, Linus Pauling Middle School Band Room


Monthly Student Tuition:  $30 per month


Musicianship Requirements: One year (or equivalent) playing their primary instrument; some ability to read music; some experience playing in an organized group (band, orchestra, choir, rock band, private or self-study, etc.).

When and Where We Meet: Wednesday and Friday mornings, 7:45am to 8:45am - Linus Pauling Middle School Band Room.

Who Can Join?
Interested musicians should meet the basic Musicianship Requirements (see above).  Home-schooled students and students from other area middle schools are also welcome to play in the band.
Primary Instrumentation:

• Trumpet, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Trombone/Baritone/Euphonium/Tuba
• Guitar, Bass*, Piano*, Drums*

Students playing or doubling on other instruments can and are encouraged to play them in the Early Bird Jazz Band - including: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Violin, Viola, Cello, French Horn, Mallets. However there will be times when the student needs to transpose an existing part for their instrument.

When we have multiple Pianists, Bassists, and/or Drummers parents will need to ensure their student has their own instrument to play in class as well as their own amp/cables, etc..  (There is only one drum set and one piano in the band room.  The bass amp can handle two players at once.)

Performances:  We will play at least two concerts during the year for parents, family and friends (Winter and Spring).  Additionally, we will play at the NAMS Jazz Festival (scheduled for Saturday January 29, 2011) and the LPMS 8th Grade Celebration (June 2011).  We will also perform a couple “Cafeteria Jams” during the year (at our regular morning time) for students, staff and family.
Scholarships:  For those who qualify, a limited number of reduced tuition or tuition scholarships are available.  Sibling discounts are also available.

For more information, contact Rob Birdwell

Benefits of Music and Music Education

This PDF document is pretty much what every student, teacher and/or parent actively involved in music/arts programs already knows - but it's worth a second glance:

http://www.menc.org/documents/temp/benefits_of_music.pdf

And if such an important and valuable thing, why then would cuts in music and arts programs from our schools even be considered?

It seems to me that it's not merely a lack of resources or dwindling budgets, but a question of values.

Rob Birdwell

Is there Early Bird Jazz during a No-School or Canceled School Day?

Just a reminder to parents & students that a no-school day at Linus Pauling (due to teacher days, weather, or any other reason) automatically cancels our Early Bird Jazz Band class.  We don't have reliable access to the facility during those no-school days.

When in doubt, please refer to the Linus Pauling Middle School's calendar or the Corvallis School District calendar.  And of course you can always contact me directly.

Thanks for your understanding!

Rob