The MADNESS has begun!

I chose this picture because this encapsulates how I felt at the end of my work week! It's not just your children, don't worry! I always feel this way at this time of year. There is so much paperwork going out and coming in, my To-Do list is incredibly long and we never seem to have enough to time to get it all done. Not to mention I was blessed with both of my children in May, so there is always a birthday party that I'm throwing right in the middle of all this!
I'm SURE you can relate! You're parents, after all and I know we ALL feel this way now.

I have to say, I was pretty disappointed with how many children told me that they weren't sure if they'd be joining band next year. I try not to take it personally, but it's hard. We've all had such a blast this year and a lot of the children I talked to didn't have any really good reasons! I think many of the bandlings are just a little apprehensive about changing schools, schedules and classes. I know they feel overwhelmed and there are so many uncertainties. But the biggest relief to them is that band can be a CONSTANT! A BUFFER! It is a place where they KNOW they will have a lot of friends, they will KNOW what will be going on, they will KNOW they will have a place! With so many UNknowns coming up, wouldn't it be good to have all of the consistency band has to offer??

Please take some time to talk with your child about band next year. I tried to impart to them how I didn't really like to practice that much, but how I always liked BEING in band. I wanted to quit plenty of times. My dad would never let me because he knew what a great place it was for me.

I can't wait for the concert on Thursday, May 19 at 7pm at Nippersink Middle School! The band is going to blow you away! Have a great weekend! It's going to be a beautiful Mother's Day this year!

Traveling in the Fast Lane!

Seems like ever since we got back from Spring Break, we've been on the fast track to our BIG concert on May 19! We're very busily preparing our 4 full-length feature pieces and 1 more full-length Family Band piece. Those band members who have family members that play instruments will want them to join in on the last song of our concert for something we call "Family Band." It's where family members will join in with the 5th and 6th graders! More information will be coming home about this soon. Please make sure that you have this concert marked on the calendar. Although there have been some optional performances lately, this concert is not optional. We need everyone there. The next few weeks, the bandlings will be coming home with quite a few papers. Here's a list of papers to be looking for within the next three weeks: 6th grade Band registration form: I'd love to see all the kids stick with band next year! It's such a great way to transition to a new school. With so many new and uncertain things in their middle school schedule, band is a place where they're sure to feel some familiarity and lots of friends! Band Camp flier and registration: The NMS band director (Mr. Nowickas) and I run a concert band camp for 6th-8th grade band members for one week in July (date still TBA) It runs Monday-Friday from 8am-Noon with a concert to showcase all that was worked on during the week on Friday evening. It's a great way for the 5th graders to meet some of the other incoming 5th graders and get to know Mr. Nowickas and the band room at NMS. I really hope you consider signing your bandling up for this great summer activity. Summer Private Lessons registration: All of the music staff in the district offer private lessons to those who are interested during the summer. Family Band participation: The last song that we play for our big concert on Thursday, May 19 will performed by a family band. This means that all family members that play a band instrument will be invited to join in! Turn this form in by the due date so that I can get music to those band members that would like to participate. Permission Slip for Bus Ride to NMS: On the day of the big concert (May 19...have you memorized that yet?) All of the 5th grade bandlings will take a bus after lunch and travel to NMS to have a combined rehearsal. The concert will not feature two 5th grade bands, but one hugmongus 5th grade band! We'll need to rehearse together once to get used to how it sounds. It's such an exciting time for us! I can't wait! If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to let me know.

This week in Band

This started off on a great NOTE when about 25 band members met at Richmond-Burton High School for our 2nd Band Buddies meeting. The buddies met for about 30 minutes for small group lessons and then we all came together to run through our concert pieces. I received positive feedback from both elementary AND high school students as to how the afternoon went. Mr. Stiles (RB band director) and I would like to plan one more meeting for late April. Specific information TBA soon.

This week I also handed out permission slips for a performance opportunity at a nursing home in Lake Geneva on Saturday, April 9 at 10am. The slips are due next week so that I can hand out music for the performance next week and be able to hear the students play once before Spring Break. If you haven't been able to find the permission slip in your bandling's back pack, click HERE for an electronic copy.

This weekend I'm going with the NMS 7th/8th grade band to a Middle School Band contest at Mchenry Middle School. They perform at 9:30 am and many other area middle school bands will be performing all morning and afternoon. There is probably a small charge to get in the see the bands, but if you're free and want to see and hear some great music performed by middle schoolers, you should come. Mchenry Middle School is across the street from the Mchenry Drive-In theater on Chapel Hill Rd.

Have a great week! RGS parents please remind your children to wear their band t-shirts on Wednesday for our in-school concert!

DATE CORRECTION!

I'm sorry everyone! But the dates for the inschool concerts are NOT in April...

The correct dates are as follows:

RGS: Wednesday, MARCH 16, 2011 at 2:45pm

SGS: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 2:45

Sorry for the confusion!