Longfields-Davidson Heights Music

As we begin semester 2, we have a few events to look ahead to.

To start off, information about the proposed trip to Montreal was sent home last week.  Just a reminder that the deadline for the 1st deposit has been extended to Tuesday, February 9th.  If there aren’t enough students interested this year, cheques will be returned.   We are looking at starting fundraising in the next couple of weeks.  Profits will go into individual student accounts and can be used towards music trips or music fees.  Balances carry over year to year, and can be passed on to siblings in the program if there is still a balance following graduation.

Here are the information sheets that were sent home last week regarding the trip:

Trip Letter for Montreal, LONGFIELDS DAVIDSON Trip Itinerary Montreal,

The Grade 9 Concert Band is looking forward to their next concert on Thursday, March 11 at 7pm.  This concert will feature the Grade 9′s, Grade 8′s and our visiting guests–The Ottawa Wind Ensemble (http://www.ottawawindensemble.ca/).  Tickets are $5 for adults, and students enter for FREE!  Please note that students are asked to attend a dress rehearsal on Thursday, March 4 from 7:30-8:15pm in the Auditorium.

As the first semester comes to a close we have a lot of upcoming events to look forward to.

The Grade 9 Concert Band will be performing with the Ottawa Wind Ensemble on  the evening of Thursday, March 11 in our own Alex Getty Auditorium.  We have also registered for Kiwanis and more information will be out as soon as the performance schedule is published.

Information regarding a possible band trip to Montreal will be available after the exams.  I am currently waiting for a tentative cost outline from the travel agent.  We are looking at activities that would include a music workshop at McGill University, a concert by the MSO, and a jazz dinner at a local restaurant (to name just a few activities!)

Band for credit will be available next year.  A half credit will be offered each for Grade 9 Band and Grade 10 band.  Bands at the senior level will be for a full credit.

taking place this week on Thursday, December 10th

beginning at 7pm in the Alex Getty Auditorium. 

Cash donations and canned food items will be

accepted for the Barrhaven Food Bank.

Students in the Grade 9 Concert Band should arrive

to school for 6:30pm.  Dress is standard concert

dress (band sweater, white collared shirt,   

 black pants, black socks, black shoes).

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday,

Carey Godfrey

Good Evening Music Parents,

Just a quick update on what’s happening in the LDHSS Music Department.

The Grade 9 Concert Band and Jazz bands are up and running, and looking forward to some upcoming performances! Students are still welcome to join ensembles and are asked to see me as soon as possible for music. The Jazz band rehearses Mondays after school (3:25-5:00) and Thursday mornings (8:00-9:00), and the Concert band rehearses Tuesdays after school (3:25-5:00) and Friday mornings (8:00-9:00).

Students had the opportunity to try on band sweater samples and an initial order has been placed. They are arriving this week and students will be receiving them on Tuesday (tomorrow) following band rehearsal. Students are asked to bring in their payment of $28 as soon as possible. A reminder that the band uniform is as follows: black pants (no sweat pants), white collared shirt, band sweater, black socks, black shoes (no runners).

The Grade 9 band is excited to be performing with the Grade 8 concert band this week for the school Remembrance Day Ceremony. Under the direction of Mr. Gumaste, they will be playing O Canada, and a selection during the laying of the wreath. They are asked to be at school at 8:30 on Wednesday morningfor a brief run-through of the pieces. They will attend their first period classes and be dismissed to the gym at 10:00 to get set-up for the performance.  

The Grade 9 band will also be performing at the Opening Ceremony on November 19th. They will play the anthem combined with the grade 8′s and then each band will play a feature piece on their own.

We are looking ahead to our Holiday Concert on December 10th where all of our school ensembles will be performing, and I would also like to get both groups out into the community before the holidays. Please let me know if you know of an organization that would appreciate a performance by our students.

Thanks for your support,

Carey Godfrey

LDHSS Grade 9 Music

Rehearsals for the Grade 9 Concert band will begin this week.  There will be a sectional for all Woodwind players Tuesday, September 8 after school from 3:30-4:30pm, and a sectional for all Brass, Basses and Percussion on Friday morning (Sept 11) from 8:00-9:00am.  The first full band rehearsal will be Tuesday, September 15.

We will be discussing possible trip ideas and fundraising opportunities over the next couple of weeks, and I would like to have a parent information meeting at that point (tentative date is Wednesday, September 30th).

Instruments can be locked in the music room, and I am available to let students in between 8:45 and 9:00 each morning in Rm. 139 (the high school music room).  Prior to this time, students can find me either in Rm. 139, or Rm. 114.

Let the music begin!

Happy New School Year!

It was great to have students in class today–I have really been looking forward to getting started and to hearing some music in our new room!  I would like to get students playing as soon as possible, and have asked those that are in music this semester to bring their instruments to class on Tuesday (September 8th).

There are a number of students who have not yet set up their rentals for the year, but I would recommend that this be looked into as soon as possible because there will be many students in the Ottawa area trying to get instruments right now.  To try and alleviate the rush, some of the local music stores have extended their hours.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this process.

For those students that are beginners, I’m available for extra theory help or lessons before school, during lunch, and after school (aside from rehearsal times). 

Concert Band will start up next week with a sectional Tuesday after school for all woodwind players, and a sectional Friday morning for all brass,basses and percussionists.  I hope to see as many students out as possible for this ensemble!   Band is like the icing on the cake! Please check out the Repertoire link to listen to some possible pieces for both the music class, and band this year.

A sign-up sheet for Jazz band has been posted and audition music will be available next week.  Instrumentation for jazz band is:

2 alto saxes, 2 tenor saxes, 1 baritone sax

4 -6 trumpets

4 trombones

guitar

bass

piano

drums (x2)

There is also a sign-up for those students interested in becoming involved in the choir.

Sign-up sheets are posted in the hallway outside of the two music rooms.

Hello to all of the incoming students and parents!  I hope you are all having a great summer and that you are looking forward to building our program together.  I am excited to meet all of you and to see music flourish at Longfields over the years to come.

The Grade 9 Music class includes standard band instrumentation:  flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, bass, and percussion.  If your son or daughter is unsure about the instrument that they will be playing in the fall, please don’t hesitate to contact me for further suggestions and information.

Ensembles that will be offered in the fall include:  Grade 9 Band, Jr. Jazz Band, and Concert Choir (possibly grades 7-9). 

Please feel free to email me regarding any questions or concerns about instrument selection or experience level and I can provide further information and resources as necessary.  You can contact me at:  carolyne.godfrey@ocdsb.ca.

Hope to see you at the Open House on August 28th (2-7pm), Go Ravens!

Carey Godfrey

LDHSS Music