Monday, February 28, 2005

BIG TIME IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE READ!!!


#1: You can now post questions or comments on the blog!! I have realizede that I actually check the forums of Stimson's Ghetto more than I check my personal E-mail account, so I thought that this might be a another way to reach me. This also allows people to express ideas and other thoughts... Give it a shot!


#2 The itinerary for FESTIVAL is complete!



Wind Ensemble:

Performance Date: Friday, March 4, 2005

Location: Waterford Kettering HS (I know there have been many rumors and wrong announcements about this, but this is final. I got a letter from them today... This is the place)

Report time: 6:30PM Howell High School Busses leave approx. 7:00 pm conflicts need to see Mr. Smigell Immediately!!!

Performance time: 8:55PM

Return time: Approx. 11PM


9th grade/Varsity band:

Performance Date: Saturday, March 4, 2005

Location: South Lyon HS

Report time: 6:55 am at Howell HS Busses leave approx 7:15am. Conflicts need to see Mr Smigell immediately!

Performance time: 8:55 am

Return Time: Approx 10:30 AM



Symphonic Band:

Performance Date: Saturday, March 4, 2005
Location: South Lyon HS
Report time: 10:30 AM Howell High School Conflicts need to see mr. Smigell immediately!
Performance time: 1:00 PM
return time: 2:30- 3:30 PM



ALSO: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is playing PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION by Mossourgski on March 13th, 2005. This is an incredible opportunity to see some really well known classical music by a fantastic orchestra. Even if you have never heard of the piece, you will recognize much of the music. It is used in film and TV all the time.


Peace out,

Smigell

Friday, February 25, 2005

LET THERE BE PEACE ON THE NET!!!


Ok folks, for those of you who are regular visitors, this is an opinion entry, not an informational one. It is related to what is becoming a nasty little war on some of my student's blogs.

I must admit that I got sucked in and read it along with everyone else. It was the same part of me that turns to look at gruesome car wrecks on the highway and contribute to the gawker jams that result.

Listen people, there are some pretty hurtful things that are being traded back and forth, and although it was initially amusing, no good can come from further exchanges:

1. We are about to draw heat from the local press... I could just see this ballooning into something stupid that gets put on the local news. You know those tv people love to air crap like this!!! Just look back to the diversity flag fiasco and the KKK robe scandal. None of that was that big of a deal, but people love to look at other people's dirty laundry. I can just see it now: HOWELL CONTINUES TO DEMONSTRATE HATE.... THIS TIME IN CYBERSPACE. Is this what is really happening? No, but they don't care.

2. The band program is loosley connected to this whole thing because the warring factions are in band.

3. It is going to start interferring with class... not to mention people relations.


Mike, if you read this, I respect your right to free speech, but you need to be careful. With that freedom comes responsibility. Lawsuits have been started over less. If you really wanted it to be private, you would have used that option on the blog dashboard. I think you are a good person. You're better than this. You're probably surprised by aall the fuss. Settle your differences face to face and people will respect you more

Joe and anyone else that has been responding angrily: Just stop reading it. Haven't you figured out that he wants you to be mad and respond to him? As I said with Mike, you guys are better than this. I know I laughed at what was being written, but I realized quickly after that that was wrong. Nothing good is going to come from this.


THE BIG POINT TO GET HERE: It is very easy to say bad things on the internet because it is not face to face. I have made some pretty massive mistakes this way, so I speak from experience.

SOME TIPS TO KEEP FROM GETTING TOO MEAN ON THE NET:

1. Save your post as a draft, wait an hour or two then read it again before you post. You frequently will edit what you wrote, or delete it all together.

2. NEVER PUT ANYTHING UNTRUE ABOUT SOMEONE... Even if it is a joke, you are crossing over into defamation, which is illegal.

3. RESPONDING JUST MAKES EVERYONE MORE ANGRY AND ESCALATES THE CONFLICT.

You know that I don't usually get involved in students' private lives, but by posting all of this on the net, you have made it public. Everyone take a deep breath and be at peace.


Smigell

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

FESTIVAL HOME STRETCH EDITION PART 1...


Hello Bloggers!

There is a correction from the last blog!

The location for the Wind ensemble for festival is waterford kettering!!! Where that is... your guess is as good as mine!!


Just a reminder that the pre-festival concert is THIS THURSDAY!!!!

-Start time is 7:00 pm report time all groups is 6:30 pm.

-Attire is standard band concert outfit (Black bottom and formal shirt with bowtie for the freshman ensemble, Same for gentlemen in the symph band, ladies of Symphonic Band wear thier prescribed skirts and the formal shirt with bowtie. The ladies of the Wind ensemble wear the same as the symphonic band and the gentlemen of the wind ensemble wear the super old beat up tuxes with white formal shirt and bowtie.

-ONLY THE FRESHMAN BAND, THE SYMPHONIC BAND, AND THE WIND ENSEMBLE PARTICIPATE IN THE PREFESTIVAL CONCERT!!

-This is our least populated concert of the year, so please make a point of coming out to see the show!! The kids will appreciate it!!

MORE ON SPECIFIC FESTIVAL TIMES AND ITINERARY COMING VERY SOON!!!

Monday, February 07, 2005

Festival Info edition of the band blog!

Greetings Bloggo-comrades!

This is all the information I currently have about the Band and orchestra festival, along with the information for State solo and ensemble festival.



BAND AND ORCHESTRA INFORMATION!!!

SITE: South Lyon High School

Wind Ensemble Performs March 4th, (friday night) at 8:50 PM

Symphonic Band Performs March 5th 1:00 PM

Ninth Grade Band Performs March 5th 8:50 AM

Please mark this on your calendars!



State Solo and Ensemble Festival is March 19th!!!

Presumed site will be Chelsea High School

If you received a "1" rating at districts, you are elligible to play at states. I must have the money by Wednesday, Feb 9 in order to send the forms in on time.

Here are the prices:

9th grade solo: $12.00
10-12 Grade solo: $16.00
Piano solo:$19.00
Perc solo: $19.00
Duet: $12.50
Trio: $14.00
Quartet:$15.50
Quintet: $17.00

Checks payable to HHS Band or cash only. NO STUDENT ACCOUNTS.

Also, don't forget about our Festival Prep Concert on Thursday, Feb 24th at 7pm in the HHS Auditorium.

And now, I'm outta here.

SMigell