Fall Concert

The Fall Concert was a great success -- what a fun evening! Thank you, students, for your hard work and determination to do well. Thank you, parents, for encouraging your student to learn their individual parts. Played or sung separately, each part doesn't seem so significant, but when all parts are played/sung together, what beautiful music they make!

Thank you also for the delicious goodies that we enjoyed at the conclusion of the program! Have a great vacation and Happy Thanksgiving!

Choir Clinic

The list of music has just arrived for choir clinic which will be held on the campus of Upper Columbia Academy in January. Now is a good time to start thinking about whether or not you would like to attend. Remember that you have to qualify to participate!

Welcome to the Music Room!

It's hard to believe that we are already five weeks into the first quarter! This not only means that we are half way done with this first quarter, but that we are getting close to our first performance at the Richland SDA Church on Sabbath, October 23. Advanced Band and Choir have been working on songs for this all-school church service. Please encourage your student to continue practicing so that we will be well prepared. Please also be praying that God will use our talents to be a blessing to others.

The Countdown Begins!

We are finishing our third week of the final quarter of this school year. Our focus is on preparing for our spring programs to be held the latter part of May. Please keep encouraging your student to practice so that we will be well prepared for our performances! As a reminder, practice sheets are due weekly (90 minutes). Also, please keep in mind that each student needs to attend a community concert for second semester. If you have not already taken in a concert, this is a good time to start looking for one. If you know of any concerts coming up, I would be happy to post the information.

Advanced Band Practice Options
Advanced Band students have been given an option for the practice portion of their grade for this final quarter of the year. They can choose to 1) turn in a practice sheet as in previous quarters, or 2) complete a skills test of the required music. For those opting to take the skills test, practice is still necessary to successfully complete the test. There will be three skills tests given throughout the quarter.

Happy Spring!

"A Glimpse of Spring" Dessert Fundraiser

Thank you for your support of our fundraising program! It was a wonderful evening with great music and wonderful desserts! Thank you, students, for your great performance, and a special thanks to the parents that provided desserts for our enjoyment!

We have just a few more weeks till the end of third quarter. Please keep encouraging your students to get those practice sheets filled out and turned in ON TIME so that they can receive credit for their practice. Also remember that each student is required to attend one community concert per semester (not a concert they are participating in) and to turn in a program from the concert to receive credit. If you need help in finding a qualifying concert, you will find suggestions listed under "Community Concerts".

Changes to Band Practice Requirements!

The required practice minimum has been increased to 90 minutes per week. These minutes need to be completed in increments of at least 15 minutes or more.

Students will receive credit for the actual minutes practiced, not to exceed 90 minutes per week. Minutes exceeding the requirement are for the student's personal talent development!

Practice sheets that are turned in after the due date will not be accepted for credit. Thank you for encouraging your student to be punctual!

I believe that the added weekly minutes to our practice will allow us to master music that we otherwise would not be able to perform and am excited to see what possibilities await us!

7-10 Band Clinic

Band Clinic will be held February 18-20 on the campus of Upper Columbia Academy. The following criteria will be used to determine eligibility to participate:
1. The student must exhibit a cooperative attitude and participate during class time.
2. Practice must be kept current.
3. Student will audition, demonstrating ability to play the required music.
4. Other class assignments must be current with minimum passing grades and an overall C average as per school policy.

We will travel to UCA Thursday morning, and spend the afternoon and Friday doing rehearsals. The final concert will be held on Sabbath at 4 p.m., after which parents may take their student home.

Happy New Year!

Welcome back! I trust that your vacation was fun and restful!

As we count down to the end of second quarter, which ends on January 15, please make sure that you have turned in all your practice sheets, as well as any concert programs that you have attended for first semester!