Parade

What a great day for a parade last Friday! We had fun at the middle school in the early afternoon doing the RAPP games that we usually do on Homecoming. I was pleased that my RAPP class was second in the door decorating contest!

The band loaded up about 1:45 and headed over to the elem. to drop cases and the re-boarded the bus to head to Kelly Field. After waiting a while, we finally got going and the kids did an awesome job! I am very proud! The parade route is much flatter than anything we have near the middle school to practice on, so hopefully that made things easier. We cut out of the parade a little early so the students who were involved in athletics could hustle back and spend some time on the fire trucks! All in all it was a great day!

If you have any pictures you would like to send to me, I'd be more than happy to take them!

Late notice, but...

The music boosters are hosting a beef burger supper tonight at the high school before coronation. Please come out and support the music program here at CM. The boosters help us with many things that are important for the program, but that we wouldn't necessarily be able to have if we only using school budgets. They are very supportive of the program and everything that we do! See the middle school band/choir website for more info!

Homecoming Week

Homecoming is always an interesting week. The dress up days provide some interesting attire--including Mr. Staley in his pajamas! I pretty much just stick to my usual shirt and tie.

Our new addition to this week is marching band. The 7-8 band has been working on Eye of the Tiger for performance in the Homecoming parade. It is the band's first attempt at marching in about 10 years, so it has been a learning experience for all involved. The students are deciding that it is harder than they thought it would be! Lots of skills are needed to have to group look and sound good. We have made a lot of progress since the beginning of the year, but I would love to have 2 more weeks to work on some things. I've posted some pics below that Mrs. Maher took about a week ago. Hope you enjoy and get a chance to see us in the parade on Friday!

Trumpet Cleaning

Here is a great video that shows how to clean a trumpet. It's really straightforward and emphasizes how important it is to be careful with the parts of the trumpet.

iSpin

If you get a chance, take a look a the front page of the Des Moines Register today, or follow this link. There is a great article about what this school and others around the state are doing to help increase parental involvement and communication. Mr. Ruden and I, along with 3 parents and Mrs. Maher are on our building's iSpin team. Take time to read the article and see some of the benefits that can result from participation!

Instrument Care

One hugely important aspect of owning or renting a musical instrument that is often overlooked is cleaning and proper care. Over the next few days, as I get time, I am going to post some links to videos and sites that have great tips on how to properly care for instruments and the routine care that they need. An investment as expensive as this should be taken care of at all times.

Iowa v. I-State Week

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday weekend. I got a chance to see a lot of family and grill out!

This week is the Iowa/I-State game. We usually make a big deal about this at the middle school--students dress up in their team's colors on Friday, we have an assembly and a tug of war. To help students get in the spirit, I have copies of both fight songs if students would be interested. All they have to do is ask! It's a fun week that I always look forward to being a part of!

Go Hawks!

Pics, etc.

Here are some pictures from the open house on Monday evening!

I am also posting a link to my handout from that evening about practicing. It's not always fun, but it is really important to the development of abilities--and parents play a key roll in that process. http://cmmiddle.colfax-mingo.iowapages.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/bandchoiropenhousenote.doc

We are going outside for marching band today. Only 6 more practices until the homecoming parade! AARGH!

Thanks for coming!

It was great to see some of you at the open house on Monday night. I know that it can seem like a hassle to come the middle school and sit in classrooms for an hour and a half, but I think it really helps to get a perspective on what the students go through every day. Even more importantly, it gives us as teachers and you as parents to get acquainted and start that line of communication that is going to help everyone involved. I took some pics and will have them posted here soon (at least better than last time I promised pictures!). I have to take the flash card home to do it, since my computer here won't read it.

Again, thanks for coming! If you have questions, comments or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me or the school!