Weekly “Music” Notes - December 15-19, 2025

Happy Sunday!

Here’s everything you need to know for this week.

December 15-19, 2025

Monday-Thursday: After School Percussion Auditions (Beginning Band)

Thursday, December 19: Umatilla High School Winter Band Concert, 6PM in UHS Auditorium

Quarter 2 Ends THIS WEEK!

I am still working on marking assignments into Gradebook. Thank you for your patience with our winter concert and with my own performances happening almost every night this past week.

Pass-offs were technically due last Friday.

FAQ

Can my student still make up grades from this quarter?

YES! My Tiger Time will be open and I will be in the band room before school and after school. I may give a little time during class as well to take care of things.

How many Pass-Offs do they need to do?

Students are required to do 7 pass-offs per quarter. They are mini quizzes that students choose what they want to pass-off out of a selection of options. Some being as simple as going to a performance, others being they need to play something for me. If students do more than 7, they do roll over to the next quarter if a student does not complete all seven in the following quarter.

All-District Band Assignment?

Here is a step-by-step for this returning friends:

1. Look at Google Classroom for your requirements for your instrument, it will have the following:

       - Play the Etude

       - Play the 5 Scales Listed

       - Play the Chromatic Scale 2 Octaves from the note listed for your instrument

2. Record! You can use your phone or your Chromebook

3. Once you record, you may want to upload it to Google Drive, sometimes Google Classroom is picky and it won’t let you upload the recording to the assignment

4. Depending on Device:

     a. Chromebook: Go to your ClassLink (AKA your home page) and log into Google Classroom. Select the All-District Band Materials assignment in your Symphonic Band Google Classroom. Upload the video you want to submit. Click submit

      b. Phone: Go to Google/Safari, search “ClassLink” (or go to your AppStore and either download the ClassLink App or the Google Classroom App). If searching, click Login and type Umatilla Middle in the search box. Login as normal, then same steps as Chromebook.

5. Hit submit on the assignment

Beginning Band Percussion Auditions!

It’s that time of the year where I will be auditioning beginners for percussion! Students will be able to come either before school, after school, or during Tiger Time to audition. Students must try out in order to be considered for percussion.

I am looking for the following:

- Coordination

- Pattern Recognition

- Steady Tempo

- Responsible

- Follows Rule 1 and Rule 2

Auditions are MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY THIS WEEK ONLY! My plan is to announce beginning band percussion on Friday of this week. Please note I only select a small amount of students for percussion.

UPCOMING DATES

December 22: Winter Break Begins

January 6: Classes Begin

January 7: After School Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM

January 12: After School Jazz Band Rehearsal, 4:15-5:30PM

January 14-17: FMEA Conference & All-State (Pyburn Out)

January 19: Martin Luther King Jr Day (NO SCHOOL)

January 21: After School Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM

January 22-24: All-District Band Rehearsals and Concert (Pyburn out 1/23)

Upcoming Pass-Off Performances!

Students can attend a music concert as a pass-off AS LONG AS THERE IS A PHOTO OR VIDEO! I will also accept a program if photo or video cannot be taken!

Today’s Holiday Inn Performance at Athens Theatre is SOLD OUT!

Tuesday, December 16: Spring Creek Charter Winter Concert, 6PM (I think) at Spring Creek

Thursday, December 18: Umatilla High School Winter Band Concert, 6PM at UHS Auditorium

And that’s everything! Please keep up to date with all of our communications and social medias!