Happy Fall!

Dear WMS Band family -- I hope that this message finds you and yours safe and healthy and starting to recover from the devastating fires that we experienced.  My heart goes out to all those who suffered during this horrible time.  We all know many people who have been affected by this tragedy.  We all have done our best to help and support those in need and will continue to do so.  If there is anything I can do to help anyone personally, please let me know.  Our WMS Band instrument collection is fine, but the Music For Schools Instrument Lending Library at the Luther Burbank Center lost hundreds of instruments in the fire.  I know that they will be accepting donations of instruments when they reopen. 

As you now know, The Analy Fall Festival in which our Honor Bands were scheduled to play on October 27th was cancelled.  We were looking forward to this prestigious event as an opportunity to show off the outstanding work that our groups have been doing this year.  If they are able to come up with another day in the Spring and we are able to attend, we will gladly do so.

I've been very gratified for the large numbers of students who have been playing with our Jazz Band on Mondays and Fridays during Flex Time.  Participants receive academic points to apply to their grade in their other band class.  We are very excited that we will be able to have a short 2 song performance before the WUSD school board meeting on Tuesday November 7th from 5:30 - 6:15. 

Thank you very much for encouraging your child to play music in our bands and thank you for reminding them that studying music is on of the best things they can do for their brains.  Research continues to show that playing a musical instrument opens up pathways and connects different sections of the brain in a way that no other subject or activity does.  A music class should be there 6th class, and an elective should be their 7th class. Thank you for supporting music at Windsor Middle School.