Rio Vista Titans Music Department

Rio Vista Middle School Mighty Titan Times
Mar. 8th

Rio Vista Middle School
Mighty Titan Times
Week of March 8th 2010

College admissions officers continue to cite participation in music as an important factor in making admissions decisions. They claim that music participation demonstrates time management, creativity, expression, and open-mindedness.
- Carl Hartman, "Arts May Improve Students" Grades," The Associated Press, October, 1999.

A ten-year study indicates that students who study music achieve higher test scores, regardless of socioeconomic background.
- Dr. James Catterall, UCLA.

Spring 2010 Music Events and Rehearsals

This list is subject to change. Check the calendar of events to the bottom right of this page for more information.

Drum Line

Mallet Practice (1:15-3:30) every Wednesday except for holidays and district meeting. The District meeting dates are: 2/17, 3/17, 4/28, 5/19
Mini- Band and Marching Camp April 24th at Koligian Stadium
Spring Concert May 20^th
Music in the Parks at Great America May 8th

Guitar

February 27th CMEA Solo and Small Ensemble Festival
March 3^rd Lindsey Guitar ensemble visit to Rio Guitar Classes
Guitar Panorama Competition on Friday, April 9th. The last day of Spring Break.
Spring Concert May 27th

Band

Jazz Band every Monday 2:25-3:25 except for holidays
Central Music Festival March 25^th at Central East Performing Arts Center. Performance time for Rio is 9:25-9:40 in the P.A.C.
Secondary Honor Band Rehearsal (for selected students) April 14^th at Central East.
Mini-Band and Marching workshop (April 22nd
Music in the Parks at Great America May 8th
Honor band performance May 24th at Central East
Spring Concert May 20^th

Parent Music Meetings @ Rio Vista 6:00-6:30

3/18

5/13

No Mallet practice on the following dates due to District Music Meetings.

Here are the dates for the music meetings:

Mar 17^th, Rm 15

Apr 28^th, Rm 15

May 19^th, Rm 15

Important Information-All Band students need to purchase a chromatic tuner as soon as possible! This is a huge step towards our band playing in tune and is a must. I reccomend the Korg CA-30 Chromatic Tuner $19.99 at Guitar Center or the Horn Shop. I also reccomend the Korg CM-100 contact mic for all wind instruments to tune up perfectly in a loud room. Drum Line and Guitar students must purchase as soon as possible. I reccomend the Qwick Time QT-5 Metronome $9.99 or the QT-7 for $14.99 at Guitar Center. Remember that these tools are an essential part of developing good musicianship and you deserve nothing but the best!

Practice(please be sure to monitor your childs practice routine)
Students

should practice their daily practice sheets for 10 minutes every practice session to build endurance and good technique (Before they play their concert music). There will be a monthly exam on these practice sheets to ensure that all students develop the strong fundamental skills that they need to be successful in middle school band. PRACTICE ONLY ON THE DAYS THAT YOU EAT!!!!!

As always donations of water and snacks are needed we gladly except money in any amount.

IT IS ALWAYS A GREAT DAY TO BE A TITAN!

As many of you as parents and students already know, music provides the structure that encourages the development of social skills, team work and unity, responsibility, self-discipline, and of course the ability to express through music what cannot be captured in words. What you may not know is that music is also an important skill that colleges and universities look for in students to determine their long term success rate and probability of graduating. Please read the below source:

The arts are one of the six subject areas in which the College Board recognizes as essential in order to thrive in college. (Source: Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need to Know and Be Able to Do, 1983 [still in use], The College Board, New York )

IMPORTANT INFORMATION will be sent home through e-mail and this newsletter will also be posted on the Rio Vista website page. Please ask your child for this information to stay informed about Rio"s wonderful Music Program.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!