Swint

Thank you!

Dowell Singers and Parent Supporters, 

Our party was a rousing success!  We had tons of pizza and cake, and had so much fun with each other.  Ask your student to tell you about the game we played....found out lots of interesting things about our members.  It was very special to Mrs. Hudson and myself to receive the generous gift.  It sounds trite, but the honest truth is I do chorus because I want to share what others have given me....the joy of singing and performing.  The students give back to me so much throughout the year with their personal and musical growth.  I appreciate the support parents give me, and the recognition that what I have shared makes a difference in your child's life.  As your student goes off to middle school, I hope that they will always keep a song in their heart!  I tell them they will see me at middle school and high school concerts, so please come up to me and let me know how they are doing!  For all the 4th graders, you are the future leaders, so I expect to see you back next year!  Have a great summer, Mrs. Swint 

Chorus End of the Year Party

All chorus members, there will be a end of the year celebration this Wednesday, May 6th from 2:30-3:30 pm.

Parents who are available to help, please join us!  Thanks so much, Mrs. Swint 

DOWELL SINGERS PTA PERFORMANCE

Don't forget to report to Dowell Tuesday 3/31 at 6:40 pm in full uniform for the PTA performance!  

Dowell Singers Last Rehearsal

Out LAST Dowell Singers Performance: PTA meeting March 31st - report to the music room at 6:40pm. Parents, please attend the technology presentation from 6:45-7pm! We will provide the music during the PTA meeting at 7pm. Regular uniform is expected. Today the forms for the enrichment trip went home. Students were evaluated by myself, the specialists team, classroom teachers and other staff with regard to behavior, attitude, musicality, and attendance. The top scorers receive the initial invitation. The second group will be contacted in order as spaces are available after April 1st. The enrichment trip to see "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is a donation of $35 which includes coach bus, dinner, and tickets. A deposit of $20 is due April 1st to reserve a spot. All of our students are fantastic. We just only have a certain number of spaces for students with transportation and tickets. Due to the day off following our performance on April 1st, as well as spring break the following week, today will be the last rehearsal time for the Dowell Singers for 09. I will try to set up a final day before the end of school for all the chorus students to have a celebration and party. More on this to follow after the CRCT is over! As I told the students today, they are a very musical group! I want everyone of our 5th graders to listen closely Friday morning when our middle school music teachers present the options for participation in middle school as I want all of them to continue! I also hope to see every single one of our 4th graders back next year as 5th grade leaders! Thanks for all the support this year! See you Tuesday Night!

Dowell Singers March News

Dowell Singer Parents:  

In effort to continue to conserve, we are going to send out fewer paper notices from now to the end of the year.  Emails and the blog will be updated.  Today the students heard their tape from Festival, and also reviewed the judges comments.  I am very proud of the work they have done.  

Our next event is a performance at the Dowell PTA meeting on March 31st.  Please make sure your student is ready in uniform in the music room at 6:30 pm that evening.  

I hope by now you have gotten some information about our Spring Event from them - be it a bit garbled!  Our Spring Event will be Friday, April 24th from 4pm to approximately 11pm.  We have 50 tickets for the Broadway Production of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" at the Fox theater.  This is the same production from NY and London traveling through the States.  Our evening will include dinner and the production, with possibly a performance by us.  I do not have firm details to share at this time, but I anticipate the cost will not be more than $35 per student, possibly less dependent on the cost of our dinner.  Because we only have 50 tickets, students will be selected based on attendance, behavior, motivation, etc.  The Spring Event is typically a reward for students who have gone above and beyond with their chorus participation.  This decision will be made following the PTA performance.  

Given the current economic situation, and since Spring is a major time for sporting events, etc. if you do not want your student to participate, please let me know.  I have encouraged the students to consider ways they might be able to contribute.... babysitting, yard work, giving up a treat etc.  If the student can put aside $5 per week, the total amount could be done.  

Again, Parents thank you for your support.  I am very pleased with the musical work the students have accomplished.  

Sandy Swint

Black History Program Tonight

Report at 6:10pm in full uniform ready to perform.  All students who are participating in another component besides chorus may wear their skit/wax museum costume during the chorus performance portion.  

There WILL NOT be chorus practice tomorrow 2/25 as noted in our prior notes!  thanks, Mrs. Swint 

Congratulations Dowell Singers!

Students:  Congratulations for a fine job at LGPE Festival today!  I can honestly say I have never heard the group sound better.  The judges agreed and gave us superior and excellent ratings.  Thanks to our saxophone artist, Mr. Andy Bulecza and Mrs. Noel Roberds our accompanist!  Also, big thank you to our parents for helping chaperone.  

Also, parents, please make sure you thank Dr. Frost for attending our performance.  She was one of just a few principals who made time in their busy schedules to see elementary programs perform!  

Texas Roadhouse once again provided an "interesting" experience, and a great meal just for us!  Thank you so much for being our partner in Education!  

Sandy Swint 

Mrs. Swint made a mistake.....

Thought that would get your attention!  

There is an error in the Chorus Words Sheet:  Please note the beginning should read: 

Winter, Fall, Summer, Spring, people laugh, people sing, 

We are in this world together.

Sun and Moon, Night and Morn to this world we are born

We are in this world together.  

So, to one and all, I am sorry!  Hope that's the last one I make before this festival!  

Have a good weekend, Mrs. Swint 

Dowell Singers Rehearsal

All Dowell Singers should plan to stay for rehearsal from 12:30-2pm on Wednesday, Jan. 28th for specific part work.  

Reminder:  permission slips will go home and must be returned by Jan 30th.  Our field trip to Hillgrove will be Feb. 5th.  Students will need to bring a lunch from home, or buy a lunch from Dowell.  We will need parent chaperones for this trip.  It will be from 10:45 am until 1:30pm.  Thanks!  

January 2009

Welcome to 2009 !  In the music room, students are working on timbre:  the special sound an instrument makes.  Each grade is working on identifying specific instruments by sight and sound.  Third grade and above is also classifying instruments by families and characteristics.  We continue to sing, play instruments, and create movement to music.  We are also working on music which will be incorporated into the Black History Program in February.  

In February, we will also examine the contributions of African-Americans to our musical heritage.  Upper grades will also identify various styles and genres of music.  

For our standards based report grade this semester, second grade will notate quarter and eighth notes by dictation and identify melodic steps and leaps.  First grade will sing the so-mi-la interval and read rhythm patters.  Kindergarten will sing the so-mi melodic pattern, and echo rhythmic phrases.  

Third grade is working on an Orff arrangement and improvisation.  4th graders and 5th graders are still working on their recorder study!  Wow!  We are busy learning and performing!  Thanks for all your continued support at home, Mrs. Swint