Extra for the Weekend!

The Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival takes place this weekend. Saturday there will be a concert performed by the Central Michigan Area Concert Band at 6:30 PM in the Shepherd High School Auditorium. Mrs. Louisell and Mrs. Hofmeister play in this band. Check out this concert which features favorites like "Highlights from West Side Story," "The Stars and Stripes Forever," "Overture for Band," and "Peanut Vendor" as well as newer pieces like "Silver Quill March" and "Variations on the Kitchen Sink." (Yes, there is a kitchen sink played in that song.) The concert will last around an hour and is great way to spend part of your evening. Also, watch for Mrs. Louisell in the Central Michigan Strollers in the parade on Sunday. The Strollers will be the band wearing red shirts and riding on a trailer.

Music Program Presented May 24 & 25

We are working toward our spring performances! Parents are invited to share the performance on May 24 at 2:30 PM. Grandparents and other VIPs are invited for an afternoon visitation to Vowles School Friday, May 25 beginning at 2:00 PM with the musical performance scheduled for 2:45 PM. Save the date and join us! The third and fourth graders have been busy with some 'acting' to go with one of their songs. They will also have a chance to experience the poetry and music of Saint-Saiens and his Carnival of the Animals." Kindergartners are also having an experience in acting. First and Second graders have been using chords to accompany one of their songs. They used both boomwackers and xylophones to make the chords. Ask them about I and V chords. Selected students are looking forward to drumming this afternoon in the Vowles BEST celebration.

Thursday's District Event

Tomorrow the Mt. Pleasant Schools Foundation is holding an "Inspire" event at the high school from 6:00-8:00 PM. Come and see what types of things are being offered in the Mt. Pleasant Schools. Vowles and Ganiard music will host a table full of instruments to try as well as show videos of performances. I hope you can join us there. In music class we have finished our peek at the brass instruments. We are beginning to polish songs for our May performances. Save the date: May 24 for parents, May 25 for other guests. Both during school in the afternoon. We are also beginning the last round of assessments. These include rhythm patterning (and writing) and singing in a group.

Save the Date

I hope everyone had a great spring break. (I spent mine resting, playing music and visiting family.) This week we are tying up all the loose ends from March. A few classes are finishing the stories with sound effects. Others are practicing writing rhythms with craft sticks. All students will get a chance to see brass instruments this week. I will be demonstrating the bugle, trumpet, trombone and sousaphone. Ask your children how these instruments change pitches. We will be choosing songs and begin practicing for our spring concerts soon. These are opportunities for us to share a little bit of what we have done this year. Save the date! Parents will be invited to see us perform during the afternoon of May 24. Grandparents and other VIP guests will be invited the afternoon of May 25. I hope you will be able to attend and support your children as performers.