Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Calvert County Christmas Parade

All CMS band students are invited to participate in the Calvert County Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 6th. CHS has invited us to march with them in the parade once again. If you've never been to the parade, it's a fun time! See Ms. Cunningham for a permission slip and music. Invite your orchestra or chorus friends to join the color guard (flags) as well!

Speaking of CHS bands...stop by CHS on Saturday, November 21st for a craft sale sponsored by the CHS bands. Ms. Griwatz and Ms. C-ham will be selling some of their crafts along with other vendors and crafters.

Congratulations to this year's All-County Participants!

The following students were chosen for the All-County Honors Band:
Brianna Hite
Genesis Burch
Shannon Donaldson
Elizabeth Hite
Melissa Davis
Tiffany Dang
Timmy Rawlings

Rehearsals for upcoming concerts

The 6th grade band will rehearse during AM advisory on Wednesday, November 18th and Thursday, December 3rd.
7th and 8th grade band will rehearse during AM advisory on Friday, November 20th, Tuesday, November 24th and Tuesday, December 1st.
A Day students, please note that the November 18th and 20th are different from what we discussed in class on Monday. This is due to the fact that the 8th graders will have a meeting on Wednesday and 6th grade will have a meeting on Friday during AM advisory.
Remember that you are to check in with your homeroom teacher for attendance and lunch count and report to the band room at 7:30.
See you bright and early!!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Lots of stuff to do this weekend!

Here's your weekend to-do list:
1. Practice for next week's test. (A days Monday and B days Tuesday)
2. Complete "Practice Record #4" - get your parent's signature!
3. Sell a candle or two! Remember that all candle orders are due on Wednesday, October 28th. We have to get them in on that day to ensure delivery by Christmas.
4. Have some fun, too! I'm going to get to see my niece this weekend. Hope you all get to see someone you love too.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Practice Record Challenge Winners

And the winner is...
6th Grade - 7th Period A Day! 91% of 7A students handed in completed practice records.
2nd place goes to 8th grade 1A with a total of 83% and third place goes to 6th grade 6B with 73%. Come on, 7th grade, let's improve your completion rate for next time!

7th period will get a chance to shop at my Paw Buck store on Thursday, October 15th.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Practice Record Challenge!

Here is your challenge for Practice Record #3 (due October 13th and 14th):

The class with the highest percentage of COMPLETED practice records - that means signed by your parent, practice time filled in the calendar and turned in during class the day of the test - will receive the chance to purchase items from my Paw Buck store. I have the "store" stocked with all kinds of goodies...from pens and pencils to posters and magnets to toys and other fun things. Get practicing and turn in those practice records!!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Good Job!

Wow! I was just looking over the grades so far...you guys are doing great! Let's keep up the good work by being prepared for those tests on Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th! Get those practice records signed and turned in on the day of your test!

I'm very excited about this year! There is a lot of potential at CMS! Be on the lookout later this week for "interest forms"...You will have the chance to sign up for various honor bands and other activities.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Instrument, Method Book and Grading Policy

Starting Monday (Tuesday for "B" day students), you will need your instrument and method book. If you haven't turned in your grading policies, those are also due next week. Have a fantastic weekend!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Thank you for a great start to the year!

WOW! I think that this has been the best start to a school year in 16 years! I'm sooooooo very pleased with the behaviors I'm seeing in class and in the hallways. Students are doing what's expected of them: copying warm ups, following adults' directions, being polite to one another, etc. CMS, YOU ROCK!

I heard through the grapevine that Hot Licks did not stock up on Book Three of "Accent On Achievement". Just have your parents write me a note if a book is on order. Take those instruments out and see if they still work - we don't want any surprises on Monday and Tuesday!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Welcome to 2009-2010!

Welcome back to school! A special welcome to all the 6th graders and anyone new to CMS!! Today was very exciting. "A" days are going to be great! "B" day students, I am looking forward to a spectacular day with you tomorrow!

Take a look around the blog, go back over some of the older posts, check out the links to other sites and then go look for your instrument! You need it in school on Monday, August 31st! Have a great evening. Get all of your paperwork signed and I'll see you tomorrow!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Performance Assessment

We got a II! Okay, not as exciting as a I, but you have to remember that it is still considered "An Excellent Performance". The Maryland Music Educators Association defines the rating of a II as "An unusual performance in many respects, but not worthy of the highest rating due to minor defects in performance. A performance of distinctive quality. This rating might be compared to a percentage of 90-95."

Our I in sight reading is a great accomplishment. To me, it means that you guys have actually been listening, you know how to read music, and you can apply all that stuff we've been working on. My supervisor (my music boss...Mr. H is my CMS boss, Mrs. Patton is my music boss) once said that she looks mostly at the sight reading score because that means you really do know how to read music and apply all of those sharps and flats in the key signature, time signatures and tempos, accidentals, articulation, read rhythms and follow all signs and symbols.

Hold your heads up high! In my heart, you guys were a I! I'm very proud of that performance! We'll listen to the performance CD and judges' tapes tomorrow and Monday.

Monday, March 2, 2009

NO FESTIVAL tomorrow (Tuesday)!

Since there is no school tomorrow, March 3rd, we will NOT have festival tomorrow.

Festival has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 12th. Same time, same schedule, same itinerary.
Enjoy your day off! Use the time to practice. Come back to school ready to polish our pieces for next Thursday's performance.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

SNOW!!!!

I'll admit it: I love snow days! BUT NOT THE DAY BEFORE FESTIVAL!!!! It looks right now (12:17pm on Sunday) like we are going to get snow tonight and tomorrow. Perfect weather to practice!

Who will be wearing PJ's inside out, flushing ice cubes down the toilet and sleeping with a spoon under their pillow tonight?

Hope to see you on Monday :-)

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

District Festival!

7th and 8th grade band will take part in the District XII Band Assessment (formerly known as District Festival) on Tuesday, March 3rd. Get those permission slips signed, practice lots and be prepared for work, work, work in class!

We have the talent to go to state festival this year...will you put forth your best performance??? Let's do it!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

All-County Picture



All-County participants with Guest Conductor, Mrs. Fraley

All County Honor Band

Congratulations to our All-County Honor Band participants! The band sounded great on Thursday! Hope everyone enjoyed themselves and I hope that more students will be interested next year!