Weekly “Music” Notes - February 23-27, 2026

Happy Sunday!

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

February 23-27, 2026

Monday, February 23: Open Practice, 4-5PM

Tuesday, February 24: UMS Showcase, 6-7PM

Wednesday, February 25: Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM

Jazz MPA Debrief

Congratulations to our Jazz Band for receiving Straight Excellents at Jazz Music Performance Assessment! This is the second highest Straight Rating you can receive! Let’s keep working hard to get that superior one day! 🎉🎶

We listened back to our stage recordings as well as Mr. Wing’s comments on Friday. On Monday we will listen to Mr. Martin’s comments and Mr. Kolodinsky’s comments on Tuesday.

MPA Rehearsals

Attention all Symphonic and Jazz students: Here are the dates and times:

Wednesday, February 25: Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM

Wednesday, March 4: Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM

These rehearsals are a grade and it is very important that your student comes! I need communication from the parent via email with the reason for missing if a student is missing rehearsal, preferably at least 2 weeks notice.

Students who do not show up to rehearsal consistently without communication will be at risk of not going to MPA, and will have to do an alternative assignment.

What is MPA?

Music Performance Assessment (MPA) is an opportunity for students to get to perform on a stage in front of an audience and three adjudicators. These adjudicators are some of the top music educators in the field who hope to give advice to make bands better. They also are given a rating, and there are 5.

1- Superior

2- Excellent

3- Good

4- Fair

5- Poor

If students receive the superior rating, they get a medal that hangs up on the band room wall! Last year we were super close and got twos (Excellent).

Not only is this a new experience, but it is one to bring the band closer together as we are all trying to reach a common goal. Let’s do our best to show up to rehearsals after school!

Concert MPA - Thursday, March 5, 2026

Concert MPA is right around the corner! Here’s what you need to know!

Itinerary (Times are tentative due to bus scheduling)

2:45 PM – Meet in Band Room/Load equipment

3:00 PM – Depart from Umatilla MS

4:10 PM – Arrive at West Port HS

4:45 PM – Scheduled Warm-Up Time

5:30 PM – Performance by the UMS Symphonic Band

6:00 PM – Performance in Sight-Reading Room

6:20 PM – Pack up Instruments

6:30 PM - Watch a Band

7:00 PM – Load Bus and Trailer

7:15 PM – Depart West Port HS

8:30 PM – Arrive at Umatilla Middle School

Directions to West Port HS:

3733 SW 80th Ave

Ocala, FL 34481

Concert Uniform: Black UMS Dress Shirt (collar shirt) Black Dress Pants/Maxi Skirt, Black Dress Socks and Dress Shoes.

Need: Instrument, Accessories and Uniform Parts!!!

Parents are welcome to attend, as chaperones or in the audience! Parents may watch sight-reading. WARNING: In the sight-reading room, you may NOT record. Recording may disqualify the band.

Please understand the following:

1. Symphonic Band Students are required to go to this event

2. If a student has missed multiple after school rehearsal and/or is not performing their instrument in class, they are at risk of needing to complete an alternative assignment instead of going to Concert MPA. All decisions made by Ms. Pyburn are final

3. Students must have the proper uniform for this event - Black UMS Dress Shirt, Black Dress Pants/Black Maxi Length Skirt, Black Dress Socks, Black Dress Shoes

4. Students represent Umatilla Middle School at this event. Please represent our school well

5. Multiple Parts: Students will have an on-stage performance of three pieces. Afterwards, we go to the sight-reading room where students will perform 2 pieces of music they have never seen before

I am still looking for chaperones! Please email me if you are interested! YOU MUST BE LEVEL II!

Solo & Ensemble 2 - April 11th!

Students who mentioned they were interested in Solo & Ensemble should have received a Solo & Ensemble Parent Approval Form (this was also sent to your email parents)

If your student is interested in doing Solo & Ensemble, please make sure I get that form by March 2!!!! It costs the band money for your student to have this opportunity, so I am working to have as little cancellations as possible.

Date: April 11, 2026

Time: Times will vary and I will not know until after the District 19 FBA Chair makes the schedule

Location: The Villages Charter Middle School

Piano Rehearsal: Piano rehearsals will be scheduled once I have a set number of students. Most of the time it can be done during school or right after school. I will communicate ahead of time if it is after school!

All beginners received a solo to be working on, and Symphonic Band students should have chosen something by now! Please email me if you have questions!

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, March 2: Solo and Ensemble 2 Paperwork DUE!

Wednesday, March 4: Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM

Thursday, March 5: Concert Music Performance Assessment, West Port HS @ 5:30PM

Friday, March 6: Teacher Work Day (NO SCHOOL)

March 16-20 (Mon-Fri): SPRING BREAK

Friday, April 3: Good Friday (NO SCHOOL)

Saturday, April 11: Solo & Ensemble 2, The Villages Charter MS

April 12-15 (Sun-Wed): Chattlanta Band Trip (UMS & UHS)

Friday, April 17: Lakeside Jazz Festival, Kenneth Parker Amphitheatre, 2PM - Cafe Stage

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!

Tuesday, February 24, 7:30PM: Stetson University Symphonic Band - Stetson University, Lee Chapel

Wednesday, February 25, 7:30PM: Stetson University Jazz Ensemble - Stetson University, Second Stage Theatre

Friday, March 13, 7:30PM: Dunwoody Mirvil (Trombone) - Stetson University, Lee Chapel

Friday, March 20, 7:30PM: Stetson Opera Theatre Presents: Engelbert Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel - DeLand High School

Friday, March 20, 7PM: Ron Seggi and his Orchestra (Mount Dora Jazz Band) - Ritz Theatre, Winter Haven (Ms. Pyburn performing on Bari Sax!)

Sunday, March 22, 3PM: Stetson Opera Theatre Presents: Engelbert Humperdinck: Hansel and Gretel - DeLand High School

Friday, March 27, 7:30PM: Chandler Wilson (Saxophone) - Stetson University, Lee Chapel

And that is everything for now! I will keep you updated as we get closer to events!