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Summer Band Opportunities
Here are some ways you can keep your child interested in music over the summer. We don’t endorse
any of these…just sharing information that you may find useful in planning this summer’s activities:
Northern Virginia Community College Summer Band Camp
Web: http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/visual/music/band.htm
Ages: 10-14
Dates: July 13-17
Time: 9am to 3:30pm, Concert Thursday evening, Concert Friday afternoon
Cost: $355
Location: Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria campus
Contact: Dr. Wendy Matthews, 703 845 6252 wmatthews@nvcc.edu
Melynda Wilcox, a GW Band Parent, wrote me that “The conductor and lead clinician is a friend of mine,
Dr. Wendy Matthews. There will be master classes and small group rehearsals, sessions on such topics
as audio recording, jazz improvisation, instrument maintenance and performance skills, plus a chance to
perform a selection side-by-side with the Army Band on Thursday night of that week. There will also be
a concert for family and friends on Friday, July 17, at 2:30 in Schlesinger Concert Hall.” The Web site info
pretty much confirms what Melynda said.
Mid-Atlantic Middle School Concert Summer Band Camp
Web: http://www.midatlanticcamps.com:8080/macMiddleSchoolCamp.aspx
Ages: students entering the 6th thru the 9th grade
Dates: Sunday, July 19 - Thursday, July 23, 2009
Time: auditions for band placement Sunday afternoon, closing concert and pickup Thursday afternoon
Cost: $330
Location: Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA - http://www.sbc.edu/ (10 minutes North of Lynchburg,
VA)
From the Web site: “A Concert Band Camp run by an outstanding staff of music educators who are
specialist in the area of middle school band. Great care is taken in assembling an outstanding groups of
teachers who provide each student a caring and educational basis for their time playing their
instrument as well as the social experience of an overnight music camp. In addition to Daily Master
Classes on their particular instrument, students and staff perform on the evening recitals - a very
rewarding experience!”
Shenandoah University Performing Arts Camp
Web: http://www.su.edu/pac/index.shtml
Ages:
Dates: July 5-19 (one week or two week sessions available)
Time:
Cost: 1 week: $1,200, 2 weeks: $1600
Location: Shenandoah University, Winchester VA
From the Web site: “Participants receive two weeks of instruction with ensemble coaching and private
lessons, a camp T-shirt, supervised recreational activities, including sports, pool parties, talent nights
and cookouts. Participants experience campus life by staying in air-conditioned residence halls, eating in
the dining hall and making new friends from across the United States. The Concert Band and Wind
Ensemble provide opportunities for band musicians to perform a wide range of repertoire covering a
variety of periods and styles. Intensive sectional training is also provided.”
ACPS Summer Music
Web: http://www.acps.k12.va.us/summer/music_camp.php
Age: students currently in 4th through 8th grade
Dates: Usually same time as Super Summer program—4 weeks in July
Time: I can’t remember, but I think it is a half day program.
Cost: Something like $25
Location: Last year it was at MacArthur Elementary school.
No info posted when I was writing this in Mid-March. Usually happens same time as Super Summer
program. Keep trying the link, though. I know they’ll get the info posted soon.
Interlochen Intermediate Summer Music Camp Program
Web: http://www.interlochen.org/camp/summer_camp_programs/music/intermediate_3/
Age: open to students who will complete grades 6-9 during the 2008-09 school year.
Dates: June 20 - July 11, 2009 and/or July 12 - August 3, 2009
Cost: $4,185
Location: Interlochen, Michigan
From the Web site: “The Intermediate Symphony Orchestra and the Intermediate Concert Orchestra
are advanced training orchestras for young musicians between the 6th and 9th grades. This program
familiarizes the young artist with significant repertoire while emphasizing quality, personal growth and
especially the joy of ensemble playing. A world-renowned faculty conducts the ensembles, leads
sectionals, coaches chamber music, and instructs private lessons.”
Fairfax County opportunities with a bit of overlap with our last few days of school
Vienna Band Camp
Web: http://www.kilmerband.com/
Ages:
Dates: June 23 to July 16
Location: Longfellow Middle School
Time: 8:30am-12:30pm
From the web site: “The Vienna Band Camp, held at Longfellow Middle School from June 23 to July 16, is
the easiest and most economical way to do this. Students rehearse daily from 8:30-12:30 in auditioned
bands and receive daily sectionals from highly qualified specialists on their instruments. The progress
made in this 4 week camp is almost equivalent to an entire year of study in school. “
Fairfax County Summer Band Camp
(Formerly Frost –Robinson Summer Band Camp)
Web: http://www.frostbands.com/band_camp_09.html
Ages: students entering grades 5-10
Dates: June 22 - July 10, 2009 (bummer, school in session the first few days…)
Time: 8:00am - 11:30am
Cost: $190
Location: Frost Middle School
Contact: Dan Kosko at 703-426-5411
From the web site: “3 weeks of top-notch instrumental music instruction to students entering grades 5-
10 in the 2009-10 school year. Our camp is staffed with professional music teachers who will work with
your child in 3 separate classroom settings including instrument specific methods, music sectionals and a
full band rehearsal each and every day.”
Important Upcoming GWMS Band Events
Mark your calendars now so you aren’t caught by surprise for these important upcoming band events:
Date Event
February 5 Marching Band Uniform Fitting Night
February 6 District 10 Honor Band Concert
February 8 Band Boosters Meeting
February 12 Jazz Band JMU Clinic
February 15 Washington’s Birthday Parade in Old Town, Alexandria
March 1 Band Boosters Meeting
March 2 Pyramid Concert (Symphonic Band)
March 13 District 10 Band Festival (Symphonic Band)
March-May Other events will be announced
May 14 and 15 Spring Band Trip: Music in the Parks, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA (Symphonic and Jazz Bands)
February 5: Marching Band Uniform Fitting Night
Time: 6:30-7:30: Symphonic Band; 7:30-8:30: for Concert Band
Where: GWMS Band Room
Symphonic and Concert Band members need to be fitted to march in the upcoming Washington’s
Birthday Parade in Old Town, Alexandria on Monday, February 15th.
Symphonic Band: Come between 6:30 and 7:30. Most of you just need the Jacket (different from the
Concert jacket).
Concert Band: Come between 7:30 and 8:30. You need pants and jacket.
Parents: Please plan to help us fit all these kids in marching uniforms. The more help, the quicker it will
go. Look for a separate message about that.
February 6: District 10 Honor Band Concert
Time: 3 pm
Where: Hayfield Secondary School
7630 Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA 22315
Come hear some fine music from the District X Middle School, High School, and Wind Ensembles. Players
were selected at district-wide auditions in December and ten GWMS musicians will be there. All you
have to do is come!
February 8: Band Boosters Meeting
Time: 7:30-8:30pm
Where: GWMS Band Room
Topics of discussion include Music in the Parks Spring Trip, spring fundraising (to help families pay for
the spring trip), Washington’s Birthday Parade preparations, and more.
February 12: Jazz Band JMU Clinic
Time: 8am-12 midnight
Where: Meet at GWMS Band Room
GW and Hammond Jazz Bands travels to James Madison University in Harrisonburg for a Jazz Clinic with
Dr. Charles Dotas, Director of Jazz Studies, Dr. David Pope, Professor of Saxophone, and other guest
clinicians. The day concludes with a performance by the James Madison University Jazz Ensemble with
special guests.
February 15: Washington’s Birthday Parade
Time: 11 am
Where: GWMS Band Room
Be at GW at 11am to get dressed. The parade starts at 1pm. Buses will take the band to the parade
staging point and return them to GW after the parade.
Parents: We need your help getting everyone into uniform (including hats!) before and out of uniform
after. Look for a separate message about this. You’ll have plenty of time to get a good viewing spot on
the parade route.
March 1: Band Boosters Meeting
Time: 7:30-8:30pm
Where: GWMS Band Room
Topics of discussion include Music in the Parks Spring Trip, spring fundraising (to help families pay for
the spring trip), Pyramid Concert, District 10 Festival.
March 3: Pyramid Concert
Time: To be announced
Where: TC Williams High School
Symphonic Band performs in the tune up for the District 10 Festival. Also on the program: Hammond
and TC Bands.
Parents: Come for an evening of fine music!
March 13: District 10 Band Festival Competition
Time: To be announced
Where: Meet at GWMS to change into uniform and board the bus to Carl Sandburg Middle School,
Fairfax County
Parents: Come hear the performance!
May 14-15: Music in the Parks, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia
One of the highlights of GW Band year is Music in the Parks, sponsored by Busch Gardens in
Williamsburg. Mark your calendars now for this year’s trip: May 14-15. This year, the Symphonic and
Jazz Bands perform and are rated by judges on Friday. They spend Saturday at Busch Gardens, leaving
after the award ceremony, arriving home by 10pm Saturday evening.
The fundraising efforts that you’ve heard about and will hear more about, like the gourmet popcorn
sale, help each student earn money toward the trip. The costs include transportation aboard three
deluxe motor coaches, accommodations for one night, selected meals, GWMS Band t-shirts, festival
fees, and admission to Busch Gardens.
Student earnings are tracked in individual accounts. So, through their efforts, students help to pay their
share of the trip expenses. There are also scholarships available funded through the Band Boosters.
More details will be coming. Meanwhile, mark the dates: May 114-15, and encourage your musician to
keep practicing!
Announcing GWMS Band Popcorn Palace
Gourmet Popcorn Fundraiser
Make checks payable to GW Band Boosters
Buyer’s phone number must be on the check
Put seller’s full name in memo area of check
Keep all checks and cash in envelope provided
Turn in order form, checks, and cash to your band director, NO LATER THAN Friday, November 20th
Sale Starts: Thursday, November 5th
Orders Due: Friday, November 20th
Delivery Date: Mid December (Date TBA)
SELL! SELL! SELL!
100% OF THE PROFIT HELPS PAY FOR BAND MEMBERS 2010 (OR FUTURE) TRIP TO BUSCH GARDENS - WILLIAMSBURG, VA
FOR
For Questions??? Contact: Debbie Beck at (703) 684-6898 or jbeck55@msn.comDonna Gerade at (703) 739-2948 or geradem@msn.comDonna Munoz at (703) 727-0538 or dmunoz@envsc.org
June 21, 2008
George Washington's Musical Secret
By Ripley Forbes*
Alexandria has much to recommend as a place for history, beautiful
neighborhoods, caring citizens and a State Champion High School Basketball
Team. But it is also the site of a little known artistic powerhouse; the George
Washington Middle School band and orchestra program.
Over 200 students participate. Under the dedicated leadership of Directors Casey
Olney (Concert Band), Rick Seracino (Symphonic Band) and Jonathan Jones
(Orchestra) the students perform to packed auditoriums of family and friends. Until
recently, the success of the GW musical programs has been a secret success; one
little noticed by the school system or the public. But that is starting to change.
Recent competitions have earned #1 rankings and success against older high school
bands. “The community and school system is starting to take notice.” says Band
Booster President Sharon Dooley. “This year the school budget includes a long
overdue restoration of the GW Middle School auditorium sound system which will
go far to help students better share their music with the public.”
Local jazz musician Mark Ferraro heard the Symphonic band for the first time at
their Spring Concert. “It’s hard to believe the music I heard was being played by
middle schoolers” said Ferraro. The sound and professionalism of the performance
says volumes about the quality of music education at GW.”
The band program -- the largest musical program at GW -- is an Alexandria public
school success story. Its success begins in our elementary schools where 4th and
5th graders are introduced to musical instruments and performing. And there is the
GW music faculty who dedicate longhours afterschool to transform raw musical
talent into accomplished musicians able to perform as a team.
Unlike so many sports programs, participation in the GW band is open to
everyone....relative ability is less important than a love of music, a willingness to
learn and a desire to be part of a musical team with a tradition of excellence. No
one is cut from Band...everyone who wants to participate is welcome.
Last May over 200 GW students boarded buses for the Annual “Music in the
Parks” Competition in Williamsburg, VA. They competed before tough and
discerning judges who evaluated them on musicianship, interpretation and
presentation. Alexandria's GW band and orchestra students scored “Superior”
rankings; the competition's top category. The Concert and Symphonic Bands took
home first place trophies in their individual divisions. The scores placed them as
two of the top four bands among 22 competitors. The results were announced in a
stadium holding thousands of students from schools as far away as New York
State.
In a recent warm up to the Williamsburg competition, the Shenandoah Apple
Blossom Music Festival in Winchester, VA, the Symphonic Band won the middle
school category and finished second overall in a competition that included high
school bands. The GW Jazz Band, performing for the first time before judges,
earned a third place finish. On May 10, at the Capital Music Fest held at
Alexandria's Masonic Temple, the GW Symphonic band achieved superior
rankings with distinction (equivalent to an A++).
A Lighter Moment the Steps of the Masonic Temple at Capital MusicFest
Photo by Stu Rhodes, Professional Photography, used with permission, May 2008
The GW Symphonic band, (the musical equivalent of a varsity team) added
another “superior rating” at the District band festival last March. This District
rating makes it one of only a very few Virginia middle schools to have 9 straight
years of superior ratings performing the challenging grade level 4 band music.
Don't worry if you missed the Band's recent Spring Concert, the Pops Concert,
their early morning appearance on FOX News or their past competitive
performances. Video clips of past performances are available on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/user/belowthehill.
The GW music program is clearly doing something right and the children are
benefiting. Kudos to the GW musicians and their amazing teachers. You have made
us proud as citizens and parents. You are our “national treasure.” Play on!
* Mr. Forbes is a 25 year Alexandria resident and with his wife Diana are proud parents of a trumpet player in the GW Symphonic Band.
Page 1
School Board Remarks
Presented at the School Board Meeting
February 19, 2009, 7:30pm
Chairman Folkerts, members of the School Board, Deputy
Superintendant David, thank you for this opportunity to address
you tonight. I am Sharon Dooley and I am here tonight as
President of the George Washington Middle School Band
Boosters. I come to say “thank you.”
Over a year ago, in December 2007, I spoke to you in support of
a project in the FY09 Capital Improvement Plan—upgrading the
auditorium sound system and lighting at GW. Through your
actions on the plan, and the work of Mark Krause, Director of
Educational Facilities, and his office, I am happy to come before
you today to say “Thank you, thank you, thank you” for
providing the GW community with a desperately needed
auditorium upgrade. It has benefitted the students, parents,
faculty and staff at GW and the broader GW and Alexandria
community.
Before, for assemblies in the auditorium, we’d use a portable
sound system and you often had to strain to make out what was
being said. Now, presenters and programs in the auditorium
enjoy a state-of-the art sound system that lets people hear
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throughout the house. Back-to-School night and Science Fair are
much more successful now. Two recent assemblies in honor of
Black History Month used the wireless microphone system to
great effect, particularly in an interpretation of Langston
Hughes’s poetry.
Before, students performing in the band would often get lost in a
performance because the lighting was so poor they couldn’t see
their music. Not any more. Now, the lighting system is very
good. There are enough lights for coverage of the stage, apron,
and orchestra pit areas, as needed. The increased brightness of
the stage at the Winter Concert was noticeable compared to
performances last winter and spring. If you want to see for
yourself, checkout the belowthehill channel on YouTube. You’ll
find lots of GW band videos there from this year and last.
Before, there were safety issues with the lighting and electrical
systems. Now, thankfully, these are safe and easy-to-use.
That ease of use is encouraging faculty to try new things with
great success. As Julie Edmond, Spanish teacher and the faculty
sponsor of the GW Foreign Film Festival told me, “The
renovations with the new screen and sound encouraged us to go
forward with a long-standing idea because it did not require any
Page 3
special set-up - in 2 minutes I was briefed on how to use the
sound and screen, and the films were enjoyable to watch on a
tear-free screen and high-quality surround sound.” This event,
five films showcasing languages and cultures taught at GW was
open to ACPS students, family and community. An average
audience of about 100 attended each screening, with the crowd
for the German film topping 150. It’s an event that wouldn’t
have happened without the renovations. The improvements
encouraged them to go forward.
Our drama department can now teach theater tech in ways they
couldn’t before. As Mr. Robert McDonough, one of the drama
teachers, told me, he can now teach complete technical theatre
units to 7th and 8th grades with hands-on demo's, and plentiful
opportunities for the students to manipulate and create for
themselves, lighting, sounds, and scenic production. And his
after school drama club has replaced lamps, changed out cable
adapters, cleaned lenses, and learned to operate the
computerized lighting board.
I could go on, but I’ll stop with this one final measure of the
quality of the work and its contribution to the community: the
GW auditorium was chosen from all the other venues private
and public in Alexandria to host the Miss Alexandria Contest in
early March.
Page 4
So, again I say, Thank You for your support of this critical
investment in our students and faculty, our educational capacity,
and the entire GW Community. Faculty no longer have to spend
time finding creative work-arounds for archaic equipment. They
can focus on what they do best—teaching our children, helping
them to reach their full potential.
As a small token of appreciation, I’d now like to present you
each with a GW Band car magnet.
Thanks very much.
Questions and Answers about GWMS Bands
The GWMS band program made great progress during the first two quarters and, as we start the third
quarter, the hard work is going to pay off. The 8th Grade Symphonic Band picked up right where they
left off last year, much to Mr. Seracino’s surprise and enjoyment. They were already playing Level 4
music in Fall. Last year they didn’t get to that difficulty level until Spring. So, for the Winter Concert, the
directors organized the bands basically by grade level to take advantage of that situation. Now, as they
look ahead to festival competitions, they are rearranging musicians to have the best bands possible
representing GW. Below, I try to answer some of the questions I’ve been getting about the band
program. Please read on.
How are the bands organized?
Symphonic Band is like the varsity level in a sports program--top level, best players, uniforms. It is mainly
8th and 7th graders, although not all 8th and 7th graders are in Symphonic Band. This band represents
GWMS at the District 10 Festival competition (March 14), and other competitions throughout Spring.
Symphonic Band performs, with Concert Band and Jazz Band, at Music in the Parks in May. They have a
special combined practice after school on Wednesdays with Mr. Seracino directing.
Concert Band is like the junior varsity--not top level yet and making great music for their level of
musicianship. It is mainly 7th and 6th graders, and not all 7th and 6th graders are in Concert Band. 6th
Grade Symphonic Band members are in the Concert Band. Concert Band’s big competition is Music in
the Parks in May. In February, this band starts having a combined after school practice on Thursdays
with Mr. Olney directing.
Intermediate and Beginning Bands are where kids start, regardless of grade level, when they are just
starting out on an instrument. You’ll get the chance to hear them perform at the Spring Concert.
During the course of the year, some musicians move up to a different band, based on their ability and
instrumentation needs. After the Winter Concert, several 7th graders moved up to Symphonic Band,
filling out the instrumentation as that band prepares for upcoming festival performances.
If you don’t know which band your musician is in, ask them. They’ll know.
Who gets uniforms?
Unfortunately, we don’t have enough concert uniforms to outfit both the Symphonic Band and the
Concert Band. So, Symphonic Band wears the concert uniforms (pants, jacket, cummerbund, bow tie).
Concert and other bands wear black pants or skirts and white collared shirts. We’re working to provide
bow ties and cummerbunds to complete the uniform. Jazz Band wears a black polo shirt embroidered
with the jazz band logo for their performances.
What about Marching Band?
The GWMS Marching Band performs at Band Day (in Fall) and the Washington’s Birthday Parade in
February. All 8th and 7th graders who can play the music have the opportunity to march. For the Parade,
they get marching uniforms. (Marching uniforms use the same concert pants that Symphonic Band uses,
a marching jacket, and a hat with a special feather plume.) For Band Day, they usually wear the prior
year’s Music in the Parks t-shirt.
What about Jazz Band?
Jazz Band is a voluntary extra-curricular activity, with mainly 7th and 8th graders. They meet Mondays
after school, and, starting this year, on Fridays during Excel/lunch. They are making great progress—this
year, 7 of our jazz band members represented GW in the District 10 Jazz Band. They made up one-third
of the band, with at least one person in every section. You’ll hear them in the Spring Concert and they’ll
be performing at Music in the Parks, along with the Concert and Symphonic Bands. We hope they’ll be
performing again this year at a First Thursday in Del Ray.
More Questions?
Please ask. I’ll try to answer as best I can.
Thanks,
Sharon Dooley
GWMS Band Boosters President
November 2009
Questions and Answers about Student Accounts
Q: What are student accounts?
A: Student accounts are like individual savings accounts. Students earn money on
certain fund raisers to use for their Spring Trip expenses.
Q: How often are there fund raisers that count toward the student
accounts?
A: Usually there are two: one in Fall and one in Spring. They are fund raisers where it is
easy to track what each individual student sells. It could be pizza kits, cookie dough,
popcorn, or something else.
Q: Why don’t car washes and bake sales count toward student accounts?
A: Proceeds from these events go directly to the Boosters for the benefit of the entire
band program. It would be pretty hard to figure out how much any one student
contributed to the success of a car wash!
Q: Who has a student account?
A: Any student in the band program can have an account, even those not going on this
year’s Spring Trip. For example, beginning and intermediate band students can
participate to earn funds for future years’ trips.
Q: What percentage of profit do students earn?
A: Sometimes a percentage of the profits goes to the Boosters to support the overall
GWMS band program, including some expenses of the Spring Trip. For Fall 2009, all
the profits will go to student accounts for this Popcorn fund raiser. The Boosters will
decide prior to the Spring fund raiser what percentage students will earn on that sale.
Q: What happens to whatever is left in the student account at the end of the
year?
A: Funds carry over to the next year for the student to use for that year’s trip, if the
student continues in band. Otherwise, remaining funds go to the Booster general fund.
Also, upon graduation, any remaining funds go to the Booster general fund.
Q: What happens to donations to a student?
A: Friends, family, or neighbors may prefer to donate to your student as part of the fund
raiser, rather than making a purchase. Put the money in an envelope marked “Donation”
with the student’s name. For a check, make sure the student’s name is on the check, and
write “Donation” in the memo line. Turn it in along with the fund raising orders and
payments. Parents who plan to pay your student’s trip expenses, just wait until you hear
in Spring about what is needed. Payments from parents aren’t donations, since they go
directly to pay for your student’s trip expenses.
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