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September 2009
FALL STARTUP: After an enjoyable summer, Mrs. Brown is eagerly anticipating starting new beginners on their instruments and continuing with our bright and enthusiastic returning musicians! Band rehearsals and group lessons will continue to take place on Thursday of each week. Advanced Band (returning students) will begin on September 3rd. Cadet Band (new students to band) will begin on September 10th. The group lessons will again take place during the school day on a rotating schedule to insure minimal interruption of other classes.
PARENT MEETING: There will be an informational meeting for band parents on Thursday, September 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in the music room. This meeting is necessary for parents of new beginners to learn about the program (curriculum, homework, report cards, scheduling, instruments, etc.). Please feel free to bring your child with you. You may wish to “check out” the instruments together. In fairness to the other musicians and so that we can have a balanced, proper sounding band, we will not be starting any new percussion this year. We are especially in need of students to learn trombone and clarinet. Parents of non-beginners who wish to meet Mrs. Brown or who have not attended a band meeting recently will also find this session very informative.
CADET(beginning) BAND: Cadet Band will meet at 12:00 noon each Thursday, after lunch. Students should bring any instruments, books and accessories that they already own to school that day for their first lesson.
ADVANCED BAND: Advanced Band will meet at 7:15 a.m. each Thursday, including on September 3rd. Please aim to drop off your child at the back entrance to the school at 7:10 a.m. Any earlier and they may not be supervised; any later and they may delay the progress of the class. Also, for your child’s safety, please look for Mrs. Brown’s silver CRV in the parking lot to insure that she is actually there before leaving your child.
FUTURE MUSICIANS REGIONAL BAND: Students who have completed Book 1 of the curriculum will receive a Regional Band Nomination Letter and music at their very first lesson. The nomination letter needs to be signed and returned immediately in order to establish lesson groupings for their second week. Please return this letter even if your child cannot participate. Future Musicians Regional Band Auditions are on Friday, October 2nd at St. Thomas (Southington) School, with the concert on Saturday, October 24th at 2:00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Our Christmas concert is set for Thursday, December 10th. Please save this date on your family calendar.
ENROLLMENT: If your Advanced Band member is not yet enrolled with Future Musicians for this school year, your child was given an enrollment form along with this letter. Please select a payment plan and mail the form plus tuition and registration fee to the Future Musicians office this week. It is important for everyone to be enrolled by the second lesson.
HANDBOOK, REPORT CARDS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION: Please read the “Musicians Making Music” Handbook then sign and return the handbook reply by your child’s second lesson. All Advanced Band students should have their music in a 3-ring binder with pocket. The band folder/binder will serve as a means of communication between teacher and parent. Please check your child’s band folder/binder throughout the school year for notices and information. Band report cards will be sent home during the same time frame as the school’s regular report cards, accompanied by a quarterly St. Joe’s band newsletter to keep you informed. Please sign the report card envelope each quarter and have your child return it at the very next lesson. Mrs. Brown wishes everyone a great start to the school year! |