August 11, 2009

 

Dear Beginning Band Students and Parents,

            Welcome to the 2009-10 school year!  I am very excited for this up-coming

year—it really does hold a lot of promise for us!  Please take note of the following

procedures for our class:

            Students are expected to have at every rehearsal:

                        Instrument and accessories in good repair

                                    (rental for a school instrument is $50 [$25 per semester]. This applies

                                    only for students playing Tuba, Euphonium, and French Horn).  Rent

                                    checks MUST be separate from other checks.

                        Band Book*

                        Sharpened pencil

                        3-ring binder with about 10 plastic sheet protectors and loose-leaf paper

                        balloon (25¢ replacement fee)

 

            *The band book we’ll begin with this year is Division of Beat  Book 1A (brown).  I have it available for $7 ($9 for percussion). Please make checks payable to:  MMS Band.  ALL checks must have a home telephone number.  We are allowed to accept checks with imprinted names and addresses only—we cannot accept counter checks.  Please send any monies enclosed in an envelope with the student’s name on the outside of the envelope.

 

            Grading policies will follow the Madison County Board of Education guidelines:

50% of the student’s grade will be determined by tests, 50% will be determined by daily grades (10% practice sheets, 40% daily participation).  Parents are requested to send a note (1) if the instrument is being repaired, (2) if, for any reason a student cannot play her/his instrument, and (3) if a student is absent for any performance or rehearsal.

 

            Our Christmas Concert is scheduled for December 8^th (Tuesday) at 7:00 p.m.  Attire will be dress/skirt/suit for girls; dress shirt and tie/suit for boys.  Our Spring Concert is slated for May 11^th (Tuesday) with one after-school rehearsal planned for Monday, May 10^th from 3:00-4:15.

 

            We are planning several activities for our Bands.  You are encouraged to participate in these by attending our first Monrovia Middle School Band Parents Association meeting this year:  Monday, August 17^th, beginning at 7:00 at the MMS Cafeteria.  Also, you may keep up with your child’s assignments, activities, etc. by logging on to STI—this website information will be coming home to you soon.

 

            Thank you for your encouragement and support of our Band program at Monrovia.  If I can help in any way, feel free to email me:  ddowdy@madison.k12.al.us.

 

 

                                                                        Sincerely,

 

 

                                                                        Donald Dowdy