Hello Music parents - 8 June 2012

8 June 2012

Hello Music parents!

We're very proud of the students who performed in the Pops Concert this week. The kids put a lot of effort into preparing for their performance, and it definitely showed! Thanks to the parents and students who stuck around after the concert to help us clean up.

As previously reported, our String Orchestra program is "going on hiatus" for an undetermined time. In our eight years of offering the courses in String study, we've seem some fantastic skill development and opportunities for our kids, but the program hasn't had the kind of growth required to make the courses viable from a resources perspective. There are a lot of opportunities for string study in the community, and those students who want to continue studying at Westmount will be welcomed into the concert band appropriate to their grade level (but we will not be accepting new string players into the bands). In it's place, we are offering a full Choir program. Check it out!

The results from the Long & McQuade "Music Education Celebration" are in (finally!). Alas, Westmount did not receive recognition in any of the three categories we entered. It was a bit of a longshot since as many as 110 schools from across Canada were rumoured to have entered, and it's not hard to imagine that most likely entered multiple categories as we did... that's A LOT of competition! We are certainly proud of the work the students in the Intermediate Band, Junior 7 Band, and Beginner 5 Bands did to prepare for the event. Thanks again to Grade 12 students Brian White and Lukas Rausch for filming and editing our video entries. If anybody is curious and has time to kill, here is the link to list of winning schools and their videos.

Monday is the deadline for Beginner 5 Band students to hand in their March, April, and May/June Practice Journals for credit. Make sure the student's name is on their journal, along with a (non-forged) parent signature.

Classes for Grade 9-12 students are now complete. Students renting instruments from Westmount must return those instruments immediately. The Grade 6-8 String Orchestra students are also finished their testing and rehearsal schedule (small classes = very efficient!). Band students in Grades 5-8 are deep into their playing test and theory assignment routine for end of term. Please do not return their rental instrument to the store yet, and please refrain from scheduling medical appointments during Band classes in the next couple of weeks.

Fundraising is also finished for the school year. Calculations for fee reimbursement are in process, and cheques should be ready to go home by June 22.

The AGM for the Westmount Music Association is Tuesday, September 12th. Hope to see you there!

A violinist was auditioning for the Halle orchestra in England. After his audition he was talking with the conductor. “What do you think about Brahms?” asked the conductor. “Ah..." the violinist replied, “Brahms is a great guy! Real talented musician. In fact, he and I were just playing some duets together last week!” The conductor was impressed. “And what do you think of Mozart?” he asked him. “Oh, he’s just swell! I just had dinner with him last week!” replied the violinist. Then the violinist looked at his watch and said he had to leave to catch the 1:30 train to London. Afterwards, the conductor was discussing him with the board members. He said he felt very uneasy about hiring this violinist, because there seemed to be a serious credibility gap. The conductor knew for certain that there was no 1:30 train to London.

“Our schools tend to refine intellects but neglect to discipline emotions. For anyone to grow up complete, music is imperative.”

– Paul Harvey, Broadcaster/Commentator

Here is our list of contacts for those with specific questions.

Thanks!

Graham Green
Director of Bands,
Westmount Charter School