PEI Band Days: EWS performs this Thursday (April 11)

The Grade 8 band performs at 9:30 a.m.. Parents are asked to please drop students off at the new Performing Arts building at UPEI by 8:30 a.m.. If there are students who cannot make arrangements for transportation on Thursday, they are asked to please let me know tomorrow. Uniforms (including black pants, white long sleeved shirts, band vests, and dark shoes) are required for the festival. Following their adjudicated performance, students will listen to school bands in the theatre. A bus has been booked to take them back to East Wiltshire at 11:30 a.m.. 

The Grade 9 band performs at 1:00 p.m..  The bus will pick them up at East Wiltshire at 11:45 a.m. in order to arrive at UPE in time for set-up and a formal warm-up at 12:30 p.m., followed by their adjudicated performance on stage. Uniforms (including black pants, white long sleeved shirts, band vests, and dark shoes) are required for the festival performance. A bus has been booked to transport students back to EWS in time for regular dismissal.

If there are any parents or guardians who might be willing to help chaperone/supervise the students at UPEI please let me know (ampeters@edu.pe.ca). Thank you!

You can find the full three day schedule of Band Days performances here: PEI BAND DAYS SCHEDULE

Updated Events Schedule

Thursday, April 11th: PEI Band Day at UPEI (Performing Arts Centre) Grade 8 and 9 students will participate

Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18: Grade 9 band trip to NS and NB

Wednesday, April 24th: National Youth Band of Canada concert at Bluefield. Grade 7, 8 and 9 Band students will attend the concert which begins at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, May 9th:  Beginning Band Day at Athena Consolidated in Summerside. Grade 7 band students will participate. 

Friday, May 10th: Band Program Orientation Concert for grade 6 students (at East Wiltshire). All four bands will perform (7, 8, 9, and Jazz)

Wednesday, May 29th: EWS Spring Concert 7:00 pm

We will follow an adjusted early morning band schedule this week to allow the grade 8 and 9 band students to have final rehearsals before the PEI Band Days festival:

Tuesday, April 9th: Grade 9 early am band (Grade 7 early am band is canceled for this week). Students who will be participating in the provincial science fair are excused from this rehearsal.

Wednesday, April 10th: Grade 8 early am band, Jazz Band after school from 3:00-4:00 pm

Thursday, April 11th: Grade 9 am band is canceled. Grade 8’s will meet at the new UPEI Performing Arts Building at 8:30 am for PEI Band Days performance. Grade 9’s will travel to UPEI from EWS for their performance in the afternoon. Directions to the UPEI Performing Arts Centre: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Waa8GYdKBW5hSNFw8

Students are asked to please make every effort to attend all early morning and after school rehearsals so that we can work together to prepare our music for spring performances.

Due to the weather forecast, and the fact that a number of students are unable to attend this afternoon, jazz band rehearsal is canceled after school today.

Grade 9 band trip payments can be made through the SchoolCash online program (instructions were sent out by Mr. Cusack early in the school year). Cash or cheques may also be turned in to the main office. Please call the school if you have any questions. Thank you!

On a March 13 podcast episode of his and brother Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast, retired NFL star Jason Kelce gave fans more context on his musical background, on the things that band taught him, and why he thanked his school band director when he retired from the NFL.

“I tell people this all the time. I really think playing band and playing music in general has allowed me to excel in other things,” including sports. “With band, in my opinion, if you want to learn the importance and the value of practice, nothing will teach you that more clearly than an instrument.” 

You can see the interview here: https://fb.watch/rbVjz9bxSD/

Or read a summary in this article:

https://parade.com/news/jason-kelce-debates-return-musical-roots-retirement-march-2024

I now have a commitment on Wednesday afternoon and I will be not available to direct the Jazz Band rehearsal at the usual time. Jazz band will rehearse on Thursday afternoon from 3:00-4:00 for this week only. I apologize if this creates any inconvenience. Thanks!

I hope that everyone enjoyed the March Break and the Easter long weekend with family and friends. We are going to have a very busy spring with lots of exciting events and performances! Please note the dates below, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

*All students who are traveling on the Grade 9 Band trip to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on April 17-18 are asked to please send in their $160 payment no later than Friday, April 5th. A detailed itinerary for the trip will be posted in a few days.

We will follow the regular early morning band schedule this week:

Tuesday, April 2nd: Grade 7 early am band 

Wednesday, April 3rd: Grade 8 early am band, Jazz Band is canceled after school

Thursday, April 4th: Grade 9 early am band, Jazz Band after school from 3:00-4:00

Students are asked to please make every effort to attend all rehearsals so that we can work together to prepare the music for spring performances.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, April 11th: PEI Band Day at UPEI (Performing Arts Centre)

EWS Grade 8 Concert Band performs at 9:30 am

EWS Grade 9 Concert Band performs at 1:00 pm

Wednesday, April 24th: National Youth Band of Canada concert at Bluefield. Grade 7, 8 and 9 Band students will attend the concert which begins at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, May 9th:  Beginning Band Day at Athena Consolidated in Summerside. Grade 7 band students will participate.