July 26, 2010

Dear HMS Band Members and Families,

Welcome to the new school year and another exciting year for the HMS bands.

Last May our department graduated the largest class of Founding Members to date, with many of them set to continue band in high school. This school year we will graduate our final class of Founding Members; the final eight risk-takers who took a leap of faith 5 years ago, joined the very first HMS band, and have remained dedicated and loyal members ever since.

The Advanced Band will remain a daily mini-course that eligible students may choose for the school year. Advanced Band members will continue to develop their ensemble skills as the most performance-oriented band on campus, with their LGPE performance in March being the culminating showcase concert of the year. Student Conducting, Leadership Team, and Marching Band will continue being offered to interested AB members.

All 4^th and 5^th grade students can look forward to a restructuring and renaming of the Beginning Band to 4/5 Band. All 4/5 Band members will enjoy the opportunity to have band twice weekly for 45 minutes during the school day as their music special.

The 4^th grade Band Carnival is a new element we are bringing to HMS band members this year. Our newest and youngest band members will be given their instrument for the first time on Saturday morning, August 27, from

10AM-12PM at HMS. Please see page 10 in the handbook for all the details.

Members of each band will continue to enjoy clinicians and specialists from all areas of instrumental performance and education. In the past few years we’ve been fortunate to host such artists as Sam Hazo, world famous composer, Dr. Scott Stewart, Music Director at Emory University, Mr. Gary Gribble, Director of Bands at Alan C. Pope HS, and many professional instrumentalists.

Another new offering ALL band members should take advantage of this year is Wednesday Morning Lab. Please see page 8 of the Band Handbook for more details on this weekly opportunity for to receive more detailed and individualized instruction at no cost outside of your annual band participation fee.

The music website continues to be your most comprehensive and up to date source for the entire HMS music department. Please check it regularly by clicking the music department link on the opening page of myhighmeadows.org

Feel free to email Patrick Wright or meyself at any time with questions or concerns regarding your student and the HMS band program.

Sincerely,

Paula Williams, Band Director                                         Patrick Wright, Assistant Band Director

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