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June 2004 This has been a memorable year. We graduated the most talent in our 8th grade in school history. As a result our groups were amazing this year. Beyond all of the A's and A+'s on our festival score sheets, we received comments like "this is the best school band performance of this piece I have ever heard" "Cabin John plays with the refinement and maturity of a good high school band and beyond" "Your orchestra is amazing - there is nothing to correct in this performance" "what an awesome sound your students create" The impact these students have created on stage is not by accident. This was the result of many students working beyond the the normal school day in private lessons and sectionals. In addition, over 90 students received bonze, silver, and gold medals for their musical achievement. What a year!!!! We will mss our 8th grade -- good luck in HS. The younger groups also had much success. Our band 7 performed very strongly at the middle school "2nd bands" festival. Our Band 6 and Intermediate Orchestra finished the year with a performance at Cold Spring Elementary School. I am excited to see 99 percent of these students next year in our higher level groups. November 2004
The Cabin John Band and Orchestra is at one of its overall high points since re-opening in 1989. The quality of the program is very high, and the student enrollment is thriving strong at 260 musicians. These kids have been super this year, especially considering the numerous events which have made continuity difficult at various points during this year. Team work has prospered in the classroom, hence, success and excellence has continued to shine through in our performing groups. I would like to thank the parents and students for their continuing support of the program. The band 6 has been piloting a new schedule of dividing the instruction into woodwinds and brass separately. As a direct result, enthusiasm, productivity, and discipline in the class room are at an eight year best! These young musicians have really learned good team work. The orchestra 6 has reached an all-time high of 40 students. It is difficult to imagine the growth from 15 years ago when our total orchestra enrollment was only 15 students. Now Cabin John has 100 string players. Cabin John had 22 students qualify by audition for all-county band and orchestra and 8 for all-state. In addition, we have implemented an awards system which encourages increased student participation in a variety of ways, including attending cluster music concerts, music lessons, youth orchestras, etc. We did a great tribute in November to our armed forces and community organizations like the fire and police during a patriotic Veterans Day Assembly. Our December Concert was also great success. Our Advanced Band and Orchestra again qualified for the State Band and Orchestra Festival with superior ratings at our county music festival. This is 14 consecutive years for the orchestra, and 12 of the last 14 years for the band! The band received all A's and were one of a few schools statewide to receive an overall superior rating at state band festival, and the orchestra received 100 percent from three of the four judges who were using the new point system for orchestras. Excellence in music has really become a tradition here at Cabin John. Most recently our Band 7 also received all superior scores at the Montgomery County “Second” Band Festival. We were also very fortunate to be included in their annual citrus drive in the Fall, which yielded $2,100 dollars for our music program. We are at a critical time in the life span of our instruments, so this money will be used to begin the restoration of many of our instruments which are showing the many signs of wear and tear. We are now planning our programs for our June Concert. CD's will again be made available this year, and some music from December will be added to the mix. All of our groups will be included in the recordings. Some of our ensembles will tour the elementary programs this spring during the exam week. Efforts are ongoing to promote our program. I will focus my efforts on encouraging kids in the elementary level to try the cello. I see a big shortage of cellists in our upcoming 6th grade class. Please visit our school web site and click the menu for music. We try to keep the site up-to-date with current music downloads, private teacher lists, etc. The internet has been a super resource. You may also have your child check out www.musictheory.net This site is a great on-line tutor for a number of skills we teach in instrumental music. I have been blessed with a beautiful daughter on March 18. I want to thank the classes for their wonderful support and gifts! It is amazing how time has flown by since her birth. Thank you 8th graders for 3 years of dedication and service to the program. I wish you the very best. I am very eager to meet our new incoming class. I have heard wonderful things about them. I am also looking forward to teaching our returning CJMS musicians. Each year brings new challenges and excitement to the program. No two years are the same! I hope everyone has a wonderful and restful summer vacation.
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