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!!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.