RECRUITING CONCERT

Our Spring Elementary Band Recruiting Concerts start next week.  Please make sure that your child brings their instrument and music on the day of their schools recruiting concert.  They need to wear their band shirt with nice jeans for the concert.

Potomac Recruiting Concert - Monday, April 22 2:45 PES Gym

Sealston Recruiting Concert - Wednesday, April 24 2:45 SES Gym

King George Recruiting Concert - Thursday, May 2 2:45 KGES Gym


There will be a parent information meeting at 6:30 for each school the same evening as the schools concert.  This meeting is for all NEW students wishing to join beginner band during the 2013 - 2014 school year.  All returning students will only need to fill out an intent to return form which will be available later in May.

COUNTY WIDE BAND CONCERT

The County Wide Band Concert is this Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. at King George High School.  All Elementary Band students (Beginner and 2nd Year) are to report to the High School no later than 5:50.  Students need to wear their band t-shirt with nice blue jeans and nice shoes.  We will be putting our instrument cases in a room just off of the Cafeteria before we go into the Auditorium.  The King George Band Parents are running a Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser in the Cafeteria from 5:00 - 6:45.  The cost is $5 in advance and $7 at the door.  All proceeds go to support the band programs.  The doors to the Auditorium will not open until 6:45 since we will be rehearsing up until that time.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday.

MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS

Click here to see a great video that shows music can be made from trash.

MARCH - MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH

March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. MIOSM began as a single statewide celebration in 1973, and has grown over the decades to encompass a day, then a week, and then in 1985 to become a month long celebration of school music. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community and to display the benefits school music brings to students of all ages.

The celebration continues to grow each year, reaching more and more students, teachers, musicians, and music supporters. Schools and communities throughout the country and overseas celebrate MIOSM with concerts and other activities based on the year’s theme. Classrooms, concert halls, civic buildings, clubs, parks, libraries, and shopping malls are just some of the arenas in which the public can observe the processes and results of music education.  (NAfME Website)

PROGRESS REPORTS

I hope you all had a nice "Snow" Break.  I just wanted to let you all know to look for your child's Progress Report to come home with their report card.  If you have any questions about these please feel free to contact me.

We are busy getting ready for the County Wide Band Concert that will be held Thursday, April 11. Your child should be practicing the pieces I have listed on the "Practice Schedule" page of this website.   Please make sure to mark your calendars now so that your child will be able to participate in this wonderful concert.  All three Elementary School band groups will be playing together.  We will rehearse at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium before the concert.  All Elementary Band students will need to stay through  the Middle School Band performances.  I hope that you will be able to stay for the High School portion as well. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to see what they will be able to do in a few years.

One last item.  All students should be turning in Practice Logs if they want points for the Reward Box.  This Practice Log must be signed by a parent for the student to receive their points.  The point system is listed at the bottom of the log.  Please encourage your child to do at least 3 - 5 days a week.  This is the only way they can make the progress they need to play with the band as a whole.  Students can pick up Practice Logs from me at school or print one from this website.

Thanks so much for supporting your children and the King George County Elementary Band Program.

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a wonderful Winter Break.  You all did such a wonderful job at your Winter Concerts.  Our next concert will be the County Wide Band Concert on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. The concert will be at King George High School.  We will be starting our music for that concert next week.  You will find the updated band schedules on the "Band Schedule" page.  

As we get back into the swing of things I just wanted to remind everyone to make sure you are practicing.  Starting the 3rd Nine weeks you will have to turn in a Parent signed practice card to get your points for the treasure boxes.  I will make those practice cards available to you before the end of January and I will post one on the tools page so you can print another if you loose one.

I am looking forward to making great music with all of you and we start the New Year.

Crazy Schedule

I don't know about you, but my schedule is crazy from now until the Winter Break.  I have posted a new calendar on the page "Mrs. Conner's Schedule" which list the school I am at on each day.  In an attempt to give every school the same number of lessons before their Winter Concert the schedule is a little different than the first 8 weeks.  I will continue to send you updates the night before your child has band to help everyone remember when to come to lessons.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

On another note - please make sure that your child is practicing to prepare for their Winter Concert.  All Beginner Band students should be practicing pages 9 - 13 in their books.  All Second Year Band students should be practicing page 21 in their books and the sheet music I passed out during lessons.  The schedule for the concerts is posted on the "Upcoming Elementary Band Events" page of this website.

All band students will be wearing their band shirt, nice jeans and clean shoes for the concert.

Thanks for supporting your child in their musical endeavor.

If you need to contact me please make sure to use my school e-mail. gconner@kgcs.k12.va.us.