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!