Category Archives: Music

We may be settling down into the 4^th quarter, but your 4^th-8^th grade students should still be hard at work practicing their 60 minutes a week!

In preparation for our trip to Kansas City NEXT spring we will be doing some different fundraisers.  We’ve just completed our Deli International Sales (thanks to all who supported that) and we are going to try our hand at a new fundraiser!  It’s called “FLOWER POWER Fundraising.”   Please stay tuned for more information, or see any 8^th-12^th grade music student for more information.

Make sure to “like” the new Music notes facebook page.  There are regular posts and updates.

An exciting change for next year…  Next year high school swing choir will be a part of the school day!  We will meet during the regular choir time!  You do NOT have to be in swing choir to be a part of choir, but you WILL have to be in the choir class to be a part of swing choir!  This means no more 7am practices-YAY!!

Mrs. Jungck and I will once again be doing a swing choir fun camp!  This year we are opening it up to 4^th-8^th grade.  It is tentatively set for the 3^rd week in June, the 17^th-20^th.  We are limiting the amount of campers we will take, so make sure to sign up early!!

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:

April 2^nd                   High School Choir & Swing Choir to perform for Security Gold Club at Security First Bank 7:30p

April 11^th                  Elders Wisdom Program  – K-5^th grade students perform

April 16^th                 Pre-Contest Concert & Recital – HS Choir, Swing Choir, ML & HS Band

April 17^th                 District Music Contest – Alliance, NE

May 14^th                  K-5 Music Program

The Pop’s Concert is scheduled for Thursday,  February 21^st at 7pm.  The theme for this years concert is “kids music,” it will consist of many Disney songs as well as a few selections from some musical theater!  The Swing Choir and High School Choir & ML/HS Band will perform.  There will also be a special performance by this summers “elementary swing choir fun camp” group.  Please plan to attend!

There will be an informational meeting for 8^th-11^th grade music parents whose students are interested in going on a music trip in the Spring of 2014 on Tuesday, February 5^th at 7pm in the music room.  We will discuss the trip itself, the cost and fundraising options.  Please plan to attend!

Any household with a 4^th grade student should be hearing the toot of a new instrument!  Please remember that music students 4^th-8^th grade are expected to practice at least 60 minutes a week.  Parents are suppose to sign the practice record on Sunday of each week so their students can turn them in for a grade.

Beginning Band Schedule: Each week we will have individual sectionals with the different families of instruments.  On Mondays I will meet with the woodwinds (flutes, clarinets & Alto Sax’s); on Tuesdays I will work with the Brass instruments (Trumpets, Trombones & Baritones) on Wednesdays I will be with the percussionist and then on Thursday we will have a full band rehearsal!  Please help your beginning band students remember their supplies (instrument & book) for band rehearsal on their assigned days.

Congratulations to Jen Scherbarth and Cydney Jancik for being selected to the Oregon Trail Honor Band. They will be in Gering on Monday, January 14th for rehearsals. There will be a concert at 5 p.m. at the Gering High School auditorium. Eli Badje and Brittany Ferguson were selected as alternates.

Welcome to the Christmas season in the music department!

Please note the Night, Lights and Music concert has been moved to Saturday, December 15^th.  Tickets are $5 presale; can be purchased at Security First Bank, Sackers, Hip Hop or at the school office; or $7 at the door.  This will be a nice concert featuring the Swing Choir, HS/ML Band, HS/ML Choir, Flag corp., and perhaps some additional surprise performances!

K-5^th grade Christmas concert will be on Tuesday, December 18^th.  The title of this year’s program is “Light Up the World” and should prove to be an extremely entertaining evening, I know the students can’t wait to share it with you!

Beginning Guitar class continues to meet on Wednesday mornings.  We faithfully have nine 3^rd-5^th graders attending.  Keep an eye out for this group as they will make special appearances throughout the year.

The 4^th graders are carrying on with their recorder lessons.  Starting after our Christmas concert we will be doing testing for beginning band, starting band early in the 2^nd semester.  The majority of school owned instruments are already being used, so students will be responsible for purchasing their own instruments.  We will be hosting an instrument display where Haggerty’s Music from Rapid City will come and have an assortment of instruments for a semester rental with an option to buy.

Please remember 4^th grade through 8th grade students should be practicing each and every week.  Parents need to sign the practice records each week, simply stating I’ve seen & heard my student practicing throughout the week.  These practice times are a part of the student’s grades.  Please note that week #17 over Christmas Break counts as extra credit; a good opportunity for students having trouble getting all their practice times in.

We have some exciting news!  The music department got 48 new music stands!  We are looking to get rid of the old stands.  For $5 a stand you can get your student a stand!  They will be offered on a first come, first served basis.  These would be great to use at home for your own practice time!

Upcoming dates:

Saturday, December 15^th Nights, Lights and Music Concert 7:15pm – Please note the change of date!

Monday, December 17^th Preschool Open House—6:00 pm

Tuesday, December 18^th K-8^th grade Music Concert—7:00 pm

Mrs. Varvel’s new guitar class is a hit with students. Eleven guitarists attended class this morning! Class meets each Wednesday from 7:10 am to 7:50 am. Talk to Mrs. Varvel if you are interested in joining them!

Mrs. Varvel is beginning an acoustic and electric guitar class on Wednesday mornings from 7:15-7:50. If you are interested in participating you will need to bring a:

• Guitar
• “Essential Elements” guitar method book

Books can be purchased at Marbow Music in Chadron, Haggerty’s Music store in Rapid or can be ordered off the internet. This class is open to 4^thgrade through high school students and will be focusing on beginning guitar skills.  Class begins Wednesday, September 12th! Hope to see you there!