Week of February 28

 

Solo and Ensemble Unit

All students are currently preparing solos and/or ensembles to be performed at either the District Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday, March 5, or in class for a clinician on March 7. 

District Solo and Ensemble Performance

The District Solo and Ensemble Festival will be held at Fond du Lac High School. Families are responsible for their own transportation. Students only need to be there for their own performance(s). We recommend arriving no later than 30 minutes before the performance time. Following the performance, students may wait for their scores or head back home. Scores and rubrics will be available in class the following week. Students were given a preliminary performance time on Wednesday. A final schedule for the festival will be available in class on Monday.

As shared in class, students who are performing at the festival have a small fee associated that is due by March 4th.  Class A solos are $11, Class B and C solos are $9, and Ensembles are a total of $15 split among the ensemble’s members.  Students with an accompanist have an additional $30 fee to pay the accompanist for their practice time, a rehearsal, and the performance.

In-Class Solo and Ensemble Performance

Students who chose the in-class performance will perform their work on Monday, March 7th. There is no fee for this.

Families, please ask to hear your student play their piece for you!  It will get them used to playing alone in front of others and will help to push their preparation!

WSMA Festival Performances

In May each band will travel by coach bus to Carroll University in Waukesha to perform in a Wisconsin School Music Association Large Group contest.  The Wildcat and Concert Bands will travel on May 12, and Varsity Band and Wind Ensemble will travel on May 13. We will take coach buses to Shattuck Auditorium to perform and conclude the day with a visit to the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee, Illinois.  A page dedicated to these trips (with tentative itineraries) can be found here.

While at the Great Wolf Lodge, all students will have access to an awesome arcade! Additionally, students will be able to choose either the waterpark or the dry attractions, including unlimited use of mini-golf, bowling, ropes course, and a rock-climbing wall. For students choosing the waterpark and arcade, the cost of the trip will be $75 (coach bus travel and waterpark access). For students choosing the dry attractions, the cost of the trip will be $60 (coach bus travel and dry attraction access). For students only interested in the arcade, the cost of the trip will be $35 (coach bus travel). While at the Great Wolf Lodge, there are two restaurants offering burgers, chicken tenders, and pizza at student cost. The facility is cashless currently. If students don’t have access to a card or mobile pay, we can purchase meal cards when we arrive.

All students will attend and fundraising profits will help with the cost.  Students with financial difficulties should contact Mr. Singer or Mr. Wilson for assistance. 

For Students in Multiple Bands

We have many students who participate in multiple bands during the school day.  Those students are encouraged to perform with each of the bands they rehearse with while at the festival.  As a thank you to our students in multiple bands across the 2 days, the second day will be free (equal or lesser value).

Grading and Make-Up Procedures

Are you curious about how grades are determined?  Click here for more information!

Do you have to miss a concert or parade performance?  All students missing a concert or parade performance for any reason must make up the performance to gain the points.

View make-up procedures here.  Please contact Mr. Singer or Mr. Wilson with questions.

Important Upcoming Dates

  • March 5 — District Solo and Ensemble Festival held at Fond du Lac High School

  • March 7 — In-Class Solo and Ensemble Performances

  • March 14 — FVA-South Honor Band held at UW-Oshkosh (nominated students)

  • March 20-27 — Orlando Trip

  • April 30 — State Solo and Ensemble Festival held at UW-Oshkosh (state qualifiers)

  • May 9 — Spring Concert I at 8pm (call time: 7pm) (Wildcat Band and Wind Ensemble)

  • May 10 — Spring Concert I at 8pm (call time: 7pm) (Concert and Varsity Bands)

  • May 12 — WSMA Contest Performance at Carroll University and Great Wolf Lodge Reward (Wildcat and Concert Bands)

  • May 13 — WSMA Contest Performance at Carroll University and Great Wolf Lodge Reward (Varsity Band and Wind Ensemble)

  • May 27 — Graduation at the Oshkosh Arena (Current and 2022-2023 Wind Ensembles)

  • May 30 — Memorial Day Procession at 9am (call time: 6:45am)

  • June 2 — End of Semester

Oshkosh West Bands