Hermanson's Orchestral Wonders

We had our first meeting of the McClure Fiddle Group this morning – what a good job everyone is doing! We even had several 6th graders join us – and they did quite well! It is not too late to join, though – we welcome newcomers to next week’s meeting (Wednesday at 8:00). Print off the previous post or ask me for a fiddle sheet and have your parents sign it to join. Old Joe Clark is the current song, but we will add to that soon!

8th Grade Disney Members: Payment # 3 is due next Friday. Fundraising has all been turned in and I will let you know how much to take off of your final payment once you have picked up your orders (November 17th from 4:30-8:00pm). Thanks for being to prompt and selling so well!

Pass-Offs!

7-1 has a pass-off for #107 tomorrow.
7-2 has a pass-off for #47 tomorrow.

6th Grade has a pass-off for #69 tomorrow.

General Music has a pass-off for #9 Friday. (and a parts of the instrument quiz Monday)

Good luck everyone!

The 7th and 8th grade Orchestra classes were privileged to have a wonderful area fiddle player, Bethany Olds, come out and introduce us to the genre of fiddle music, including learning a fiddle tune during class. It was amazing to watch everyone’s faces light up as you listened to her play! I’ve heard if you search "Bethany Dicks" (her maiden name) on YouTube, you can see some amazing playing, as well.

McClure will be starting a Fiddle Group as of this Wednesday, with Bethany helping. To participate, please bring in the following (or a note stating the same information) with a parent signature to receive a pass for Wednesday morning fiddle sessions.

McClure Fiddle Group Inauguration
Who? All interested students with one or more years experience

Is this just for violins? No way! All instruments can play with us.

When? Wednesday Mornings, 8:10-9:00

What? A group that learns fun songs in the aural tradition – with little to no note reading, co-taught with an active fiddler player from our community.

Concerts? A definite possibility – the area schools are thinking of having a Fiddle Fest,
much like Jamboree for fiddle groups. We may also play on the December or Spring McClure Concert and different places in the community throughout the year.

How do I join?
Show this to your parents and have them sign saying you may join the Fiddle Group. Then, show this to Ms. Robertson so she can give you a pass for Wednesday morning. Then show up Wednesday by 8:10!

Parents:
I acknowledge that I know when Fiddle Group meets and will have my student to McClure Wednesday mornings for rehearsal.

Parent Signature _____________________________ Student Name ________________

I hope everyone is having a great first week of the new 9 Week grading period.

A few reminders for my students:

Our Music Department Fundraiser will end Tuesday, October 21st.
Please turn in your order forms (to me) and money (in a white school envelope placed in a black box) no later than this coming Tuesday.

Orders will be delivered Monday, November 17th and will be available for pick up from 5-8pm that evening. We need parents to help facilitate delivery that evening. Please let me know if you can help, especially from 2-5 or so (or any portion of time therein).

6th Graders are having their first pass-off with their bow this week and are looking great. Keep up the good work!

8th Grade Orchestra is learning the fundamentals of vibrato, thanks in large part to a special coaching from Mr. Palmer, Allatoona HS’s Orchestra Director.

McClure will be starting our very own Fiddle Group!
Bethany Dicks, an area fiddle teacher, will be helping us get started and will show 7th and 8th grade students what we can expect from such a group next week, which is a huge treat for us.

The Fiddle Group is open to all students on all instruments and will meet Wednesdays from 8-9am. Our first meeting will be Wednesday, October 29th.

General Music is currently learning about drumming, drum circles and rhythm. Instrument check-out forms need to be returned by Monday so we can begin playing our stringed instruments!

What a wonderful concert we had tonight! The students played superbly  – and only minutes after having doubled the size they are used to playing with in class. Congratulations to all on a job well done!

Parents – thank you SO much for coming out tonight. I loved it, the students loved it, and you were all very good sports about learning to play hot cross buns. I’m sure your students will want to teach you even more songs now.

And to everyone – thank you for helping us clean up so quickly. I turned around and everything was already gone! It was amazing. The custodial crew and I are so appreciative of your communal effort to break down everything.

Have a wonderful evening, and don’t forget about fundraising! All profits directly benefit the students in the McClure Orchestra program.

Everyone’s Invited!

The McClure 6th Grade Orchestra will perform Thursday, 10/9 at 7pm in McClure’s Carpeted Gym. We have been playing for 5 weeks and want to show off our stuff. All parents, friends, family are welcome to attend – come see how we are progressing, what we do in class, and get any questions you might have answered.

Students should arrive between 6:30 and 6:45. Cellists and Bassists, please bring your own instrument.

Student Attire: Solid Blue of White shirt, jeans or khakis. Any skirts should reach below the knee.

All Orchestra Students - and parents and friends and co-workers –

McClure’s Music Department Fundraiser has begun! We are offering Chippery cookie dough and Gourmet Cheesecakes. The Orchestra gets to keep 50% of all purchases to help keep our program strong.

Turn-In Dates:
7th and 8th grades: Tuesday, October 21st

6th Grades: Monday, October 20th.

Only 1 check per student, please (but cash in any amount is fine!)

Delivery Date: November 17th (the week before Thanksgiving Break).

Thank you for supporting our program. These funds make it possible to bring in the best coaches available in the area to work with your students.