Band Rehearsals Begin - Week of September 28

After-school rehearsals for both Jazz Band and Senior Band begin this week. Jazz Band rehearses on Mondays, from 3 to 4:30 pm. Senior Band rehearses on Tuesdays, from 3 to 4:30 pm. Sectionals for Senior Band will be held on Tuesdays at noon. (Please note that there will be no early-morning Wednesday rehearsals for Senior Band this year.) Rehearsals are always held in the band room, around the corner from the cafeteria. Don't forget to bring your instruments and music to school on these days!

Beginner Band is already underway through the SPARK program on Wednesday mornings. After SPARK finishes, Beginner Band students will rehearse on Wednesday afternoons, from 3 to 4 pm.

Jazz Band Auditions - Monday, September 21

Auditions will be held for George Street Middle School's 2009-2010 Jazz Band after school in the band room on Monday, September 21.

All students registering in Senior Band this year are eligible to audition for Jazz Band. No prior jazz experience is required but precedence will be given to traditional jazz instruments: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion, keyboard, bass, guitar. Each audition is five minutes long. Please come ready to play a short solo on your instrument and two scales (B-flat major and E-flat major). A sign-up sheet will be posted on the band room door the week of September 14. Students will be notified by phone of their acceptance into Jazz Band.

Please note that there is a $50 additional fee for participating in Jazz Band. All band forms and fees must be received at our Band Registration Night at the school on Wednesday, September 23. Jazz Band rehearsals will be held on Mondays after school, beginning on September 28.

Last year the GSMS Jazz Band won gold at the Fredericton Music Festival — we look forward to another swinging year of jazz at George!

Registration for 2009-2010 Band Program - September 23

Band is a terrific way to make new friends, explore your musicality, and contribute to the cultural life of our school. At George Street, we are proud to offer three bands: Beginner Band (for students with no prior band experience), Senior Band (for students with one or more years of experience), and Jazz Band (for Senior Band students interested in an extra challenge). All three bands are directed by Ms. Kelly Waterhouse, a graduate of the music program at Mount Allison University. GSMS bands play at school assemblies and hold two concerts during the year, as well as performing at special events such as the Fredericton Music Festival.

A Registration Night for the 2009-2010 Band Program will be held on Wednesday, September 23, from 6 to 8 pm, in the front lobby of the school. Registration forms and all band fees must be submitted at this time. For forms and/or more information, please contact Lisa Alward at lalward@nb.sympatico.ca, 455-7888, or Marienna MacDonald at mmacd@nb.sympatico.ca, 454-6961. A small number of band subsidies are available for students in financial need; please contact GSMS music teacher Maureen Steeves at maureen.steeves@nbed.nb.ca, 453-5419. Conductor Ms. Kelly Waterhouse may be contacted directly at kellywaterhouse@hotmail.com.

Playing an instrument gives lifelong pleasure — and middle school is one of the best times in life to start!