Grapevine Middle School
Pony Band
January 8, 2020
Dear GMS Pony Band Families,
Welcome Back! We had a great week by talking about our One Word for 2021. Each student created a Google Drawing of their word and wrote a reflection of their word for 2021. Ask them to show you what they created! We had great discussions this week and each class also created a Social Contract. It was so fun to reconnect with our students and we really missed them!
Events are on the Google Calendar for the semester and we ask that you do not look at them at this time. We ARE going to hold Ensemble Contest and it will look different than years past. We will hold it at GMS. ALL bands WILL begin learning their music for the Concert Contest as well! We are super excited to still have these events and we will send details as soon as they are finalized. The number one priority is your students' safety and we will do the best we can to provide that environment for them.
Our FanPledge Fundraiser kick-off date is January 25th and we will hold it during the school day. Details will be sent home soon. We need your help so please save up to donate. This is by far my favorite fundraiser and we have been doing it for a few years now. It is easy and you don't have to buy anything you do not want. :-)
Private lessons If you are not in private lessons and are interested, it is not too late! Please email us to let us know if you would like to sign up.
ALL STUDENTS: It is imperative that all students practice as much as they can. They need a lot of repetition and we do not want to lose the momentum, so please remind your student to keep up with their practice routine (posted in Canvas modules). Here is a practice guide for parents to help your student at home. Beginner Students can practice lines out of their Red Tradition of Excellence book and Advanced Band students can continue to pass off lines from the GMS Band Member Challenge (in Canvas Modules).
As always, it is an honor to be your student's band director!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gish, Mr. Holmes & Mr. Drewry
Curriculum
Honors and Symphonic Band
Click here to see what we are doing. Assignments are posted in Canvas. Advanced Band students are able to earn badges. The badges are: Band Member, Good Band Member, Excellent Band Member, Superior Band Member, Outstanding Band Member, Great Band Member, Incredible Band Member, Exceptional Band Member. Ask your student what badge they are working on. :-) Most students have 4 badges now and some are even working on their 6th and 7th badge!Beginner Band
Beginners will begin earning Karate Belts next week. They will receive the information on Monday.
Daily Practice
Students have access to a Daily Routine (Google Slide) at the top of every Canvas Module to maintain daily practice. Suggested Daily Practice for Advanced Band: 45-60 minutes.Suggested Daily Practice for Beginner Band: 25-30 minutes. Here is a practice guide for parents to help your student at home.
January Birthdays
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR JANUARY BAND STUDENTS!!!
Ryan Wicker, January 14
Lucy Howard, January 20
Khaleb Johnson Williams, January 20
Nash Spradley, January 25
Elsa Huff, January 29
Best Communities for Music Education Award
The NAMM Foundation has recognized the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Music Department for its commitment to Music Education with a 2020 Best Communities for Music Education Award (BCME). Please thank a Music Teacher in the GCISD Community for all their hard work and dedication to student success!
Amazon Smile
We have an Amazon Smile account set up, so that we can receive donations based on Amazon purchases. Participants need to select "Grapevine-Colleyville Band Booster Club" as your charitable organization on Amazon Smiles and then simply login to www.smile.amazon.com when making your regular Amazon purchases.