Finally, The Holiday Digital Audio Goodies You Were Looking For!

 

That's right folks!

Just in time for the holidays, Howell Instrumental Music is here to present a few digital gems for you to enjoy!  Below is a link to a google folder.  All of the projects were done by kids within the HHS Band program using Soundtrap Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).  It is a computer application that allows people to use a DAW simultaneously to record, edit, mix, and compose music.  I provided a couple of the best offerings from each class, and in the ROAST BEAST folder are the two main courses... 'Sleigh Ride' and the Percussion Ensemble's Arrangement of 'Mad Russian's Christmas', complete with video!

I also left a document with credits listing who was on each project.  Even if your child's project was not chosen for the showcase, it still exists, and your student can still open up the file and show you (some projects were "cleaner" than others, but everyone did a good job!).

Special thanks especially to Mason Macdermaid for all his help with helping me learn how to use a DAW, Sean Gleason for doing the vast majority of arranging on the perc project, and Nick Walker for organizing and producing Sleigh Ride! Even more thanks is heaped upon Sean and Nick for producing the videos for Sleigh Ride and Mad Russian on ridiculously short notice.

And, as always, thanks to Laura Allegoet for keeping everything on track and running.  I hope very much everyone has a SAFE and happy holiday break and I'll see you soon!

** CLICK HERE FOR GOOGLE DRIVE FOLDER:    HOLIDAY DIGITAL AUDIO RECORDINGS & VIDEO GOODIES!

-Smigell

Update! For some reason it seems the Sleigh Ride Google shortcut is broken, so here is the youtube link to it (again, please don't post elsewhere for copyright reasons).

Sleigh Ride Youtube link

RECORDINGS FROM THE FIRST SEMESTER!

Hey folks!  I said I would be "dropping" some recordings/videos for you in the near future so here they are!  A couple caveats:

1. The recordings originally were supposed to be archival, but when we were unable to have an in-person concert, I realized these recordings are the only records of what we did during "The summer and fall of COVID-19".  They are pretty rough, but in hindsight, they really are pure gold.  In a way, we managed to make some little miracles. for everybody.  I will say again that I could not be more proud of EVERY SINGLE CHILD that accompanied me up the COVID-19 mountain and came back down again.

2. I included some "out-takes" (Like Laura Allegoet playing the sleigh bells and the ninth graders having to deal with a backhoe during class outside) to help provide some "flavor".  Perhaps, someday if you have some "flavor" videos, we can share those as well.

3.  I would prefer that you not post these recordings elsewhere for a variety of reasons.  Let's keep them "In house" for you to enjoy (ok - maybe send some to grandma, but don't put them on facebook ok? :)

Click on the link below for the Google folder with the videos and recordings for you to peruse.  Let us know if you can't open it by emailing Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com

HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL BANDS - VIDEOS & RECORDINGS - SUMMER/FALL 2020

Hopefully, tomorrow I will have a bunch more DIGITAL HOLIDAY GOODIES for you to listen to and officially open the HOLIDAY BREAK SEASON!!!!

-Smigell

UPDATES FOR THE END OF THE SEMESTER!

 

Hello everyone!

Well, can you believe that it is the end of the calendar year and the end of the first semester of school?  It hasn't been easy, but I can say honestly that I couldn't be more proud of these kids!  I know I sound like a broken record, but I think we need to hammer the point home the we made miracles happen. In person schooling?  Check.  Performing with a marching band outdoors during a pandemic?  Check.  Safely rehearsing indoors and recording some pieces of music?  Check.  We could not have done it without your help and support, both monetarily and in spirit. 

This post is just an update on how things are going and a few options that are available to you and your kids.

What we have been up to?

-All the instrumental groups (Bands and Perc Ensemble) are working on recording projects using the Soundtrap (TM) digital audio workstation (DAW).  It is a very powerful recording and music writing tool that you should check out with them.  If they work hard, they all should all have something that they can send to grandma as a holiday treat!  There is also a playing test that is due next week that was assigned in schoology.

Does your internet suck?

-It has come to our attention that some of the households in the band family are experiencing difficulties with their internet.  It is a real damper on the kids trying to get their work done.  DID YOU KNOW THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL IS OFFERING WIFI HOTSPOTS FREE OF CHARGE!?!?!?!?!? If you have difficulties for any reason, you should check it out by calling the main office at 517 540 8320!

Please let your children play their instruments!

So... Coronavirus has screwed up our lives in so many ways.  One way is your kids having class meetings before the rest of the house wakes up.  Unfortunately for our 8:00am bands, there really isn't any way around it.  On behalf of your children, can they please play during class so they can finish their projects and playing tests?  That is the time that I am officially available for everyone to practice and help students.  If it is simply too much of a problem, please email me at smigellj@howellschools.com so I can set up an appointment with that group to work at another time. 

We will finally be releasing recordings.

Sometime next week we will be posting our recordings that the bands made during October to a private YouTube channel so you can listen to them.  I will work on getting the download code for the "Marching Band Live" concert stream as well.  We did really good work this fall and you should be able to listen to it.   

PLEASE DON'T SUFFER IN SILENCE

We really do take care of our own here at Howell Bands.  Some kids are taking the shutdown worse than others.  KIDS.. if it's bad TELL ME.. tell someone!  We can help.  Even if it is just a little bit, we can help.  Parents, that goes for you too.  We need to take of ourselves, and there is nothing wrong with admitting that you might be having a tough go of it (I know I am, but I'm doing my best).  If there is anything I can do for any of you, email me at smigellj@howellschools.com.  If you are doing peachy, HELP SOMEONE ELSE!  Lots of people need it!

TAKE CARE EVERYBODY!!! BE SAFE!! WEAR YOUR MASKS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS

 

12-2-20 band booster meeting

 12-2-20 band booster meeting

If you're interested in learning more about band boosters and/or helping "behind the scenes", our next Band Booster meeting is:

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 6:30 pm. This meeting will be held via ZOOM. Please register in advance to receive the link to join the meeting by completing this Google form: https://bit.ly/hhsband1220

You will be emailed the meeting link, Meeting ID and passcode so you can join the Zoom meeting on Dec. 2nd. Any questions, please email our Band Booster V.P. Breanne Green at bcnichols@gmail.com