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    Mrs. Alison Brightwell-Balot
    (Brightwell-balot@phoenixunion.org)
    Welcome to Music

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    Announcements: 2022-2023!
     
     
     
    Happy 2022-2023 school year! I look forward to starting this school year off! 
    I will be adding Updated Photos and Videos soon!
     
    Our drumline is the heartbeat of the school! We perform at football games, assemblies, basketball games, and at a ton of various events around town. Join us and have fun making music with new friends!  Join the Chavez drumline! We are very active in our community! If you enjoy playing music, or want to learn how to play, follow this link and fill out the form and I will get back to you and get you involved ASAP! Most of our students from this past year hadn't ever played before, so as long as you bring a great attitude and are willing to work hard, I can teach you how to drum! 

    summer Training starts June 1st! Thursdays, 12pm-3pm in the Chavez bandroom, room 2021. Sign up here!

     

    We rehearse every Tuesday and Thursday from 430pm-9pm. These rehearsals take place at Chavez and will either be in the 2000 building, gym or on the football field. We have many performances throughout the year and this is how we prepare for them. This past year we competed in the WGAZ drumline circuit and we WON our division! Over the years, we have taken 1st and 2nd place in various competitions in WGAZ and other competitions in  the state of AZ.

     

    Congratulations to the Cesar Chavez indoor drumline who just won the WGAZ 2023 Championship for Local A! Our show this year was entitled "Heartbeat!" This was a huge accomplishment for the group as they have never done this before. 
     
    Please check out the district shout out on their page https://www.pxu.org/Page/30441
    Marching resources to check out!
     
    How to Read Drill:
     
     
    How music affects our brains:
     
    How to read music:
     
    The healthy marching band: 
     
    The Sound Perfection: 
     
    First Day of Rehearsal and moving forward: 
     
    Secrets to a Successful Audition 
     
    Tips for Cleaning Drill: 
     
    Marching band videos  
     

     

    Weekly Activity report and practice logs are due EVERY MONDAY!  Please see Mrs. Brightwell-Balot if there are any questions or concerns about upcoming rehearsals and performances. I do understand things come up and you may have to miss rehearsal, show up late or leave early. Communication is key! -If you must miss rehearsal I need an email or phone call from your parent/guardian for it to be excused.    
     
     
     
    A Little About Me:  Music has a wonderful way to reach people. I enjoy teaching  students in grades 9-12 about music, responsibility, communication and life skills. I recognize the importance of taking the time to learn about each student, spending time with them, evaluating each student's abilities and providing them custom instruction that is tailored to meet their needs and the bands needs.
     
    I am a Phoenix native with a BA in Percussion Performance from NAU  and an ME in Education from Grand Canyon University. I have an extensive background in percussion and piano. I have performed in and teach/have taught various ensembles that include: mallet percussion, marching band,  concert percussion, orchestra, professional symphonies, percussion ensemble, steel drum band and  jazz band.  My husband, Shad Balot and I have been writing award winning batterie and front ensemble parts for over many year in Arizona.  (Click Here for My Bio) 
     
    I am the former  Vice President of the Arizona Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and in 7th year of judging for WGAZ! 
     
    I also am the front ensemble coordinator for the WGI finalist group in 2022 and 2023, Vision percussion. 
     
    My main office number is 2010, however you can also find me at #2021 (band room). My office hours are: every day 630am-730am and 2:30-4:30pm on T and Th. 
     
    Subjects / Classes Taught:
     
    Advanced Marching/Concert Band(Percussion):      The Chavez band and drumline is a great class to take if you have prior music experience and you love music! This class will help you hone your playing skills while you make ever lasting friendships.  You will have many opportunities to perform throughout the fall and spring semesters.  In the fall the class Is primarily focused on marching band. The marching band plays at football games and competitions.  IN the spring the class has more focus on a concert setting.  Once you join, you will learn so much and have so much fun you can’t imagine your life without the Chavez Percussion!! 
     
    Pep Drumline (listed as Intermediate band (DRM) in course catalog)      This is the pep drumline class. This class is meant for students who would like to be on the drumline and have some experience playing an instrument and reading music.  We are the “Pep band” of the school and play at school events such as: assemblies, basketball games, football games and future freshman night! We also play out at elementary schools and other community events throughout the school year! This class is meant for any students who have basic music experience. The is a prerequisite to be in the drumline class (beginning band or another music class) but with teacher approval, you may be in the drumline class. We move quickly so you need to have the foundational skills of music to be successful in the class. 
     
     
    Beginning Band:This class is not offered ANYMORE. :( 
    Please don't let that stop you though. We can teach you in the other classes! We start at the VERY BEGINNING here! all note reading and rhythm reading takes place in this class so this is the best place to start if you don't know how to read music or are rusty reading music from your junior high this is the place for you. This class is best suited for a student that would like to learn a wind or percussion instrument! This is great for the student that needs a performing art credit but is also really geared for students that would like to move into the advanced class or the pep drumline! 
     
    Beginning Guitar:- I do not teach this class anymore but it is still offered at Chavez.     The guitar class is meant for students who would like to learn more about playing classical guitar. The beginning guitar class is geared for students who have not ever played an instrument before and would like to not only learn about classical guitar playing but would also like to learn how to read music.  The guitar ensemble is meant for students that have prior guitar playing experience and would like to hone their skills playing classical guitar by playing solo and ensemble literature.  Here is link to a classical guitar piece titled "Leyenda" by Issac Albeniz    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEfFbuT3I6A 
     
    Piano Lab:   

    The piano classes range from students who haven’t ever played piano before to students who have been playing for years. This class can help you learn how to play piano or you can continue pushing your piano skills to the highest potential by playing piano throughout your high school career.   If you want to learn how to play “Twinkle Twinkle Little star” or “Moonlight Sonata”, this piano class is the right place for you!

        
     
    Here is a link to a piano piece by Yimura titled "River Flows in You"      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhN7SG-H-3k 
     
    Percussion Instruction:   Percussion instruction includes everything a student may want to further their percussion career! This includes: all mallet instruments, concert instruments, timpani, concert snare drum, drumset,  auxilary instruments, steel drums, preparation for auditions into regionals, all-state, college studios and other like audition. Drumline Instruction:  Drumline instruction includes anything and everything a student may need for drumline! Everything from the front ensemble, bass drum, tenors and Snare drum, high school to DCI. This can include private lessons, segments, battery, front ensemble or the whole group together.
     
    Performing Live:     Performing live at various venues both as a stand-alone drumline, percussion ensemble and as part of a complete marching band is one of the most rewarding aspects of our music field.   Whether in competition or a concert environment, the discipline, focus, teamwork, time management skills, commitment and hard work learned will be valuable through the students life.
     
     
    Bio:
     
    Alison Brightwell-Balot holds a Bachelor of Music from NAU in percussion performance, and her Masters in Education from Grand Canyon University.  During her time in Flagstaff she was caption head and music arranger for Sinagua and Coconino high school.  She also taught the front ensemble for the WGI percussion group Dark Sky in the competitive 2007-2008 season. Currently, she is the front ensemble coordinator for the WGI Finalist group, Vision Percussion. Learn more about Vision percussion at https://www.visionpercussion.org/
     
    In addition to teaching, Alison has been a performer with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra for over ten years and served as Principal for three years of that tenure. Alison has also performed for the Sedona Film Festival, Scottsdale Orchestra, Women in Tune, the Northwest Regional Concert, Desert Overture, and various other concerts in the greater Phoenix area.        
     
    Currently, she is Director of Percussion at Cesar Chavez High School and teaches piano and is their percussion music arranger. She also serves as the Front Ensemble coordinator for Vision Percussion. She is an active front ensemble arranger for various groups in and out of Arizona.  Alison has served as an adjudicator at the Greater Phoenix honor ensemble, Regionals, Solo and Ensemble and PAS.  She has also been a guest director for the Greater Phoenix honor percussion ensemble.  
     
    In addition to the above, Alison was on staff and co-percussion writer for the newest group and only DCI Sound Sport program in Phoenix called  "Phenom Performing Arts".    She is also involved with WGAZ and has the honor of being a judge for various competitions!   Lastly, she had the extreme privilege of serving as the Vice President for the Arizona Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society for 2 years. 
     
    Alison is an active member in the Percussive Arts Society, The Arizona Music Educator's Association and the Music Educator's National Conference.   Alison's passion is about music! She loves teaching music and sharing her passion of music with others.  
     
    Alison currently resides in Laveen, Arizona with the love of her life and colleague in percussion, her husband, Shad Balot, her step-daughter and 5 dogs.   
     
     
     
    Old Announcements:
     
     
    HUGE SHOUT OUT TO ANNETTE MALDANADO FOR MAKING THE NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL HONOR BAND! WE ARE VERY PROUD OF HER! 
     
     
      greater phoenix recordings 2019 2020
     
     
    Check out our video we made for our freshman on campus!~

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkkofiJ6WEc&feature=youtu.be

     

    Also, here is the video link to the video we made with CouncilWoman, Laura Pastor encouraging kids to get involved and vote! 

    https://youtu.be/yr2aNzVcY4U

    HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO CHAVEZ AND THEIR GREAT PERFORMANCES AT CHAMPIONSHIPS ON 3/29! THE CONCERT PERCUSSION GROUP TOOK 1ST OVERALL AND THE INDOOR GROUP TOOK 2ND PLACE! IT WAS A GREAT SEASON!
     
    CONGRATS TO THE CHAVEZ CONCERT PERCUSSION GROUP FOR GETTING 1ST PLACE THIS PAST SATURDAY AT BASHA HIGH SCHOOL AND TO OUR INDOOR DRUMLINE FOR GETTING 2ND PLACE! WAY TO REPRESENT! 
     
    CONGRATS TO THE CHAVEZ INDOOR DRUMLINE AND CONCERT GROUP FOR GETTING FIRST PLACE IN BOTH GROUPS AT THE PERCUSSION FOCUS SHOW ON 3/2!! 
     
    BIG CONGRATS TO THE CHAVEZ DRUMLINE FOR RECEIVING THE "BEST MARCHING BAND" AWARD FOR THE ELECTRIC LIGHT PARADE! 
    ongratulations to the Indoor Drumline for their 3rd place overall (and 1st place music) at Championships!  
    Congratulations to our Indoor Drumline for coming in 2nd place at Campo Verde invitational on 3/24! One more push towards championships! We are going in seeded 3rd overall! we play at 619pm. 
     
     
    Congratulations to our Cesar Chavez Champion Marching Band for receiving the "BEST MARCHING BAND AWARD" for the Electric LIght Parade!
     
    Congratulations to our Champion marching band for their amazing season this year! we received an excellent rating at the state marching festival along with captions for Percussion, Music, and General Effect! What a year and it's not even near over with yet! We are so proud of these kids!  
     Congratulations to our band for their rating of Excellent at the Sierral Linda band competition on 10/24 and receiving the percussion caption! 
    Congratulations to our Champion band and their rating of Good at the GOldwater Competition on 10/21! They received captions in music, general effect, colorguard and Percussion as well as coming in 2nd in their division for the morning session! The drumline came in 1st in the overall division as well!
     
    Congratulations to our band for their rating of Good at the Gilbert invitational on 10/7 and receiving 4 out of 5 special caption awards! These special captions were given for music, general effect, Cologuard and Percussion!
     
    Congrats to our Chavez Drumline for the AZPAS performance on 9/30! They received a rating of "Excellent" and a caption for tenors, basses, snares, and front ensemble! They came in first in their division! 
     
    Please support our club. We are trying to get heads and sticks for the marching season that has already started!
     
    http://www.supportmyclub.org/collections/percussion-drumline-cesar-chavez