What a fantastic year of band we had!  6th grade is off to a great start, 7th grade went to Elitch Gardens, 8th grade and Jazz Bands went to Canon City Music Festival, we put on two fantastic dances and four killer concerts, won Superior Ratings at the 27J District Middle School Band Festival, and had a dozen students represent us at the 27J Honor Band.  There were parties and dance competitions and long days of rehearsal, but we made it happen!! Thanks to all involved: parents, aunts/uncles/grandparents, siblings, administrators, and most of all: the Raptor Band members! Y’all crushed it this year and next year is gonna be even better! 

Here’s a few things to consider for the summer:

• “Summer Raptor Band”: 10:30am - 1:00PM: June 15, July 6,  July 20, and August 3

  • Open to any Stuart Raptor Band member (past and present) and related family musicians

  • Play music!  Hang out with Mr Roach and friends!  Listen to some music!  Ask questions! Tell stories!

  • Please no non-music family (younger siblings, etc): “childcare” is not provided

  • Music provided, instruments aren’t (unless you are already using a Stuart instrument - use that one!)

• Bathe your BRASS instrument (not saxophones!)

  • Brass instruments should be bathed at least twice a year to stay in good condition.

  • Woodwind instruments (flute, clarinet, sax, etc) will DIE if you bathe them.  Do NOT get them wet!

  • Percussionists: it would be nice if you would also bathe once in a while.  Not the drums, just you. JK!

• Trumpet Lessons!  Ms Kyterra Waters recently completed her Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance and will be pursuing her Doctorate at CU Boulder in the fall, and her studio (at least for now since she only recently moved back to Colorado) is open and accepting students! She can help brass players of all kinds to reach the next level in their playing - give her a call today: 720-514-2387.  

• Band Camps? Check out these other opportunities to play music and grow your playing this summer!

  • Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts

  • CSU Jazz Summer Workshop

  • CU Boulder MS Summer Music Academy

• Drums Along the Rockies:One of my favorite events each year, Drums Along the Rockies is an unforgettable Drum Corps International show that packs a TON of TONE and POWER into an incredible visual experience.  Unfortunately I’ll be out of tthe state on June 27, but if you’re around and looking for a spectacular night of entertainment, go check it out!

• Summer Repair: If your instrument isn’t working like it should, or it doesn’t stay in tune, you should take a look at the local music stores listed in the Band Handbook (on stuartraptorband.com) and take it in NOW because repairs take a long time over the summer (they are usually fixing every schools’ instrument across the state!).  

• What else? Do you have an idea about building our band to the next level?  Would you like to finally organize the First Annual Pumpkin Chunkin’ Band Fundraiser this year so we can finally buy a vibraphone?? Email broach@sd27j.net with any and all of that!

 

Thanks again for all y’all do - it DOES make a difference!

 

Sincerely,

Brent Roach