St. Scholastica School

Welcome to Mr. Marcotte's Band Class

St. Scholastica MUSIC Newsletter

Singing Cherubs

2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade, continues to meet WEDNESDAYS from 4:30 to 5:10PM in the church.  You do not have to sign up until the first rehearsal, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th.  There is not cost or tuition to join the Singing Cherubs; it is a Parish Choir.  If you want your students to be more involved with music ministry and learn how to sing fun songs while praising God, this is the group to be in!  There is a pizza party at the end of the year!

Junior Chorus

5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade, meets WEDNESDAYS from 5:15 to 6:00PM in the church.  You do not sign up until the first rehearsal, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th.  There is no cost or tuition to join Junior Chorus; it is a Parish Choir, and a good way to meet students from other schools.  This choir is HIGHLY recommended if your student plans on being a cantor with the Friday Morning Sunshine Band (the students who do the music for Mass).  If you have sports practice which conflicts with this rehearsal, do not despair!  It is acceptable to miss 15 minutes at the end or eginning of rehearsal (but not both!).  If you have too many commitments this fall, consider joining at a later date.  There is a pizza party at the end of the year!

The Friday Morning Sunshine Band!

Okay, I'm the only one that calls it that, but I think it will catch on eventually.  This group is comprised mainly of 8th Graders who want to sing or play instruments during church on Friday mornings.  It is recommended that a student who is cantoring or playing an instrument be in Junior Chorus (we use the same songs), but it is not mandatory.  Mrs. Haffner will orgaize who is in which cantor group.  Instrumentalists (piano, guitar, drums, band instruments) must talk to me before joining.  This is an excellent group in which to be to learn how to do music at church, and participate fully in the worship of God!

General Music Class

Please remind your students to pay attention and try their best!  I run an eight-year curriculum, which if followed, teaches a student how to sing, sight-read music (reading music without the help of a piano playing the notes) and play basic percussion and recorder.  This works great, unless the student ignores what they are supposed to learn for eight years.  There is no homework in the class, but the students are graded on effort and participation!  They are also tested on basic skills throughout the year, in addition to performing at the School Christmas Concert!

Band

Fourth Grade:  Monday, August 30th, I will "show and tell" the instuments for the fourth grade during school.  On Wednesday, September 1st, a representative from Quinlan and Fabish Music Company will visit St. Scholastica (during school).  He and I will let each student try one or more instruments and pick what they want to play in band.  Your student will bring home a form anouncing which instrument they have chosen.  If at this time, your family decides your students will be in band, you must attend the Band Parents Night meeting on Tuesday, September 7th , 6-7:30PM in the Activity Center.  There, you pay tuition and rent an instrument.  If you have a playable instrument, you may use it, although you should let me look at it first.  Be wary of EBAY and cheap instruments.  They may look nice, but there's more to an instrument than appearance!

Fourth Grade Band meets during school, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (1:45-2:30).  I often split the kids up so it is easier for them to learn.

Fifth Grade Band meets after school Wednesdays, 2:30 to 4:00PM.  If you did not register during Registration Day, just send your student anyway.  I'll send home the proper paperwork.  The first 5th Grade Band rehearsal is Wednesday, September 1st, 2:30-4:00PM.  Please pick up your students on time, as I have to get to a choir rehearsal in the church.

Middle School Band meets Tuesdays from 2:30-4:00PM and Thursdays from 2:30-3:30PM.  If you did not register on registration day, send your student anyway.  I'll send home paperwork.  The first rehearsal is Tuesday, September 1st, 2:30-4:00PM.  Please pick up your students on time as I must get home to teach private lessons.

Registration and Tuition for Band

As usual, tuition envelopes will be sent home.  Tuition is paid by the semester, and is due September 15th and January 15th.  There is a registration fee which eliminates the need for fundraising.  There is Financial Aid available!  These are tough times, I know, so call or email me and we can work something out!  Tuition is $150 a semester for 4th and 5th Grade, and $175 a semester for Middle School Band.  Siblings are 1/2 cost.  Registration is $30.  Thanks Everyone.

Musically Yours,

Mr. Marcotte