Band Notes……..

“The nation’s top business executives agree that arts education programs help repair weaknesses in American education and better prepare workers for the 21^st century.”  Business Week Magazine

Numerous studies have shown the positive effects of arts education. Your child’s involvement in the instrumental music program is not only teaching notes and rhythms, but discipline, team work, positive self-esteem, and methods to use when working toward a long-term goal.  As you enroll your student for next fall, we sincerely hope you give them the best possible chance for success by keeping them involved in instrumental music.

We are now in contest-preparation mode with our 7^th and 8^th grade band students. We are working on a march entitled “Project March” and another piece called “Smithsonian Suite.”  Students are also working on small ensembles and solos. The Edmond Chamber Music Festival is April 12^th, and the Deer Creek Festival is May 3^rd.

6^th graders are continuing in their method books, expanding their range, and seeing more accidentals and enharmonics in their music. Midway through April they will begin working on music for the spring concert. The concert will be in the auditorium at Santa Fe HS on May 15^th at 7:30 pm.

The Edmond Band Department offers a summer band program for middle school students. It runs two weeks in June at Santa Fe HS. Rehearsals are 9:00-11:00 am with a Thursday evening concert at the end of the camp. The tentative dates are June 2-12. A flier will be sent home with students at the end of the year. We are instructors at this camp every summer, and it is a lot of fun music for the students!

Have a great spring. We will see you at our concert May 15th.

Musically yours,

Andy Heitz, Tara Heitz, Kevynn Sanford