QVMSMF

The following band students have been accepted into the Quinebaug Valley Middle School Music Festival, an honors band held in Putnam, CT on November 9th and 12th:

Caitlin Ecsedy- Flute
Jennie Rozenberg- Flute
Tessa Weidig- Flute
Caleigh Campion- Clarinet
Megan Moran- Bari Sax
Adam Cherepon- Trumpet
Cassie Hayward- French Horn
Joseph Cherepon- Trombone
Chris Pavliscsak- Percussion

The festival combines the top music students from 9 area towns to create an honors band which will rehearse for two afternoons and put on an excellent concert on the evening of November 12th. Please stay tuned for more details about the concert.

Congratulations to the Ashford participants, I know you will be great!

Fourth Graders First Meeting

Today Ashford School's new instrumentalists had their first lesson! Our instruments will be delivered and ready to take home next week, so we spent today preparing our binders and learning how to put together our instruments. All of the groups did a great job listening, following directions and jumping right in! I can't wait to hand out instruments next Tuesday!!

Jazz Band Selected

Congratulations to Ashford School's 2009-2010 Jazz Band!




Saxes:
Alto 1: Zane Cosgrove
Alto 2: Gavin Metsack
Tenor 1: Sarah Boiano
Tenor 2: Steven Kahr
Bari: Megan Moran

Trumpets:
Adam Cherepon
Kayla Bendell
Justin Vanover
Jacob Ayers
James Potter
Kasey Phillips

Trombones:
Justin Gagnon
Joseph Cherepon
Sarah Caldwell
Tyler Metsack

Drum Set:
Chris Pavliscsak
Patrick DesRocher

Piano/Keyboard:
Jennie Rosenberg
Sarah Ayers
Sarah Gamache

Electric Bass:
Jessica Bassett


Thank you to everyone who auditioned. I was extremely impressed by your preparation. I would like to specifically recognize three jazz band members for particularly great auditions; Zane Cosgrove (alto sax), Megan Moran (bari sax) and Justin Gagnon (trombone) played with excellence and musicality, great job!

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to another year in the Ashford School Instrumental Music Program! I hope that everyone had a fun and relaxing summer. I am looking forward to heading back to school to see all of you!

This year we have a great group of students who exude enthusiam and dedication. I am so excited to see the progress we will make! Please stay tuned for more details about some new programs we will be piloting this year and other updates that will be headed your way soon.

Have a great week!

Spring Concert and Summer Programs

Congratulations to your children on a spectacular Spring Concert.  I was very proud of the students hard work and professional demeanor during both the day and night concerts.  They truly raised the bar!  If your child is interested in continuing their musical pursuits throughout the summer, I have listed several opportunities below.  Students who participate in private lessons or camps over the summer have improved retention and come into the school year with many lessons to share with their peers.  It is a huge benefit to the student and our program.  Please contact me if you would like further details or opinions on an appropriate program for your child.  

Thank you so much for all of your support.  This program would not exist without you!

UConn Community School of the Arts (CSA) 

We are very lucky to live so close to this fantastic program.  CSA offers private lessons, a week long band camp and a week long jazz camp.  This is an excellent program.

Hartt Community School   

Hartt also offers excellent programs.  It is slightly farther away than CSA, but may be option if the CSA programs do not fit into your schedule.  They also offer week long, middle school trumpet, french horn and clarinet institutes.  

Spring Concert Ahead!

Next week the music program will be presenting the annual Spring Concert.  All students have received a concert reminder including performance times and appropriate dress, but I will repeat the information here for those interested.  I look forward to a great performance!

Monday(5/18): Normal Day

Tuesday(5/19): Dress Rehearsal - AM

Wednesday(5/20): In-School Concert begins at 9:30

Thursday(5/21): Night Concert begins at 7:00pm.  Students are to be here by 6:15 (band students in music room/chorus students in caf)

Friday(5/22): Normal Day

Jazz Band students are required to wear black pants, black shoes, white dress shirt and bow-tie for boys.

Band students are asked to dress up.  Black or tan pants/capris, button down or collared shirt, skirt or dress are appropriate.  No jeans or t-shirts please.  

Small Ensemble Concert a Success!

Select 6th-8th grade music students organized and performed in the Small Ensemble Benefit concert on Thursday, April 16th.  Jr High students elected to support The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for this 3rd annual benefit concert.  Thanks to the support of the staff and community, we raised $441.00 in support of the camp.  Thank you to students, families and staff members who helped to make this night a huge success!

Thank you to Mr. Boiano for his technical support and these fantastic photos!!