This fundraiser is for all band students! It is the Band Booster's hope that this will greatly reduce the cost for all band students for of our end of year trip to Universal Studios. ​At our September Booster meeting, the Board voted to have 70% of this fundraiser go towards reducing the cost of the trip to help make it accessible for all band students. Universal Studios Trip details and a payment plan will be advertised in January/February. 

Here are a few highlights: 

• We are NOT just selling candles, we are raising funding for the band to go to Universal Studios
• Students have been asked to reach their goal of selling 10 candles each!
• Students can collect funding in-person or sell online at https://www.kisscandleco.com/products.htm 
  • If you choose to sell online, make sure to put Ainger Middle School and the Students Name under Comments for school and student credit. Details about that can be found here​
• All candles are $12 each. The band will receive 50% of the profit. KISS is a local Charlotte County company from Punta Gorda
• Checks can be made out to "Ainger Band Boosters"
• For students selling in-person, orders and payments are due on Monday, October 18th
• There are prizes for students that sell 10, 20, 50, and 100 candles or more!

Following our spring concerts, students completed a band intent google form. Students that indicated that they wanted to continue next year were given a band intent letter and spoken with individually by Mr. Ostrow. This letter went home and was returned by students with parent signatures and then marked received in FOCUS for the 4th quarter.

We are returning to ability-based ensembles next year (it was grade-level this year for COVID concerns). Students auditioned for these ensembles in May through their scales assessment exam (semester 1 exams were also taken into account) which took place in the band room. Mr. Ostrow listened to every student in the band program and assessed each performance based off a scales rubric.  

Below is the recommended class lists that were submitted to the front office scheduler for the 7/8th grade mixed ensembles. Students are identified by their school ID numbers. Please note, this does not guarantee placement in these ensembles as other factors such as TAG classes, low test scores, and other requests often might interfere. If you have a concern with your child's placement, please contact Mr. Ostrow at [email protected] 

Here is a link to summer band/instrument camps taking place this summer. Some are in person and some are online. If you need a recommendation letter from Mr. Ostrow, please e-mail [email protected] 

Also, Sarasota is hosting a camp. Information can be found here: https://www.sarasotaorchestra.org/education/summer-music-camp

The letter below was passed out on Friday, May 28th. If the letter doesn't answer a question you might have, please contact Mr. Ostrow at [email protected].

We are marching in the BGWC Parade. This is a mandatory event for jazz band members. Parents, please contact Mr. Ostrow asap if you have a conflict. Details can be found in the newsletter below.

Please click here or read the newsletter below. The newsletter is due to your child's class folder by Friday, February 28th.

This is not a mandatory performance, but we do need communication with parents to perform. Please read and have your child turn in the form below. If your child cannot attend, please write that in the additional comments section.

Final Preparations:

Students have been taking lessons during their jazz band or advanced band class with Dr. Dederer the last few weeks. They will have one final lesson with Dr. Dederer the week leading up to Solo and Ensemble. In addition, if a student wants extra help from Mr. Ostrow, he is available on Monday before school beginning at 8am for ensembles and Wednesday after school until 6pm for solos. 

Additionally, Mr. Sternisha, our piano accompanist, will be in the classroom the week of February 3rd for soloists to rehearse. Students should mostly be prepared by this final week. Here is a link to the accompanist rehearsal schedule.

If you cannot see the newsletter below, click here. If you cannot see the performance schedule below, click here.