The Mercer Middle-Senior High School Bands

January 2012 News and Notes

tjweller — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:00:37 +0000

Click here to download your copy of the January newsletter.

Check updated pages for jazz ensemble and pep band schedules.

Read on and educate yourself! Unsure? Contact Mr. Weller via email or stop in the band office.

2nd Round Playoff Game – Friday, November 18, 2011

tjweller — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:48:16 +0000

On Friday evening, November 18, 2011 the Mercer High School 5M Band will travel to Slippery Rock University to support the Mercer HS Football team in their second round District 10 playoff game. The schedule for the 5M Band on Friday will be as follows:

3:45-4:30 p.m.-Rehearsal
5:10-5:30 p.m.-Inspection
5:30 p.m. – Departure
6:10 p.m. – Arrival at SRU
6:30 p.m. – In stands to support West Middlesex HS Band’s performance
7:00 p.m. – Game begins

As the visiting band on Friday, we will perform at half-time. Our show at half-time will be Pinball Wizard, Rockin’ Robin, Walk the Dinosaur, and Long Time. At the conclusion of the 1st quarter we will perform Gimme Some Lovin.

Please be advised that due to regulations during the playoffs, our ability to play from the stands will be slightly modified. Dismissal during the third quarter during the game will be at the discretion of the Band Staff and may be modified depending upon the game situation.

Christmas Gift Ideas for the Mercer Bands

tjweller — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:56:34 +0000

Listed below are Christmas ideas for Mercer Band Members and their families. While there are no new instruments listed, there are suggestions for upgrades with mouthpieces, ligatures, and other accessory ideas for consideration. If you have specific questions about one of the suggestions below, please contact Mr. Weller via email. Another point for consideration is that although these ideas are linked to The Woodwind & Brasswind website, they can be ordered through local merchants like Marks Music, Brighton Music, and Music Showcase.

Clarinets – Vandoren makes great mouthpieces that are affordable. Check out the M13, M15, or 5rv. A new ligature can also be a help – check out the Bonade Inverted, Rovner Versa, and Vandoren Optimum.

Saxophones – Alto Saxes should consider one of the following: Selmer C-Star S80 mouthpiece, Yamaha 4C, or David Hite Premiere. A new ligature is also helpful – Rovner Versa, or Vanduren M/O Series. Tenor Saxes can also check out the Selmer C-Star series as well.

Trumpets – For a new mouthpiece consider a Bach 3C Mouthpiece or a Dennis Wick 5S or 4B.

Trombones – For a new mouthpiece consider a Bach 11, 14D, or 12C, or a Dennis Wick 5BS.

Tubas – For a new mouthpiece consider a Conn Helleberg Series Tuba Mouthpiece

There are a number of different options for brass mutes, but in terms of quality and cost a Humes & Berg straight mute for trumpet and trombone has the most application for concert band and jazz ensemble.

Korg makes a very reasonably priced tuner-metronome that has a lot of practical application for individual practice.

Padded gig bags for flutes, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, and trombone.

A box of reeds (Clarinets – Mitchell Lurie, Saxophone – VanDuren or LaVoz), valve oil, and slide grease make excellent

IMB & Playoff Game

tjweller — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:48:01 +0000

5M Band members are reminded that tomorrow after school there will be rehearsal for the Indoor Marching Band Show (IMBS) from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the HS Gymnasium. Rehearsal will begin in the gym promptly at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets for the IMBS will be available through the day on Monday and Tuesday during band periods. Adult Tickets are $3, and Student Tickets are $2. Checks should be made payable to Mercer Band Boosters.

Daffins Candy Orders are now availalbe in the band room.

On Friday, the Mustang Football team will travel to Wilmington HS to play Saegertown. A copy of the playoff brackets is here. The game begins at 7:00 p.m. The 5M Band Schedule for that Friday, November 11, 2011 will be as follows:

3:45-4:45 p.m. – Full Rehearsal
5:15 p.m. – Begin Inspection
5:40 p.m. – Depart Mercer HS
6:00 p.m. – Arrive at Wilmington, take equipment to the stands, warm-up
6:30 p.m. – Present show including Sierra Sister, All The Small Things, Walk the Dinosaur, and What A Wonderful World
6:45 p.m. – Exit field and prepare for the Star-Spangled Banner (played from the stands)
7:00 p.m – Football game begins

Please be advised that due to regulations during the playoffs, our ability to play from the stands will be slightly modified. At the conclusion of the first quarter we will perform Gimme Some Lovin’. At half-time we will remain in the stands to support the Sagertown Marching Band. Dismissal during the third quarter during the game will be at the discretion of the Band Staff and may be modified depending upon the game situation.

November 2011 Newsletter

tjweller — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:47:51 +0000

Click hereto get your copy of the November 2011 News and Notes!

In this issue:

Change of date in the Holiday Concert
Pep Band!
Football Playoff Games
Indoor Marching Band Show on Tuesday, November 8th

Friday, November 4, 2011

tjweller — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:52:33 +0000

Marching Band Members should take note of the following for Friday’s football game.

3:30-4:30 p.m. Rehearsal on field at Mercer
5:30 p.m. INSPECTION BEGINS
6:00 p.m. Depart for game at HICKORY HIGH SCHOOL (NOTE CHANGE – we are playing West Middlesex at Hickory).
6:30 p.m. Arrival for 7:00 p.m. game

Show will be: Sierra Sister, Dance to the Music, What a Wonderful World.

Band will have 3rd quarter off as tradition. Please bring raincoats to the game on Friday.

Homecoming Week at Mercer

tjweller — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:51:17 +0000

5M Members should take note of the schedule for Homecoming Week, October 3-7, 2011.

Monday – rehearsal w/Homecoming Court 3:30-5:00 p.m.m (review of Volcano, What a Wonderful World, Gimme Some Lovin & Stands Music)

Wednesday – Homecoming Parade. The school will be open at 6:00 p.m. Report to the Methodist Church Parking Lot by no later than 6:45 p.m. Parade starts at 7:00 p.m. Taking It To the Streets and Fight Song en-route. Once we arrive at the school, your evening obligation is done.
Friday – early dismissal from school. Rehearsal starts PROMPTLY at 3:30 p.m. with the Alumni for our Homecoming Performance. Take note of the following:

3:00-3:30 p.m. Registration in the band room for Alumni
3:30-5:00 p.m. Rehearsal on field with the 5M Band
5:00-6:00 p.m. Picnic style supper in the cafeteria for Alumni
5:45-6:00 p.m. Abbreviated inspection
6:00-6:30 p.m. Warm-up/ music rehearsal and march to the field (Fight Song enroute)
6:35-6:55 p.m. Pre-game show including (Long Time, Walk the Dinosaur, Gimme Some Lovin, Star-Spangled Banner, Alma Mater)
7:00 p.m. Game begins (Stands music, and Dance to the Music at the end of the 1st quarter)
Sophomores stay to clean stadium along with several juniors and seniors who still owe cleaning obligations (We know who you are.).

September 30th – FB Game vs Linesville

tjweller — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:57:38 +0000

Rehearsal tomorrow 3:30-4:30 p.m. (review all features, Gimme Some Lovin, and What a Wonderful World)
Inspection at 5:30 p.m.
Pre-game music rehearsal 6-6:15 p.m.
Pre-game (w/ percussion fanfare and tuba entry)
1st Quarter – Gimme Some Lovin’
Half-time (Pinball, Rockin Robin, Walk the Dinosaur, Long Time)
After the game JUNIORS clean the stadium!

GCC Homecoming Parade Information

tjweller — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:24:17 +0000

On Saturday, September 24th the 5M Band will march in the Grove City College Homecoming Parade at 11:00 a.m. Report time to the old Bessemer plant parking lot is no later than 10:00 a.m. We need to report to the parade staging area by 10:15 a.m. Click here to download a map. The parade will finish behind East Main Church and the old Grove City Middle School located across from the college football field. Click here to download your own map and parade instructions. Full uniform will be worn for this event.

Friday, September 23rd – Rehearsal from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Insp. @ 5:30 p.m. Pre-game Music Reh. @ 6:00 p.m. Friday’s half-time show to include Sierra Sister, Dance to the Music, and Long Time. Friday after the game – SENIORS CLEAN THE STADIUM!!! We will also pack the van for the GCC Homecoming Parade on Saturday morning.

Calling all 5M Alumni!

tjweller — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:49:21 +0000

The 5M Band is proud to announce they will be hosting an alumni band event on Friday, October 7, 2011 at the Mercer Football Game vs. Reynolds. If you are an alumn, please consider coming back and joining the band in the pregame performance! The schedule for the day will be as follows:

3:00-3:30 p.m. Registration in the band room
3:30-5:00 p.m. Rehearsal on field with the 5M Band
5:00-6:00 p.m. Picnic style supper in the cafeteria
6:00-6:40 p.m. Warm-up/ music rehearsal and march to the field (Fight Song enroute)
6:40-6:55 p.m. Pre-game show including (Long Time, Walk the Dinosaur, Gimme Some Lovin, Star-Spangled Banner, Alma Mater)
7:00 p.m. Game begins (Stands music, and Dance to the Music at the end of the 1st quarter)
Half-time Alumni watch Homecoming Queen Crowning
The alumni are welcome to stay and perform from the stands during the 4th quarter. The 5M will have the 3rd quarter off, and hopefully you will have an opportunity to connect with a few of the current members!

The cost of the event (including commemorative t-shirt, and pre-game picnic) is $20 (Checks should be payable to Mercer Band Boosters). You may pay that day or send to the band office: Mercer Alumni Band Event, c/o Mr. Weller, 545 West Butler Street, Mercer Pa. 16137

Please email Mr. Weller your t-shirt size, graduating year, and instrument to tweller@mercer.k12.pa.us by no later than Friday, September 23rd.