March 2009 Newsletter
In this Issue: From the Principal... President’s Message Looking for a way to get involved at Burleigh Manor next year? Congratulations to Our Students! Tersiguel's Musical Feasts a Success! Thank you to all of the parents, administrators and guests who supported the Musical Feast event at Tersiguel's on February 2nd and 3rd. The talented musicians and vocalists of BMMS made it a lovely and memorable evening. More than 200 people attended the sold-out event which raised money to support the BMMS Music Department. Mark Your Calendars Nobody Can Do Everything, But Everyone Can Do Something! BWI Live Treasurer's Report It’s Not Too Late… Join the Musical Note Club BMMP Musical Note Club Membership Form (.pdf)
Thank You, Note Club Donors!
From the Principal...
President’s Message
Looking for a way to get involved at Burleigh Manor next year?
Congratulations to Our Students!
Tersiguel's Musical Feasts a Success!
Mark Your Calendars
Nobody Can Do Everything, But Everyone Can Do Something!
BWI Live
Treasurer's Report
It's Not Too Late... Join the Musical Note Club
Thank You, Note Club Donors!
Centennial High School Band News
Summer Music Programs
Every school has a culture developed over the years, deeply ingrained with traditions and history and embodied in the day-to-day climate (Tweed W. Ross). Burleigh Manor Middle School’s music program is such a culture. Music education is a positive force on all aspects of a student’s life and on their academic success. The study of music has been linked to higher scores on the SAT and other learning aptitude tests, and has proven to be an invaluable tool in classrooms. There are many reasons music education is important. It is one of the most important manifestations of our cultural heritage. It provides an outlet for creativity, self–expression, and individual uniqueness. Music opens avenues of success for students who may have problems in other areas of the curriculum and opens approaches to learning that can be applied to other contexts. Music helps students learn a significant lesson – that not all aspects of life are quantifiable. Music exalts the human spirit. SupportMusic.com.
-- Claire Hafets
Music…Just Imagine!
The National Association for Music Education has designated March as Music In Our Schools Month. The group has been organizing activities and supplying ideas for students, parents, and educators since 1985. This year’s theme is “Music…Just Imagine!”
Studies have shown that schools with music programs exhibit better attendance rates, higher graduation rates, and higher student achievement on standardized tests, including SATs—regardless of region or socioeconomic classifications. Music study improves verbal memory, maximizes language-processing efficiency in the brain, and enhances the brain’s ability to decode speech sounds. It also provides opportunities for social and artistic expression that enhance any student’s quality of life. You can find more information about the benefits of music education in the schools at The National Association for Music Education Web site.
So this month, remember to thank the music teachers at Burleigh Manor, who do such an outstanding job with their students. And don’t forget the rest of the staff, who support the students in so many ways: the custodians, who set up and clean up for night rehearsals, concerts, and other special events; the related arts teachers, who provide the flexibility that allows students to attend sectional rehearsals during their class time; the office staff, who field numerous calls about concert times, lost instruments, and a myriad of other details; our administrators, who take the time to create a schedule that allows every student to participate in a performance music program; and the entire teaching staff, who create an environment where students are valued for not only their academic success, but for all their talents and achievements. Without their hard work and encouragement, BMMS would not be able to foster such wonderful musicians and students.
-- Rawnie Obrigewitch, BMMP President
Burleigh Manor Music Parents would love to have you! The group meets just three times per year (September, February, and May) and hosts an orientation for parents each fall. We conduct one fundraiser--a membership drive--proceeds from which support the purchase of instruments, sheet music, and other supplies needed by the Burleigh Manor chorus, orchestra, and band programs. We also recruit volunteers to help with concerts and other activities throughout the school year.
There is room for everyone who would like to participate, and we’re especially looking for volunteers to serve as President, Secretary, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, and CD Sale Coordinator. If you’d like to learn more, contact Rawnie Obrigewitch at 410.203.9716 or r-owitch@comcast.net. You can also refer to the Music Parents Web site to see a little bit more about what we do.
The following students were selected for the All-State Junior Orchestra: Lily Wei, Hugh Zhao, David Yeh, Qian Mei (Violin), Andrew Kutt (String Bass), Patrick Lin and Joshua Kim (Cello).
All-State Junior Band: Cynthia Li (Clarinet), Nathon Ko and Tony Zhang (Alternate Clarinet), Kyle Johnson (Trumpet), Justin Santos, Joe Choi and Aneesh Agrawal (Percussion).
All-State Junior Choir: Erin Cha & Clarissa Santori (Alternates).
Many congratulations to all!
There is a lot of great music ahead. You won't want to miss any of it, so please make a note of the dates below.
March 25 or 26 - Concert Choir Assessment, Howard High School
March 30 or 31 - Orchestra Assessment, Date T.B.A.
April 3 - Applications for State Festivals Due
April 21 - Concert Band I After-School Rehearsal, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
April 27 or 28 - Band Festival, Concert Band I, Evening T.B.A.
May 5 - Spring Concert I, CHS, 7:00, Wind Ensemble, Chorus, Chamber Choir
May 7 or 8 - Middle School State Choral Festival
May 8 - Hershey Music Festival, Wind Ensemble and Chamber Choir
May 12 - Spring Concert II. CHS, 7:00 p.m., Concert Band I and II, Choir
May 19 - Spring Concert III, CHS, 7:00 p.m., String Ensemble and Orchestra
May 20 - Jazz Dress Rehearsal, BMMS Cafeteria, 2:40-3:40
May 21 - Jazz Dress Rehearsal and Concert
Rehearsal in BMMS Cafeteria, 2:40-3:40
Concert also in cafeteria, 7:00
May 29 - Music Celebration Trip
June 4 - Band Awards Dinner, BMMS Cafeteria, 6:30
Spring is fast approaching, and that means we need lots of volunteers to help make your child’s upcoming performances a success! Please consider helping out at the events listed above. If you can, please email Tara Berry, BMMP Parent Volunteer Coordinator, or call Tara at 410.480.3755 (home).
I recently went to hear a performance by the Frank Vignola Trio in a very unusual venue: Baggage carousel 5 at BWI airport (Check out www.bwilive.com). Some folks, like myself, were there just to hear the performance amongst the chaos that is baggage claim. Other than a few notable exceptions, most walked past. As artists and educators we don’t look for the everyday but rather seek out the exceptions to serve as beacons. The first was a boy of about three who pulled his mother over and stood mesmerized as they performed. The second was a young girl of about five who danced the entire time. The third was a baby about 18 months old who bopped and grooved in her dad’s arms. The last was an elderly porter who gave up two hours of fares and tips to listen. Whatever it is that the folks that get it have with such passion, I believe it is the fuel that fires our humanity, be it our ancient ancestors need to draw on cave walls or folks stopping to listen to jazz at the airport.
-- Jeffry Brodie
We have almost reached our goal for this year's Note Club donations. Thank you to all who have supported the Burleigh Manor musical groups by making a tax deductible donation to the Musical Note Club. An extra thank you goes out to those who have also been able to apply for a corporate match through their employers. Remember, it's never too late to donate to the Musical Note Club if you have not done so yet. We understand that these are tough economic times and we truly appreciate anything you have or can give to this very worthy cause.
So far this school year we have used our funds to purchase much needed band supplies and choral music, bring in guest clinicians to work with our students, pay for royalty and copyright fees, and cover basic needs such as printing and postage.
With your help we are continuing to support our student musicians and their outstanding directors with what they need to maintain the great musical tradition at BMMS.
-- Mark Richmond
Thank you to everyone who has joined the Musical Note Club this year! All music departments are finding it harder to meet basic needs as basic necessities cost more and more each year. Our Note Club membership currently stands at about 90% of last year’s level, which has enabled us to provide instrument replacement parts, guest clinicians, and sheet music for BMMS music students.
If you like to join the Musical Note Club and have your name listed in the Spring Concert programs, simply turn in the form below to your child’s music teacher. Donations of any amount are appreciated, whether they are made by individual, family, or corporate sponsors. Quarter Notes sponsors ($25) receive a complimentary ticket to be used for all BMMS concerts during the current school year. Half Note sponsors ($50) receive 2 complimentary tickets, and Whole Note sponsors ($100) receive 4 complimentary tickets. All donations are tax deductible.
Thank you to our Note Club members for supporting Burleigh Manor's performing music programs. Every donation is greatly appreciated! Below is a list of our generous donors as of March 16, 2009:
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Special Donor Club Steven Kittner and Mary Farmer Family of Jimmy and Tommy Wang Whole Note Club George and Linda Abdow The Alexander Family Matt and Jan Antonicelli Ryan Apt's Family Bill and Lisa Arbaugh Chris and Michelle Berry Todd and Lynn Bowman Andre and Daniel Chen’s family Bill and Terri Chiu Rob and Katie Cole Margie Dolan-Drenning Bruce and Michelle Heck Dotted Half Note Club The Cooley Family The Eichhorn Family Half Note Club Abernathy Family The Bivens Family Kathy and Rich Davis Jay and Debbie Dettmer Drutch family Heather and Tom Faucher William Fu Ruth and Dan Gottuk The Grable Family Huang Family Eric and Michelle Johnson Joshua Kim’s family Quarter Note Club Tom and Pam Balkin Susy and Nestor Benavides The DeLatte Family Mark and Doni Ernst Fidel Family The Henningsen Family The Moloney Family Seung Nam Greg and Linda Neely The Pavuk Family The Rinaldi Family |
Bill and Maralee Henderson Jim and Malinda Hughes Bob and Christie Hunter Nina Lee and family The Lehr Family Zhiping Li Geoffrey and Shari Ling Mark and Deb Richmond Dean and Jacqueline Rottmann Eric Vermote The Villanyi Family Lily Wei Jenny Yan, Xinjing Wang, Vincent Wang Susan and Jeff Krew The Mace Family Sean and Tina McGowan Kim and John Metz Aruna Muppalla The Obrigewitch Family Mario and Cristina Pino Rhinevault Family Kim Sherman The Stroud Family Updike Family Mr. and Mrs. John van Kan The Simpson Family The Sorak Family Kathy and Matt Smith The Strothers family Franziska and Matthias Stuber Him-Tai Tsang Hong and Siwen Wang Vivian Wang The Yagi Family Hugh Zhao Rixin Zhou |
Centennial High School Band News
C.H.S. is very excited to be hosting a concert by the Marine Band Brass Quintet and the Marine "Party Band" on Tuesday, March 24th at 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Yes, that start time is 6:00). This will be a very special event and, best of all, admission is free-of-charge.
There also will be a special Jazz Concert on Thursday, April 16th by the Towson University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jim McFalls. Come out and hear this award-winning ensemble. The Ellicott Mills Middle School Jazz Band, followed by the C.H.S. Jazz Ensemble will be warming-up for the Towson Ensemble, so you'll get to experience a lot of great music. The concert starts at 7:00 p.m. Suggested donation is $5 per person and $10 per family.
Also, all are welcome to attend an evening of wonderful music performed by CHS' musicians. Our Spring Concerts are on Tuesday, April 28th (Bands and Orchestras) and Wednesday, April 29th (Choral Groups) Both concerts start at 7:00 p.m. The suggested donation is $5 per person or $10 per family.
C.H.S. Wind Ensemble will perform at the Merriweather Post Pavillion for the C.H.S. Graduation Ceremony in June. It is an honor for our ensemble to play at this world class venue for this great ceremony.
I hope that you will consider joining C.H.S. Band Backers when your Band student is at Centennial High School. This dynamic group of parents contributes greatly to the success of our Band program, both financially and by supporting our events. Most recently, Band Backers purchased a brand new Adams 4.3 Concert Marimba for our bandroom and field use. If you are interested in becoming a Band Backer, please e-mail John Seed.
-- Dr. VanDerBeek, Director of Centennial High School Bands
Summer Music Programs
Summer can be the perfect time for students to expand their musical skills while having fun and making new friends. There are many opportunities for summer music study. Here are a few programs to consider.
You can also dowload a comprehensive list of Summer Band Camps (.pdf).
Centennial Lane Music Summer Band Camp
Frank Owens & Rich Lucas, Directors
St. John's Episcopal Church
9120 Frederick Road, Ellicott City
July 20-31, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
For further information, e-mail Mr. Owens or call him at 410.313.2800.
Encore Summer Music Camp
Andrew Spang, Symphonic Band Director
Matthew Boggs & Andrea Aldrich, String Orchestra Directors
Folly Quarter Middle School, Tridelphia Ridge Road, Ellicott City
June 29 - July 3, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Encore Summer Music Camp Web Site
Howard County Clarinet Camp
Ann Quinn, Director
Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church
July 27-31, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Howard County Clarinet Camp Web Site
Shenandoah Performs Performing Arts Camp
Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester, VA
July 8-22
Shenandoah Camp Web Site
Columbia Center for the Theatrical Arts (CCTA)
High School Musical II (ages 12 - 18)
Reservoir High School
July 27 - August 7
CCTA Web Site
Drama Learning Center
Offers one- and three-week programs for Grades 6-12.
Musicals include "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and
"Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella"
Red Branch Road, Columbia, MD
Drama Learning Center Web Site
Music Institute at Howard Community College
Offers a wide variety of programs including Jazz, Rock, Piano, Chamber Music, Strings and Opera
410.772.4871
Music Institute at HCC Web Site
Baltimore String Orchestra Camp
Garrison Forest School, Owings Mills, MD
June 23 - July 2
Baltimore String Orchestra Camp Web Site
GT Summer Institutes for Talent Development
Offers two fine arts sessions: June 29 - July 10 and July 13 - 24
Programs in music composition and art held at Oakland Mills High School or Homeland Center
Summer Institutes for Talent Development Brochure (.pdf)