A major announcement!

The Norris Music Department will be awarded the Nebraska Music Educators Association’s Exemplary Award. This award will be presented on November 19 at the NMEA All State convention.

The application for this award was rather lengthy, starting last year about this time. A panel from NMEA did a final observation last spring and confirmation of the award was sent to our department earlier this year. In the 12 years that this award has existed there have only been four other schools to receive it. We are the first to receive the award as a district-wide recognition.

Thank you for your continuing support of Norris Music!

Dr. Lee

A couple of announcements…

The Norris Music Boosters have begun a new line of Norris Music gear that you can order. Available items are t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, license plate covers, and personalized window decals. For more information, please contact Dr. Lee or Mr. Hansmeyer.

Band banquet forms are available. Remind your band student to bring one home. Forms are due by Thursday, October 29th and the banquet will be held on Monday, November 2 at 6:30pm in the high school MPR.

That’s all for now!

Dr. Lee

A reflection on the season…

The Norris Marching Titans finished their season last Saturday at Seacrest Field, scoring a Division I rating with a score of 83.75. This performance caps a season of straight Division I ratings! Great job!

I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the people that helped with our season this year. Without your help we would not have been as successful as we were. The kids really appreciated the support.

First, to the music parents…thank you for your support and your time in getting them to school for the early morning practices.

Second, to the music boosters…thanks you for your countless hours in acting as setup crew, chaperones, bus sponsors, and general “catch-all” people.

Third, to the people who came out to our performances…thanks for your support and feedback from the stands. It’s nice to have a crowd to play to.

Fourth, to Gayle French…thanks for your help with uniforms, making sure the kids were dressed properly.

Fifth, to Jerry Williamson…thanks for taking your time to drive the second trailer.

Lastly, to Jessie Andre…thanks for your hard work with the guard and with our visual program.

Plans are already in the works for next season. Keep tuned for show announcements sometime 2nd semester.

Dr. Lee

Jazz band audition materials…

The auditions for jazz band will be October 26-30. The criteria for the auditions will be as follows:

Winds -

• Play Bb and Eb blues scales from memory
• Using the excerpt “Tenor Madness”, play the lead line twice, solo through at least two times, return with lead line to end using the recording.

Rhythm section -

• Play the Bb and Eb blues scales from memory
• Drum set play the “Jazz”, “Jazz Waltz”, and “Samba” figures from the Sabian poster by the percussion cabinet
• All rhythm section players using “Tenor Madness”, play lead line twice, comp chords or walking bass line twice, solo through at least two times, return with lead line to end using the recording.

Here is the link to the excerpt for you to use (in mp3 format):

http://www.norris160.org/music/Bb%20Blues.mp3

All State results…

I would like to congratulate the following Norris Music students on their selection into the NMEA All State groups:

Band:

• Krista Baade – Flute
• Chelsi Marolf – French Horn

Choir:

• Seth Burgett
• Derek Geist
• Drew Hoefler
• John Hovendick
• Josh Karel
• Shelby Leiker
• Randa Meierhenry
• Rachel Pickrel
• Daniel Schreiber
• James Verhoeff

Alternates (all choir)

• Taylor Fries
• Jacque Goering
• Nathan Schreiter

Great job!

Dr. Lee

Some pics, a bit of news, and a new feature…

Hi!

I thought I would put up a couple of pictures from our film shoot last weekend for you to look at. These are from us recording the soundtrack for the parade scene and of the filming of the final scene of the movie.

That was a fun time!

The bits of news…

The choirs will be in concert tomorrow night at 7:00pm in the auditorium for their fall concert. This will surely be a great concert and we hope to see you there!

The Norris Marching Titans recognized their senior class last Friday at the Pius v. Norris football game. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the senior class for their dedication and leadership this year. They have done a great job! The Marching Titans wrap up their marching season this Saturday at the NSBA marching festival. Come on out and check out the show!

Lastly, if you look at the bottom right corner you will notice a new feature. This is a “live” feed from the Norris bands Twitter account. Follow the band with your Twitter account: @NorrisBands1.

That’s all for now! 2nd quarter begins tomorrow! The year is going fast!

Dr. Lee

An amazing ride so far…

The Norris Marching Titans continued their streak of Division I ratings this season, receiving Division I ratings in both band and colorguard last Saturday at the Omaha Marching Invitational with a score of 81.9.

This week the band travels to Seacrest Field (Lincoln East) for their final performance at the Nebraska Bandmasters Association Marching Festival. Our performance time is 7:45pm. Come on out and support your Norris Titans!

Weekend activities…

Hi!

First things first…I didn’t order the snow for today! Sorry about that. We’ll be tough and deal with it, as will all the other bands today.

Tomorrow’s call sheet and parking map are available for download. Call time is 8am. We will be in the foyer area of Memorial Stadium until they need us.

Seven Dates 10-11 Call Sheet

Honor Band Information…

It is officially honor band audition season so here is the important information you will need to do these. Also, please pay attention to the dates as each honor band has its own deadlines.

• UNL Winter Winds (audition due Oct. 23, festival dates are Jan. 22-24)
  • Audition requirements – 5-10 minutes of prepared music from a required list. Please check with Dr. Lee for your instrument
  • 10-12 grade eligible
• Hastings Honor Festival (audition due Nov. 13, festival dates are Feb. 4-6)
  • Audition requirements – Chromatic scale (two octaves) and two (2) contrasting etudes.
  • 11-12 grade eligible
• Wesleyan Honor Festival (audition due Dec. 2, festival dates are Feb. 11-13)
  • Audition requirements – Chromatic scale (two octaves), Major scale (depends on your instrument), two (2) contrasting etudes
  • 9-12 grade eligible
• University of Nebraska – Omaha (audition due Dec. 1; Festival Jan. 29-31)
  • Audition requirements – two scales, two contrasting etudes.
  • 9-12 grade eligible

As always, if you have questions, please email or call.

Dr. Lee

Information for the weekend activities…

Hi!

OK, I hope you have the itineraries for the shows coming up (Links, OMI, NSBA). Please take some time to go through and read these. If you don’t have these click here and you can download them. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to call or email.

Now to the extra activity on Sunday. As you may or may not know, we were asked to be a part of an independent film being shot and produced in Lincoln. The name of the film is “Seven Dates”. I’m really not too sure of the story line except that it is a comedy depicting seven consecutive days which slowly get worse for the main character. Anyway, we (the band) were asked to be a part of one of the scenes which takes place during a parade (guess which part we get to play).

Now for the details. We are to report to the Haymarket on Sunday, October 11, at 8am. (Please make sure you aren’t the one who shows up at 8:05). We are to have full uniform and all of our instruments as we are to play, or at least portray to play, a parade route. The band will be fed (at least lunch, probably breakfast as well) while on duty from 8:00-1:00pm. Members will need to sign an image consent release form before being allowed to be on film. We will then be told instructions as the film work proceeds.

Please be prepared to “hurry up and wait” as is common in these type of activities. Also, please be prepared for cold weather. Dress warm, bring jackets or coats as the temperature will be chilly.

I don’t think I will be able to arrange transportation at this short of notice so we will need to make arrangements to get to Lincoln on our own. You will need to have your uniform and your instrument (large instruments will need to think ahead as to how they are going to get there).

I know there is probably more information to give you but at this time I really don’t have anything else. If you have questions…well…you know the drill. One last thing…if your parents or family want to come out and watch they can be extras for the parade sequence.

That’s all for now.

Dr. Lee