I am wrapping up all of the band camp registrations today, and it would be really helpful to me if you could check the list below to make sure that I haven’t omitted anyone, or made any mistakes transferring the information from the paper and online forms to this alphabetical master list. Please check carefully to make sure your student is signed up for the correct instrument (especially if they have switched to sax or percussion) and level at camp.

*Grade 8’s who are moving to saxophone have been registered as beginners for now. This can be changed after the first morning of camp if the instructors feel that they are ready to play in the intermediate band.

If you see an error, please send me an email at ampeters@edu.pe.ca so that I can make sure that the registrations that I send to the band camp director tomorrow are correct. Thank you so much!

Summer Studios spots are still available for flute, brass, piano, or percussion. Registrations will be accepted registrations up until July 1. (Clarinet and sax studios are full.)

I am very happy to let you know that the carpet in the main part of the band area is being replaced this summer! It would be very helpful if grade 7 and 8 students would please take their instruments home for the summer on Monday. There is no expectation for students to practice during summer vacation, but the instruments will be safer at home while the work is being done.

Instruments may also be picked up during school hours on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thank you, and have a great weekend!

The grade 8 band students will be going a field trip tomorrow, Monday, June 17th in the morning. We will leave EWS at 10:00 am. Students will be bowling at Murphy’s Community Centre from 10:30-11:45 and then we will stop at Wendy’s for lunch before returning to school. Weather permitting, we may go outside for an activity during period 4. Students should be prepared to return to regular classes at 2:00 (5th period).

*Students should also bring money for lunch if they wish to eat at Wendy’s.

Thank you!

Randall Standridge is a very successful teacher and composer. We played two of his band pieces this year (Dark Beginnings and Bazaar) and his work is always popular with students and band directors.

He explains this post further:

Dear Music Students,

Take it from someone who knows.

In 8th grade, I almost quit band. I had gotten frustrated because I was being challenged past my natural talent, and things were suddenly “hard.” I did not quit, and I can’t imagine how different my life would be if I had.

Now, it would be very easy for you to say “Oh, SURE Randy Standy, you became a professional composer, so of COURSE, your life would be different, but that doesn’t affect ME!”

And you’d be wrong.

It wasn’t just my teaching and composition career I got from band.

It was self-discipline that has made me a successful adult.

It was work ethic which has been a key to my career.

It was being willing to stick with things, even when they get hard, something that had added longevity and strength to my marriage (26 years and counting!)

It was a sense of self worth and self pride, something I desperately needed in my middle and high school years as I figured out who this Randy Standy person was supposed to be.

It was friends that always had my back.

It was mentors that always believed in me.

Music class is so much more than learning to perform notes and rhythms.

It is learning to be successful at whatever task is set before you and learning to work with and trust those around you.

I hope you’ll stick with it.

I really do.

It will change your life…

…if you let it.

Peace Love and Music

Good morning! Welcome back to our grade 9 travellers. Please find below a few reminders as we move toward the end of the 2023-24 school year:

1. Grade 9 students were asked to pass in their band vests (labelled with their name) at the final concert. A list of students who still need to take care of this is posted on the grade 9 Google Classroom. It costs $45 to replace an embroidered EWS vest, so please return *Grade 7 and 8 students do not need to turn in their uniforms.

2. Saxophone and Percussion audition times for grade 7 students have been posted in Google Classroom. Auditions will be held from Tuesday-Thursday and I was able to give all students their preferred time (early morning, lunch time, or after school). Students should check the audition pages here on the band website in order to be prepared for their audition. Good luck to all!

3. Band camp forms are available in the band room and the online form is available here on the band website. We usually have a large group of EWS students at the camp and I hope that this year will be no different. *Financial assistance is available for those who may need it. Please contact Mrs. Peters for details.

4. Students who borrowed large instruments for home practice this year are asked to please return these to Mrs. Peters in the band area this week. We will be starting our June inventory next week.

5. All grade 9 band instruments will be kept at school to be used for band classes beginning next week.

Thank you!

The grade 8 band students will be going a field trip on Monday, June 17th in the morning. We will leave EWS at 10:00 am. Students will be bowling at the Murphy Centre from 10:30-11:45 and then we will stop at Wendy’s for lunch before returning to school for afternoon classes.

Students should also bring money for lunch if they wish to eat at Wendy’s.

If you are free to come along and help chaperone, please let me know (ampeters@edu.pe.ca). Thank you!

An online form (Google Form) as well as the option to pay using the SchoolCash system has now been added for Intermediate and Senior Band Camp. The deadline for applications is Monday, June 10th. A limited amount of financial assistance is available. Please contact Mrs. Peters for details (ampeters@edu.pe.ca).

Intermediate and Senior Band Camp Online Registration Form

BAND CAMP is a fantastic opportunity for music students. Students will develop their skills at camp in ways that just cannot be replicated at school. Attendance at this camp is strongly encouraged!

The sax and percussion audition sign up form has been posted in the grade 7 Google Classrooms.

Students are asked to sign up by Tuesday, June 4th.

Details about the audition can be found on the audition pages:

Percussion Auditions

Saxophone Auditions