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

Summer Band Camp registration is now open for current EWS grade 7 (Intermediate), and grade 8 and 9 band (Senior) band students.

Payments options are cash, cheque or online payment. Please see forms for details.

Intermediate and Senior Band Camp 2024 Printable Registration Form (PDF)

Intermediate and Senior Band Camp 2024 Online Registration Form (Google Form)

It’s been a great year for the EWS band program! I’m looking forward to seeing all of the band students at our last three early morning rehearsals as we make the final musical preparations for the concert on Wednesday evening.

The concert should be approximately an hour long, and it will be a celebration of all the hard work your children have put in during this school year. I have asked the students to make attendance at this important school event their priority on Wednesday night. I am really looking forward to it, and we even have a few surprises planned 😊

Admission to this concert is by donation. All funds will be used to support the band program.

Rehearsal schedule:

Monday, May 27th: Grade 9 early am band

Tuesday, May 28th: Grade 7 early am band 

Wednesday, May 29th: Grade 8 early am band

The Jazz Band will rehearse during the school day on Tuesday. Time to be announced.

*Please send a note for excused absences due to illness.

Tuesday, May 21st: Grade 7 early am band is canceled

Wednesday, May 22nd: Grade 8 early am band, and Jazz Band after school (3:00-4:00 pm)

Thursday, May 23rd: Grade 9 early am band

Save the date: Spring Band Concert 🎶 Wednesday, May 29th at 7:00 pm