School Closure Band Update #3

Well, yesterday’s news was certainly not what I wanted to hear.  Instead of typing a long message about how I’m feeling, I decided to try out recording a video message to all of you (students and parents).  Here’s a link to the video, or better yet view it on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hockinsonband).  Our student Band Council officers will also be posting it to the band’s Instagram account (www.instagram.com/hockinsonband) because they’re cooler than me.  Make sure you watch the entire video so you hear my special weekly challenge for all of you!

As you are probably aware, tomorrow the high school really starts gearing up for distance learning.  Please do your best to work through this rough transition.  Cut your teachers some slack and keep a positive attitude while we figure this out, and we will in turn cut you some slack when things inevitably go sideways for you.  Know that I will be assigning you about 2 hours of work per class every Wednesday.  That means Jazz Band members will be getting a total of 4 hours of music work per week.  Assignments will always be due the following Monday, and to keep everything streamlined everything will be submitted to Schoology.  I have a rough plan for what the rest of the year will look like, but your feedback and constructive ideas will help me tweak it to be more meaningful each week.

In my email on March 23, I sent you directions on how to create a SmartMusic account.  So far about half of you have done so.  If you have not, please try.  Refer back to the March 23 email for directions.  If you are using a school iPad use the “New SmartMusic” app in the HSD App Catalog.  I will be assigning some work that CAN be completed in SmartMusic, however if you are having trouble getting it to work on your end there will be other options such as recording yourself and uploading a video/audio recording to Schoology.

If your instrument is in need of repairs or if you need supplies (reeds, valve oil, etc.) both Music World and Beacock Music are offering repairs and curbside pickup of basic items. Simply contact the stores for directions on how to accomplish this.

Music World

Battle Ground – 360-687-1768, Hazel Dell – 360-573-5575

jodi@musicworldstores.com

Beacock Music

360-694-7134

contact@beacockmusic.com

While the district has continued to restrict access to HSD buildings, teachers have been given permission to retrieve items from classrooms.  If there is something you left in the band room (instrument, music, method book, personal items) please let me know and we will figure out a time to retrieve them for you.  Of course, we will follow all appropriate measures to socially distance.

With the cancelation of school for the year our Music Booster Benefit Dinner, Concert, and Auction will not be happening this school year.  Music Booster officers are meeting tonight via Zoom to figure out how to go forward without the $40,000 that the dinner brought in last year.  Stay tuned.  In the meantime, if you haven’t ordered plants from our annual Spring Plant Sale please click here.  We’re taking orders via mail, as well as online using credit cards, thru April 15th.

I wanted to let you know that I have not forgotten about the New York trip.  Right now EDT is finishing up securing all the refunds they can from vendors and then we will look at options (rescheduling with a modified trip versus outright canceling).  To be honest, things here at home and in New York have been changing so quickly I’ve sort of put a hold on trying to reschedule anything until we get a better idea of what the future looks like long-term.  Once I have a better picture from EDT I will update you.  If you have specific questions you can contact EDT directly.  EDT’s world and industry has been turned upside down as well, so please exercise patience and grace if you do decide to contact them.

As always, if you have any further questions don’t hesitate to ask!  Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay positive!

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