Hermanson's Orchestral Wonders

Thank you to every student and parent in the Orchestra program at McClure. You have made the last four years unforgetable and a time of great joy and learning for me. I will miss everyone and I look forward to not only hearing from your new teacher about how wonderful you are doing (and I will be asking!) but also from students in the coming years. One of the best parts about teaching is hearing from past students about how they are doing in high school and beyond.

I have set up an e-mail account specifically for students to contact me after the school year concludes – MrsHermanson (at) gmail (dot) com

I hope you will use this to let me know how your summer and next year progress.

Have a safe, happy and musical summer everyone!

-Mrs. Hermanson

In order of date:

6-2 Class: Due tomorrow (Thursday): Three sentences about the structure of the Baroque Bow.

8th Grade Rehearsal Thursday has been CANCELLED. Students who would like to help me prepare for the end of the year are welcome to stay after, however. I will have snacks available for any helpers.

6th Grade Rehearsal: Monday, May 17th from 4:30-5:30. Parents and/or older string-playing siblings are asked to help with supervision and/or tuning. HS Students will receive volunteer hours for assisting if they bring the needed paperwork.

Spring Concert – Tuesday, May 18th, 7pm.

Reception to follow, so please think about preparing a snack or bring drinks to celebrate the end of the year, 8th grade’s transition to high school and my final concert with McClure.

Concert Report Times (i.e., time to be in your seat ready to play)

• Eighth Grade: 5:45
• Seventh Grade: 6:00
• Sixth Grade: 6:30 (tuning assistance appreciated!)

School Instrument Turn-In: After Concert on Tuesday, no later than Wednesday, May 19th.

All lockers and personal items should be removed from the Orchestra lockers and room after the concert Tuesday.

Dear Parents on students who are playing at the Rising 6th Grade night this Tuesday,

The meeting actually begins at 6:30 Tuesday. As we are playing for the children and parents as they arrive, we will need to be in position to play no later than 5:50. If you would prefer your student stays after school, that is fine with me. I will order pizza for those I KNOW will be staying so we can eat beforehand. Students need to be picked up by 7:00 Tuesday evening.

Dress is nice jeans and the McClure Orchestra t-shirt. If your child does not have a t-shirt, s/he may purchase one for $10 (and will get it the day of purchase) or s/he can wear a white shirt and I will give them an Orchestra shirt to wear over their own shirt for the performance.

Thank you so much for allowing your children to play for the incoming 6th graders! This is those students’ first specific exposure to our program and I know we will be well represented by their performances!

If your child will be staying after school and would like to eat pizza, please let me know by Tuesday morning.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Happy CRCT Week everyone!

I have updated Pinnacle and assigned new SmartMusic assignments for all grades.

This 9 weeks SmartMusic will be recorded into Pinnacle under “Tests”, so it is vital that students complete each assignment. We will be rotating computer use in class, and the computers are available for use before and after school as well for those students who do not have a subscription at home.  If you want more information about SmartMusic, please visit their website: www.SmartMusic.com

6th Grade has a Home Learning Assignment over “Overlords”, measures 37-47 for Monday and Tuesday (depending on which hour you have, due to CRCT testing).

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions!

Good luck to Cailean R, Haley B and Miranda K at Honors Orchestra this weekend! I cannot wait to hear their performance!! If you would like to come out, Honors Orchestra will be performing Saturday afternoon at McEachern High School.

All students should have brought home their instruments today – the school will not be climate-controlled over the break, and such varying humidity and temperatures are not good for our instruments.

Parents of Disney Participants:

There is a MANDATORY Parent meeting Thursday, April 22nd at 7pm in the Theater. Mrs. Wing and the music department teachers will be going over rules, itinerary, what to pack and various other information you need to know. Students may attend, but may not ask questions. We will have a separate meeting for students with Mrs. Wing prior to our departure on the 28th.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Have a fantastic Spring Break and get lots of rest. The next 6 weeks are busy ones!

Parents,

The Cobb County Board of Education has asked for your input for next year’s budget. PLEASE take the short amount of time needed to take this survey – it asks about the priority you place on Music Education at each level – please indicate that you feel Music Education is a priority for your children!

The link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D9HGX8F

Thank you for your continued support of our Orchestra program. It takes a community to be successful, and this one is amazing.

Found in today’s Art’s Journal:

Here is an excerpt from the article:
“… in a world where entire industries can disappear seemingly overnight and highly trained workers are made redundant by new technology and outsourcing, arts education isn’t merely a marginally helpful addition to the well-rounded curriculum; it’s an essential rung on the ladder that will lead American workers to full and meaningful employment in fields of the future — a level of preparation that American education does not currently provide.”

A Whole New Mind: Daniel H. Pink
http://artsblog.freedomblogging.com/2010/03/26/daniel-pink-gives-o-c-leaders-an-important-message-the-arts-matter/26949/

Please read and share with anyone you may think needs to hear this!

Sixth Grade Parents –

Attached is a letter from Jim Palmer, Orchestra Director at Allatoona HS, the site for Jamboree tomorrow. It contains information about where to park and how to get to the gym once you have parked.

Allatoona HS Address:

3300 Dallas-Acworth Highway

Acworth, GA 30101

If you have any questions, please let me know. I can’t wait to hear everyone tomorrow!

Jamboree Parent Letter

Sixth Grade Parents –

Below are the permission slips needed for your student to attend Jamboree Thursday.

We are still missing A LOT of students’ forms. Please send these in Tuesday.

Both permission slips need to be filled out to attend = one is for our food count, and the other for insurance/legal purposes.

Jamboree10 Student Handout – food order form

Jamboree Permission – County Permission form

Thank you for getting both of these back as soon as possible so your student can participate in the best concert all year!

The long-awaited shirts are ready to be ordered! Shirts will be white with royal blue print – our school colors – and will be used for all casual concerts throughout MS – Jamboree, field trips, 8th grade performances, etc.

The design:

Orchestra0310prf

The Order Form (without the design on it): T-Shirt Order Form

Shirts are $10; please make checks payable to McClure Middle School.

We will be wearing this shirt to Jamboree Thursday – the designer has promised they will be ready to go for our concert!

If you have any questions, let me know.