Good afternoon, GBMS Bands Parents and Students!

We have a lot of important and exciting information to share this week! Please take a moment to review this email for updated Winter Concert details (including a change in location and a staggered schedule), important upcoming deadlines for District Band registration, and news about the successful fundraiser and the merch store delivery. As always, thank you for your support of the GBMS Bands program!

The Set List

(TLDR)

1. Updated Winter Concert Details

   1. New Location: @ GBMS

   2. 7th Grade: 7:15pm - 8th Grade: 8:00pm

2. District Band Registration

   1. 7th and 8th Graders - Form Due by Wed. Nov 12

   2. All 7th and 8th-graders are Encouraged

3. Bay Youth Concert with the Virginia Wind Symphony 

   1. Sunday, Nov. 9 3:00pm @ Indian River HS

   2. open to the public and students get bonus for attending

4. Fundraiser

   1. Incredibly Successful

   2. Item Delivery and Donut Party Info still to come

5. Merch Store

   1. Items on their way and being delivered to GBM

6. Christmas Parade

   1. 8th Graders - Dec. 6th @ GBMS

7. Holiday Gift Ideas

   1. Check Links Below!

The Full Score

(Expanded details from the above "Set List")

1. Updated Winter Concert Details

The 7th Grade, 8th Grade, and Jazz Band Winter Concert has changed locations! The GBHS auditorium is still under renovation and we have decided to bring the concert back to the middle school this year.  To accommodate the size of the groups and audience, we have also decided to “stagger” the concert.  We encourage our 7th graders to stay and listen to our 8th graders if room allows! Here are the new details.

7th Grade:

6:45pm - Tardy Time - On Stage with Instrument

7:15pm - Concert Starts

7:30pm - Concert Finishes - Dismissed through front of building

8th Grade:

7:30pm - Tardy Time - In Band Room with Instrument

8:00pm - Concert Starts

8:20pm - Concert Finishes - Students Dismissed

Jazz Band:

6:15pm - Tardy Time - In Main Lobby with Instrument

6:55pm - Perform in the Lobby before 7th 7th-grade concert

7:15pm - 7th Grade Concert

7:35pm - Perform in Lobby between 7th and 8th grade Concerts

8:00pm - 8th Grade Concert (7th graders assist with tear down)

8:20pm - Students Dismissed

Other Details:

Attire: Concert Black - All Black Formal Attire

Location: Great Bridge Middle School Auditorium

2. District Band Registration

Student registration for this year's All-District Band has opened.  With the number of talented and hardworking students we have in 7th and 8th grade, we would like to have an incredible showing.  We know your student may not currently feel prepared for the audition, but we have five more weeks of preparation, and they are already 80% there! (Even if they don’t feel like it!)

Registration forms went home last week, and the fee is $10 cash or check made out to GBBPA. 

We are encouraging ALL 7th and 8th grade band students to audition.  

Audition Details:

December 13th - Hickory Middle School - In the Morning (TIME TBD)

Expect to be there ~60 minutes total.

Event Details: (If your student qualifies)

February 6 & 7 - Western Branch High School - 

Field Trip on Friday (Day off School, Excused Absence)

Concert Saturday Afternoon.

3. Bay Youth Concert with the Virginia Wind Symphony: 

Many of our students participate weekly in this group led by the illustrious Mr. Michael Oare. They have put together a very fun and challenging concert and will be accompanied by the professional group, The Virginia Wind Symphony. The Concert is this Sunday, November 9th at 3:00pm @ Indian River High School. If your student attends and brings their band teacher the program, they will receive an extra bonus point in band for attending. 

4. Christmas Parade:

Every year, our 8th graders participate in the Chesapeake Christmas Parade with the Great Bridge High School Marching Wildcats.  The parade is on Saturday, December 6th.  The students will meet at GBMS that day, time to be determined.  It is an expectation that all 8th-grade band students participate.  We do allow a few exemptions for students who participate in the parade in other ways.  Please communicate with us early and often about those things.  

5. Fundraiser: 

The fundraiser was a GIANT success.  We broke previous GBMS Band records with this fundraiser, and we want to say THANK YOU!  We are still coordinating with the fundraising coordinator about item delivery and our donut party date for students who sold 10+ items.  More info to come!

6. Merch Store: 

The band merch store closed, and items are on their way!  The items will be delivered to GBMS sometime in the next week (maybe two), and orders will be labeled by student name.  We will distribute the orders to students once all orders have been delivered.  

7. Holiday Gift Ideas

It is the Holiday Shopping Season!  The band directors have put together some “Wish List” ideas for your musician if you are struggling to come up with any ideas.  Even something small and simple can go a long way to encouraging practice and a love for music.  If you have a 7th- or 8th-grader who is passionate about band, it may be time to consider an instrument upgrade.  We love helping with that process —let us know first so we may assist!  We can also keep a secret if need be!  Here are those “Wish Lists!

Woodwind Wish List

Trumpet Wish List

Trombone Wish List