As your child approaches a new year in grade seven or eight year I would like to outline some of the opportunities and benefits of participating in the grade seven and eight band program at Lawrence Grassi Middle School.

1. Students receive three forty-five minute classes of formal instruction a week for the     entire year.

2. Jazz Band

Students have the opportunity to participate in jazz band which is offered two mornings a week: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. These students have many opportunities to perform and often participate in one band trip a year. They can use this rehearsal time to put towards their mark for practice time. This program is an optional extracurricular activity. There may be auditions this year as the numbers of students who signed up is very high. Rehearsals start Tuesday, September, 15th at 7:30 a.m. in the music room.

3. Concert Band

Is one lunch hour a week- usually Mondays (7A, 8A) and Wednesdays (7B, 8B) from 12:15-1:00 p.m. Attendance is mandatory if they are participating in any of the band option classes. They can use also use the rehearsal for marks on their practice sheet. Attendance is a requirement of all grade seven and eight band students. Rehearsals begin September 21^st in the music room.

4.  Band Camp- Camp Caroline- this year from October 7^th-October 9^th-

This camp is optional but, it provides an opportunity for students to learn from professi

onal musicians, rehearse together and enjoy social and recreational activities with their peers. Some costs are involved.  The band program also subsidizes bussing etc. from fundraising. Parents are needed to help supervise. I will need at least 8 parents this year.

 5.  Vic Lewis Band Festival- Canmore- November 6^th, 7^th, 8th

 A great opportunity to perform and learn new skills from professional musicians. There is a registration fee.

6. LGMS Music Christmas Concert

Tuesday, December 8^th at 7:00 p.m. Grades involved to be decided.

7.  Cantando Music Festival- Edmonton, Alberta-(April)

For all jazz band participants and possibly for the concert band students as well!

8. Meet new friends,  have great memories, learn to play a musical instrument as well as participate in many other band activities such as: school concerts, pizza parties.

9. Poinsettia Fundraiser

I am looking for parent volunteers to help with the poinsettia fundraiser. Plants are sold in the month of November and poinsettia pick up is in the first week of December. The money raised supports the program, subsidizes trips and provides for the purchase and repair of equipment for the music room.

 10. Spring Concert- Held in May or June- Date TBA

 I had the benefit of growing up with music in the house and was persuaded at young age to study piano, sing in choirs and participate in many concerts and festivals.  I pursued my studies in the education field with a focus on instrumental music and social studies.  I have over nine years of experience teaching band in public schools in Alberta and I still enjoy working with beginners and motivating them to continue their music education as they move on into higher grades. Music is an international language that is spoken all over the world and is a life skill that I have come to treasure as an adult.  There is also many studies that have demonstrated that music facilitates better concentration in mathematics and helps to promote language learning.  From my own experience I feel that studying music promotes discipline, encourages team work, enhances listening and communication skills, encourages creativity and emotional intelligence.  As an educator I’ve seen students develop self esteem and confidence when they realize they can excel at performing and creating.  I hope you will encourage your child to continue to pursue the gift of music and look forward to working with you in the new school year.

If you are interested in volunteering for fundraising, trips or helping out with organizing uniforms for the band program please attend. If you have any questions feel free to email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Thank you for your continued support of myself and your children.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Band Camp for Gr.7/8 students - Camp Caroline - October 7, 8, 9, 2009

Remembrance Day Service - LGMS Concert Band performs for this presentation - November

Vic Lewis Music Festival, Canmore, Alberta - November 6, 7, 8, 2009 - LGMS Concert Band & LGMS Jazz Band performs and participates in this festival.

LGMS Christmas Concert -  December 8, 2009

Poinsettia Fundraiser - December -Date to be decided

Edmonton Cantando Music Festival - Jazz band particiaptes in this annual Festival - April  

Alberta Band Association - Festival of Bands - Concert Band participates - May

Annual Spring Concert - all grades (5-8) participate and perform - May

LGMS's music program provides a welcoming, positive learning environment where students are comfortable and able to learn the theory, techniques and skills required to appreciate, enjoy and perform music. I am hoping to provide an open, accepting, non-competitive (ie. no auditions) atmosphere where students are encouraged to learn and cooperate together as a cohesive unit. By striving to attain these ideals; I’m hoping students will take the benefits of music education into other parts of their daily life.

 STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO:

1. Arrive on time to class.

2. Bring all materials to class. (Instrument, pencil, binder, eraser, agenda).

3. Behave in an acceptable and respectable manner towards others.

4. Demonstrate a positive attitude towards learning.

5. Practice their instrument regularly. (2-4 times a week).

6. Complete all homework and hand in all assignments on time.