The website’s layout has been updated to better aid students, families, and patrons navigate.

Students will still be able to use the website to submit their playing tests.  The link to do this is under the “Resources” tab.  Students that utilize the online form will notice that there are different forms depending on which class they are in.  Make sure tests that are submitted online are submitted with the correct form. 

Due to the lack of interest we will not start be starting the lessons program at this time.  This is an opportunity that we definitely would like to provide our students here at De Soto.  Private lessons offer students the opportunity to develop themselves as musicians and gain a deeper understanding of their instrument. 

​Please take part in the communications that are available to you and your student.  The band website is a useful tool for us to dispense information to our students and our families, but it is not the only tool that we have at our disposal.  You may find information on the band on Twitter by following @desotobands.  We use this to dispense information on festival results, awards, and celebrations as well as travel information.  For those of you that do not use social media, we also use the Remind text messaging service.  This allows us to send out text messages to any number that registers.  Information sent out through Remind is typically limited to concert, fundraising, and trip information.
 
SIX FLAGS (8th Grade Band)
Students are required to purchase their ticket for the performance and our performance shirt.  All students must have a performance shirt.  Shirts will be $10 and tickets for the park this day are $32.  The school will be covering the cost of the festival part of the performance.    Those students that are season ticket holders will need to notify Mr. Boyer so a ticket is not reserved for them.  All money is due February 16th.  Money can be turned in starting January 5th to Mr. Boyer.
 
I am looking into doing one more fundraiser this Spring.  Money from this fundraiser will be used to pay for the Six Flags festival, travel, and to purchase equipment for JH Bands.  It is my sincere hope that we can find a fundraising solution that does not involve brochures.  Those types of fundraisers net the band at maximum 40% of the proceeds. 

With the DHS Marching Band's performance at the Ste. Gen Marching Festival, marching band is coming to a close.  Below is a look at upcoming events for the rest of the month and next.

We are very excited for the upcoming concert season and look forward to the improvements that we will all make while preparing for these events!

October 26th: Audition materials for chair placements will be provided to all 8th Grade students for second semester.

October 27th: 6:30 PM Halloween Concert featuring HS Marching Band, Jazz Band, and 8th Grade Concert Band @ the Pit

November 2nd: 3-4:30 PM Jazz Lab rehearsal (Open to any students 8-12 wishing to learn to improvise or play Jazz)

November 3rd: All-District Band Auditions (Festus HS)

November 6th: HS Concert Band Auditions Due

November 7th: All District Band Concert for JH and HS (For select students that make a band)

November 7th: Veteran's Day Parade (HS Marching Band)

November 9th: 3-4:30 PM Jazz Lab rehearsal (Open to any students 8-12 wishing to learn to improvise or play Jazz)

November 11th: Veteran's Day Assembly (HS Bands)

November 13th: 8th Grade Concert Band Auditions Due

November 16th: 3-4:30 PM Jazz Lab rehearsal (Open to any students 8-12 wishing to learn to improvise or play Jazz)

November 23rd: 3-4:30 PM Jazz Lab rehearsal (Open to any students 8-12 wishing to learn to improvise or play Jazz)

November 30th: Twin City Christmas Parade (HS Marching Band)

Start Date:
September 1, 2015

Due Date:
September 15, 2015

Expected Delivery Date:
Week of October 13th, 2015

ALL MONEY IS TO BE COLLECTED AT THE TIME OF ORDER.   Students are responsible for holding on to all funds that are collected and all money must be turned in by September 15th, 2015.  Any orders that are not submitted on time will not be ordered.

For those of you with out of town relatives, here are instructions you can send them.

Go to the following web address:
http://www.helpourgroup.com/

Click the "Shop Now" button.

Type in "39511" for the Group ID

Type in your student's name and their grade so that they may receive credit for anything that is bought to support the band

Continue on through the web store and then checkout.  Everything that is purchased will be delivered directly to your home and credit will be given to your student.

8th Grade Percussionist: 

The following is a list of the 40 basic rudiments.  Monday you will receive a handout to use during warm ups with the band.  

JH Bands
All JH band students should consider bringing in a binder so that they can keep their music for this year.  Students will be receiving a lot of music this year along with supplemental material to help students throughout the year. A binder will give students an organized, safe place to keep music.

7th Grade Students
Instrument testing should be completed on Monday, all students will be aware of what they are going to be playing for the school year.  At this time, it is looking like we are going to have a large and well-balanced Beginning Band.  Students will be learning about rhythm and note reading during school while we wait for everyone to get their instruments.

8th Grade Students
Students that are going to be switching instruments will be doing so at the end of next week.  Monday we will begin looking at some warm ups that we will use for the school year, and possibly even look at a few pieces of music.

Parents: Help keep your students organized by getting them a binder, signing up for REMIND, and adding this web site to your favorites.  Also, any student that will be using a school owned instrument will have to turn in a completed School Owned Instrument Contract.

This is shaping up to be a great year, and everyone is very excited!
Mr. Boyer

We hope everyone enjoyed their summer! This is an exciting year for the De Soto Band Program.

Green and White Band
Numbers in the Beginning Band are nearing 80! The band room is going to be packed for our Brass and Percussion class.  To say that we are excited by this "problem" is an understatement.  Over the next couple of days, we will be testing students and placing them on instruments.  All students will know what they will be playing by Tuesday, August 18th.

DJHS Symphonic Band
Mr. Boyer is very excited to begin working with the 8th Grade Band.  You will not need to bring in instruments until Monday.  Tomorrow we will be discussing plans for the upcoming year, policies, and the band handbook.


Remind Text Messaging Service
At De Soto, we utilize the Remind Text messaging service.  This service will be used to keep you informed of upcoming events in the program.  


Green and White Band (Beginning Band)
To receive messages via text, text @dragons7 to 81010. 
You can opt-out of messages at any time by replying, 'unsubscribe @dragons7'.

DJHS Symphonic Band
To receive messages via text, text @dragon8 to 81010. 
You can opt-out of messages at any time by replying, 'unsubscribe @dragon8'.

Instrument Rental Night
Wednesday, August 19th
5:30-7:30PM

Our music dealer, Nottelmann Music will be in the band room for parents to rent or buy instruments.  They will also have supplies like reeds, oil, grease etc.  For parents that already have an instrument, it is advisable that you bring in that instrument to get it checked over and ensure that it is in good working order.


All students please check the Calendar of Events and plan accordingly.  
http://www.desotobands.org/calendar.html

Let's make this year the best year yet!

#success #ILoveBand

East Central Junior High Honors Band Members:
Sophie Harris-Flute
Missy Mullins-Clarinet
Hannah Rinker-Lugo-Clarinet
Kaitlyn Podgornik-Trumpet

JCAA Middle School Conference Band Members
Mikayla Mohl-Flute
Michael Bowling-Clarinet
Shaun Brooks- Alto Saxophone
Joe Bradley-Trumpet
Brennan Howe-Trombone
Ethan Brown-Percussion
Brandon Nunnally-Percussion

Jefferson College Beginning Honors Band Members:
Averi Muniz-Flute
Lillie Kaempfe-Clarinet
Mikaela Moravec- Alto Saxophone
Christopher Mohl- Tenor Saxophone
Caleb Avila-French Horn
Victoria Avis-Trumpet
Anna Kozloski-Trombone
Shelby Bourisaw-Percussion