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
