Dear Parents,

We are reaching out to tell you about our upcoming Percussion Ensemble auditions.The Percussion Ensemble provides students with the opportunity to greatly expand their knowledge of music, and will also help students develop many important life skills, such as hard work, determination, listening skills, stage presence, and most of all, how to share the joy of music. Being part of this ensemble is an INCREDIBLE opportunity for all students!

The Percussion Ensemble is open to all 4th and 5th graders. Auditions will be held after school on Wednesday, October 18 and Thursday, October 19. Once we know who is interested in auditioning, we will create a schedule and email you with your child’s audition date. Letters will be sent home that Friday to let you know if your child did or did not make the ensemble, and the first rehearsal will start Thursday, October 26th at 7:20 AM.

How to Sign Up for Auditions
  1. Go to Kleinisd.net
  2. Click the “Campuses” tab
  3. Click “Northampton”
  4. Once you are on the Northampton Website, click the “Teachers” tab
  5. Scroll down to “Northampton Music”
  6. Click “Percussion Ensemble Audition Form”
*This form must be filled out in order for your child to audition. The last day to fill out the form is Friday, October 13.

We will have rehearsals on Thursday and Friday mornings from 7:20 – 7:55 AMin Ms. Mize’s room.Students must be dropped off at the carpool area. Please do not drop students off before 7:15 AM, since there will be no supervision for students before that time.

Performances

All of our hard work in rehearsals pays off when we can perform what we have learned. These are all mandatory performances.

  • Old Town Spring- Saturday, December 9 from 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM.
  • Winter Concert – Thursday, December 14 @ 6:30 PM in the cafeteria. Students will need to be here at 6:00.
  • Spring Concert- Thursday, April 26 @ 6:30 PM in the cafeteria. Students will need to be here at 6:00.
  • Cluster Concert with Hildebrandt and Klein Oak- Thursday, May 3 @ 6:00 PM at Spring Baptist Church.
    *Other dates will be sent at a later time. (Picture Day, End of the Year Party, etc.)

Attendance

Absences will be excused for personal illness or death in the family. Sleeping in or forgetting to come to rehearsal is an unexcused absence. If a student comes to school that day, they are expected to have come to rehearsal.

Rehearsal starts at 7:20 AM. Students arriving after 7:20 AM will be considered tardy. Three tardies in one semester will result in one unexcused absence.If a student has more than 3 unexcused absences they are dismissed from percussion ensemble.

Conduct

Students are expected to have good behavior at all times. If a student cannot show the proper respect for themselves, their peers and teachers, the student will be given the following consequences:

1st offense: A warning that the behavior is unacceptable.

2nd offense: A note will be sent home or a phone call will be made, informing the parents of the behavior.

3rd offense: The student will be dismissed from the group.

Percussion ensemble participation is an elective and a privilege. If a student receives a U in conduct from their classroom teacher, they will be dismissed from the group.

If a student receives an N from their classroom teacher, they will be on probation. If the following report card is an N or U, they will be dismissed from the group. If the student improves their conduct to an S or E at the following report card or progress report, they will be off of probation.

Grades

Students who receive a 69 or below in any subject are ineligible to participate in performances.

Uniform

Percussion Ensemble members will wear the blue Northampton Music shirt, black pants (no shorts), and black shoes for all formal performances.New shirts are $6.25. Cash or checks payable to Northampton Elementary are accepted.

Again, we are thrilled to be able to work with your child through Percussion Ensemble. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Mariah Mize,

Wendy

Northampton Music Department

Melodic: Please use the “Silent Keyboard” to practice both your pitches and rhythm for the melodic portion of your audition.

G E G E A G C

1 te 2 te 3 4 1

Write in your counting for the rhythms on bottom of lines below the staff

Rhythm A (simple): Be prepared to clap and COUNT the rhythm below.

1 2 te (3) 4

Rhythm B (Advanced): Be prepared to clap and COUNT the rhythm below.

1 te 2 3 te 4 1 te ta 2 te 3 ti te ta 4