« January 2006 | Main | March 2006 »
February 28, 2006
Click here to read an important excerpt from this bill. It will require 225 minutes a week of PE for middle school students all year long. That will SEVERLY impact music students in Georgia. This requirement will restrict students' ability to explore learning in the arts. Research shows that students' exposure to and learning in the arts directly impacts academic achievement.
There are plentiful opportunities for students in Cobb to be active outside of the school day. The state is micromanaging our school system.
The Sentate has passed this and it is in the House. I believe the house will vote this week. Please contact your rep and senator today.
Posted by Doemel at 07:57 PM
February 27, 2006
Due to the design of most concert stages, Mabry's included, short skirts are never be allowed as concert attire. All students need to feel comfortable and relaxed during their performance and should dress in a way that will not inhibit the posture required to play their instrument.
Mabry Orchestra Concert Dress:
For girls, a long (ankle length or longer) solid black skirt or black slacks, long sleeve white shirt, and black or dark dress shoes.
For the boys, solid black slacks, long sleeve white shirt and long tie, black socks and black or dark dress shoes. T-shirts, jeans and sport shoes are NOT appropriate concert attire.
Students not dressed appropriately will not be allowed to take the stage and will be considered unexcused. The school dress code is enforced at all orchestra functions.
Posted by Doemel at 08:52 PM
Please congratulate Emily the next time you see her. Not only was she selected to be a member of the 2006 Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Orchestra, she was '3rd chair'. That means Emily is the 3rd best middle school violin player in Georgia. Pretty cool!
Not only is Emily a very talented violin player, she's a really great kid. When I say talented, of course I mean that she's worked hard for a long time at something she loves and is now reaping the benefits of that hard work.
Thanks Emily (and her Mom and Dad), for representing Mabry so well. You're dedication and hard work are great examples.
Posted by Doemel at 06:13 PM
February 21, 2006
Orchestra students should have as a goal, daily practice. This is not only the best way to make adequate progress, but is also an important part of the course curriculum as created by the Georgia Department of Education.
I give homework assignments nearly every day. But if you hear that, “we don’t have any homework tonight”, understand that daily practice is the goal. When the rare occasion occurs that a specific assignment has not been given, we are always working on music for our next performance, or working on a new set of skills in the “Essential Elements” book for your child’s grade.
As in every other class, sport or life skill, the people putting in the most regular, sustained effort will be the ones reaping the biggest rewards.
Orchestra class is for learning new skills, and presenting new information. The real work is done during those 30 minutes of reinforcement every night, given that the 30 minutes are used efficiently. A prior post on this blog deals with how to get the most out of a practice routine.
Posted by Doemel at 09:51 PM
An information letter and permission form was sent home today regarding this performance.
Mabry Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestra Students will participate in the Cobb Orchestra Directors Association (C.O.D.A.) Middle School Orchestra Festival at Dickerson Middle School. The Seventh Grade Orchestra will perform on Monday, March 6th at 7:00 pm. The Eighth Grade Orchestra will perform on Tuesday, March 7th at 6:30 pm.
This is an important performance and all students are expected to participate. The performances are open to the public and you are encouraged to attend.
Click here for a map to Dickerson.
We will have a pizza dinner at Mabry before we leave on festival day. Dinner will be provided with funds from our fall fundraiser. We will leave Mabry soon after and travel by school bus to Dickerson. The Cobb County Board of Education provides school buses free of charge for transportation to festival.
There is no return transportation provided, so we request you arrange pick-up from Dickerson at 8:15 P.M. Most of you will be at the performance and will provide transportation home for your child.
IMPORTANT! Students using school-owned instruments must return the instrument to Mabry by 9:00 a.m. the next morning.
Students will bring their concert uniform with them to school on festival morning. Concert dress for boys is solid black slacks, long sleeve white dress shirt with long tie, black socks and black or dark dress shoes. Concert dress for the girls is a long (ankle length or longer) solid black skirt or black slacks, long sleeve white dress shirt and black or dark dress shoes. Please adhere to these guidelines closely. This is an important performance for these young musicians and they should dress appropriately.
IMPORTANT! The 7th grade orchestra will have an extra rehearsal on Wednesday, March 1st at 7:45am. This will be the only time to combine the 2 classes.
As always, we need parent chaperones for this field trip. If you can ride the bus to Dickerson with us, or provide transportation for string basses and cellos.
Your children and the Cobb County Orchestra Directors put tremendous effort into producing this festival. Students should be practicing diligently on their festival music. We hope you will come out and support them at this exciting event. We look forward to seeing you at our 10th Annual C.O.D.A. Festival.
Posted by Doemel at 09:31 PM
An information letter and permission form was sent home today regarding this trip.
On Tuesday, March 14th the Mabry Orchestra will travel by county school bus to Woodruff Arts Center to attend a performance by the Atlanta Symphony. We will leave school at 9:00am and return around 2:00pm.
The cost of the trip is $7 which will be collected now. After the performance we will go across the street to the Colony Square food court for lunch. Students should bring at least $5.00 the day of the performance. This will be enough for lunch and drink from most of the places in the food court. Students may also bring their own lunch.
Students should dress in nice school clothes. Shorts, t-shirts or torn pants are not appropriate. The school dress-code will be enforced.
I would like to take 10 chaperones. The cost of the trip for chaperones is $3. Only parents or legal guardians of orchestra members may act as chaperones (no older siblings). Chaperones will ride the bus to and from the performance.
Click here to download or print the permission form.
Chris Doemel
Posted by Doemel at 09:18 PM
February 15, 2006
Click here
to read an important excerpt from this bill. It will require 225 minutes a week of PE for middle school students all year long. That will SEVERLY impact music students in Georgia. This requirement will restrict students' ability to explore learning in the arts. Research shows that students' exposure to and learning in the arts directly impacts academic achievement.
There are plentiful opportunities for students in Cobb to be active outside of the school day. The state is micromanaging our school system. Please call or write your state rep today.
Posted by Doemel at 04:52 PM
February 08, 2006
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is offering Lassiter and Mabry Orchestra students and parents $10 tickets for this weekend’s 8pm performance: Thursday 2/9, Friday 2/10, or Saturday 2/11.
You may order you tickets M-F 9-5 by calling 404-733-4807 and ask for Russell Wheeler.
The ASO's distinguished Principal Cellist, Christopher Rex, interprets the greatest of all concertos for his instrument, the Dvorak Cello Concerto.
Michael Christie, newly appointed conductor of the Phoenix Symphony, presents Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, and the fresh American voice of composer Michael Hersch in Ashes of Memory.
Posted by Doemel at 12:18 PM
February 07, 2006
Click here to view an updated orchestra calendar. Email questions to Chris.Doemel@Cobbk12.org
Posted by Doemel at 01:36 PM
