Important Dates

Spring time is always a busy and exciting time for the music department. The Small Ensemble Concert, Middle School Jazz Festival, High School Fly-Ups and Spring Concert are just around the corner. Please check the website frequently to stay on top of announcements and dates. Here is a list of upcoming after-school commitments that your child may be involved in:

Tuesday, March 22nd - Trumpets Grades 6-8 (3:30-4:30)

Thursday, March 24th - Clarinets Grades 7-8 (3:30-4:30)

Thursday, March 31st - Saxophones Grades 6-8 (3:30-4:30)

Tuesday, April 5th - Percussion Grades 6-8 (3:30-4:30)

Tuesday, April 12th - All Small Ensemble Musicians Grades 6-8 (*****3:30-5:00***)

Wednesday, April 13th - After School Jazz Band (3:30-4:30)

Thursday, April 14th - Small Ensemble Concert at Night

Tuesday, May 10th - Evening Jazz Band Rehearsal on Stage 5:30-7:00

Thursday, May 12th - MSJF 12:00-8:00 @UConn

Although it looks like many dates, I have worked very hard to limit the amount of out of school rehearsals that an individual student has to attend. I love that our students are very versatile and busy after school, these Small Ensemble Rehearsals and Jazz Band rehearsals require all students to be present in order to be successful. I appreciate your efforts to make sure your children are at the required events. If there is a major conflict please let me know ASAP and we can see if we can adjust.

I appreciate the work that the students are doing. Please remind them to be practicing their parts and listening to the songs online. Their work at home will determine the success of our groups. I am looking forward to a very successful spring season!

Thank you for all of your support of your children and the music program. We could not do this without you!!

4th Grade Band Starting

Our 4th grade instrumentalists will be starting full Concert Band next Monday, February 28th at 2:45pm. All 4th and 5th graders will meet together to learn about ensemble playing and prepare our music for the Spring Concert. 4th grade students will now attend band on Monday in addition to their normal lesson time on Tuesday.

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