We are currently planning on running our ensembles (College Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble) in as normal a capacity as possible. Appropriate safety gear is required and we will sit pretty far apart but we will still meet. All participants must enroll but College Band and Jazz Band are both open to the public. No audition required, BOCES students are fully covered, Golden-Age-ers are covered at 70% and I am happy to look into other scholarships, if needed. New this year, College Band will meet on Wednesdays from 7:00-9:30 and Jazz Ensemble will meet on Mondays from 7:00-9:30. If you or your students would like to come play with us, just let me know and we’ll make it happen.
With all the new COVID challenges, we decided to open up online sections of applied instruction. Students (of all ages and abilities) may now study clarinet or saxophone with me from anywhere they choose. This is particularly helpful for those students who live in some of the more distant parts of our state. As things open up more, I am going to do my best to get out to visit as many of you as possible this year but some of your students may like a one-on-one, hour long session each week. I anticipate a number of students will want help with the All Northwest Audition materials, particularly the auxiliary parts. In addition to meeting each week, I will post video recordings of the excerpts to help students prepare for their auditions on Moodle. To access this, register for MUSC 1110-D2 Studio Clarinet or MUSC 1210-D2 Studio Saxophone. I am also happy to set up one-time coachings with a student, a section, or even your whole band.
We are currently reworking our concert schedule. At the moment, all of our ensembles are still happening so look forward to performances by the College Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and our students. Many of them will be live-streamed so they can be enjoyed anywhere and in-person audiences may be socially distant. I will be giving a recital on September 1 at 7:00PM in Wheeler Concert Hall featuring music of Copland, Francaix, Messiaen and a new arrangement of mine. Guests will include Dr. McGee from UW as well as Delores Thornton and Paula Flynn from CC. I will also be streaming it on my youtube channel (Joshua Mietz, joshuamietz@caspercollege.edu) and instagram channel (casper_college_bands).
We are still planning on having the Kinser Jazz Festival on February 1-3, 2021. At the moment, we are looking forward to three great days of student ensembles performing and are not booking a headliner until the pandemic is over. If and when we do, the concert will be very low cost, maybe free, and in Wheeler Concert Hall. I’ll have more information on this as things develop and registration should open on October 1. We have been full the past 2 years so, if your school is permitting travel, it’s best to register early. If interest permits, we are exploring a virtual performance/adjudication. I’ll send out a reminder email in mid-September.
We’ve started a new way of connecting with our community, concert goers, and new students. In addition to our usual website and social media platforms, people may now text MUSIC to (307) 201-3837. Once they fill out the attached form, they will be in the pipeline to learn more about our ensembles, scholarship auditions, and connect with one of our faculty. Every so often, people on the list will receive a notification about an upcoming event or audition day.
As always, let me know if there is anything I can do to help you or your students. While this may not be a normal time, we can work together to make it more comfortable.
Summary:
- Jazz Ensemble 7:00-9:30 Mondays
- College Band 7:00-9:30 Wednesdays
- Online lessons: MUSC 1110-D2 or MUSC 1210-D2
- Mietz Recital 7:00 Sept. 1 Wheeler Concert Hall or Youtube.com
- Kinser Jazz Fest: Feb. 1-3, registration opens on 10/1/20
- Info on CC Music: (307) 201-3837
Contact: joshuamietz@caspercollege.edu
