Practicing

The 4th graders are doing a great job in lessons. As we get into harder material, I would like to give you a heads up about how your children should be practicing at home. Please let me know if you have any questions.

• Students have their homework written down on their green practice charts. If they are absent or they are confused about what they wrote down you can check their assignment here.

• Students should be practicing each number in their book about 10 times/week or until that number has been mastered. They should use the following steps when practicing their book exercises.

1. Play just the rhythm on one note
2. Say the note names (both do re mi and then letter names)
3. Say the notes and move their fingers/slides on their instruments
4. Play it!

• The following article from MENC provides many generally helpful practice tips.

• SmartMusic is a wonderful home practicing tool that can purchased for $36/year. Many of our students have had great success with the program. After you look at the website please let me know if you have any follow up questions or if you would like to see the program in action.

Thank you all for your support. I truly enjoy working with your children and am very proud of their progress!

Jazz Club

Are you interested in playing jazz music? Come check out Ashford's Jazz Club on Wednesday after school. During Jazz Club we will listen to all types of jazz music, play new jazz songs and scales, and learn how to improv. All students in 5th - 8th grade who have played their instrument for at least one year are welcome to attend. This club is for beginner to advanced jazz players.

Sign up sheets are available in the lesson room. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, October 27th at 3:30pm. Students may take the late bus home.

Hope to see you there!!

QVMSMF 2010

Congratulations to the following students who will be representing Ashford School in the 2010 Quinebaug Valley Middle School Music Festival Band:

Tessa Weidig

Kaitlyn Lyons

Jessica Bassett

Zack Cosgrove

Colin Bizilj

Zane Cosgrove

Gavin Metsack

James Potter

Kasey Phillips

Sarah Caldwell

Tyler Metsack

Holden Lippert

Patrick DesRocher

Stay tuned for more updates about the festival which will take play on Monday, November 8th and Wednesday, November 10th.

Donate Pennies, Make a Change!

Donate Pennies, Make a Change!

To help raise funds for the Small Ensemble Benefit Concert, the music department will be holding the annual Ashford School Penny War. 7th and 8th grade will battle, trying to earn the most positive points.

Pennies = 1 point

Nickel = -5

Dime = -10

Quarter = -25

Dollar = -100

Bring your change to the lower lobby from 3/31-4/13. All students, families and staff are encouraged to participate!

4th Annual Small Ensemble Benefit Concert

Join select Ashford Band and Chorus students for the 4th Annual Small Ensemble Benefit Concert. This year, Ashford students will be supporting Chilean Earthquake Relief with a chamber music concert that promises to delight audience members! Come see our musicians perform everything from popular theme songs, to patriotic folk songs to ragtime. Donations will be accepted at the door and refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there!

When: Thursday, April 15th 7:00pm

Where: Ashford School Cafeteria

CSA Brass Day

The Community School of the Arts will be hosing Brass Day on Sunday, January 31st at the University of Connecticut. Join us on January 31st, for an day-long Brass Festival featuring master classes, workshops and performances by Don Lucas, the West Point Academy Brass Quintet, and the University of Connecticut brass faculty.

Highlights will include

• High School Brass Quintet Competition
• Workshops and Master Classes for Music Educators (CT CEU's are available for certain workshops)
• Featured performances by
  • Don Lucas, President of the International Trombone Association and Professor of Trombone at Boston University
  • West Point Academy Brass Quintet
  • UConn Faculty Brass Quintet
  
  
  
  
  The day long festival is appropriate for high school, college and professional players. Upper level 8th graders may enjoy parts of the day as well, though it is geared for higher level players. Regardless of attendance to the day long festival, all students are encouraged to attend the concert at Von Der Mehden Hall at 7:00pm. The concert will feature the above groups and tickets can be purchased for $7.00 at the door.
  
  
  
  
  Find more information including a detailed schedule and registration information here: http://csa.uconn.edu/brassfest/

Fundraiser a Success!

Thanks to the generous support of our Ashford community, the music department raised $1,200.00 in the annual pizza and pie fundraiser sponsored by the PTO. Miss Dotson and Mrs. Porri would like to thank all of the parents and staff who participated and donated. A special thank you to Gavin, Austen, Jennie, Justin, Kasey and Sarah who stayed after school to organize the orders. Thanks also to Mrs. Colonese and Mrs. Mahue who helped deliver orders on Thursday evening!

10% of the funds will go to the Gil Armitage Band Scholarship fund which provides equipment and materials for students who may not be able to financially participate in the band. The rest of the money will go toward the purchase of new equipment for the music room and band. Stay tuned for more details.