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Home Announcements PLMS PCFC Beginners Calendar Music Links Disney! (8th Only)

 

All the latest information!
(Be sure you look at the school that the announcement applies to...scroll down to see older announcements)

Updated: April 30, 2008
Grade 8

Disney: Our parent meeting was Tuesday, April 29th. If you were unable to attend or have any questions, please see the Disney page or email me: ewingm@issaquah.wednet.edu.

Forms should be turned in by: Friday, May 9th
Medication forms (for prescription AND over-the-counter) are due by: May 30th

 

Updated: February 8, 2008
Grades 8-9
Registration!

It’s scheduling time and I want to make sure that all our musicians know how to plan for music in their high school career. We music teachers are very aware of how difficult the planning process can be, as are the counselors, so if you have any questions or you’re worried about how to fulfill high school requirements, please feel free to ask me or your counselor.

Here is a sample schedule for four years of music in high school:  IB and Music HS Schedule

Both high schools have well-recognized music programs and teachers; they’d love to have each student continue in order to keep our district’s program as strong as it has been in the past. Of course, there’s always the wonderful benefits of staying in a music program, such as increased test scores (ORCHESTRA musicians outscore the ENTIRE student population on their WASL exams…we’ve collected the data locally and regionally!), scholarships in college, AND students who were in school music programs are tracked as being more successful and earning higher incomes in adulthood…who can argue with that?! Not that I’m biased…I’d love to see them continue as well!

 Evergreen Philharmonic Auditions (due the first week of April):

Click here for: Audition materials

If your student is interested in auditioning for Evergreen, the auditions are due in April (first week). The link doesn’t work on www.evphil.issaquah.wednet.edu, but the website still has helpful information about preparing an audition. Read it carefully!!!

 

Updated: February 2008
Grades 5-9
March Madness is Coming!

PLMS:
Solo and Ensemble takes place at Issaquah Middle School on Saturday, March 15th. Please check your calendars to assure that your student is able to participate (they'll receive extra credit for doing so!).

Cookie Concert! It's that time of year to see where your student started and how much they've grown or will grow as a musician. The Cookie Concert (March 5, 7:00 PM, PLMS Gym) features students from our 5th grade orchestra, all the way through our very talented, and Disney-bound 8th grade class.

Fifth graders will be visiting PLMS on March 24th to see the school and hear the music groups perform (band, orchestra, choir). Our 8th grade orchestra (Wolverine Philharmonic) will be performing in an assembly on that day.

PCFC:
Orchestra II Festival will be held at Mt. Si High School on Tuesday, March 18th. Plan to miss school on this day, as it is an all-day event! Parents, we'll need chaperones...please email if you're interested!

One day later, we'll be performing for families at our orchestra concert! The concert will be at SKYLINE HS on March 19th at 7:30 PM. Please make arrangements now for transporting your cello or bass to the school.

 

Updated: November 30, 2007
Grades 5-9

This is the time of year I often get asked about where to buy music supplies for gifts, etc. I’ve included a list of items that students could benefit from having in orchestra, as well as some websites with great gift ideas. 

If you’re considering purchasing an instrument, the websites listed are much more trusted sites to get an instrument than what you’ll find at Target, Ebay and Costco (which some music stores won’t work on due to their quality). If you need recommendations, please feel free to email.

Orchestra supplies:

  • Violins & Violas: Shoulder rests (I suggest the brands Kun or Wolf…make sure you check the size of the instrument before ordering)
  • Cellos & Basses: End-pin anchors (any brand is fine)

All instruments:

  • Tuners and Metronomes: I like the “Korg” chromatic tuner, model CA-40 and there are metronomes at a variety of prices (no particular suggestion)
  • Music stand for at home practice (any kind is great)
  • Sturdy cases or instrument bags (they can be kind of spendy!)
  • Mutes (they run about $1.00 online…the brand is “Tourte”)
  • Instrument polish and clothes (make sure these are for string instruments)

 WEBSITES: www.sharmusic.com, www.swstrings.com, www.musicmotion.com, www.friendshiphouse.com, www.jwpepper.com (sheet music)

Updated: November 7, 2007
Grades 6-8

Our first concert is just around the corner!

Date: Thursday, November 15th
Time: Students need to arrive at 6:30 PM, concert starts at 7:00 PM
Location: PLMS Gym (students should unpack in the orchestra room or in the commons)
Uniform: All students will be wearing their navy blue polo shirts with black pants (or a skirt that is below the knee when sitting), black socks/nylons, and black shoes.

Cellists and Bassists: You are required to use your instrument from home. Please make sure it is in good playing condition before Thursday evening. I am unable to do major repairs just before the concert. If a cello needs tuning or tapes, please arrange to bring it to school sometime before the 15th. If it is dropped off in the morning, I can have it done by the afternoon.

From the 2007-2008 Handbook:
"Each Orchestra member is expected to be in attendance for the complete concert, at the appointed time, with their music, instrument and the proper attire."
 

Updated: September 28, 2007

5th Grade: Pine Lake's group (DI and SH students) will meet on Monday, October 1st in the PLMS orchestra room (C-4). Beaver Lake's group (EN, CaR, and CH students) will meet on Tuesday, October 2nd in the band room (M-3). I look forward to meeting the new students! If you didn't have time to register or don't have an instrument yet, COME ANYWAY! I'll collect any new registrations and send them along to the elementary bookkeeper.

6th-8th Grade: Shirt order forms were due this week. If you have not paid for your shirt, please do so a.s.a.p. We'll see the shirts in 2-3 weeks. 8th graders: Disney registration packets went home and are due on October 12th!

9th Grade: We'll be measuring gentlemen for tuxes on Monday and Tuesday. If you come knowing your height, it will makes things a bit quicker! Tuxes are $99.00 to rent - scholarships are available to those in need. Please email or call if you're interested.

Updated: September 6, 2007
All Grades

Reminders:

  • Materials, Instruments, and Handbook Signature Forms are due on Monday, September 10th. If your student is playing a cello or bass, please have them turn in the school instrument rental form a.s.a.p. The fee should be paid to the bookkeeper.

  • 7th Graders: The Puyallup trip is on Friday, Sept. 21st. Mark it on your calendars and get ready to "Do the Puyallup!"
     

  • The District has started sending out registration information to the 5th grade classes! Here's the link to the information on the District webpage:
    http://www.issaquah.wednet.edu/district/departments/elementary/orchestra.asp
    Or, you can go to my Beginners page for more information.

Posted: June 21
All Grades


The 2007-2008 performance calendar is now posted!
 

Posted: May 16th, Updated: June 7th
All Grades

Performance Attendance Opportunities:

(
Attendance at one live music event per trimester is required for middle school students, and extra credit for 9th graders)
Performance Attendance Form

June 7th, 7:00 PM PLMS Choir Concert PLMS Commons
June 7th, 7:30 PM IHS/Evergreen Spring Concert Issaquah HS
June 11th, 7:30 PM Skyline Concert Skyline HS
June 13th, 7:00 PM PLMS Band Concert PLMS Gym
June 14th, 7:30 PM Evergreen Concerto Concert Skyline HS

Don't forget about summer camps!
Music in the Park (an IHS/Evergreen Philharmonic Summer Camp)
Seattle Youth Symphony Camps (Marrowstone and Marrowstone-in-the-City
Bellevue Youth Symphony Camp
Hammond Ashley Double Bass Workshop
Laughing Horse Music Festival
Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls
Experience Music Project
Music Works NW
 

Posted: March 29th

School: Pine Lake (8th Grade)

There is a new Disney page set-up for 8th grade families. You'll find information about the trip (parent meetings, last payments, etc.), and soon you'll see a downloadable parent packet for our upcoming meeting on April 4th!

Posted: March 20th

School: Pacific Cascade

Concert:
Wednesday, 3/21 at 7:30 PM in the Skyline Auditorium. Students should arrive at 7:00 PM and unpack in the Skyline orchestra room. They are expected to stay for the entire performance.Uniforms are required and students should make sure to bring their instruments and music home from school tomorrow (since we aren’t performing at PCFC!). 

HS Orchestra Festival:
Thursday, 3/22 from 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM at Sammamish HS. Students should come to school in uniform. If they need to check in with any teachers, they should do so quickly and then report to the orchestra room. The bus leaves at 8:00 AM.

CHANGE: We will NOT be making a meal stop. All students need to bring a sack lunch. There were too many sports conflicts to stop after we perform.

Thanks again to all those students who helped with Solo and Ensemble at PLMS. Your assistance was invaluable!

Posted: March 20th

Performance Attendance forms are due on Friday, March 23rd!

PLMS 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Cookie Concert!
The Cookie Concert for PLMS will be on Wednesday, March 28th at 7:00 PM in the PLMS Gym.
5th Graders should wear black pants and white shirts.
6th, 7th, and 8th Graders should wear their PLMS Music Polos and Black Pants and Shoes.
Students should bring a dozen cookies to share with everyone after the concert ends!

Posted: March 7th

Middle School SOLO AND ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL:
March 17th at PLMS
See the website for details: 2007 Eastshore League Solo and Ensemble Festival
Students performance times will be released soon. Also, an email will be sent to volunteers with specific information about helping at the Festival. Thank you to those who were able to come to the parent meeting on February 26th. If you were unable to attend, please email me for information.

PCFC Performances
March 21st: 7:30 PM at the Skyline Auditorium
March 22nd: Large Group Festival at Sammamish HS
 

 


Mrs. Mollie Ewing
PLMS:
425-837-5750 Fax: 425-837-5762, PCFC: 425-837-5958 Fax: 425-837-5910
ewingm@issaquah.wednet.edu