Concert and Dress Rehearsal Thursday Evening

All band students will stay after school for a dress rehearsal and concert performance Thursday December 15.  Concert begins at 6:30.  It is free and open to the public. 

3:35 - Students eat after school snack in the cafeteria
3:45 - All students meet in the auditorium
4:00 - Run through for blocking, transitions and timing
4:30 - Restroom break and snack break
4:45 - Meet in the auditorium with instruments
5:00 - Dress rehearsal
6:00 - Doors open to the public
6:30 - Concert Begins

Performance week!

Performance week! 

Winter Concert - December 15 at 6:30 PM.  You're all invited!

• All Bands will perform. 

• This performance is a project grade. 

• Student dress for concerts

• Beginning Band -  Band T-shirt and school uniform pants. 

• Concert & Symphonic Band will wear Concert Black - 
• Any combination of Black and Gray dress clothes.
• Boys - Black and/or Gray Dress Shirt, dress pants,  dress shoes.  Boys may wear a jacket and tie but it is not required. 

• Girls may wear a dress pants outfit or a dress/skirt outfit.  Skirts must be knee length or longer - no exceptions.  Leggings and a short skirt is not acceptable.  

• Snacks for students
• The Band Parent Booster will be selling concessions in the cafeteria that afternoon with all the proceeds going to benefit the Walker Band.  Students can purchase a hot dog, drink and chips for $3
• The cafeteria will provide a snack immediately after school at not charge to the students.

•  Rehearsal schedule the day of the concert.  Thursday December 15 all band students will stay after school for a dress rehearsal.  They should come to school that day dressed for the performance.   

• 3:35 - Meet in the Auditorium

• 4:00 - Blocking/placement run through

• 4:45 - Break

• 5:00 - Dress rehearsal

• 6:00 - Doors open to the public

• 6:30 - Performance Begins

Welcome back

Welcome back!

Our year is moving quickly and we have a lot to accomplish in this last month before the break.
Here are a few things to remember as we get ready for our December 15 Concert.

• Rehearsals before and after school are an essential part of a successful performance.  See the schedule below.  Open practice time is for all students.  Sectionals are for Concert and Symphonic band students.
• Student dress for concerts
• Casual -  Band T-shirt and school pants.  This is for performances such as football games, parades, Sandy Lake, etc
• Concert Black - 
• Both boys and girls may wear a Black Dress Shirt, black dress pants, black dress shoes.  
• Boys may wear a jacket and tie but are not required to.Blue accents like a tie for boys or jewelry for girls are acceptable.  
• Girls may wear pants or a skirt.  Skirts must be knee length or longer - no exceptions.  Leggings and a short skirt is not acceptable.  Skirts above the knee are not acceptable for appearing on stage.  
•  
• December Concert Special Dress - Same as Concert Black but with Holiday accent colors.

This Week Nov. 28 -  Dec. 2

Monday
8:00 - 8:30 - Open practice time for Beginning and Advanced Bands
3:45 - 4:30  - Flute and Clarinet sectionals

Tuesday
8:00 - 8:30   Open practice time for Beginning and Advanced Bands
3:45 - 4:45   Trumpet sectionals

Wednesday
8:00 - 8:30   Open practice time for Beginning and Advanced Bands
3:45 - 4:45   French Horn/Alto Sax and Percussion sectionals

Thursday
8:00 - 8:30   Open practice time for Beginning and Advanced Bands
3:45 - 4:45   Low Brass sectionals

Friday
8:00 - 8:30   Open practice time for Beginning and Advanced Bands

Fund raiser Orders are due

Fund raiser orders due Thursday, November 17.

Our fund raiser is ending today, Thursday November 17.  All order forms and payments are due today. 

November 7-11, This Week in Band

All-City Auditions

All-City Honor Band Auditions are Monday evening, Nov. 7 from 5PM until judging is complete and results are posted.  Only selected students from the Symphonic band are participating. 

If your student was selected to audition they were notified last week and received an itinerary last Friday.  A group of band parents is providing snacks from 5 - 6 PM in the Walker cafeteria.  If you would like to help with that please arrive between 4 and 4:30.

Nov. 7 - 11

Monday
8:00 - 8:30 - before school practice time - all band students
3:35  -          All-City Honor Band Auditions - select students only

Tuesday
8:00 - 8:30 - before school practice time - all band students
3:45 - 4:45  - Trumpet section rehearsal

Wednesday
8:00 - 8:30 - before school practice time - all band students
3:45 - 4:45  - Alto Sax, French Horn and Percussion section rehearsal

Thursday
8:00 - 8:30 - before school practice time - all band students
3:45 - 4:45  - Low Brass/Low WW section rehearsal

Friday
8:00 - 8:30 - before school practice time - all band students
3:45 - 4:45  - No rehearsal - All Region Auditions

Saturday
All Day - All Region Auditions

This week in Band 10/24/16

This week in Band!

Lot's going on this week for Beginners and Advanced students.

• Before school practice for all students Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  8:00 - 8:30 AM
• Concert and Symphonic Bands start this week.  See Schedule below.
• Fall Festival  - Volunteer opportunities
• Fall Festival - Friday - Volunteers and Donations needed
• Donations needed for Fall Festival
• Please bring a cake, a dozen cupcakes, cookies, brownies or other baked treats for our CakeWalk at the Fall Festival.  Please bring Thursday or Friday.
• Volunteers needed to work at the Band Booster  concession stand

Monday

• 8:00 Before school practice time
• 3:45 - 4:45  Flute and Clarinet Sections

Tuesday 

• 8:00 Before school practice time
• 3:45 - 4:45  Trumpet Section

Wednesday

• 8:00 Teachers meeting
• 3:45 - 4:45  Saxophones and French Horns

Thursday 

• 8:00 Before school practice time
• 3:45 - 4:45 Low Brass Section

This week in Band 10/24/16

This week in Band!

Lot's going on this week for Beginners and Advanced students.

• Before school practice for all students Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  8:00 - 8:30 AM
• Concert and Symphonic Bands start Section Rehearsals this week.  See Schedule below.
• Fall Festival - Friday - Volunteers and Donations needed
• Donations needed for Fall Festival
• Please bring a cake, a dozen cupcakes, cookies, brownies or other baked treats for our Cake Walk at the Fall Festival.  Please bring Thursday or Friday.
• Volunteers needed to work at the Band Booster Concession stand

Monday

• 8:00 Before school practice time
• 3:45 - 4:45  Flute and Clarinet Sections
• 
  

Tuesday

• 8:00 Before school practice time
• 3:45 - 4:45  Trumpet Section
• 
  

Wednesday

• 8:00 Teachers meeting
• 
  
• 3:45 - 4:45  Saxophones and French Horns, Percussion
• 
  

Thursday

• 8:00 Before school practice time
• 3:45 - 4:45 Low Brass Section

Friday

• 8:00 Before school practice time
• No after school

Homecoming Week Band Performances!

This week in Band - October 2 - 8, 2016

 Concert and Symphonic Band

• Tuesday 
•  Pep rally 2:40 PM
• Rehearsal 3:45
• Performance at Homecoming Game 6:00

• Friday
• Performance at WT White Football Game

Beginning Band

• All beginning students are working on tone production across the first five notes
• Students will begin bringing instruments home later this week when they demonstrate mastery of the first five notes

Schedule for Tuesday and Friday

• 3:45 - Students will stay after school for practice in Walker Band Hall
• 4:00 - students snack in the cafeteria.  5:00 - Load busses and depart for Couch Stadium
• 5:15 Depart for Game
• 6:00 - Game Begin
• 8:00 - Game ends, Load busses, depart for Walker
• 8:30 - Unload busses, put away equipment
• 8:45 - Students are dismissed
• Parents, for safety students must be picked up in the parking lot by the band hall.  Southeast corner of the Walker campus by the baseball field.
• Students, wear your Walker Band Shirt, comfortable walking shoes, and School pants - preferably khaki

Football game this week! Volunteers needed.

Football game this week.  Volunteers needed.

Tuesday, September 27

• 3:45 - Students will stay after school for practice in Walker Band Hall
• 4:00 - students snack in the cafeteria.  5:15 - Load busses and depart for Couch Stadium
• 5:00  - Depart for Couch Stadium
• 6:00 - Games begin
• 8:00-  Game ends, Load busses, depart for Walker
• 8:30 - Unload busses, put away equipment
• 8:45 - Students are dismissed
• For safety students must be picked up in the Southeast parking lot by the band hall.  Southeast corner of the Walker campus by the baseball field.  Students will not be released to walk to other locations.
• Students, wear you Walker Band Shirt, comfortable walking shoes, and School pants - preferably khaki

Walker Band to March in Parade!

Walker Band to march in Parade

Walker Band students will march in the WT White Homecoming parade Thursday, Sept. 8.   Students should wear their band t-shirt and school khaki pants or shorts.  The band will ride a bus to WT White HS. We will rehearse at the high school in the afternoon and then march in the parade at 4:00 PM.  Students must be picked up at WT White High School after the conclusion of the parade.  There will not be a bus going back to Walker.  Students must take their instruments with them.


1:30  leave Walker
2:00. Arrive at WT White
2:00 - 3:45  Rehearsal in cafeteria
3:45  line up for parade
4:00  parade starts
5:00 parade ends - pick up your student at WT White

WT White is located at 4505 Ridgeside Dr, Dallas, TX 75244

From Walker go north on Nuestra
Turn left onto Harvest Hill
Proceed East to Welch road and turn left
WT White will be on your right
Enter the parking lot to pick up your student


Link to a map at https://www.google.com/maps/dir/E.D.+Walker+Middle+School,+Nuestra+Drive,+Dallas,+TX/W.+T.+White+High+School,+4505+Ridgeside+Dr,+Dallas,+TX+75244/@32.9160838,-96.8210702,14z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m2!1m1!1s0x864c20eba3991faf:0x91c11acc3dacd18e!1m2!1m1!1s0x864c20ca452247cd:0xd0c6967848310678!3e0?hl=en

Band Parents Meeting!

Meet the Directors Night!

Thursday Sept. 1 from 5PM to 7PM

Get all the Calendars and forms required for your student to perform with the Walker Band including field trip and permission forms. Complete volunteer orientation.  Meet the Directors!  Learn all about band at Walker!  Meet other band parents and find out about volunteer opportunities.  Come by anytime between 5 and 7.

Back to School Band!

Calling all Band Members!

Calling all band members!  Time to check out instruments and get ready to play!  All returning 7th and 8th grade band members please come by the band hall Thursday between 9 AM and 11AM to check out an instrument and practice for our first performance!  We will perform Monday morning the first day of school!  We need Concert and Symphonic Band members to arrive early Monday, 8AM, to perform!

Camp Week!

Band Camp with The Dallas Winds!

Band Campers get ready for a great week of fun, friends and music!

• Wear your Band Shirt on the first Day
• Be ready to load the bus by 7:45
• The band room will be open early by 7:30 or earlier for practice
• If you haven't checked out your instrument yet be there early
• Lunch will be provided each day
• We will get back to Walker around 3:45 each day 
• Camp is Monday through Saturday
• Saturday is your big performance in the Meyerson Symphony Center
• Invite your family - the concert is free and open to the public

Instrument check out and Band Camp

Instrument Check out this week!

Students who are returning to Walker Band next year may check out an instrument for the summer and next year.  Check out times will be Wednesday afternoon, Thursday afternoon and Friday morning this week.  The annual instrument fee of $25 will be collected at that time. 

Band Camp

Students attending band camp should arrive at the band room each morning Mon-Saturday by 7:45 AM in order to catch the bus.  The bus will return students to Walker each day between 3:30 - 4:00 PM. 

End of Year activities and Summer Band Camp

End of Year!

It has been a tremendous year for our band.  Many great performances.  A record number of beginners advancing and a record class of recruits for next year.  I'm very grateful to all the parents who chaperoned, fixed meals, road busses and helped in any way.  Thank you!

Instrument Check IN

All School District instruments must be turned in Wednesday 5/25/16

Instrument check OUT

Instruments may be checked out next week for next year if the student is returning to Walker and will be in the band.  This will help them with summer activities like band camp. 

BAND CAMP!

The Dallas Winds Band camp is June 6 - 11 from 8:00 - 3:30 each day.
Transportation to Booker T Washington High School and lunch is provided each day.
Catch the bus each morning at Walker at 7:45
Cost is $25
Registration is due by Friday 5/27

Symphonic Band Performance at Peak Festival!

Symphonic Band Performance at Peak Festival!

The Symphonic Band will be performing at the Peak Music Festival this Friday.  The performance will be at Wakeland High School, 10700 Legacy Drive, Frisco, TX 75033. 
See below for the schedule.

Students will wear Concert Black dress attire with blue accents.  Any combination of black and or gray dress clothes as described below.

• Boys shall wear black or gray dress pants, dress shirt, and dress shoes and socks.  Boys may wear a jacket and tie but it is not required.  If wearing a tie it may be black or blue as an accent.
• Girls shall wear a black pants outfit similar to the boys or a skirt and blouse or black dress.  All skirts and dresses MUST be knee length or longer.  No short skirts allowed.  Remember this is a formal event.  Black leggings or tights with a dress are highly recommended.

Schedule for Friday May 13, 2016

• 8:00 AM - Rehearsal in the band hall.  Required for all Symphonic Band members
• 8:30 AM - Regular class schedule
• 11:30 AM - Symphonic Band Rehearsal
• 12:30 PM - Lunch
• 1:00 PM - Pack and Load bus
• 1:30 PM - Depart for Peak Festival at Wakeland High School
• 2:30 PM - Registration
• 3:00 PM - Warm Up
• 3:30 PM - Performance
• 4:30 PM - Pack and load bus
• 5:30 PM - Arrive at Walker MS

Congratulations and Thanks!

Congratulations Students!

Congratulations to all the students who performed at the Sandy Lake Music Festival today!  Beginning Band, Concert Band and Symphonic Band all did an outstanding job. 

We were judged by four of the most highly respected Band Directors in the business today:

Col. Jay Brewer - Texas A&M University
Dr. Ken Van Winkle - New Mexico State University
Dr. Ray Lichtenwalter - Univ. Texas at Arlington
Mr. Joe Gunn - Trinity High School

• All three bands received a 1st division rating from each judge and a first division trophy. 

• The Concert Band won the trophy for the Outstanding band in Class C.

• The Symphonic Band won the trophy for the Outstanding band in Class CC.

Thank you parent volunteers and Directors!

The catering team, led by Estella Castillo, bought, prepared, and served enough food to feed the Wolf-pack bands, their directors, the bus drivers, and the Chaperons.

The Chaperon team, led by Mrs. Aquino and Mr. Truncali, road buses, hauled equipment, supervised groups in the park, and supervised students in the performance area. 

This was an outstanding effort by more than 25 volunteers to organize, feed, supervise, and move 150 students in 3 different performances.

Thank you to Mr. Pogue and Mr. Lopez for the leadership and expertise the share with our students every day.  You are making a generous investment in our students that could never be repaid.

I'm am proud and humbled to be part of this band family.  Thank you students, parents, and directors!

Schedule for Sandy Lake 4/30/16

April 30 – All  Bands to Sandy lake Music Festival

1800 Sandy Lake Road, Carrollton 75006

7:30 – Band Hall Opens

8:00 – Meeting in band hall, discuss schedule for the day, assignments given

8:15 – Load busses, roll check on bus

8:30 – Busses depart from Walker – (We will leave on time or EARLY)

9:00 – Arrive at Sandy Lake, unload bus, line up for beginner performance

9:30 – Beginner band Warm up

9:45 – Beginner Band Performance – Concert and Symphonic in the audience

10:00 – Beginner band pack up and seated in the audience

11:00 – Concert Band Get instruments and line up

11:15 – Concert Band Warm up and Performance

12:00 – Symphonic Warm up

12:30 – Symphonic performance

12:45 – Picnic lunch

1:00- 3:00 – Time in the park for RIDES!

3:00 – Load busses – roll call

3:15 – busses depart

4:00 – Arrive Walker MS – Put away equipment - then dismissed

Students can bring $5 BEFORE we go on the trip to sign up for the picnic lunch or they may bring their own sack lunch the day of the trip.  Please indicate below your choice and return this slip with $5 if choosing the picnic lunch.

My student______________________________, will

_____  eat at the picnic.  $5 is included with this slip

_____  will bring their own sack lunch.