Band Families,

Happy Spring! I hope you have had a relaxing Spring Break and are ready to dive into the last nine weeks of the school year. While there are not many performances this month, there are several deadlines as well as some extra opportunities that I want to bring to your attention.

SSC Jazz Festival
*note date change*

Monday, April 23, Jazz 1 will participate in the South Suburban Conference Jazz Festival at Farmington High School. We perform at 1:30pm that day. There is also a mid-day performance by the Copper Street Brass (our clinicians) that we will need to leave earlier to attend. Students will be dismissed at 10:15 and we will leave at 10:30. We will be back around 3:15pm. You can bring your lunch or you can buy lunch there. If you want to buy lunch there, I need your name by Wednesday, April 17 at 3pm. Lunch cost is TBA. If a member from Jazz 2 would like to attend as an audience member, please let me know by Thursday, April 18. Dress is all black with red accent.

Leadership Applications

Student leadership is the backbone of the LNHS band program. Students on the leadership team have a chance to get to know your fellow bandies more, build the band culture, and work to create the best band experience for everyone. Any of the current leadership team would be happy to talk to you more about being a leader in the band. This year we are debuting a new leadership application. You can find more information, as well as the leadership application form HERE. Current members of the leadership team need to resubmit an application each year. Applications are due April 26 and we will begin reviewing applications the following week.

Summer Band & Fall Marching Band

Summer Marching Band is right around the corner. Note that the following link has information and sign up forms for both summer band and fall marching band. Please make sure to fill out both forms if you are interested in participating in both. LINK

Lettering

Students can letter in band! In the past most points were earned attending pep band games, but many students have been earning points by attending outside concerts. You can find the lettering form on  lnhspantherband.com/resources. Lettering forms are due Friday, May 3.

Scholarships

Class of 2024,
We have multiple scholarship opportunities available for you this year. Please take the time to read this information and make sure to apply by  May 1st. All scholarships are available via the Google Form links below.

– The LNHS Band Boosters will be awarding 2 students a $500 scholarship

– Thanks to a generous donation by the Davenport Family the following scholarships are available for the class of 2024:
– 2 student Percussionists will be awarded a $1000 scholarship
– 3 student Brass/Woodwind players will be awarded a $1000 scholarship

Students can apply for the Band Booster scholarship and the Davenport Family scholarship that is applicable for your instrument.

All applications are due no later than Wednesday, May 1st. Please reach out to the booster mailbox if you have questions.

LNHS Band Booster Scholarship Application:
https://forms.gle/sjYbGTkuiTwJsMbd8

Class of 2024 Percussion application:
https://forms.gle/oAjAMvcxGKoVVj8W6

Class of 2024 Brass/Woodwinds application:
https://forms.gle/RUkoxVbreHNSSwxdA

Optional extra opportunities around the area

April 13 – Pete Whitman – Twin Cities Saxophone Concert Series. More Information

On Sunday, April 21 the Schmitt Music Clarinet Gallery is excited to host a community clarinet choir festival featuring The Meridian Clarinet Quartet!

YOU can play in this community choir alongside the Meridian Clarinet Quartet! The quartet is stacked with top orchestral players from around the country: Sangyoon Kim – St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Associate Professor of Clarinet at the U of M, YaoGuang Zhai – Principal Clarinet with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Lin Ma – National Symphony Orchestra, and Tzuying Huang – St. Louis Symphony Bass Clarinetist.

Come join us for an incredible opportunity to play side by side with members of the Meridian Clarinet Quartet. After the community choir performs, the day will conclude with a solo recital by the quartet, so don’t leave early and remember to invite your friends to this, one of a kind, free performance! More Information

UMN Marching Band Clinic Day

My name is Megan Macakanja, and I am a member of the University of Minnesota Marching Band. I am reaching out to you on behalf of the University of Minnesota Marching Band to invite you and your students to our 2024 Band Clinic Day, hosted by our two on-campus band service organizations Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi!

Taking place on April 20th from approximately 9 am to 3 pm, volunteers from the Pride of Minnesota will lead your students through a day of exposure to Big Ten-style marching!  High school freshmen through seniors are all welcome to participate in this event and learn about what it is like to be in a college marching band.  No prior marching experience is necessary – we will give you a taste of our unique high-step marching technique!

Your students will be involved in a day of music and marching rehearsals, and there will be opportunities to tour the University of Minnesota Campus and engage with current college students to learn more about balancing academics and band. This is a fantastic way for students to learn about music opportunities beyond high school and interact with our group of talented musicians and marchers.

More information is detailed in the attached documents. Registration includes the Registration Form, Digital Release Form, and registration fee. If you are planning on bringing a group, please fill out the attached registration for your entire group. Students interested in attending on their own should register at  https://z.umn.edu/BCDRegistrationForm2024. The digital release form can be found at  https://z.umn.edu/BCDReleaseForm2024. We are currently offering an “early-bird” registration special for $10 per student until April 1st. After that, it is $15 per student up until the April 14th registration deadline. Lunch will be provided, and dietary restrictions will be accommodated as needed. 

Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Kind,

Dr. Wanken