Welcome Back!
Mr. Miller would like to welcome back all of his students in grades 6-8 back
from your summer vacation and wish you all a successful school year. The
purpose of this website is to help keep students and parents informed about
important information that pertains to the instrumental music program at
M.M.S. All students will receive a hard copy of our class syllabus during the
first week of school. The syllabus contains information about schedules,
grading policy, concert attire and behavior and a calendar of programs that
will take place this year. The calendar will be updated throughout the year as
needed on this website. Parents should feel free to contact me anytime at
dmiller@msad35.net or at 439-1399 ext. 409 if you have any questions or
concerns. Email is the best way to get a quick response to your concerns.
2009-2010 Calendar
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September 2, 2009 - Rehearsals begin, all students should have instruments at
school for class.
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September 14, 2009 - Annual Fundraising Drive begins. Optional student
participation.
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September 21, 2009 - Annual Fundraising Drive ends.
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October/November - nominations due for grade 7 or 8 students interested in
being selected to perform in the York County Junior High School Music Festival
in February. Interested students see Mr. Miller.
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Tuesday November 6, 2009 - Veterans Day Assembly/Performance (in school
assembly)
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Tuesday December 15, 2009 - Holiday Concert at Marshwood High School at 7:00
p.m. The snow date for this concert is Tuesday December 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
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Friday February 5th and Saturday February 6th - York County Junior H.S. Music
Festival at Kennebunk (selected grade 7&8 students only)
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March - Jazz Band begins on Thursdays after school
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Tuesday March 16, 2010 - M.S.A.D. District Band Festival at Marshwood H.S. at
7:00 p.m. All M.M.S. bands perform at this concert.
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Wednesday April 8th or Thursday April 9th - Grade 7/8 Band
performs at Scarborough Concert Band Festival (tentative).
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Tuesday June 8, 2010 - Spring Concert at Marshwood High School at 7:00 p.m.
This calendar will be updated throughout the year so it is best to check it
occasionally.
Grade 7 and 8 Bands
The Grade 7/8 Bands are currently working on six pieces. Armed Forces on
Parade by Andrew Balent is a medley of songs from each branch of the military.
Included in the melody is Semper Paratus (Coast Guard), Anchors Away (Navy),
Marines Hymn (Marines), Caisson Song (Army) and the U.S. Air Force Song. This
piece was performed on Friday November 6th at our schools Veterans Day
assembly. The two bands are also currently working on Festivo by Vaclav
Nelhybel which is a piece that features our percussion section. We are also
preparing Viva La Vida made popular by the band Cold Play and Angel Song,
Polar Express and A Suite of Holiday Carols for the December concert.
The Grade 6 Band is currently working on seven pieces which they will perform
at our December Holiday Concert on December 15th. The peices are; Fire and
Fury by David Shaffer, Cimarron by Larry Clark, Ancient Castle by James
Curnow,Dueling Dragons, Drummer's Christmas Carol, and Siberian Sleigh Ride
all by Robert W. Smith and A Suite of Holiday Carols.
Marshwood H.S. Marching Band Competition
On Saturday October 31st ten Marshwood Middle School 7th and 8th grade band
members helped perform the National Anthem at the Marshwood H.S. Marching Band
Competition. Thank you to those who volunteered their time that afternoon and
congratulations to Josh Gagnon, Emma Barker and Jordon Penney who marched with
the high school marching band throughout the entire season.
York County Junior H.S. Music Festival
Congratulations to the following 7th and 8th grade band students who were
nominated by Mr. Miller and then selected to participate in this years York
County J.H.S. Music Festival which will be held on February 5th and 6th at
Kennebunk Middle School. The students are; Andrew Blunt (7) Baritone Horn,
Sierra Connell-Bizier (8) flute, Brianna Hale (8) flute, Kyle Fallon (8)
baritone sax, Sam McPherson (8) trumpet, Josh Marks (8) trumpet, Josh Gagnon
(8) trombone, Reilly Burke (8) trombone, and Darren LaPointe (8) tuba.