Band Notes...
Mr. Ruhlen, Mrs. Ashcraft
Band Director

Greetings from the band department! We would like to thank all of our 5th and 6th grade Challenger and Discovery students for a spectacular concert on March 3. The students were able to demonstrate many skills that they had learned since our previous concert on November 11th, such as dynamic contrast, accents, key signatures, time signatures, playing in unison vs. playing a band arrangement with several different parts, and D. C. al Fine, to name a few.  They performed the songs very well and we are very proud of them. 

Our final concert will be May 7 at Goddard High School. The dress will be the same (black from the waist down, white from the waist up, dress shoes). Times will be announced at a later date. This concert is one of the most interesting you will attend all year; you will have the opportunity to see intermediate, middle, and high school bands perform all in one concert! We will have all 5th and 6th grade Challenger and Discovery students combined for the intermediate band performance. Robert Goddard Middle School and Eisenhower Middle School will be combined for the middle school performance, and the high school band will perform. When all groups have performed, we will combine all groups for a mass band song. 

We will continue to require 100 minutes of practice every week. The students are in a crucial period of learning in preparation not only for the following grade level, but also for our final concert on May 7. Have them put on a “concert” for your or other friends and family, play duets with friends, or learn a new song in our method book. Thank you for encouraging your student to continue their music education with the band department. 

Sarah Ashcraft (316) 794.4040 x 2580 sashcraft@goddardusd.org
Pete Ruhlen (316) 794.4040 x 2521    pruhlen@goddardusd.org

Orchestra Concert, May 11, 7:00 p.m.,  Goddard High School Gym

Two new compositions will be featured at our May concert for string orchestra.
 “Frog and Toad”, written by Carrie Lane Gruselle, and 
 “Bought Me a Fiddle” (a.k.a. “Bought Me a Cat”), a traditional folk song arranged by Kevin Mixon.

“Bought me a cat”, was introduced to music by Aaron Copland in his American Songs Set 1. This song has been popular with children for many generations.

“Bought Me a Cat”
I bought me a cat, that cat pleased me.  I fed my cat under yonder tree. Cat said, “fiddle-i-fee”.
I bought me a chicken, the chicken pleased me. I fed my chicken under yonder tree.  Chicken said, “chee-mi-chack, chee-mi-chack.”
Cat said, “fiddle-i-fee”.
I bought me a duck, that duck pleased me.  I fed my duck under yonder tree.  The Duck said, “Quack! Quack!”
The song continues “adding on” other characters including a Goose (Honk! Honk!) a Pony (Trot-a-trot), and a Wife (Henry! Henry!)
Most versions of this song end with the cat, but one ends unpredictably with a turkey, and delights listeners with “Gobble-Gobble-Gobble!

Please encourage your musicians to practice for this concert, so they don’t Gobble, Gobble Gobble!

As a reminder, the 5th grade vocal music concert, “There’s Magic in the Music,” will be held on Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Challenger Gym. Your 5th grade student should report to the band room (north end of Challenger) no later than 6:10 p.m.  The concert will last approximately 25 minutes.

The dress for your student on that evening will be a solid white (or very lightly-colored…cream/tan) shirt (no spaghetti straps or mid-drifts, please) and black (or navy) pants (dark jeans, if necessary).  If skirts are to be worn, they should be knee-length or longer (no mini-skirts, please).  Gouchos or Capri pants are acceptable.
  
Parking is available on the east, west and south sides of the building.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to support our 5th grade performers!

Many 5th grade students are participating in an art contest.  The first place artwork will be chosen to appear on the front cover of the concert bulletin!  Entries are due by April 7. 

The 6th graders have learned the G, D7 and C chords on the guitar.  They continue to practice those chords within a wide variety of song genres, including country, folk and blues.  I enjoy working with your children!

Field Day Volunteers Needed!

Spring Fitness Gram testing should be completed by the second week of April.  Please ask your child how they performed on their PACER (cardiovascular) test, push-up and sit-up tests. 
Weather permitting, we will also be running the timed mile in late April.    

Coming Attractions:  Field Day is right around the corner. The scheduled days for Field Day are May 13th (5th grade) and May 14th (6th grade).  We need at least 30 parent volunteers from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. each day to help with the morning game stations.  Click here to download the volunteer form. Please sign the bottom portion and return it to school by first of May.  Sign up today!  Should be a lot of fun!

JUMP ROPE 4 HEART was a huge success!  The final total for the school was $3,438.00.  That more than doubles our total from last year which means we receive a $400.00 gift certificate from US GAMES to purchase much needed P.E. equipment!!!  Thank you for allowing your child to participate in this community service project.  

Mrs. Carrillo had the top fundraising class with a total of $971.00!  Way to go everyone!

Hard to believe we’re entering the 4th nine weeks of this school year!!  And this may be the hardest.  Students, please continue to work hard on your school work, both while at school and at home.  We know many of you are already starting summer activities (baseball, softball, soccer, dance, and the like).  But school is first.  If you get behind or are absent, please come see us.  We want to help but we don’t know you need it unless you ask.

Sixth graders – this is it!!  Your last 9 weeks as an intermediate student.  In less than four months, you will be in middle school.  WOW!!  We will finish the year studying the Universe and our Solar System as well as taking a look at our own home, good old planet Earth.

Fifth graders – you are almost sixth graders and back into a leadership position in our school.  Are you ready?!  We will finish the year studying weathering and erosion.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

5th Grade Science Shelly Brooks sbrooks@goddardusd.com
6th Grade Science Keith Lewandowski klewandowski@goddardusd.com