Swint

Dowell Tour Choir

Students, please remember to turn in your meal forms asap.  We need to get those off to the vendors.  We have only 3 more rehearsals before tour!  Lots to do, so don't forget to save Wednesday afternoons.  Parents, please make sure that you have paid a total of $170 by this week.  The last $10 is due the week before we leave.  If you want to include it with the payment that is due this week, you may do so. 
Make sure that you are considering the tour uniforms while you do your spring shopping.  All students will need blue jeans, mostly white tennis shoes, khaki shorts, blue jeans shorts, and some kind of white socks.  Crew socks are OK. 
Remember that there is a final concert scheduled at 6:30 pm Monday, May 5th.  Students will get their team and chaperon assignments on that night. 
I am getting very excited!  Lots to do, but lots of fun ahead!  Best of luck with your crct's!  Love, Mrs. Swint

Recorders + Parent Help

The music room is a hot bed of activity from 7:15 am until 8:00 am every morning!  Averaging 20 tests per am time, students are working very hard to achieve their black belt status.  How can you miss?  Your name in lights, apparently bonus money in your check books, and a party celebrating your achievement!  Yet, alas, some students are trailing in the dust!  Certainly, this music specialist hopes all students are practicing hard over the next few weeks to get their belt requirements in on time!  All 5th grade students must pass 2 belts this quarter! 
Playing recorder involves several key areas of the brain which we do not typically use all at the same time....eye/hand coordination, decoding symbols, physical activity of breathing, emotions... wow, students use the left brain, right brain, and brain stem all at the same time!  What other educational activity is like that? 
Our 4th graders are engaged in creating a piece with boom whackers.  Third graders are working on creating a class composition.  Second, First, and Kindergarten students are creating an orff piece based on the idea that April Showers do indeed bring May flowers. 
We wish everyone the best of luck with the CRCT next week.  During our abbreviated schedule, students will be exploring the concepts of texture and style in music. 

5th Grade Students

This week, all 5th Grade students attended an orientation meeting for band, chorus, and orchestra classes for middle school. 

Lovinggood Students received a packet of information to share with their parents.  There is an important Band Meeting for any students considering enrolling in Band:  Wednesday, April 16th at 7:00pm at Lovinggood Middle School.  Students may return their band, chorus, or orchestra forms to Mrs. Swint, or take them to Lovinggood for the open house on the 16th. 

The Smitha Directors also passed out a flyer.  Students will have a chance to enroll in performing arts classes at the beginning of the fall year.  In the meantime, any questions, please email me, or Mr. Nichols, Ms. Smart, or Mr. Bailley. 

Tapp Students will also be getting information in the upcoming days about opportunities.  The Tapp/McEachern Cluster has one of the most active programs in the area.  I want to encourage all our students to consider getting involved with a performing arts program.  Research shows that students engaged in band, chorus, or orchestra have higher test scores, improved behavior, and develop skills they can use in business.  Recently a study showed that a majority of students who enrolled in medical school, had a performing arts background......

All 5th grade students should have completed another recorder test by spring break.  That means they have passed at least 2 tests this year.  Practice over break!  You must pass two this semester to achieve an "S' in music!   Have a great break!  Mrs. Swint

Taste of West Cobb

Dear Parents,
I decided today that the Dowell Singers would not perform at the Taste of West Cobb on April 19th.  I made this decision because the organizers are not yet able to give us a time.  Due to the multitude of family activities during the spring Saturdays and our very own PTA yard sale, it seemed too difficult to ask parents to withhold the entire day until we knew a time.  I will be at the Taste of West Cobb, and I hope that you all will consider attending the event.  Both Ms. Isley and myself have tickets available for purchase.  We will definitely be a part of the activities next year! 

All Tour Choir Forms should be turned in by this time, and the 1st payment should have been made to the Dowell safe this week.  I was in Savannah this past week doing a scout of our venues.  It is going to be a fantastic time!  Lots and lots to see and do.  I strongly encouraged the students to make sure they are exercising.  There is lots of walking ahead.  Please encourage them to get off the couch, unplug the video games,  turn off the TV, and head outside to play and walk! 

Have a great spring break, and we will resume rehearsal on Wednesday, April 16th! 

Music Class Updates

Hi Dowell Students: 
There is only one more quarter of this year...that is 6-7 music classes depending on your rotation schedule.  All fifth grade students should take two more recorder tests during this last nine weeks.  It is suggested you make sure your student does one recorder test before spring break, and one shortly after the break.  Mrs. Swint is open for "recorder help, practice, and tests" every morning before 8:00am.  As always, appointments for after school times are an option!  Fourth graders will take a performance and written test on recorder before the end of the nine weeks. 

Students will be working on composers, and skills they use when creating music.  Fourth and Fifth grades will work on improvisation skills, notation, and form.  Second and Third grade will be using Orff process to create new music.  Kindergarten and First will also look at contrasts, form, and song writing.  First graders will be able to use Kodaly rhythm notation to recognize, read, and play simple rhythms. 

Our themes will be Spring, Test Taking Prep, and Contemporary Music!  Should be fun! 

Tour Choir - Important Info

Reminder Parents:  There must be a parent or designated adult representative attend the tour choir meeting  Tuesday March 25th - 6-7pm in the cafeteria.  An adult must sign for CCSD forms, and a notary will be present for your convenience.  Mrs. Swint will go over plans, rules, requirements, fees, etc. and there will be an opportunity for questions. 

The first Practice will be Wednesday 2:30-3:30 pm.  Please don't forget to mark your calendars for the Taste of West Cobb performance on April 19th.  Time will be announced as soon as we are notified. 

Tour Choir

Tour choir will be selected by Friday.  Group I must respond on Monday with their form and $25 to reserve a spot.  Group II is eligible on Tuesday, and Group III is eligible on Thursday.  Tour Choir will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, March 26th.  All rehearsals will be on Wednesdays (sorry for that typo mistake from last year!). 
Don't forget the parents meeting on Tuesday, March 25th from 6-7 pm for all selected students. 
We have been asked to perform at the Taste of West Cobb at the Avenues on April 19th.  This should be a very exciting community event.  More details to follow.  Hope you all have had a restful weekend, Mrs. Swint

Wednesday, March 12th

Dowell Singers: 
Don't forget to wear (or bring) your chorus uniform to school tomorrow for our 2008 Picture.  Tomorrow is the last day to order pictures. Please bring $10.00 and place it in a school envelope marked "chorus picture" and drop it in the school safe.  We want everyone to be in the picture, even if you don't buy one! 
Also, tomorrow is the last day to do an audition for the tour choir.  Auditions will start at 2:00pm and go until the end of chorus practice at 3:30pm.  Thanks!  Mrs. Swint

Dowell Singers Reminder:

Dowell Singers should wear their chorus t shirt to school tomorrow with jeans, and tennis shoes for the early release performances.  If they are also taking part in the Black History Program, they should plan to wear their other outfits, no need to change to sing with the chorus.  Students will report to the music room at 8:15am. 

Students did an outstanding job at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation last Friday.  Judges gave us superior and excellent comments!  Way to go DOWELL SINGERS! 

Also, a big thank you to the Kennesaw Texas Roadhouse Restaurant for hosting all of us!  They opened up the restaurant especially for our group.  We had a GREAT time!  Thanks to all the chaperons who helped us "herd" the kids through the day!  And special thank you to Ms. Hudson for all her hard work with the chorus this year. 

Dowell Singers Reminders:

Dowell Singers Reminders: 

• Reminder Feb. 21st 6pm Black History Program – full uniform
• Pizza will be for sale from 5:30pm on for $1 per slice to benefit the
Dowell Singers. 

Regular Rehearsal on Feb. 27th; same bat place, same bat time…

Feb. 29th   Festival Performance
• Full uniform; students not in uniform will not be able to perform
• Performance - Piedmont Baptist Church on Canton Rd. at 10:15am
Parents are welcome to attend.  Please remember to silence cell phones.

• Students, please bring $5 cash for lunch at Texas Roadhouse on the day of the trip. 
• Return to Dowell by 2:00pm for regular dismissal.

March 4th:  Early Release Day: 
• Students will perform the Black History Program for the student body. 
• Dowell Singers should wear their uniform to sing for two performances.

March 5th  – No Dowell Singers Rehearsal!  (GO REST!) 

The field trip permission from must be signed and returned by Tuesday, Feb. 26th. If you are able to chaperone, please return the form your student will bring home 2/20/08. Thanks!