First Days of Band

Last Monday our first year students participated in their first ensemble rehearsal. All beginning players reported to the band room at 2:40 to meet and practice with second year players. During this first rehearsal we did some basic warm ups, practiced our major scale, reviewed simple songs such as Hot Cross Buns and Juba and even played large parts of our first band song, Beethoven's Ninth. The students demonstrated responsibility, maturity and excitement during the rehearsal time. I was very proud of their hard work and impressed by the skills that they have developed.

Parents will be able to experience the Concert Band at this year's Spring Concert which will be held at 7pm on Thursday, May 21st in Ashford School's gym.

Thank you for all of your support and dedication at home!

Small Ensemble Charity Chosen

Students in grades 6-8 will be presenting a Small Ensemble Benefit concert on Thursday, April 16th 2009 at 7:00pm.  Recently students held a meeting to decide what charity would benefit from this year's concert.  After discussion, students selected the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, CT.  We look forward to fundraising for this event in our community and in our school.  Stay tuned for more news on the upcoming Penny War fundraiser and more information concerning the concert.  

Colchester Middle School Jazz Festival

The annual Colchester Middle School Jazz Festival will be taking place on April 30th.  All Jazz Band members are required to attend this exciting event.  We are still waiting to hear what time we will be performing, but in the past we have usually received a mid-afternoon time slot.  Please look out for updates in the upcoming weeks.  

Ashford Music Logos

Ashford Music Department t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts will be on sale through Friday, February 27th.  All clothing will be black with gold writing.  A sample t-shirt is hanging in the music room.  Please see Miss Dotson, Mrs. Porri or Mrs. Gagnon for additional order forms or with any questions.

T-Shirts (youth and adult): $10.00

Youth Hooded Sweatshirts: $16.00

Adult Hooded Sweatshirts: $20.00

Pizza and Pie Update

Thanks to your generous support, the PTO has raised $1,500 for the music department through the pizza and pie fundraiser.  We are very grateful for your dedication to the program and your generosity during a difficult financial year.  Special thanks to Sue Sherman for her organization and time, and the students who stayed after to help distribute the orders.  It could not have been done without you!!  

We look forward to purchasing our first full size concert xylophone to be used in all of our instrumental ensembles.

THANK YOU!!

Spring Songs

Check out our new songs:

Jazz Band (More versions will be posted next week)

Jr. High Band

Concert Recordings

I hope everyone is enjoying a fun and relaxing vacation. Click HERE to download the recordings of the band songs from the concert. You can save these all as mp4 files (ITunes) and put them on your IPods or other music devices. You can also burn them to a CD. If you'd rather have me burn you a copy, please bring in a blank CD with your name on it.

See you in a few days!!