Dear Band Parents and Students,
Congratulations! We made it to the end of this extraordinary year! Thank you so much for supporting your child’s music study this year. Even in quarantine, we managed to make music and make joy! I have emailed a year end progress report to your child and I have asked them to share this with you.
For my 5th grade students and parents, thank you for two wonderful years. While this year has been very difficult in so many ways for so many people, I will always be so proud and grateful that the very last thing these students did in school this year was to make music and give a concert for their friends and teachers. That is a memory that has made me smile countless times! I am wishing you all the best of luck in Middle School next year. We are thrilled to announce that Mr. Michael Ferrara will be the new Band Director at the Middle and High School next year, replacing Ms. Mette who is now retiring after 46 years in that position. Mr. Ferrara was my student (now I sound old!!) at the North Intermediate school and has grown up to be a super musician and teacher. I am thrilled to be able to call him a colleague now and the kids are going to love him!
For my 4th grade students and parents, I am hoping to see you all in the fall! The Beginning Band students worked very hard this year, and missed out on all of the fun rewards like our Spring concert and the Memorial Day parade. Fingers crossed that things will start to look up when we return to school and they will be able to enjoy these activities next year! In the event that returning to school is not possible right away in the fall, I will resume online lessons on Google Classroom again.
Summer Repairs and supplies: If your child’s instrument breaks over the summer, please contact your music vendor to arrange setting up a repair. Local vendors with repair facilities include: K&C Music, National Music (Woburn), and The Music Place (North Reading). These are also places where music supplies (reeds, slide oil, valve oil, cleaning swabs) can be purchased.
I have loved being your child’s band teacher this year! Once again, thank you for your support and encouragement of these young musicians!Wishing you and your families a really fun and healthy summer!