OSS Music Department MUSIC NEWS
Transcript of OSS Music Department MUSIC NEWS
As we embark on a new school year, we also reflect on our successes of the previous year.
A Year in Review … a FEW Highlights
Last year, our musicians worked extremely hard in preparation for our many activities and concerts
throughout the year. We had many musical guests visit our school. We kicked off our year with mu-
sical guests from Cuba who shared their music and knowledge with all of our first semester classes.
Gerry Markman of Steve’s Music in Toronto and local musician with the Sensations joined our guitar
class to impart some knowledge. Dr. Kevin Watson, Dr. Colleen Richardson and Neil Barlow all came to our school to work
with a number of different instrumentalists and bands.
We had 5 ensembles participate in the Georgian Bay Regionals of Music Fest Canada. The results are on page 3.
Our Junior and Intermediate Bands and our Guitar class performed at the International Music Festival held at Canada’s
Wonderland and received some excellent feedback. Their tone quality and blending and tuning as a group impressed Pro-
fessor Stoll.
All music students had the opportunity to attend three different concerts in Toronto, two performed by the Toronto Sym-
phony Orchestra and another performed by the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra and CADENCE. Our students also had the
opportunity to go and see the musical The Titanic also in Toronto. Everyone had a fabulous time and enjoyed these experi-
ences.
During the spring, many of our students travelled to New Orleans to take in many of the sights and sounds. It was a fabu-
lous trip and many great musical memories were made. Please read more about it on page 3.
Our students played in the Orillia, Coldwater and Moonstone Santa Claus Parades, and showcased their talents during our
annual Holiday Concert, Spring Fling and final May Melodies’ Concert as well as a special showcase at the Board Office
and fundraiser at Boston Pizza.
As you can see, we had a great year and are gearing up for anther great one. We have some great events and activities in
store for this year … continue reading to find out more!
WELCOME TO OSS MUSIC
RAISE FUNDS FOR FUTURE TRIPS via FUNDSCRIP
If you or a relative/neighbour
typically spend $100+ a week
on groceries you could be earn-
ing $$$ towards your childs fu-
ture music trips.
Dollar for dollar gift cards are
purchased (i.e. $100 dollars in
Zehrs gift cards gives you a
$100 gift card) BUT a % of the
sale goes directly back to the
individual music student. Per-
centage rebates vary depending
on promotions (earn anywhere
from 3-7% per card).
Who are the participating retail-
ers?
There are tons of choices from
Aldo to Zellers, and everything
in between.
It’s the perfect way to raise
funds for your son/daughter and
the music department without
breaking the bank!
Visit www.fundscrip.com/
retailers for the complete list.
The Music Parents’ Association
has a special code for our group
(to ensure funds come back to
OSS Music and your son/
daughter). Please see Mrs Wat-
son or Mrs Matthie to get this
code.
OSS Music Department September 2015 WELCOME TO MUSIC
MUSIC NEWS
Inside this issue:
Fundscrip 1
Schedule of Events 2
Field Trips 1,2
Concert Band Trip 2015
Review
3
Intermediate Concert
Band—Workshop
3
Rehearsal Schedule 4
Music Parents
Association
4
MusicFest 2015 Results 2
Music Department Trip 3
Page 2
MUSIC NEWS
Music Fest 2015 RESULTS
The Music Department entered
FIVE ensembles in MusicFest
Regionals in Collingwood this
past March. Never have so many
groups competed and the results
were outstanding!
The tremendous commitment
and work ethic demonstrated
paid off with THREE groups re-
ceiving invitations to the Nation-
als in Toronto! Intermediate
Concert Band, following their
‘rehearsal retreat’ at Geneva
Park in February, earned a
GOLD.
Senior Concert and Senior
Stage Bands returned home
with HIGH SILVER qualifying
them both for the Nationals.
The Intermediate Stage Band
and the newly formed Jazz
Combo both earned SILVER.
Mrs. Matthie and Mrs. Watson
were proud of the accomplish-
ments of all. Although no
groups went to the Nationals in
2015, more great results in
2016 are already in the plans!
.
Meat Fundraiser
Begins September 14—sales sheets available
“There’s no place like New Or-
leans. It’s got the best food. It’s
got the best music. It’s got the
best people. It’s got the most fun
stuff to do.” Harry Connick, Jr.
Crawfish, catfish, alligator, gum-
bo, jambalaya, beignets. We ate
it all! The eclectic music was
like nowhere else in the world! Every student learned to Cajun
folk dance to a live band at Mu-
late’s on the first night. At the
NO Jazz Festival we heard Ed Sheeran, Elton John and count-
less other spectacular musicians
along with a record crowd of
120,000 people! A private con-
cert just for us in the historic
Preservation Jazz Hall treated us to incredible Dixieland. A Gos-
pel Brunch at the House of Blues
saw ODPark’s vocalist Aaron
Trindorfer come away winning a classic parasol after singing with
the pros on stage! It brought the
roof down! Our last night at
Snug Harbour Jazz Bistro was an evening listening to the world
renowned blues/fusion music of
the Charmaine Neville Band.
Live music was part of every
meal and also on the streets of
the French Quarter! For contin-
ued fun and culture, we em-
barked on both an evening
swamp tour in search of alliga-
tors and ghosts and a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi. We
toured a civil war era plantation
and on our visit to Mardi Gras
World we saw amazing floats on a level never seen before! As
well, we were treated to true
‘southern grace’ through our
quiet, skilled, and tolerant bus
What does big band music and delicious
desserts have in common? You will be
treated to both when you attend our
Sweet Spring Fling!
Put on your dancing shoes, sit back and
enjoy the musical selections from a num-
ber of stage bands at OSS. We even have
an alumni band—comprised of students/
staff from many different eras … as far
back as 1966.
New Orleans, April 30-May 5, 2015
Sweet Spring Fling April 29, 2016
INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND MUSIC
RETREAT
February 9-10, 2016
This year, we will once again
be holding an Intermediate
Concert Band retreat for our
students.
Not only will the students work
with some great musicians
and learn a lot, but we also
spend time enjoying the facili-
ties at Geneva Park.
Team building activities will
occur along with some wonder-
ful outdoor activi-
ties.
More information
will provided, in
December/
January.
We hope that all
of our students
will be able to
attend this great
opportunity.
Last year, members of our
Intermediate Concert Band
had the opportunity to attend a
band retreat at Geneva Park.
Thirty-eight music students
and thirteen instrument spe-
cialists along with a guest con-
ductor = a lot of fun, a great
learning experience a huge
amount of musical progress on
their instruments and interme-
diate band music.
Page 3
September 2015 WELCOME TO MUSIC
Fun Music Facts
The last note of a
keyboard is C
The first pop video
was Bohemian
Rhapsody by
Queen, released in
1975
Beethoven was the
first composer who
never had an offi-
cial court position,
thus the first known
freelance musician
MUSIC NEWS
2016
Music Department
Trip Plans
We are in the elementary
stages of trip planning.
Our history department has
gone to Holland each year
as an exchange and it looks like an exciting possibility.
The organizers have ap-
proached us to do it as a
'Music' focussed trip.
We have also been consider-
ing Boston as a music per-formance trip.
Information will posted on
bulletin boards and will be
provided music students via
ensemble rehearsals.
2 Borland St. E Orillia, ON L3V 2B4
Phone: 705 329-4537
E-mail: [email protected]
The Music Parents’ Association supports the OSS Music Department in so many tremendous ways. The program would not be nearly as
successful without this dedicated, creative and positive group!
Through their planning and financial support, students look great in their uniform shirts for concerts, are eligible for one of three $500
scholarships in their grade 12 year and are provided with substantial reductions on music trips including the Toronto Symphony, Canada’s
Wonderland festival and the major end of year senior trip. As well they provide busing for the Musicfest Festival in Collingwood, the Won-
derland festival and the annual Geneva Park retreat. Also at Geneva Park, the numerous guest clinicians and conductor are financially
provided by the Association.
The Music Department’s biggest annual event, the ‘Spring Fling’ dessert and swing/latin dance, is actually completely organized by the
Music Parents’ Association with only the music provided by the Music Department. This event is incredibly successful as a result!
At our concerts the Music Parents’ provide both the decorations and treats which greatly enhance the performance by the students.
Monthly meetings are held and new members are always welcome and needed! Please contact one of the music teachers to get involved.
INTERMDEDIATE
CONCERT BAND
(Open to grade 10s & Experienced
Grade 9s)
Tuesdays
Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 Nov 3,
10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 8
@ Lunch (11-11:30)
In preparation for Music Fest, rehears-
als will move to TUESDAY evenings 7
-8:30 during the month of February.
SENIOR CONCERT BAND
Wednesdays Sept 16, 23, 30,
@ Lunch (11-11:30)
Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 25,
Dec 2, 9, 16 (holiday party/social)
@ 7:00—8:30 p.m.
Come see Watson/Matthie before the
first rehearsal to secure an instrument &
get music
SENIOR STAGE BAND
See Mrs Watson regarding start date.
Rehearsals will be
Wednesday evenings
5:30-6:50 pm
JUNIOR CONCERT BAND
(Open to grade 9 students)
BEGINS at LUNCH in
NOVEMBER
INTERMEDIATE STAGE
BAND
See Mrs. Matthie if interested.
Rehearsals will be Wednesdays
afterschool.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
SMALL ENSEMBLE
Duets, Trios, Quartets
Looking to play in a small group setting … see Matthie/Watson if you are
interested
Percussion Ensemble, Saxes, Clarinets, Brass Ensemble, Dixieland, Choir
Have an idea for a NEW group … come and see us
MUSIC PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION MUSIC NEWS
MUSIC EXECUTIVE Join us in planning a FABULOUS YEAR!!
First Meeting Fri. Sept. 11 @ 11