Bengals Night (7th/8th grade band)
Thursday, April 16th - call time 6:15 PM, performance time 6:45-7:15 PM
For Bengals Night, we will have an open rehearsal in the band room, which is an opportunity for you to sit in and watch us rehearse in order to see the great effort your student musician puts into preparing our music early in the morning each week.
Students in the 7th/8th grade band will need to be dropped off at Door 18 no later than 6:15 PM. Our “uniform” for this event is this year’s band shirt. We will watch the choir perform in the Large Gym at 6:30, and then return to the band room to rehearse until 7:15. Chairs will be available for anyone who wants to observe our rehearsal. After we conclude our rehearsal at 7:15, I encourage you to explore everything else that is being showcased around the school for the remainder of Bengals Night.
4th Grade Orientation (7th/8th grade band)
Wednesday, April 22nd - during school
4th graders from Evergreen will be visiting Benjamin to learn what middle school will be like next year. As part of this experience, they will get to learn about the various clubs and activities that are offered at BMS, including band. Students in the 7th/8th grade band will be called down to the band room to perform for the 4th graders to demonstrate what a band sounds like and show the 4th graders the instruments that they may choose from if they join beginning band. This means your child must have their instrument and binder at school on Wednesday. Performers will need to wear this year's band shirt, jeans, and close-toed shoes.
Instrument Selection Night (4th grade students/families)
Tuesday, April 28th - 6:00-8:00 PM
All students who will be 5th graders at Benjamin Middle School next year are invited to come to Benjamin to try out the instruments that they indicated they are most interested in playing when they visited us for 4th grade orientation. 4th grade families have been sent an email for you to RSVP if you plan to attend. If your student is considering joining band (whether they are 100% sure or on the fence), please have them come to this event. If you are unable to attend Instrument Selection Night but your child wants to try out an instrument, let me know and we can work together to arrange an alternate time to do so.
Spring Band and Choir Concert
Wednesday, May 13th - call time 6:00 PM (5th and 6th) or 6:15 PM (7th and 8th), performance time 6:30 PM - BMS Large Gym
Our spring Band and Choir Concert will be on Wednesday, May 14th at 6:30pm in the large gym. 5th and 6th grade students will need to be dropped off at the band room doors (Door 18) no later than 6:00pm, and 7th and 8th grade students must be dropped off by 6:15 PM. Audience members will enter through Door 20. Performers will need to bring their instruments (except for percussion), binder, and any equipment they need to perform (reeds, neck straps, mouthpieces, etc.). Students are expected to stay for the entire duration of the concert.
The dress code for this event is formal (no jeans, sweatpants, gym shoes, t-shirts, etc.). Concert dress must be in compliance with school dress code. If you are unsure if a planned outfit is appropriate for the concert, please ask me.
During school on the day of the concert, we will be holding an assembly during which we will perform an abbreviated version of our concert for the student body. All students must bring their instrument and music to school during the day on Wednesday, May 13th. We will wear this year's band t-shirts, jeans or khakis, and close-toed shoes for the assembly. Please help your child check their closet ahead of time to make sure they have their band t-shirt. I have limited quantities of extras that your child may borrow if their shirt is missing. If your child needs to borrow a shirt for the assembly, please let me know in advance.
School Instrument Return
School-owned instruments must be returned or the Summer Instrument Sign-out form must be completed before the last day of school.
