Hello!
I hope that you and your family are having a good start to 2017!  I wanted to outline a few upcoming opportunities for your child.
On Tuesday, February 21st, all 4th graders in Geneseo traveled to the Adler Theater for the 35th annual “Symphony Day.”  We had a great time at the concert! The theme was “Planetary Exploration.”  We have been doing activities during music class to help familiarize students with some of the music that they played.
On Tuesday, March 7th, 4th and 5th grade students performed at the 41st Annual Music In Our Schools Concert.  Thank you to all who attended for a great performance!  Thank you also to those who assisted with taking down after the concert.
Current 1st-8th grade students-The Quad City Symphony Youth Choir is looking for new young voices for next year!  You will have the opportunity to audition on one of several days in May.  I would be happy to assist your child in preparing for this audition. Please see this link for more information.  It has last year’s dates, but the practice materials are still current: https://qcso.org/meet-the-qcsyes/auditions. The choir’s final concert on the season will take place Thursday, April 2nd at Two Rivers United Methodist Church in Rock Island.
Students entering 4th-7th grade are invited to participate in a choir workshop directed by Geneseo music teachers and future music educators. Students will rehearse for two hours on July 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. Instruction will include vocal technique, theory, ear training, and preparation of concert music. The workshop will conclude with students performing with the adult community choir on Wednesday, July 12th. ¬† here is the Children’s Choir Registration form.¬† ¬†It will also be sent home with students next week.
On Friday, April 7th we will be having our annual Northside Fine Arts Day.  We will be having a main act, the Middle School Swing Choir and Jazz Band, and several other smaller acts.  As part of the day, the PTA has graciously agreed to provide a luncheon for teachers and presenters. Please contact Tiffany Stees at tiffanymstees@gmail.com  if you are interested and able to assist on this day, either by volunteering your time or providing food for the event.  There will an online volunteerspot.com signup posted as we get closer to the date.
As part of the main assembly, several student instrument ensembles will also perform.  This will include students in grades 2nd-5th  We will be starting rehearsals in the next few weeks.  The groups will meet during your child’s lunch/recess time.    Please have your child come if they are interested in performing with us on April 7th.  Students will be expected to attend all rehearsals for his or her part.   More details will follow, posted outside the music room and here on my district blog.
As always, please let me know if you have questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0625.  Thank you for your support of the arts in Geneseo!
Sincerely,
Mike Eckwall
Remaining Northside Fine Arts Dates 2016-17
Music in Our Schools Concert (4th and 5th grades)– Tuesday, March 7, 2017, 7:00 p.m., HS Gym
Northside Fine Arts Day– Friday, April 7, 2017
All-Unit Concert (4th and 5th grade)- Monday, May 1, 2017, 7:00 p.m., HS Gym
5th grade Recorder Concert Monday, May 8, 2017
Practice– 1:00 p.m., location TBA
Concert-  7:00 p.m., HS Gym
Northside Spring Programs– Wednesday, May 17th, 2017, Northside Gym
- Grades 4-5 9:00 a.m.
- Grades 2-3 10:15 a.m.
- Grades K-1 2:00 p.m.