Welcome back to a wonderful year of Music at Carrie Downie Elementary School. I hope everyone had a fun and fantastic summer! Now that we are back in school I hope you are ready for the amazing world of music. We have many activities planned in not only the music classroom, but also in chorus and band setting as well.
One of our new activites this year is Carrie Downie hosting a clinic with a local folk music group called Simple Gifts. These three ladies will be coming to Carrie Downie on November 13th, and will give a small clinic on folk music and several students will learn to play some new and interesting instruments. That night at 6:30 we will be hosting a concert with the same group at New Castle School, where some of our students will be featured on their new instruments. After the concert there will be another clinic for anyone who is interested in learning how to play the spoons or learn about some very interesting string instruments that Simple Gifts will be playing. Yes, the spoons can be a musical instrument, and are very fun to play. I invite everyone at Carrie Downie to attend, and bring some friends. It will be a wonderful fun night of music that everyone will enjoy!
Now down to business in band and chorus-
Permission slips for Chorus and Band were due at the end of August. No more permission slips will be accepted for either activity. Chorus has already started, and students are doing a wonderful job learning their music, and coming to class. Just a reminder that Chorus is a class, and if your student does not show up one day (unless they are absent) it will be considered skipping class and will result in your student being written up. Please remind them of this.
Band lesson start NEXT WEEK-
Please make sure your student has all the materials they need for their first lesson. These materials are listed in the “congratulations” packet you should have recieved. If you are getting an instrument from the school, they will be handed out at your students first lesson. Please remind your child to attend their lesson, it is a vital part of the band process, and if they do not come to lessons, they will not be in band. Also, please make sure all forms are turned in by the first lesson.
OUR FIRST CONCERT IS THURSDAY DECEMBER 11 AT NEW CASTLE MIDDLE. I will be giving out more information about the concert the closer it gets. I recommend getting your students concert attire as soon as possible, just so there isn’t a scramble to get clothes during the holiday season, when money is tight. All students must have a white shirt and dark (navy blue or black) bottoms. NO JEANS ARE PERMITTED! Boys should have a collared shirt and a tie. Girls can wear either pants or a skirt, but please make sure the skirt is ankle length. I invite you to free your calendar for that night, and come watch your student perform. They will have worked very hard on their material and I am sure they will want to show it off to you, their parents!
As always if you have any questions please contact me at school, and I will be happy to answer your questions.
Have a Musical Day!!!
