There has been a lot of activity in the band area this week as we prepare for upcoming spring band events for all four bands!

The first big event is PEI Band Days which is being held in Summerside at the Scott MacAulay Theatre at the College of Piping this year. Both the grade 8 concert band, and the grade 9 concert band will be performing on Tuesday, April 4th in the morning. Full participation in this event includes performing, participating in a clinic with an adjudicator, and listening to other bands.The students have been working hard to prepare their music, and they are excited to have the opportunity to go on a band field trip with their classmates.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)

What should I bring? Students have been asked to check to make sure that they know where their band uniforms are this week! Full uniforms (including black pants, band vests, white shirts, and dark shoes if possible) are required for these performances.  In addition to their instruments and music, students should bring a water bottle, a snack, and a packed lunch to eat when we get back to the school. 

How are we getting there, and when are we leaving? Organizing transportation for all of the intermediate and high school bands on the Island has been a huge challenge for the transportation folks at the PSB, but they have been able to make it work. They have provided two school buses outside of regular school hours so that we can arrive in Summerside on time. Grade 8 and Grade 9 band students must be at the school no later than 7:10 a.m. on Tuesday to load the buses and to load large instruments into the van. We are on a schedule and, unfortunately, we will not be able to wait for students who arrive late. If transportation is a problem, please let me know and I will try to help you find car pool options.

Can parents and guardians attend PEI Band Days performances? All performances are free, and the public is welcome to attend. We have decided to rent a small cargo van to transport the large instruments, so parent volunteers are no longer needed. If you are planning to drive to Summerside, and will be taking your student (and their instrument) in your own vehicle, please let me know.  Please note that the festival organizers have requested that all students arrive at the College of Piping at least 45 minutes before their performance time.

Two teacher chaperones (Mrs. Campbell, grade 8 VP, and Mrs. Scully, grade 9 teacher) will also be coming with us to Summerside to help out, and to enjoy the show. Mr. Cusack has offered to drive the van! Please remind your students of your expectations for their best behaviour during field trips. We want this to be a positive experience for everyone involved.

Grade 8 Concert Band Schedule for Tuesday, April 4th

7:10 a.m.:  Arrive at East Wiltshire; load large instruments into van, load school bus, and depart for Summerside

8:30-8:45 :  Watch SIS Grade 8 band perform in the Scott MacAulay theatre

8:45-9:00: Set-up instruments

9:00-9:30:  Rehearsal and warm-up

9:30-10:00:  Perform on stage and receive onstage clinic/adjudication

10:00-10:15:  Put away instruments and return to the theatre 

10:30-11:00:  Watch the EWS Grade 9 Band perform

11:00-11:30:  Watch the Charlottetown Rural Concert Band performance

11:40:  Load buses and return to East Wiltshire

12:40:  Eat lunch and return to classes for the afternoon

Grade 9 Concert Band Schedule for Tuesday, April 4th

7:10 a.m.:  Arrive at East Wiltshire; load large instruments into van, load school bus and depart for Summerside

8:30-9:00 :  Watch SIS Grade 8 band perform in the Scott MacAulay theatre

9:00-9:30:  Watch the Bluefield Concert Band perform

 9:30-9:45:  Watch East Wiltshire Grade 8 Band performance

9:45-10:00:  Set up instruments

10:00-10:30:  Rehearsal and warm up

10:30-11:00: Perform on stage and receive onstage clinic/adjudication

11:00-11:30:  Put away instruments and return to theatre if time allows 

11:40:  Load buses and return to East Wiltshire

12:40:  Eat lunch and return to classes for the afternoon

The full schedule for the PEI Band Days Festival can be found here: PEI BAND DAYS SCHEDULE

Please note these important changes to our rehearsal schedule for tomorrow and for next week. I will post the schedule again on Sunday evening, so please check back in case there are any changes.

Friday, March 31: Grade 8 Full Band Rehearsal during period 5 (2:00-3:00)

Monday, April 3rd: Grade 8 Early AM Band Rehearsal (7:45-8:50 am), Grade 9 Full Band Rehearsal during period 5 (2:00-3:00). Please come prepared with instruments and music.

Tuesday, April 4th: Grade 7 Early AM Band is canceled. Grade 8 and 9 Band students meet at EWS at 7:10 am to travel to Summerside to perform in the PEI Band Days Festival. Students will return to EWS for afternoon classes.

Wednesday, April 5th: Grade 8 Early AM Band is canceled, and after school jazz band is canceled (I will be attending Day 2 of the PEI Band Days festival)

Thursday, April 6th: Grade 9 Early AM is canceled. There will be a Jazz Band Rehearsal from 7:45-8:45 am for this week only.

Happy Easter! The regular early morning rehearsal schedule will resume after the holiday.