Dear Fifth Grade Parents,
School is off to a great start and music classes are going well! I feel so lucky to be the new music teacher here at Ford. Allow me to introduce myself, for the past 10 years I have taught elementary music at Kingston Elementary School in Bartow County. In 2009, I was fortunate to serve as a writer for the Georgia Performance Standards for Elementary General Music. Besides teaching at Ford I also conduct the Spivey Hall Young Artists, the training choir of the nationally renowned Spivey Hall Children’s Choir www.spiveyhallchildrenschoir.org). I live in Cartersville with my wife Katie, also a music teacher, and my 3 children.
National Anthem Day – Wednesday, September 14
Please encourage your child to wear red, white & blue to school on Wednesday, September 14 as we celebrate the 197th anniversary of the penning of our National Anthem: The Star Spangled Banner. We will be discussing the anthem in class to prepare for the big day. Do you know all the words?
Fifth Grade Musical – Tuesday November 15
We will present our musical “I Need a Vacation” on Tuesday, November 15 at 6:30. All 5th grade students will participate in this play. Everyone will be singing and there will also be singing & acting solos. I am looking forward to having every 5th grader participate in this exciting event. Volunteers are needed to donate and/or create: 125 penants, Hawaian lei’s, a 2 dimensional life-size minivan, as well as other props. I will also need help setting up the stage, risers and curtain in early November. Please email Jane Swanson (special area para-pro) if you are available to help: Jane.Swanson@cobbk12.org.
Here are a few details to place on your calendar:
• Students should wear their 5th grade class tee-shirt with nice blue jeans.
• Students should arrive at Ford no later than 6:15 on November 15th.
• Performance is November 15th at 6:30 in the Ford Gym
Recorders
Thank you for purchasing your child a recorder along with their school supplies. During the first semester our main focus during music class will be the Fifth Grade musical therefore students do not need to bring their recorders to music class until January.
Performing Arts Program
Thank you so much for your generous donations to the Cobb County Performing Arts Program. Because of your generosity Fifth Grade students will have the opportunity to experience the performing arts first hand at Ford this year as well as travel to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in December to hear the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Donation envelopes are still available in the front office.
Tone-Chime Ensemble
The Ford Tone-Chime Ensemble (tone-chimes are very similar to hand-bells) will begin meeting in October on Wednesday mornings from 7:15-7:50. Look for information to come home next week if your child is interested in joining. You may also check my blog, fordmustangmusic.blogspot.com, for more information.
Please email me (craig.hurley@cobbk12.org) if you have any questions or if you would like to come and observe a class.
Sincerely,
Mr. Hurley
fordmustangmusic.blogspot.com
