PCS Middle School Music

All students in grades 5 & 6 are members of their respective grade level chorus. We have two evening concerts this year that we expect every child to attend. The 5th & 6th grade Concert Bands also participate at these evening performances.

Our Winter Concert will be held on Tuesday evening, December 16, 2008 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the PCS gymnasium. The date of the Spring Concert is TBA.

Students in grades 7 & 8 can elect to participate in the choral and band programs. We perform two evening concerts per year and also schedule performances for each group during the school day over the course of the year as possible. Students who choose to participate in the program are expected to attend all performances of their respective groups.

Our Winter Concert will be held on Tuesday evening, December 16, 2008 beginning at

7:30 p.m. in the PCS gymnasium.

As you may know, Pomfret Community School offers students beginning in grade five the opportunity to participate in our school concert band program. Our total program consists of four different bands that rehearse during the school day and opportunities for in-school instrumental lessons for our fifth graders. All of our band students perform with their ensemble as part of our scheduled concerts throughout the school year.

There are many different ways that students can get hold of an instrument to use for band. They can get borrow one from a family member, friend, or neighbor, buy one on Ebay or through local music stores or rent one. Each of these options has some advantages and disadvantages. For families that are faced with this question for the first time I usually recommend that they consider renting an instrument to begin with for a number of reasons:

#1 – You know that you are getting an instrument in good playing condition that is ready to go on the day your student receives it.

#2 – Any repair work that needs to be done on the instrument due to damage will be taken care of by the store.

#3 – Students may want to switch instruments after a trial period and can do so without the financial burden of trying to sell a used instrument.

#4 – The initial financial outlay is always less than buying an instrument outright.

We have scheduled to have representatives from Gerry’s Music Shop at P.C.S. on Thursday evening, September 4, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Band instruments will be available on this evening for beginning and continuing students to rent or purchase. We have had great experience with Gerry’s Music Shop in the past and are very happy with the service they provide. A technician/salesman from the music store visits us weekly to address any concerns we have about rented instruments and provides the school with support for the whole band program. Rental information from Gerry's Music Shop is available in the PCS main office and will be sent home during the first week of school with each interested 5th grade student.

Band is a great activity for most kids and all kinds of studies have shown that kids who participate in their school’s band program consistently perform at the highest levels of academic achievement. The teachers at PCS are committed to this program and will work to make it a success for your child. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at school at beckwith@pomfret.ctschool.net

Instrument supplies are always available through Gerry's Music. A sales representative from the store visits the school each Wednesday. A call to the store can have your purchase delivered C.O.D. to Mr. Beckwith.

Call 1-800-724-7402 or visit www.gerrys-music.com

The eighth grade classes will be studying music from throughout history this year. This allows us to link our activities to the National Standards for Music Education. For more information about the National Standards, click the link - National Standards

For more information about Music History, click here - Music History