Hi Everyone!
The current updates include: New resource pages specifically designed for Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8. Each instrument has a specific note naming exercise, note writing exercise, fingering chart, and grade appropriate music links so that you can find the music you'd like to play. A new private lessons page with contacts if you'd like to get online private lessons while we are socially distancing. Each person on my page is a professionally trained musician, many are certified school music teachers. Coming soon: instrument inspiration pages in the Instrument Resources section. These pages will include names of famous players for each instrument (both historical and contemporary) that you can check out for inspiration on your instrument, and also to see what is possible on your instrument. Hope you are all staying safe and healthy and I can't wait until we can all make music together again! Miss Dyler
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Hello Music Parents!
What a crazy time we’re living through right now! I’d just like to touch base about music related things and let you know how I plan to move forward with music education while we are all trying to stay safe, sane, and healthy in our homes. MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES My main goal is to provide musical opportunities rather than musical obligations. Over the next couple of weeks, I will re-vamp the Music @ Monterey website (https://musicatmonterey.weebly.com/) so that it has various practice resources for students on the different instruments, as well as voice for the choir singers. 10 to 15 minutes of practice a day (for those who are able to) can keep musical skills up, especially for those who are just beginning their instrument. In addition to practicing, I will provide alternate musical instruction and information that will be accessible to those who can’t practice for a variety of reasons. INSTRUMENTS Students were instructed to bring their instruments home for Spring Break, but I know there are quite a few remaining in the music room. On Thursday and Friday of this week, I will (with clean, thoroughly washed and sanitized hands) place instruments from the shelves onto the floors by instrument type. They will then sit there ‘in quarantine’ over the weekend and will be available for pick-up the week of April 6-9. Instructions on when your child’s pick-up time will be will come via e-mail from Monterey Admin, Ken Andrews, in the next few days. I will be in my office for the pick-up times to supervise but will be maintaining distance as per the health ministry’s guidelines. INSTRUMENT RENTALS If you are renting an instrument, I do encourage students to keep playing and keep developing their musical skills if it is possible to keep practicing. I understand families may be experiencing some significant financial hardships and employment instability with the current situation and that some rentals will need to go back. If you need to return your instrument, please contact your rental company ahead of time. They are accepting scheduled instrument returns only, not drop-ins. Long & McQuade: (250) 384-3622 https://www.long-mcquade.com/ Tapestry Music: (250) 590-0752 https://www.tapestrymusic.com/ GRADE 7/8 MUSIC TOUR I have already begun the process of cancelling the music tour with Ellison Tours, our travel company. We are currently awaiting an official district letter mandating that no field trips will occur in the month of May. Once Ellison receives this letter, they can process our refund. My priority is to refund families as soon as that refund is processed. I am not able to process any refunds before Ellison officially refunds the Music Parents Association. GOALS MOVING FORWARD My goal in all this is to continue to provide musical opportunities for the students. This is not just practicing and playing, but also musical appreciation and keeping students excited and interested in music in all its many forms. I will continue to update you as this evolves (it is uncharted territory for me as my musical classes have always been participatory and experiential). I am greatly missing our classes, with all their energy, enthusiasm, and wit, as well as the community we’ve created. I’m greatly looking forward to the day that we can all meet up and MAKE SOME NOISE! Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or even just musical inspirations and ideas you’d like me to share. Please take care, do what you can to maintain your health and your mental well-being, and I wish you all the best. Sincerely, Michelle Dyler Music Director Monterey Middle School Hello Monterey Music Family,
A couple exciting things this month: FERNWOOD COFFEE FUNDRAISER Coffee orders are due Feb 20 and will be delivered by Feb 28. To order coffee see the form here RED BARN FUNDRAISER The next round of Red Barn Card orders are ready to go. Orders are due in by Thursday, February 27 to be picked up Wednesday, March 4th at the Monterey Music Spring Concert at 7:00. SPRING CONCERT It's concert time again! There are two concerts happening on Wednesday, March 4th and students are to be in uniform for both concerts. Come hear all our great ensembles perform and take part in the Bake Sale and the 50/50 Draw! 2:00 PM Concert for School, Friends and Family Welcome Band 6, Senior Strings, Band 7, Jazz 8, Junior Strings. Jazz 7, Choir, Band 8 7:00 PM Concert for Friends and Family Band 6, Senior Strings, Band 7, Jazz 8, Junior Strings, Jazz 7, Choir, Band 8 BAND UNIFORM Monterey Music Shirt, Black Pants, Black Socks, Black Shoes, Instrument, Music GRADE 7/8 MUSIC TRIP - MAY 7-9 The final payment for the music trip is due March 5, 2020. Payments can be made online via School Cash Online, by cheque, or by cash. There will be a mandatory meeting for parents of students going on the trip TUESDAY, APRIL 21 at 7:00 pm in the Monterey Music Room. PRACTICE RECORDS A reminder that students should be practicing an hour a week, especially in Grade 6 as they are learning how to use their instrument. Practice cards should be filled out and handed back to Ms Dyler the first week of every month. February's practice card is yellow and can be picked up in the music room. Hello Music Parents
WINTER CONCERT The winter concert is fast approaching! All music groups in band, choir, and strings will be performing at the concert on Tuesday, December 10 at 1:00pm and 7:00pm. The 1:00pm show will be for the entire school, though parents and guests are more than welcome to come watch, and the 7:00pm show is for families. All students are expected to wear the music school uniform: black shirt / monterey music shirt, solid black pants (no skirts, shorts, or capri pants), black socks, and dark shoes (preferably black). MUSIC SHIRTS Students are receiving the music shirt order forms today in class and should be bringing it home early this week. The music shirts are for students new to the program but any student can order a new shirt if they wish to. Shirts cost $23.75 this year and are available in sizes Youth Medium, Youth Large, Youth Extra Large, Unisex Extra Small, Unisex Small, Unisex Medium, and Unisex Large. Shirts are currently available in the music room for any student wanting to try them on and check the size. If you are currently unable to purchase a shirt, please contact me at [email protected] to arrange to borrow a shirt. Shirt orders are due by Dec 2, 2019. FUNDRAISERS Our Purdy's fundraiser is going strong and will continue until November 27th. Make sure to put out customer code down on your order. 25% of what your child sells will go into their personal music account which can be put toward the music trip in May. Information on the Purdy's Fundraiser can be found here Red Barn is about to start up it's next round. Gift cards can be purchased to use in any Red Barn store in the Greater Victoria area in $50, $100, and $250 denominations with 10% going back into individual student accounts. Information on the Red Barn Fundraiser can be found here MUSIC TRIP The music trip this year is for 50 students in the grade 7 and 8 music program. Originally, the trip was going to be for grade 8's only but due to transportation costs, it is much more cost effective to go with a larger group. The trip will be 3 days, 2 nights to Vancouver/Whistler and highlights include: Performances at a Vancouver Elementary School, and Lonsdale Quay A music workshop at the University of British Columbia A tour of Stanley Park English Bay Granville Island Market Britannia Mine Museum Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre Breakfasts and Dinners are included, Students are responsible for lunches only Look for information coming home in the upcoming week once details are finalized. Hello everyone! October is here and we're off to a great start!
Band News: All Band 6 students need their instruments and a red Standard of Excellence Book 1 now. If you still need to get an instrument and a book, I encourage you to check out Long & McQuade or Tapestry Music. You can even buy the Standard of Excellence Book off of Amazon. Tonight is Instrument Rental Night from 6-8pm here at Monterey in the Music Room. Long & McQuade is renting instruments and selling method books and instruments to all students who need one tonight. I also recommend purchasing a folding stand for home practice.
Tonight at 8:00pm is also the year's first Monterey Music Parents Association (MMPA) meeting! I invite all parents to come check out the MMPA and get involved tonight in the band room. Well it's been a whirlwind start to the year! At last, things are getting into routine and ensembles are finally getting a chance to make music!
All ensembles, except beginner band 6, are now required to have instruments, music, and pencils at every rehearsal. There has been some confusion over the various schedules and when each group happens so make sure you/your musician checks out the schedule and makes sure they know what instruments and music they need when. Band 6 Assignments have just been posted under the "Beginner Band 6" link as well as links to many helpful videos on how to get started. There have also been fingering charts posted for all instruments on the Instrument Resources page. Instrument Rental Day in September 30, 2019 at the Monterey Music Room from 6:00-8:00 pm - hosted by Long & McQuade. If you do not wish to attend instrument rental day, instruments can also be rented from the Long & McQuade store or the Tapestry Music Store. All Band 6 Students need to bring their instruments with them to their classes starting October 1st. Morning band for Grade 6 begins October 8th and 9th. Speaking of morning band - class begins at 7:50 am which means students must be in their seats, with their instrument and music set up and ready to go by 7:50. For most students this means they need to arrive by 7:45 so they have time to set up and get ready. I know it's not always easy to get to school at that time, but know that we at Monterey are quite lucky and actually have a fairly late start compared to other schools' early morning groups. I'm greatly looking forward to working with all the different ensembles and students at Monterey. We're off to a great start! Ms Dyler Today, all the grade 6's got to filter through the music room and find out about band, as well as the larger music program here at Monterey. I thought I'd also write a quick blog post about it for parents. If you are looking for more in depth info, please click here to check out the Monterey Music Handbook for all the details. I am also able to answer questions in person at Meet the Teacher Night on Wednesday, September 11 at 7:00. There will be a short Music Information Session after the meet the teacher event from 7:35-8:00 where I will discuss all the information about the Band 6 program here at Monterey and will also answer any questions parents have.
INFORMATION BOOKLET / SIGN UP SHEET Every student received an information booklet today. If it's been misplaced, you can print a new one out if you click here or go to the "Documents and Forms" page under Grade 6 Contract. The back page needs to be filled out and returned to the core teacher or the band teacher (myself) as soon as possible. All forms need to be in by Thursday, September 19. If your child is not interested in participating, you can write "not interested" on the form with your child's name and hand that in. Once all the forms are in, I will assign each student an instrument from their top three choices and will give them written confirmation of what instrument they will play. Once you receive the written confirmation, you may rent or purchase an instrument for your child. I highly recommend renting as a student can start on an instrument in excellent working order, and they can try it for a year to see if they like it. Also, rental agreements often include repairs covered by the rental fee. BAND INSTRUMENTS Instruments available to Band 6 are Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, and Bass. If your child is keen to play a specialty instrument (Oboe, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, French Horn, Tuba) please contact me at [email protected] to discuss further. These instruments are often more difficult for a beginner (Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn), too big for most grade 6's (Bass Clarinet, Tuba), or not an instrument I have available here at the school (Oboe, Bassoon). PERCUSSION Perucussion instruments are not offered until December/January. This is because there are valuable skills of musicianship and musical literacy all students need to learn in grade 6 that is much easier to facilitate on wind instruments. Also, some pieces only require one or two percussionists and it is excellent for those not playing in the piece to be able to play a different instrument so they are still active and involved in the class. I am aware that this is different than how percussion has previously been chosen at this school. It is also important to note that "percussion" is not a drum kit in concert band. The drum kit is used in Jazz Band in grade 7/8. Percussion includes snare drum, bass drum, triangle, pitched mallet percussion including concert bells and marimba, timpani, gong, woodblock, cowbell etc. INSTRUMENT RENTALS Instrument rental night at Monterey is Monday, September 30 from 6:00-8:00. Long & McQuade will be at Monterey Middle School with instruments ready to go and you can purchase everything you need for your musician here at the school. If this time does not work for you, you can also rent instruments from Long & McQuade or Tapestry Music. Tapestry also offers an online rental service if getting to the store is an issue. Students will be expected to have instruments in classes from October 1 onward. Instruments will not be needed in class before then. Please do not purchase or rent an instrument for your child before they've received written confirmation of their instrument assignment. Please note on their instrument contract if you already own an instrument in your household. FINANCES Money is not an obstacle. If you do not have the financial means to support an instrument rental, please contact me to arrange for your child to use a school instrument. Financial situations should never prevent a student from having a musical education. INSTRUMENT CHOICES Please speak with your child about their instrument choice. If they are uncertain, I highly recommend checking out YouTube to get a better idea of what each instrument looks and sounds like. Think of what would be appropriate to practice at home in your space. Instruments like flute and clarinet are quieter, trumpet, trombone, and baritone can be muted with a device that plays it through headphones only. Some students hit a bit of a block today and were unable to make a sound. This is completely normal! Don't let a 30 second attempt at a mouthpiece stop your child from choosing the instrument they want. With dedicated practice and some actual in-depth guidance from the teacher, they'll be able to achieve success. Some of my best flute and clarinet players couldn't make any sounds for 2-3 weeks before it clicked and then it was as if it had always been easy for them. There is no instrument that is "easiest" to play. They all have their "easy" bits and they all have their challenges. Piano, guitar, ukulele, recorder, and bowed instruments like violin are not part of concert band. Occasionally a senior, high school level piece may do a concerto featuring one of these instruments, but they are not part of the everyday concert band literature. Piano and guitar can, however, be played in jazz ensembles and to accompany choir. WHAT IF MY CHILD CHOOSES NOT TO DO BAND? Students who choose not to participate in band will be working in Literacy Circles with their core teachers. They will not be having a free block or play time while the band class happens. Band students are not responsible for work done while they are in band class. Because of the nature of students choosing the band course or the literacy course, students will not be able to switch mid-year. This is a one year commitment. Students are not required to stay in band the entire time they are at Monterey, but if they sign up in September they are expected to remain in the program until June. CAN I DO ANYTHING TO HELP OR BE INVOLVED? Yes! You sure can! Our Monterey Music Parents Association (the MMPA) meets the last Monday of every month at 7:30 here at the Monterey Music room. Please come by and check it out, meet us, and get involved! Our first meeting is Monday, September 30th at 8:00 right after the instrument rental night. We're always interested in having grade 6 parents come out as quite a few of our members have kids graduating from Monterey this year and will need some fresh faces to come out and continue the group. If committing to the MMPA is a bit more than you were looking for - we also have fundraising opportunities that I will have more information on at a later date. WRAPPING UP Hopefully I covered some of the frequently asked questions and concerns. If I didn't, please feel free to send me an e-mail to [email protected] Cheers and Happy New (School) Year! Ms Dyler Hello Monterey Students, Parents, Guardians, and Friends!
Welcome back to the school year, welcome back to returning Grade 7 & 8 students, and welcome to all the new Grade 6's who are joining us. I'm just getting this website up and running but be sure to check back here for all questions surrounding the music program at Monterey Middle School. As I am a new director to the program, I'm sure there will be plenty of questions as to procedures and expectations. It's not my goal to re-invent the wheel, but there will undoubtedly be some differences and changes as is common when someone new steps in. The desired end result is still the same - providing students with the opportunity to learn, appreciate, and make music. Please check this site for any permission forms, documents, schedules, concerts, trips, and announcements throughout the year. I hope to keep it as up-to-date as possible with all the happenings for the music program. I'm looking forward to a great year and meeting everyone! Michelle Dyler Monterey Music Director |
AuthorMs Dyler is the music director at Monterey Middle School Archives
September 2022
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