Hello, February!

We have now started our second semester and finally performed our Winter concert. A big thank you to those that were able to come out and support our music students as the majority performed for the first time at the middle school level! It definitely made my first concert here very enjoyable and I look forward to many more to come. Also, through your support, our Boosters were able to raise over $200 to donate to Thomas Fire Relief funds as well as the same amount to support the purchase of materials, repairs, music, and more for our students' success in the classroom! And a reminder for you all, our next big concert will be May 23rd.

Moving forward, we have quite a lot coming up. This month, we are having visits from elementary school advanced music classes and we are planning a "5th-grade Assembly" tour of each of the schools with our Band Officers and Section Leaders to share with the general student-body what the Bulldog Bands are all about in time for picking their 6th-grade classes. On the other end, Mr. Godfrey and some of the Flashes Band will visit with High School information for our 8th-graders!
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One of the requirements for our music classes is that each student perform in a solo or small ensemble group at some point in the school year. Usually, that occurs in the spring semester, and the opportunities are just starting up. The FMS VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) Department is hosing a VAPA Variety Night on March 21st featuring each facet of our department. This will include an opportunity for our students to perform solo or in a small ensemble. 

Another requirement is that students go out to enjoy a live music performance and there is one coming up where they would get to see students their age performing at a high level. The Ventura County Honor Bands will be performing their concert on February 25th at Ventura High School. They apparently sell out quickly, so check out www.vchb.org for details. Another opportunity are the local band festivals that are coming up, one of which our Symphonic Band is on a wait-list for on either March 9th or 10th. Middle and High school bands from all over Ventura County perform in front of audiences and adjudicators to show off their stuff. For more info on these music festivals go to www.scsboa.org.

Finally, this months' Booster meeting is on Tuesday, February 13th at 6 PM in the band room if you are interested in helping out with our upcoming fundraising or our future concert activities. See you then!