This year we were fortunate enough to have host our 2019 Band Camp at Camp Pu'u Kahea in Waianae. What an amazing weekend this was. Thank you so much to our amazing parents who donated all the goodies so last minute and to our amazing chaperones who came out for the weekend and worked hard! Special mahalo to the amazing clinicians who drove out on their day off to assist the students and thank you so much to the wonderful staff at Camp Pu'u Kahea for having us. We look forward to next year!

This year's Spring Concert featured our amazing Choir, Beginning Band, and Symphonic Band. It was a long concert but the students did amazing. Congratulations to our Choir under the direction of Mr. Mike Englar as they prepare to attend a festival at Carnegie Hall in New York next year. So please support them in anyway possible.
Our concert showcased our amazing Symphonic Band which consists of both Beginning and Intermediate band students. These students did an outstanding job all year performing at events like the Leeward District Band Festival and the Hawaii Middle School Wind Festival. 
Special thanks goes out to the Waipahu Marauder band for always supporting these students at their concerts; the WIS administration, faculty and staff; to our amazing Waipahu JR Band Boosters; and to our families and friends for continuing to support us as we make our way to Disneyland in 2020.

So what is next for us this school year? The symphonic band is continuing their rehearsals on Monday and Fridays after school from 2:15pm - 4:00pm and will perform at the Ala Moana Shopping Center Stage on Friday, May 24, 2019 @ 5:00pm.
We will also be hosting Summer Band through the WIS Summer Enrichment Program from June 5-28. Beginning Band is held from 8:00am - 10:00am and Intermediate Band is held from 10:15am-12:00pm. If you're interested in joining, please contact us at waipahuinterband@gmail.com
All returning students: It is highly recommended that you attend Summer Band.

Happy New Year to everyone! Our Winter break seemed to quickly pass me by but I'm excited to get back to working with all of you to make 2019 spectacular! Our new band booster parents are making things happen so please support your child by working together and helping all of our efforts toward a successful spring concert season! There may even be some big plans in the works for the end of the year activities as well as next school year. Preparations will need to begin soon so I will let you know about it shortly.
Please continue to check your child's progress not only on their instrument, but also with their other classes. You can check on  Infinite Campus, through their Binder Reminder or by emailing the teachers. You can even call or stop by to talk to me personally as some of you have been. I'm here in the band room daily till around 4:30pm. 
As stated earlier, let us all work together to help your child succeed not only in band, but also in 'Life'! Let's make this year count!

Sincerely,
​Mr. Uyeda

On Wednesday, December 12, 2018 we held our annual Winter Concert in the Stanley Sakuma Cafeteria. It was a great success! The Choir sang some beautiful songs and of course an all time favorite, Feliz Navidad. They also had a special guest join them in a couple songs, Mr. Gensen Rabacal. The Beginning Band played songs like Mary Had a Little Lamb and Good King Wenceslas. They even had some solos performing Jingle Bells. The Intermediate Band performed some rock version of some classic songs like Yo Christmas Tree (O Christmas Tree) and Good King Rocks (Good King Wenceslas). And lastly we ended on sing-a-longs where the community stands up and joins the band with Silent Night, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. 
It was a great concert. Special thanks to the staff at Waipahu Intermediate School, Mr. Fu and the Marauder Band, friends and family, and to our awesome band boosters for helping with transportation, set-up/tear down, and our awesome concessions! 

Sunday, December 16, 2018 - The Choir and the Intermediate Band performed at the 2nd Annual Waipahu Complex Concert held at the Waipahu High School gym. It was a great night to showcase all the work the students within Waipahu to include elementary schools, the intermediate as well as the high school, with family and friends. We hope you were able to attend. Mahalo to the Waipahu Marauder Band Boosters for allowing us to sell our remaining kettle corn and to help support by manning the concessions. It was a lot of work and we learned a lot! We look forward to next year.

We had an amazing turnout for our first concession sale. Our amazing band boosters did a wonderful job. This concert we sold Papa John's pizza, water, chips, and yummy kettle corn and lemonade from our friends at Big Kahuna Kettle Corn. Mahalo to Stacy from Big Kahuna Kettle Corn for donating your lemonade stand to us!
We are currently selling Honolulu Kitchen manapua cards. Cards are $10/each and gets you 6 yummy manapuas. The great thing about them is that they don't expire. Band students should have gone home with a piece of paper that gives more information. If you'd like to purchase them please bring payment. We take cash or check. If you're giving a check, please make it out to Waipahu JR Band Boosters. 

Our next large fundraiser will start on January 28. Tickets + money must be turned in to the band room no later than February 4 so we can submit the order. 

Our next meeting is Thursday, January 10th @ 6:00 pm in the band room. For more information and minutes from previous meetings please check out the boosters page.

Prior to the break, students should have brought home a Symphonic Rehearsal field trip form. This is for students who wish to continue to practice on Friday afternoons and possibly perform at more venues. If your child is interested please email us for a form or pick up one from Mr. Uyeda. This group will be a combined group of Beginning and Intermediate students and will meet Friday after school from 2:15 pm till 4:00 pm. 

Happy Holidays!
This is a busy time for us as we have multiple performances coming up. Our winter concert is right around the corner on December 12th and the Waipahu Complex Concert will be held on December 16th. As I am very excited with the amount of effort that many of our students have put in to prepare for these upcoming performances, I am also equally concerned for the students who have not. As it mentions in the syllabus and I've mentioned during multiple meetings, band requires extra effort, after school rehearsals and evening performances. If students still do not understand requirements from first quarter (Q1) please have them see me for extra help during recess, lunch, and/or after school. Let us work together to make your children successful in their musical endeavors.

Mahalo,
Mr. Gareth Uyeda
Band Director

We'd like to introduce the 2018-2019 SY Waipahu JR Band Boosters. These parents have volunteered their time and efforts in assisting our band program. For past, present, and upcoming meetings and events please be sure to check our the band boosters sub-page. If you're interested in becoming a members please feel free to send them an email at wisjrbandboosters@gmail.com or by filling out the contact sheet on the sub-page. 

Aloha, 
My name is Louis Race and I am your current Band Boosters President. My wife, Honi and I are the proud parents of two children. One is currently in the beginning band here at Waipahu Intermediate School. I am a Sergeant First Class (SFC) in the Hawaii Army National Guard and have been in service for 20 years. I played in band at Waipahu Intermediate School as well as Waipahu High School. I have felt welcomed and encouraged by the band booster organization from my very first day. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve the booster board as President. I am truly excited for all the opportunities and adventures this year will bring. I look forward to volunteering and continuing to be a part of this wonderful Waipahu Intermediate Band family.

​Mahalo,
Louis Race
WIS JR Band Boosters President

Our next band boosters meeting is set for December 6th @ 6:00 pm we will be going over preparations for the winter concert sales. 

Beginning Band uniforms are on their way! We should be getting them after Thanksgiving or around the first week of December. Friendly reminder that performance uniform is respective band polo, black long pants, black socks, and preferably solid black shoes. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to us waipahuinterband@gmail.com. 
Intermediate Band, December 5th  is uniform check. Please make sure to bring everything and see your band officer. 

On November 12, 2018 students from both Beginning and Intermediate bands attended University of Hawai'i 2018 Rainbow Invitational sponsored by Meadow Gold. High School Marching Bands across the state, including our very own Pride of Waipahu, performed for fans at T.C. Ching Field. Mahalo to WHS Marching Band, the UH Manoa Marching Band, and our chaperone's for coming along and supporting our students. It was such a treat!

Friendly reminder that the WHS Winter Concert is on December 8, 2018 at the WHS cafeteria. WIS students will be taking a bus from WIS to the high school but will need to make sure they are picked up from the high school following the concert.

Waipahu Intermediate School's annual Winter Concert is on December 12, 2018 at the WIS cafeteria. WE need many volunteers for that evening so if you are interested in chaperoning please sign-up here. We will also be collecting donations at the front and selling lots of goodies so be sure to support your JR Marauder Band Boosters!

Our final performance for the holiday season will be on December 16, 2018 at the WHS gym. This will be the 2nd Annual Waipahu Complex Winter Concert with schools from Waipahu gathering together to perform for friends, family and the community. Come out and support your local students! 

Please check the calendar tab for updated information. ​

December 8, 2018 - WHS Winter Concert.
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December 12, 2018 - WIS Winter Concert. Students should be bringing home field trip forms for both rehearsals as well as the concert form. Reminder, that rehearsals and performing at the concert are part of your child's grade. If there are any issues please contact me immediately. 

Oahu Band Directors Association (Honor Band and Select Band) - The OBDA Honor Band and Select Band concerts are right around the corner. For more information on audition and rehearsal schedules, please have students check the "student" tab password: JRMarauders1819

Congratulations to the Intermediate Band Trombone section for being nominated as "Outstanding Section" for October 2018 as well as Aeica (8th grade) for "Outstanding Bandsman" in October 2018. 
Students of both Beginning and Intermediate Band have an opportunity to nominate a section and/or person they feel are showing Aloha and Kupono. Every month the officers will gather to go through the nominations and tally the votes. Recognized band members will be announced the following month. 

Beginning Band - Students should have reported their shirt size to Mr. Uyeda. The order for polo shirts (red) have been submitted and we should be obtaining them shortly. If your child sold 10+ tickets in our previous fundraiser, then they will be receiving their polo free of charge. 
Intermediate Band - Friendly reminder that proper uniform attire is band polo (yellow) with black long pants, no capris, peddle pushers, or shorts allowed, and black shoes (preferably with black socks). 
Band Boosters Association - We have put in an order to receive Band Booster polo shirts. These will be black in color with gold logo with "Band Boosters". If you are interested in one, please email us at waipahuinterband@gmail.com

Don't forget to follow us on social media!
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