Weekly “Music” Notes - February 9-14, 2026

Happy Sunday!

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

February 9-14, 2026

Monday, February 9: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 4:05-5:30PM

Tuesday, February 10: Open Practice/Solo & Ensemble Help, 4-5PM

Wednesday, February 11: Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM - Guest Clinician: Mr. Bushman, Tavares HS

Thursday, February 12: Open Practice/Solo & Ensemble Help, 4-5PM

Saturday, February 14: Solo and Ensemble 1 - Tavares HS

MPA Dates

I received Concert and Jazz MPA dates and times, please mark them in your calendar!

Jazz MPA: Thursday, February 19, 10AM at the Villages Charter HS

Concert MPA: Thursday, March 5, 5:30PM at West Port HS

I still need chaperones for Concert MPA! If you would like to chaperone please email me! YOU MUST BE LEVEL II!

Solo & Ensemble 1

Students who are participating in Solo & Ensemble 1, remember the following!

1. Solos: All solos registered will be with piano accompaniment, you will need to pay Mr. Endsley $40 BEFORE your first rehearsal. HE WILL BE HERE WEDNESDAY!

2. Make sure all your measures are NUMBERED! And double check your numbers and make sure you did skip measures, put the same number twice, etc

3. Make sure day of you grab your original from me to give to the judge. NO ORIGINAL = DQ (disqualified)

4. Performance times have been sent out and are also attached. Please arrive to Tavares at least 45mins before your performance time. Try to be at your room 10mins before your performance time.

MPA Rehearsals

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

Monday, February 9: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 4:15-5:30PM

Wednesday, February 11: Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM (With Mr. Bushman from Tavares HS)

Wednesday, February 18: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM *NOTICE it’s different than normal due to President’s Day!)

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!

Jazz MPA - February 19, 2026

If your student is in jazz band, please see below!

The Jazz Band will be performing at the District 19 Jazz Music Performance Assessment on Thursday, February 19 at the Villages Charter HS!

Itinerary

7:15 AM - Band Room Opens

7:30 AM – Call Time in Band room/Load equipment

7:45 AM – Depart from Umatilla MS

8:45 AM – Arrive at The Villages Charter HS

8:45 AM – Unload Equipment (Ms. Pyburn will check in the band at FBA Office)

9:15 AM – Scheduled Warm-up Time

10:00 AM – Performance by the UMS Tiger Jazz Band

10:30 AM – Pack Up Instruments

10:45 AM – Enter Auditorium to Watch Bands/Restroom Break

12:30 PM – Lunch at The Villages Charter HS

1:30 PM – Load the Bus

1:45 PM – Depart The Villages Charter HS

3:00 PM – Arrive at Umatilla MS

THE BUS WILL LEAVE AT 7:45 AM! Due to how far the Villages is and our performance time given, we must leave on time. Please make sure your student is here on time!!!!

The Villages Charter HS Address:

2210 Dr. Randy McDaniel Way, Middleton, Florida 34762

MAKE SURE TO GO TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS! THERE ARE

MULTIPLE CAMPUSES!

Jazz Uniform: Black UMS Dress Shirt (collar shirt) Black Dress Pants/Maxi Skirt,

Black Dress Socks and Dress Shoes.

Needed: Instrument, Accessories and Uniform Parts, MONEY FOR FOOD!

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, February 9: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 4:15-5:30PM

Wednesday, February 11: Symphonic Band Rehearsal, 3:15-4:30PM with Guest Clinician - Mr. Cole Bushman (Tavares HS)

February, 13 & 14(Fri & Sat): Solo & Ensemble 1, Tavares HS

Monday, February 16: President’s Day - NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, February 18: Jazz Band Rehearsal, 3:05-4:30PM NOTICE different band then normal due to President’s Day!

Thursday, February 19: Jazz Music Performance Assessment

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

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

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

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!

Friday, February 13, 7:30PM: Margaret McGillivray (Horn) - Stetson University, Lee Chapel

Saturday, February 21, 7:30PM: Timothy Rosenberg (Saxophone) - Stetson University, Lee Chapel

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

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