5th Grade Music Sign Ups
May, 2014
Dear 5th Grade Parents and Students,
The Band and Chorus at Bert Lynn Middle School has a long award-winning tradition in Southern California. As a feeder into the very impressive West High School Music Program, we take pride in teaching students skills to enjoy a lifelong passion for music. We have a HUGE program at Bert Lynn, with over half of the students participating in music. I would like to take this opportunity to invite your student to join Band or Chorus next year at Bert Lynn.
All Bert Lynn students choose an elective each year. Both Band and Chorus are electives that are open to any student, regardless of musical ability. In Music Corps classes, I will teach them what they need to know to read and perform music first at a beginning level, then advance them to a much higher level throughout their three years in middle school. We have different levels of ensembles that will allow the beginners to learn together yet challenge the player who already has music experience. All band and chorus classes are performance based, and we take pride in presenting high quality public performances throughout the year. We traditionally end the year with the Forum Festival, which is a judged competition with other school music groups and an afternoon spent at Knott’s Berry Farm or Disneyland. There is a place for everyone in the Bert Lynn Music Corps, and we strive to make music obtainable to anyone. 6th graders who do not choose Band or Chorus will automatically be placed into an Enrichment Cycle for their elective.
By signing up for Band or Chorus now, your student will be registered for the class and it will appear on their schedules when they attend registration at Bert Lynn in the fall. There is no audition needed for any music class at Bert Lynn.
Class Options
Beginning Band:
Beginning band is for all 6th graders, regardless of experience, and any 7th and 8th grader who wishes to learn a new instrument. For beginning band students, I will have the students try each of the instruments and help them choose the best one for them, so please do not get an instrument yet. Experienced players will learn further techniques on their instruments and assist other less experienced players. Students will chose instruments in class, so please do not get your beginning student an instrument until instructed to in the fall.
Chorus
Chorus is for any student who is interested in singing. No previous vocal or music experience is necessary; all you need is to want to participate. Students will learn to produce a good sound vocally, read music, sing a variety of music styles.
Summer Band
Also this summer, we are offering a summer band program for students to get a jump start on band for Bert Lynn. The accompanying Summer Band Program form explains this summer program for your consideration, and can be filled out and returned to Bert Lynn to register. If your student is a beginner and will be signing up for the summer program, I can make arrangements to meet with them individually prior to help them choose an instrument if help is needed.
At this time, please discuss with your student their desire to participate in Band or Chorus at Bert Lynn. Please fill out the attached registration form to enroll in Bert Lynn Music and return it to your student’s 5th grade teacher, or mail it to me at Bert Lynn:
Katie Banim
Bert Lynn MS Music Corps
5038 Halison Street
Torrance, CA 90503
Please feel free to contact me at Bert Lynn if you have any questions about our program. Email is the best way to get a hold of me. Please also check out the Bert Lynn Music website at BertLynnMusic.org. You can learn more about our program and our Boosters, and check out videos of our groups in action. I’ve enjoyed building and continuing this program, and I really look forward to getting to know and work with your students next year. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Musically Yours,
Mrs. Katie Banim
Website: BertLynnMusic.org
(310) 533-4495 X8670
Bert Lynn Music Corps Sign Up Form – Incoming 6th Graders
Please return this form to your child’s 5th grade teacher before May 21 or mail to:
Katie Banim
Bert Lynn MS Music Corps
5038 Halison Street
Torrance, CA 90503
Student’s Name______
Elementary School______
Home Address______
City______Zip______
Phone Number______
Parent’s Email address______
Parent’s Names______
Please sign up for one class for the Music Corps
Yes! I want to participate in Bert Lynn Music Corps (Please indicate Band or Chorus)
______Band
If you already play a band instrument, what instrument?______
______Chorus
Parent Signature______
Bert Lynn Music Corps
Summer Band Program – Incoming 6th Graders
Bert Lynn MS Room A2
June 23 – July 25 Monday – Thursday
May, 2014
Dear Parents,
This summer, Bert Lynn will once again be offering a summer band program that your student is invited to participate in. Class choices for incoming 6th graders this summer are Beginning Band and Advanced Band.. Students are welcome to take any or all classes offered. The summer program will be June 23 - July 25 Monday – Thursday. The cost of the program is $100 per class.
Beginning Band – 1:00 – 1:55 PM.
The Beginning Band is for any incoming 6th, 7th, or 8th who has never played an instrument or would like to learn a new one. Current band students are more than welcome to come learn a different instrument through this program. Students need to have chosen and rented/purchased their instruments prior to the first day of Summer Band.
**I would like to sit down with all incoming Beginning Band students before Summer Band starts so I can help the student determine which instrument is best for them. I believe that success in band is first determined by getting the student on the right instrument for them. Please contact me to set up an appointment to choose an instrument.
Advanced Band – 2:00– 2:55 PM
Advanced Band is open to any current 6th-8th grader at Bert Lynn. We will be learning and focusing on playing fun music that is designed to not only advance their skills on their instrument, but have a blast doing it. Incoming 6th graders with two or more years of experience in elementary school on their instrument may join this program with director approval. Please contact Mrs. Banim if you are interested.
Please fill out and return the bottom portion of this form along with your payment (checks made out to TUSD) to Marybeth Spadafino in the main office by Friday, June 6 to sign up for the summer sessions. Please direct any questions to Mrs. Banim at
**Please note that class times/dates are also subject to change and class availability is subject to change due to participation.
------
Please return with payment by June 6 to Mrs. Spadafino in the main office
Student Name______Current Grade______
Phone Number______
Parent/Guardian Names______
Parent/Guardian Email______
Please check each class you would like to sign up for (yes, students may do any or all classes!):
______Beginning Band ($100.00) Instrument______(or let me know if
you need help choosing!)
______Advanced Band ($100.00) Instrument______
Total Payment Enclosed______(Checks made out to TUSD)
You may mail this form to: Bert Lynn Middle School, 5038 Halison St. Torrance, CA 90503
ATTN: Summer Band