One Week

As we wrap up the first week of the school year, I think things have gone really well. Both bands played on Wednesday and sounded okay, considering many hadn't played for at least a month! We also started working on music in choir yesterday, and it is going to be a fun group to work with. Lots of potential!

While I am excited, I am also ready for the weekend! I am not used to this schedule--I always forget how drained I am by the time the week is over. Hopefully over the weekend I'll be able to get some more pics up from the signs the iSpin committee worked to put up during vacation.

On a side note, if you would be interested in being a parent member of the iSpin committee, or want more information, shoot me an email.

It has begun...

Despite the heat today and the delay from the flooding, we have successfully started a new school year. They first couple of days usually bring some chaos, with new students figuring out where to go, rules and procedures getting covered and class schedules changing! Quite a crazy time. Right now it looks like our numbers are down a little bit in both band and choir, but I am going to spend a little time the next couple of days re-recruiting some students! :) Music teachers are always fighting schedule battles (not that I want to be). There are some students who need a study hall, but from my experience, much time in study hall is wasted. Why not have another class? Learn something. Challenge yourself to be better.

The group of 6th grade band students really has me excited about this year! I think they are going to be so much fun to work with. I bought some new music this year with them in mind!

On a side note, when you get a chance to come to the middle school, take a look at the new signs that have been put up using money from the iSpin committee. They really brighten things up!

iLife

One of the things teachers do during the summer is take classes. Every five years, teachers need to renew their teaching licenses. This week I am taking a class on Mac's iLife. I am learning lot of things--very useful. While we only have PCs at school, I might be interested in getting one personally. Lots of handy things to do. Learning is a great thing to do throughout life!!

Summer

Just thought I would update a little on my "break."

I really enjoyed doing lessons during the month of June. It is a great opportunity to continue playing and a chance for me to work with new, current and former students! Always such fun!

I just got back from a 9 day trip to Colorado that included a family reunion and a trip to the Omaha Zoo (on what must have been the hottest day that has ever existed) the Omaha Botanical Gardens. What a great place to visit!

I now turn my mind to celebrating my daughter's first birthday and then to preparing for the school year. I am taking classes the last to weeks of July to renew my license and have already started planning next year's busy schedule!

Hope everyone is enjoying summer!

It's over!

Well, the school year has ended (at least for the students). It is always a mix of emotions that I have at this time of year. I know I'll miss the students, but I also look forward to some (here and there) relax/refresh time.

The band and choir students did a great job at the 8th grade promotion event! I was really proud of the way they played and listened during the ceremony.

One final note about yesterday--I was surprised by my 8th grade students, both band and choir, with a card and a gift! I am really grateful for the tie and the Applebee's gift card! What I am really happy about is that I got a chance to work with such smart, talented, caring, thoughtful young people! That surprise absolutely made my week!

I'll have email access all summer and I'll be in to school fairly regularly throughout the summer if you need to contact me. I'll also try to blog periodically during the summer as well. Hope you all enjoy your summer!

Summer Lessons!

The summer lesson schedule has been posted on the music page of the middle school website. Lessons will start the week of June 7th. If there are questions or concerns, please let me know!

Promotion

Just a reminder that our last event of the year, 8th grade promotion, will take place tomorrow evening. Band and choir students should be at the middle school at 7PM, with the event lasting about an hour. Hopefully it will be nice and cool in the gym :) and things will go smoothly!

I want to thank everyone for an awesome year! It has been great! In June and July I play in the Ankeny Community Band--the one time of year I get to play my instrument (tuba) and refresh a little. I am looking forward to doing summer lessons and having a much needed vacation the first half of July before taking some classes in the second half of the month to renew my teaching license. Then when August rolls around, back for marching band prep! It never ends!

Summer lesson schedules will be done and posted tomorrow!