Foothill Music Updates – March 27, 2020

by Mar 28, 2020(old)Color Guard, (old)Percussion, Concert Band, Ensembles, Jazz Band, Marching Band / Color Guard, News, Orchestra, Parents, Students, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble

Here is the latest update from our Director, Efrain Hinojosa

Dear Students, Parents, Guardians, Friends, and Families,

I hope you are healthy and taking all precautions to keep everyone out of harm’s way.  I just wanted to drop you a quick note and let you know that I miss you all and look forward to a time when we are all back together and making music.

The unprecedented and abrupt closure of school has left everyone, teachers included, with more questions than we have answers. The situation is fluid and changing day by day.  My inbox is overflowing with questions and concerns related to canceled events and issues related to the end of the year. And while I don’t have all of the answers, know that I am working to resolve all issues with as little impact to you as possible. 

As our school and district work their way through the uncertainty, please know that I will continue to communicate information as it relates to our program. I have often thought that our program is more than a class. It’s a family. And families help one another. If there is anything I can do to be of service during these difficult times, I stand ready, able, and willing.

Students, your job is to stay healthy, keep a positive attitude, and help your family through these difficult times.

As we approach our second week of remote instruction I wanted to highlight a few pieces of pertinent information.  

Parents

  • As we draw to a close on the current school year I would ask that you consider joining our booster program as an officer for the 2020-2021 school year.  I have enjoyed getting to know all that have volunteered to serve on the board this year on a more personal level.  
  • If you are interested in helping but now sure in which capacity please reach out to myself at ehinojosa@pleasantonusd.netor Bill Sowa at foothillmarchingband@gmail.com or submit a Contact Us form.

Winter Community Show

Zoom Office Hours 

  • Times will be posted to the Foothill Band Calendar. The access link will always be posted to Google Classroom

Wind Ensemble Auditions

  • Students will need to create ONE video with the following criteria 
    • B Major and Gb Major Scales (pattern of your choice) (2 octaves if possible) 
    • Chromatic scale as found at the link
    • All of the required excerpts outlined in the audition material at this link 
    • Verbal statement indicating why you would be a positive addition to the wind ensemble 
    • Percussionists only need to submit the snare audition and the verbal statement
    • Please upload to YouTube and send audition video link to ehinojosa@pleasantonusd.net
    • ALL VIDEOS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11PM ON MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2020

Jazz Auditions

  • Students will need to create ONE video with the following criteria 
    • Name, Age, Instrument, if you are auditioning on multiple instruments please only make 1 video
    • Audition material can be found at this link 
    • Please upload to YouTube and send audition video link to enishimori@pleasantonusd.net
    • ALL VIDEOS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 9AM ON TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2020

Color Guard

  • We begin our show analysis next week.  Please make sure you added the facebook group “Color Guard Corner” so that you can access all the videos.  Links will also be posted in Google Classroom. 

Percussion (all ensembles)

  • Please make sure that you have added the Smart Music Classroom 
    • When choosing your part please for playing assignments please default to the Snare Music
    • If you have a mallet instrument at home then you should play that part

String Orchestra

  • We begin our music analysis assignments next week.  Please keep an eye out on Google Classroom for links.
  • Keep working on your Smart Music excerpts as full pieces assignments are not to far away. 

Leadership Interviews

  • I have started the leadership interview process for 2020.  You will be invited by email if you have been selected to interview for specific positions.
  • I should be able to get through the rest of them next week so keep checking that email

2020 Marching Band

  • Please email me if you would like to schedule a time to pick up a marching horn. 
  • Music will be posted to SMART MUSIC (hopefully by end of next week)

Looking for something to do as a family during Shelter In Place