119 Gorman Road, Brooklyn, CT. 06234 .
860 . 774 . 9153
  __________________________________________________________________
Please contact Mr. Kelleher with any questions on the band program.
kelleher@brooklynschools.org
or 774-9153 ext. 1275




5th grade band All 5th graders are invited to join the BMS band program. Students need not have any prior experience playing an instrument in order to participate. In most cases, students must provide their own instrument in order to participate. If students do not own or have access to an instrument through a relative or friend, the best choice is a rent to own program. A representative from Rayburn Music comes to the school every week to aid in the maintenance of all instruments. In addition, there will be an informational meeting at 6:30 on September 18 2008in the Middle School auditorium (just before the Middle School open house) to explain the band program, as well as the rental program offered by Rayburn Music. Parents/Guardians of students who wish to join the BMS band program but are unable to attend the open house should contact Mr. Kelleher for more info. Any student not renting an instrument should bring their instrument to Mr. Kelleher as soon as possible to make sure it is in good playing condition. The school does have a limited number of instruments that students can use free of charge - please contact Mr. Kelleher for details.

Instruments offered to beginning students are Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn, French Horn, and Percussion.

All lessons and rehearsals will take place during the school day. Students will have one small group lesson per week to begin. As the students progress, we will have a weekly rehearsal with all 5th
grade band members together. Generally, flutes will meet Monday, clarinets on Tuesday, saxes on Wednesday, brass on Thursday, and percussion on Friday.

All 5th grade band members are expected to perform on the BMS Spring Concert which will be held in the evening sometime in April or early May.
Upcoming Activities

Eastern Region Middle School Music Festival (ERMS)
ERMS is an opportunity for students to audition for music ensembles featuring the talented middle school musicians from Eastern Connecticut. The auditions will be held in Groton on 11/8/2008. Students selected based on their audition will rehearse and perform at Plainfield HS on 2/27 & 2/28/2009.  I will be sending information home with interested students in the near future.

    Quinebaug Valley Middle School Music Festival (QVMSMF)
QVMSMF is another opportunity for middle school musicians to play in a group of talented musicians. The Festival is scheduled for 11/5 & 11/6 2008. Musicians from middle schools throughout NE Connecticut will be nominated to participate in this festival. I will post more information here in the near future and send home information with interested students.

                                     
                                                   
Band and group Lesson Schedules - Just a reminder for all band members - make sure you know when your lesson is. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the lessons, get acrobat reader. The schedule is always posted in the band room, and in many classrooms at school. In addition the schedule is posted (usually) on the school's web site . It is the student's responsibility to know when lessons are scheduled.

BMS Band General Information - click here for the 2008-2009 BMS Band Info Sheet - the one that 7th & 8th grade band members need to have signed
   










 
All bands are instructed by Mr. Kelleher.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me (Mr. Kelleher) at 774-9153 (school) or e-mail kelleher@brooklynschools.org