A New School Year

Welcome, new and returning HRV music students and parents! After a fantastic journey to Ireland last year, the success of Legally Blonde, an outstanding performance at State by Chamber Singers. and an awesome first season of performances by Aurora and Borealis, we're ready to build and move forward.  Some of the anticipated highlights of the coming year include:

• the premiere of Reach 4 It!, a new musical (November)
• a possible trip to Disneyland in late March or early April by Jazz Band or Aurora/Borealis

This year, we will not be offering AP Theory.  Instead, we have split our Concert Choir into two groups and our Wind Ensemble and Concert Bands will be rehearsing separately. 

If you have any questions, please contact me at msteighner@gmail.com or mark.steighner@hoodriver.k12.or.us

Welcome 2012-2013

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great summer.

We have a lot of exciting things to look forward to this year! Chamber Singers will be giving the world premiere of new music by American composer David Dickau and Irish composer Philip Stopford. While on tour, we will be collaborating with a number of professional musicians.

We have a new ensemble this year, Aurora. Aurora is a women's vocal ensemble that will perform in a huge variety of genres--rock, pop, world, classical.  We are combining our traditional Spectrum ensemble and Jazz Band to form a superband of rock, funk, and jazz.

As we have done many times, we have split our Concert Choir into a Women's Choir and a Men's Choir. The two groups will perform separately and together.

Please note important events listed on the right of the page, and don't forget to follow us on Twitter @hrvhsmusic

Homecoming!

Well, homecoming has come and gone and the freshmen have survived their first parade and football game. Kudos to the band for a great performance on Friday night.  Here's what impressed me: everyone was there (I know it seems obvious, but it doesn't always happen), everyone was back on time after the break (that one just might be a first), and it looked like everyone was having fun.
Oh, and Duncan rocked the whole drum major thing!

'tis the season for retreatin'

Thanks again to my old colleagues Gary St John, Doree Jarboe, and Tim Russell (who came all the way from Redmond) for making the trip to Hood River to work with our singers today.  As I shared with the students, these three teachers all had excellent, inspiring programs and I learned a lot from listening to their groups and watching them direct.

Next weekend, the HRMS 8th grade band, and our 9th graders (and any interested sophomores or others) will be working with Chuck Bolton, former band director at Barlow HS, and Oregon's "Mr. Holland."  Chuck is another incredible director who was an inspiring influence.

What a great start to the year! Thanks to everyone for coming.

The Week Ahead

Starting today, I will be posting a weekly summary of what's coming up in the week ahead.  Look for it every Sunday night.

Wind Ensemble: Looking forward to meeting all the new freshmen, and really look forward to getting our music-making underway.  We will start playing on Thursday, so don't forget to bring your horns, reeds, and other supplies.  Got a ton of great music lined up!

Choirs: Chamber Singers, if you haven't looked at the required music over the summer...you're a little behind.  Don't forget, singers, that we have our annual retreat on Saturday, September 10, from 9:30 (check in and get organized) to 2, with a lunch break from 12:30-1.  Pizza will be provided...bring your own drinks.

Spectrum/Jazz Band: Our zero period groups will get underway starting Thursday morning.  

Don't forget to check out our other music department blogs: hrvchambersingers.blogspot.com and hrvbands.blogspot.com

Can't wait to get started!!

New Year!

I've been thinking pretty much non-stop about the coming year, some changes I want to make, and how to teach more effectively. I know that learning to set and follow through on goals is one of the most important skills anyone can develop. Some of us are better at it than others, but everyone can learn the ropes. Here's a little document to help you get started! What's your first goal?

I know that sometimes students (especially in choir) want to work on music, but they don't know how to get started. Try this. Let me know if it helps.

Choir Retreat!

Chamber Singers and Concert Choir retreat is Saturday, September 10, from 9:30-2:00. We have three amazing guest conductors: Doree Jarboe, Tim Russell, and Gary St John.