MGS BAND
NEWSLETTER
Dawn Trotter, Band Director
_____________________________________________________________
May 1, 2015
Congratulations to Our Graduating 8th
Grade!!!
Thanks for A Great Year!!
I Will Miss You ALL!!!
WHAT A YEAR!!! I think we can all look back on this past year and be very
proud of the members of the MGS BANDS. We brought back the marching, pep
and jazz bands. This worked out very well. We also maintained the high quality
of our concert bands. What does all this boil down to? Simply put, we are very
fortunate to have such a strong program. Your children are the real winners on
all accounts. I would like to thank all the parents, administration and community
for the incredible support you show to YOUR band program.
Fifth Grade Band-YEAH BAND!!! This band has done an incredible job this
year. If you missed hearing this band you still have two more chances left. The
Spring Concert is May 7 at 7:00. Band members should meet in the band room
at 6:30. The fifth grade band will give their final performance of the year at the
DARE graduation. The graduation is scheduled for May 22 in the gym. The
band will be performing during the ceremony. Band members will participate in
the ceremony with their classes also. Please make sure your student
remembers his instrument and music for both of these performances. Thanks for
your cooperation, I really appreciate your help! Please make sure your student is
practicing his or her instrument this summer. Three months is a long time to go
without getting the horn out. We have just started working with a new CD. I
would suggest you consider buying CD ($13) for your student to play along with
this summer. This would be an incredible help to them this summer when I am
not around. I will need your help and support so that students do not fall behind
over this break!
Sixth Grade Band-The Sixth Grade Band gave an excellent performance at the
spring concert. This band has really pulled together this year. If you have not
seen them yet you have been missing out. Your chance is not over yet! We will
be performing on Thursday, May 7 at 2:15 in the gym. The 6th Grade Band will
also be combining with the Jr. High for a Graduation Band at the eighth grade
graduation. The eighth grade graduation is Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00. Sixth
grade band members should meet in the band room at 6:00. If you have any
questions please do not hesitate to give me a call. Please make sure your
student is practicing over the summer.
Jr. High Band-WHAT A BAND!!! This band has done a super job this year.
They gave an incredible spring concert! However, we still have a lot of work to
do before the year is over. If you missed hearing this band you will have a
couple of chances left. We will be performing at an assembly Thursday, May 7
for our school in the gym from 2:15-2:55. The band will also be playing at the
eighth grade graduation. This is Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00. Band members
need to be in the band room at 6:00. Congratulations to all those graduating! If
you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me.
New Band Shirts-That’s right....we are designing new band shirts for next year.
The new shirt will be designed by one of our very own talented band members.
All band members may submit a design. The only stipulations are that it must be
for a white t-shirt with black and red lettering. All designs are due to MissTrotter
by Friday, May 8. The band will then vote on the best design. The winner will
get a free t-shirt and their design will be used for next year’s band shirt. Please
see Miss Trotter for further details. Good Luck!
Recorders-The Spring Concert is just around the corner. It is scheduled for May
7 at 7:00!! Recorders should meet in the cafeteria at 6:45. The recorders will
give their final performance of the year at an assembly for K-3 classes Friday,
May 8 from 12:30-1. If your student would like to continue the recorder over the
summer you may want to consider purchasing a tape $(10) or CD($15) for your
student to play along with this summer. Can you believe it is time to think about
next year already? Next year your students will have the exciting opportunity of
joining our band program. Please mark these dates on your calendar. (see
calendar at the end of the newsletter)
Jr. High Jazz Band-Excellent performance at the concert! It takes a lot of
dedication to get up early to go to rehearsal. This band has two more
performances. The Jr. High Jazz Band has been invited to perform by the Peoria
County Regional Superintendent of Schools to perform for the 26th Annual Arts
In Education Spring Celebration at the Monument in downtown Peoria. We will
be performing Thursday, May 14 from 12:15-12:45 at the Monument in downtown
Peoria. If you get a chance, come down and hear us over your lunch hour. We
would love to see you! Over 17,000 students from 135 schools will perform,
demonstrate and exhibit their programs in Fine Arts and Applied Arts during the
four-week event. This project is sponsored by the Peoria County Regional Office
of Education, Gerald M. Brookhart, Superintendent. Funding is provided by
Caterpillar, Enc., First of America Bank, Bank One, South Side Trust and
Savings Bank, Commerce Bank, Magna Bank, Peoria Arts and Sciences Council,
Illinois Arts Council, Illinois American Water Company and WMBDTV-Radio.
Jazz Band II-This band has also been invited to perform for the 26th Annual Arts
in Education Spring Celebration by the Peoria Regional Superintendent of
Schools. We will be performing May 14 from 12:15-12:45 at the Monument in
downtown Peoria.
Scholarship Winner-This year’s Band Camp scholarship winner Noah
Berkshier. Hey will be attending camp at Illinois State University. His camp fees
were sponsored by the MGS Music Boosters. Thank you so much for making
this possible!
Way To Go- This year's award winners are Most Improved 6th Grade MusicianCamerin Rasmussen, Most Improved 7th Grade Musicians-Clare Campbell and
CJ Bennett, Most Improved 8th Grade Musicians-Noah Curless and Carter
Pearson, Most Improved Colorguard -Alexis Barnes, Oustanding Colorguard
Member-Maggie Dean, Robby Kern Memorial Award-Sophie Carrico, and
Outstanding Musician-Noah Berkshier. Way to Go!
Drum Major Tryouts-Drum major tryouts are upon us once again. Any 6th or
7th grade student may tryout. Please sign up on the band office window. See
Miss Trotter for details.
Phantom Regiment and Metamora Township High
School Music Program
proudly presents
The Drum Corps International Tour returns to Central Illinois on Wednesday, July 8, for
the 2015 edition of the Show of Shows (Central of Illinois)
-The only Central Illinois Drum Corp Show
A dynamic lineup of World and Open Class corps is scheduled to perform within the intimate
confines of Malone Field at Metamora Township High School.
A portion of ticket sales benefit the Metamora Township HS band program
DCI Show of Shows (Central Illinois) (In alphabetical order)
Blue Saints - Sudbury, ON
Legends - Kalamazoo, MI
Phantom Regiment - Rockford, IL
Pioneer - Milwaukee, WI
Racine Scouts - Racine, WI
Santa Clara Vanguard - Santa Clara, CA
Band Calendar
May 1
Jr. High Band to Chicago
May 7
Band Assembly (tentative)
May 7
4th/5th Spring Concert
May 8
Recorder Assembly (tentative)
May 14
Jazz Bands at Arts in Education Spring Celebration
May 15
MGS Jazz Night
May 20
6th & 7th Grade Perform at 8th Grade Graduation
May 22
DARE Graduation
August 27
5th Grade Band Demo
September 3
5th Grade Band Sign-Up
October 2
MTHS Homecoming Parade
October 10
MTHS Parade and Invitational
October 12
IMEA Auditions
October 26
Pep Band at Girls Basketball Game
November 5
Pep Band at Girls Basketball Game
November 9
Pep Band at Girls Basketball Game
November `19
Pep Band at Girls Basketball Game
November 21
IMEA Festival
December 5
Pep Band at Boys Basketball Game
December 8
Pep Band at Boys Basketball Game
December 10
Jr. High Christmas Concert
December 15
Pep Band at Boys Basketball Game
January 12
Pep Band at Boys Basketball Game
February 25
4th/5th Grade Winter Concert
MGS
Academy of Music
Due to a great deal of interest from students and parents
instrumental music lessons will be offered at MGS this
summer. Lessons will be offered on the following
instruments:
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Saxophone
French Horn
Trumpet
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
Mallet (keyboard) Percussion
Snare Drum
Drum Set
Guitar
Piano
Lessons will be once a week for half an hour. If you are
interested please contact Miss Trotter at 251-9692 or email
me at [email protected] ASAP. A limited
number of spots are available!