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

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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.

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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.