Its been a great year, and I appreciate every single one of you. You've been ideal students in every single way.
Its been a privilege to meet you at the beginning of the year and watch you all blossom into the incredible musicians you are today. We had plenty of good laughs in this band room, but they were always coupled with some good old-fashioned hard work. Every single award you've won this year, like first place had that marching band competition and Superior ratings at Festival, you've definitely earned. Thank you so much for coming into band class each day ready to learn something new.
..And parents, I want to take the time to thank you. Without your support, there's no way this program can survive. You run the bake sales, the concession stands, the car washes; you're the back bone to this program. And most importantly, you're the ones nagging your students to practice everyday to make us one of the best bands in the county.
Like I said, its been a great year. I couldn't have asked for more for my very first teaching position.
Thanks for reading everyone!
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Community
Hello again!
You always way hear about communities being super supportive of marching bands, calling them "The Pride of" their county and what-not, and our community has been no exception this year.
The turn out for every car wash and bake sale, which of course were all printed in the local newspaper free of charge, has been absolutely excellent. And there were as many "Go band!" signs at home football games as there were signs for the football team! Seriously, I thought support like could only come from tiny little rural communities, not some city with multiple high schools like ours.
Keep attending concerts everyone! You all have been so fantastic!
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
You always way hear about communities being super supportive of marching bands, calling them "The Pride of" their county and what-not, and our community has been no exception this year.
The turn out for every car wash and bake sale, which of course were all printed in the local newspaper free of charge, has been absolutely excellent. And there were as many "Go band!" signs at home football games as there were signs for the football team! Seriously, I thought support like could only come from tiny little rural communities, not some city with multiple high schools like ours.
Keep attending concerts everyone! You all have been so fantastic!
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
Administration and Staff
Have you ever heard to horror stories of band directors massively butting heads with school administration and consequently never getting to do anything fun with their band?
Yeah, me too. And before taking this job, I was paralyzed with fear that this would happen to me.
But of course, as it happened with Linda, my fears were unfounded again!
My principal is such a great man! As it happens, he was a trumpet player all throughout high school and college, so he understands what its like to be in the band. He graciously allows the band students to go to the band room to put their instruments away in the morning before heading to the gym where the rest of the student body has to wait for the first period bell to ring. He also has never turned down any trips I've begged him to take the jazz band on, and he always makes sure they're allowed to make up the things they've missed.
I'm a lucky, lucky girl. :D
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
Yeah, me too. And before taking this job, I was paralyzed with fear that this would happen to me.
But of course, as it happened with Linda, my fears were unfounded again!
My principal is such a great man! As it happens, he was a trumpet player all throughout high school and college, so he understands what its like to be in the band. He graciously allows the band students to go to the band room to put their instruments away in the morning before heading to the gym where the rest of the student body has to wait for the first period bell to ring. He also has never turned down any trips I've begged him to take the jazz band on, and he always makes sure they're allowed to make up the things they've missed.
I'm a lucky, lucky girl. :D
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
Faculty
Have I mentioned already how I love my job?
The choir teacher here is basically my second sister. We get along so well, and we're basically always on the same page when it comes to joint rehearsals and programs. Its so much fun getting the band and choirs together to do a number on concerts. The crowd loves it! And the kids seem to enjoy it as well.
I'll admit, I was a little apprehensive about how our relationship might be, as I had hear how close she was with the previous band director. I was afraid she'd miss him so much, she wouldn't get along with me! Of course, my fears were unfounded, and I'm really lucky to have her here with me!
Hear that, Linda? We should get jerseys, because we make a great team. ;)
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
The choir teacher here is basically my second sister. We get along so well, and we're basically always on the same page when it comes to joint rehearsals and programs. Its so much fun getting the band and choirs together to do a number on concerts. The crowd loves it! And the kids seem to enjoy it as well.
I'll admit, I was a little apprehensive about how our relationship might be, as I had hear how close she was with the previous band director. I was afraid she'd miss him so much, she wouldn't get along with me! Of course, my fears were unfounded, and I'm really lucky to have her here with me!
Hear that, Linda? We should get jerseys, because we make a great team. ;)
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
New ensembles!
Hey everyone!
I just wanted to take a second to announce the new ensemble blossoming here at the High School: Steel Drum Band!
You heard me correctly! We had a decent amount money left over from building the new building, and I decided to put it toward brand new steel pans!
This ensemble will be open to anyone who wants to join, to questions asked. We'll meet after school on Tuesdays and Thursday, and hopefully we'll be able to get some gigs by the end of the year!
Hope you guys are all as excited as I am!!
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
I just wanted to take a second to announce the new ensemble blossoming here at the High School: Steel Drum Band!
You heard me correctly! We had a decent amount money left over from building the new building, and I decided to put it toward brand new steel pans!
This ensemble will be open to anyone who wants to join, to questions asked. We'll meet after school on Tuesdays and Thursday, and hopefully we'll be able to get some gigs by the end of the year!
Hope you guys are all as excited as I am!!
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
My curriculum
Hi everyone!
Well, the new school year is off to such a great start! The whole student body is so obsessed with sneaking a peek at the new building, that students are signing up for Music Appreciation classes left and right. For the first time ever, my Music Apprec. class is completely full!
This influx of students, however, has brought on an entirely new set of challenges for me. Usually an Apprec. class has about 10 students, and that gives us time to get nice and cozy with each other by the end of the semester, but this semester I have around 30! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE having that many students interested in my class, I'm just not used to having that many kids in a non-band class.
I'm managing, though. Plus with more students, I'm going to have the chance to implement more group projects into the curriculum, to keep them engaged in their learning. Later in the year, when we do our unit on dance, the students will be assigned groups and a country, and they'll have to research a traditional folk dance from that culture. They'll then present their own interpretation of that dance to the class as a Multicultural Day, of a sort.
Also, I just want to take a second to mention how much I love my band. Its so wonderful to meet them all at band camp, and watch them in a few short week grow tremendously as musicians and watch their friendships blossom. High School band is where I met all of my close friends growing up, and I'm so glad I can watch these students doing the same.
Oh, how I love my job!
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
Well, the new school year is off to such a great start! The whole student body is so obsessed with sneaking a peek at the new building, that students are signing up for Music Appreciation classes left and right. For the first time ever, my Music Apprec. class is completely full!
This influx of students, however, has brought on an entirely new set of challenges for me. Usually an Apprec. class has about 10 students, and that gives us time to get nice and cozy with each other by the end of the semester, but this semester I have around 30! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE having that many students interested in my class, I'm just not used to having that many kids in a non-band class.
I'm managing, though. Plus with more students, I'm going to have the chance to implement more group projects into the curriculum, to keep them engaged in their learning. Later in the year, when we do our unit on dance, the students will be assigned groups and a country, and they'll have to research a traditional folk dance from that culture. They'll then present their own interpretation of that dance to the class as a Multicultural Day, of a sort.
Also, I just want to take a second to mention how much I love my band. Its so wonderful to meet them all at band camp, and watch them in a few short week grow tremendously as musicians and watch their friendships blossom. High School band is where I met all of my close friends growing up, and I'm so glad I can watch these students doing the same.
Oh, how I love my job!
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
Student Resources
Well, the day is finally here!
After breaking ground nearly six months ago, the new Performing Arts building is finally finished! Yippee! And in plenty of time before the school year starts!
Let me tell you, the place is absolutely gorgeous! Better than anything I could have expected. God definitely had his hand in finding this job, because how many other teachers can say that their job was custom designed for them!? Oh, I'm gushing. I'll stop now. :D
Anyway, I just wanted to drop in to tell about that giant filing cabinet we have in the band and choir hallway. That massive sucker happens to be a music library, containing enough solos, band pieces and choir pieces that I'll never have to repeat a song as long as I'm here. What's more, is that its completely open for students to use, whether their picking out a solo for and upcoming college audition, or they just want to take a listen to a new Hazo piece they heard somewhere. The only stipulation is they have to return everything back to the proper place when they're done.
Life is grand. :D
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
After breaking ground nearly six months ago, the new Performing Arts building is finally finished! Yippee! And in plenty of time before the school year starts!
Let me tell you, the place is absolutely gorgeous! Better than anything I could have expected. God definitely had his hand in finding this job, because how many other teachers can say that their job was custom designed for them!? Oh, I'm gushing. I'll stop now. :D
Anyway, I just wanted to drop in to tell about that giant filing cabinet we have in the band and choir hallway. That massive sucker happens to be a music library, containing enough solos, band pieces and choir pieces that I'll never have to repeat a song as long as I'm here. What's more, is that its completely open for students to use, whether their picking out a solo for and upcoming college audition, or they just want to take a listen to a new Hazo piece they heard somewhere. The only stipulation is they have to return everything back to the proper place when they're done.
Life is grand. :D
--Jamie, aka Miss Stout
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