What a Concert!!!

Its been a great year at Folwell that concluded with a terrifically performed concert from the 6th Grade Varsity Band!  It was wonderful to have some of the Concert Band students join us in the performance.  While this support boosted the confidence of the younger performers, it also filled out some of the "thin" sections of the band that only have a few players, thus allowing us to sound our very best. I think the Concert Band students had fun too.  A special shout out to Dr. Winfield who joined us with his Tuba!!!

We'll be back at it in January, continuing with more concert preparations and learning new music. Some events in 2014 <link>:

• January 15 10:40 - Firebird Band Spotlight performance (come to class and see what we've been working on for second quarter).  
• January 16 5:30pm  - Family Storytelling night with a performance by the Jazz Band 
• January 24 1:00pm  - Jazz Band will perform with Rock Band and Pops Orchestra at the  iconic rock club, the 7th St. Entry in downtown Minneapolis.
• January 25 10:00am - Jazz Band will perform at the school choice fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center
• Date TBD - Concert Band will be doing a side-by-side rehearsal and hopeful concert with South High School sometime in late January or early February 2014.
• February 7-17 - All bands will be participating the play-a-thon <link> fundraiser in February (which we postponed in October).  Students will be required 10 hours practice <link> in 10 days. Students are encouraged to get sponsors for their practice to help support the band program at Folwell.
• February 10 @ 12:30 - Concert Band students to attend Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Ordway. Cost is $3/student to see this world renown group from South Africa.  
• March 21 & 22 - Suessical the Musical
• March 25 7pm - Solo & Ensemble Concert. Come see this highlight performance of students from Concert Band & Varsity Band perform in small ensembles they've been rehearsing on their own.  Jazz Band, Varsity Band, Concert Band will also perform. 

Additionally, we'll be hosting a student teacher from the University of Minnesota after winter break until Spring Break. Please help me welcome Mr. Reeve, who is a trumpet specialist, comes from a family of excellent music teachers and has previously worked at Folwell with Band Project. Mr. Reeve will be completing his elementary music student teaching with Mrs. Mason after spring break.

This is the final blog entry for 2013. Have a restful and joyful holiday break!

Please encourage your young musicians to practice over break; two weeks is a LONG time to not make music!

If you have any questions feel free to contact me and/or check out the band website for more information.