Hello everyone, and happy Friday! This message contains information about the upcoming parent/teacher conferences, our winter concert, and several other odds and ends. To view this email on my website, click here.

Parent/teacher conferences are on 11/21/ and 11/25. Please click here to sign up for a 10-minute slot if you would like to hear me sing the praises of your awesome young musician or if you have any questions for me.

The concert band and jazz band winter concert is on Monday, December 16th at 7pm at the Performing Arts Center at Bordentown Regional High School. (Please note: the choirs, orchestra, and bucket drumming concert is on Thursday, December 12th.) Students should report to the band room (straight down the stairs after going through the main entrance) between 6:30 and 6:45 with their instruments and folders. Jazz band students should wear all black, and concert band students should wear black bottoms and a white top. Shoes should be dark. Jazz students do not need to change into a white top for the concert band portion. Festive touches are fine as long as they are not distracting. I will be going over this information during rehearsal, but if you have any questions, please reach out. The concert will run for approximately one hour. There is no food or drink allowed in the BRHS PAC.

Students will attend a dress rehearsal the morning of the concert. They do not need to wear their concert attire for the rehearsal. We will return to BRMS before 8th grade lunch begins. I am so excited to present to you all of the beautiful music that the students have learned in just a few short weeks since lessons started. It is going to be a merry, fun time!

We still have BRMS Music Department t-shirts available to purchase for $10 cash or check made payable to BRSD.

Self-promotion time! I play in a marvelous ensemble called the Eastern Wind Symphony. It is a band just like the concert band that your children play in, but we are comprised mostly of band directors and professional musicians. Our holiday concert is on Saturday, December 7th at 7pm at Montgomery High School. It is always a delight to see familiar faces in the audience; I would love to see you there! More information.

For the super planners: select middle school students are invited to join the high school marching band each year. If your child is interested in this and shows exceptional musical ability, please note the dates of our mandatory summer band camp rehearsals. [August 11-14, 18-21, 25, and 27] I will begin recruiting in earnest in the spring, though I am happy that students have already begun asking about joining!

Please reach out any time with questions or concerns. I am always here for you and your musicians, just like they are always there for me and each other! I look forward to seeing you on December 16th!

 

-Mrs. SG

Hello everyone! I will be sending out an update on the band program early next week with lots of good info and praise for your awesome, enthusiastic, talented young musicians, but until then, please read this quick message and discuss with your child tonight.

The World-Famous Marching Scotties are performing their show "Postcards from Paradise" at tomorrow's BRHS varsity football game, and middle schoolers are invited to come hang out with the band. No instruments are needed, and there is no entrance fee for the game. Students will be permitted to visit the concession stand during the 3rd quarter and buy a snack (cash only). We will provide little bags of chips and water for free. It is also Homecoming, so we expect a large crowd. The game starts at 6pm, and the band performs pre-game and at halftime. Approximate end time is 8pm. I'll send out a Remind (text code @3fbbh9 to 81010 to join) but students may bring their phones.

It has been getting pretty chilly once the sun goes down so students must dress warm.

The marching band came over to BRMS last week and performed their show at a standstill. It was fantastic but seeing us in action is truly a spectacle- we have a beach with chairs, a "tiki bar", a real live (fake) volcano, tons of hand percussion, and stunning props and choreography in the colorguard. PLUS seven of our own middle schoolers are in the Marching Scotties!

If your child WILL be participating, please fill out this brief form to let me know.

Reach out with any questions or concerns, and have a great day!!

 

-Mrs. SG

Hello everyone!!! Receiving this email indicates that your BRMS Bobcat is interested in joining or staying in the band this year. It has been a joy these past few days meeting new faces and seeing old ones. (How did all of the 6th graders suddenly become taller than me?!) If something has changed and your child is no longer interested in pursuing band, please respond to this email so I can remove them from my list. I am sending this to all parent/guardian emails from PowerSchool, so if you would like a particular email address removed, reply to this message.

*****ALL NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS: Please fill out this short form so I can make sure everyone is in the right spot with everything they need, even if you emailed me about borrowing an instrument and I responded. We have large numbers and a limited supply of instruments, so if you are able to rent an instrument, please indicate that you are willing.

Rentals are generally new or almost-new, high-quality brands, and include basic maintenance and repairs. I highly recommend NEMC as they visit BRMS weekly, have the very best prices, value music education over profit, and are quite accommodating of us here in Bordentown. Russo Music Center and Music & Arts are also good options. All rental payments go toward eventual purchase.

Please note that MANY students request to switch to drums every year, but they must first pass an audition first. Returning drum students are not required to audition again. I will be in touch with the students that requested drums sometime over the next few school days.

Jazz band audition information is on the bulletin board outside of room 5 (music room). Try-outs will take places over the next 2 weeks as students brush off the dust and get their chops back. Info will also be posted on the BAND Google Classroom, which will be up and running shortly.

Hello everyone! This will be my final mass email of the school year. Thank you for supporting me and your children on this wild journey of developing musicianship. I am continually amazed by the things that young people can create and the way they work together to turn air and ink into beautiful, compelling music. I am so impressed with the work ethic of the 6th graders, excited to watch the 7th graders move into their "top dog" position next year, and sad but happy to see my beloved 8th graders turn into high schoolers.

 

That being said, I have some sad news. Both Mr. Kim (MIS/PMES) and Mr. Montalto (BRHS) are switching school districts next year. They both want to be able to spend more time with family and have better working contracts. I know that they would appreciate any kind notes from students or families that they made an impact on. ([email protected] and [email protected]) The tradition of instrumental music in Bordentown will of course still carry on strong as Robert Vieira and I will be involved in the hiring process for their replacements. I'm happy to answer any questions, but the best thing you can do is stay informed by attending board of education meetings. The next one is scheduled for July 17th at BRHS.

 

On to happier things!

If I can help you or family in any way, please reach out. Lessons, sheet music, purchasing an instrument, scheduling music classes at BRHS, marching band, jazz band, whatever it may be, I'm here for support. 

 

H.A.M.S. Have A Musical Summer! 🎵

Hello everyone! Congratulations on a truly wonderful spring concert last week. I'm incredibly proud of what the students presented and the fantastic attitudes that everybody had for the whole process. I am eager to take the show on the road and perform for several adjudicators and an audience of students from other schools this Friday. This email contains logistics for our Music in the Parks field trip, as well as info for our remaining events this school year.

Please also note: the first interest session for next season's marching band is TOMORROW after school, followed by another session next Wednesday. Also, all musical ensembles will be performing IN SCHOOL on Thursday morning for their teachers and peers, no specific attire necessary.

 

 

Phew, I believe this is all for now!! Please reach out anytime with questions or concerns. Thank you so much for supporting the future of music in Bordentown and our talented, energetic, enterprising, hilarious, always-perfectly-behaved, creative, and brave young musicians!!

Good afternoon! This email contains information regarding our Spring Concert. A separate email will be sent regarding Music in the Parks (Friday May 31st). Please review this info and reach out with questions or concerns. 🎶

The concert band and jazz band have been working hard to put together a beautiful program for you on the 20th. Please show them your appreciation and support by being excellent audience members during the concert. I look forward to seeing you there!

Hi everyone! I was supposed to send this email out last Friday, but I neglected to do so- my apologies! If anyone would like to meet with me for a parent/teacher conference tomorrow afternoon and talk about what an awesome musician your BRMS Bobcat is, please sign up here. I can answer questions about performances, lessons, rehearsals, behavior, attendance, field trips, extracurricular opportunities, purchasing/renting instruments, or anything else on your mind. Thank you!!

 

A lot of students have been asking me interesting questions about what is going on with the board of education meeting happening this evening. I encourage you to attend to stay informed and, if desired, have your voice heard. You can sign up to speak before 5pm using this form, and a paper sign-up will be in the lobby before the meeting. It is at 7pm tonight (Wednesday) in the BRHS PAC, that wonderful hall where you've been listening to your children make music for the past 7-10 years. I don't currently have any answers to those interesting questions, but please know I am here for you and your children always!

 

Don't hesitate to reach out any time with concerns or questions. Have a wonderful day, and happy spring!!

Hello, families of BRMS jazz band members! Please read the attached pdf regarding our upcoming trip to RCBC for the annual Burlington County Teen Arts festival on Wednesday, March 13th. Students received a paper copy during AE today. Please have them return the bottom portion indicating whether or not they will participate by the end of next week. Reach out with any questions or concerns, and have a wonderful day!!

Hello everyone! Thank you for coming out on Monday night to listen to and cheer on our fabulous, young music-makers! I was very pleased with the overall performances and was lucky to witness some very special moments within the ensembles. I will post some videos to the BAND google classroom over the next few days. If you have any great pictures you'd like to share, please send them my way!

Here is a link to a GC post with websites that have fun, free sheet music, including holiday stuff. Please encourage your children to pick up their instruments over break and play through some tunes- this will help us quickly get started on our next piece "DarkHeart" in January. Bonus points if they perform at a family get-together!!

The jazz band is performing tomorrow, Friday 12/22 at 8:30am. Students should wear either BRMS music shirts, Bordentown shirts/colors, or ugly sweaters.

 

When we return on Tuesday, Jan. 2nd, there is an AEP block in the morning, but jazz band will NOT be rehearsing at that time. Students should use this time to catch up on any work they missed this week due to all of our activities. Brass lessons WILL take place on Tuesday 1/2, flutes, clarinets, and jazz band will meet on Wednesday 1/3, saxophones and concert band will meet on Thursday 1/4, and beginners/make-ups and jazz band will meet on Friday 1/5. All of this will be communicated to students via the morning announcements and my whiteboard.

 

Thank you so much for your support over the past few months as we prepared for the winter concert. It's a mad dash getting everything rolling during these first few months of school, and I appreciate all the times parents dropped off forgotten instruments, sent in messages about students missing rehearsals, or sent notes of triumph regarding students' achievements outside of school. I neglected to thank you verbally at the concert, so please know that none of this is possible without at-home support and I truly value it! THANK YOU! I also neglected to thank our ever-supportive administration, starting all the way at the top. Dr. Atkins is a huge advocate for the arts and I consider myself lucky to get to work with her. Mr. Sprague and Mr. Schurtz would do anything for these students, and that's not the norm. We are so lucky and I am so grateful!

I hope you and your family have a peaceful and joyous end-of-December and happy new year! Here's sheet music for Auld Lang Syne that is appropriate for midnight!

Hello everyone! We are now 12 days from the Band Winter Concert, and I am so pleased with how things are shaping up. The ensembles are sounding more cohesive every day, and I have been impressed with how many students have made it their goal to truly master their music. To say I'm proud is an understatement, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way at the conclusion of our concert. I know the students are excited to get under those bright lights and show off all of their hard work and musical skills. 🎶

 

Monday, December 18^th at 7pm at the Bordentown Regional HIGH School Performing Arts Center

Students should report at 6:30 with their instruments and sheet music. Instruments must go home with students after school that day as BRMS will not be accessible before the concert.

Upon entering the main doors of the high school, students will head straight downstairs to the music room to warm up their instruments. The PAC doors will open to audience members at 6:30.

Students in jazz band should wear all black, and concert band students should wear a white top and black bottom. Shoes should be black/dark. Festive touches are fine as long as they're not distracting. (ties, hats, necklaces, etc.) Jazz students do not need to change into a white shirt for concert band. Reach out with any uncertainties.

I expect the concert to be less than an hour long- plenty of time to go get ice cream afterward!

On Monday morning, we will rehearse at the high school. This is an important part of the concert prep as students will practice the flow of the event and acclimate themselves to the acoustic and lighting differences compared to the auditorium that they're used to. Please make every effort to get your awesome young musician to school on time that day with their instruments and sheet music ready to go.

Students not in jazz band will not need their instruments for the rest of that week due to planned activities. Jazz band will rehearse on Thursday 12/21 and perform for the school during the pep rally on Friday 12/22. Jazz students should wear their BRMS music department T-shirts or an ugly sweater that day. Shirts are still available for $10.

Any student who is interested in trying out for the jazz band for spring semester can do so in January. Materials will be posted to the Google classroom. Current members do not need to re-audition.

 

A note on concert etiquette:

Good concert etiquette shows respect to the hours and hours of hard work that teachers and students have put into making the concert an enjoyable evening.

Most importantly!

 

Please reach out with any questions or concerns. I am looking forward to showing off everything we've learned during these past three months of lessons and rehearsals. Watching your children get dressed up, behave professionally, and play their hearts out is one of the most gratifying parts of my job. It'll be a great night- see you there!

 

Please reach out with any questions or concerns, and have a lovely day!