announcements
Hi all,
So many of you have asked me how my class is doing this year. Thank you! I've created a classroom project request on DonorsChoose.org to give you a glimpse into what we're tackling right now: Fix Our Band! The first seven days are key to my project's success. If you choose to give (any amount helps!), you'll receive updates and photos of this project in action and my students' sincere gratitude. I can almost hear the chorus of thank-yous from my kids already!
Please check out our GoFundMe.com campaign for more info by going to https://www.gofundme.com/GHSBandUniforms
The Garfield HS Marching Band performed at the 32nd Annual NJMEA Marching Band Ratings Festival on Saturday, October, 15th 2016. The NJMEA Festival showcases a fantastic array of Marching Bands from throughout the state of New Jersey. As a part of the festival, the bands compete against themselves to score a rating of "Gold", "Silver", or "Bronze" based on a judged critique of their performance. Also, each band receives recognition for musical and visual contributions to their program. This year the GHS Marching Band received a rating of "Bronze" and Musical recognition was awarded to soloists, Kaytie M. and Wiktoria D. for their solo duet. The GHS Color Guard received recognition for their visual input in the show. Mr. Goetz and Ms. D'Elia both were excited about the performance and both stated that Saturday night was the "Best performance, thus far" for the Band and Colorguard. The group will perform next at the Weehawken Invitational on Sunday, November 1st at Weehawken Stadium. Email Mr. Goetz ([email protected]) if you are interested in attending.
The 2016 GHS Concert band enjoyed a day of Trill AND Thrills at the 2016 High Note Festival held at Lake Compounce in Bristol Conneticut. The GHS Band traveled to spend the day at one of America's oldest and longest continually running amusement parks as they enjoyed the fruits of their work this school year. During the day, the Band performed for judges and were scored based on their performance. Selections included: "The Great Locomotive Chase" by Robert W. Smith, "Yorkshire Ballad" by James Barnes, and "Bushido" by Michael Story. As a result of their performance, the band was rated "Excellent" by the judges and received a trophy plus written and taped comments. The day was enjoyed by all and was a great culmination to a season of hard work by the band's members.
DECEMBER LETTER: THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE - MUSICTraditionally, the holidays are filled with music. Can you imagine the December festivities accompanied by silence? Let us take a moment to recognize and appreciate a communication that transcends all religious, racial, political and economic barriers: the artistic language of MUSIC. Our world is shrinking. The mere flip of a computer switch puts us in contact with anyone ... anywhere. Geographical barriers no longer isolate us from our global neighbors. We are challenged to find a common ground for mutual understanding. There is only one language that embraces everyone: MUSIC. If we want our students to have a world-class education, then we must offer them world-class music instruction. With the new millennium it is imperative that we pledge to establish a harmonious culture for our children. Most certainly tomorrow's world will be a reflection of today's choices and decisions. Music must be a mainstay of our schools, for it answers the important questions of who we are as well as why we are. In the spirit of giving, please accept our sincerest gratitude for your support of music; not just for the music program at Garfield High School, but music throughout our community, our state and our nation. Together we can make a difference. Together we are making a difference. Your Child and all the members of our musical family are the benefactors. Best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season are extended to you and yours. Let us begin the New Year with a renewed commitment to music in our schools. Through music our children are allowed to live a rich life filled with expression, appreciation and creative growth. MAKE A JOYFUL SOUND! Happy holidays, Mr. Goetz "I learned what every dreaming child needs to know; no horizon is so far that you cannot get above it or beyond it." - Beryl Markham |
Photos used under Creative Commons from Hendrik Wieduwilt, taymtaym, SurfaceWarriors, Catface27