Dear Grade 6 Families

UPDATED - JUNE 11, 2018
​POSTPONED INSTRUMENT RENTAL NIGHT

Due to an unidentifiable communication problem, we have decided to delay our Instrument Rental Night for HSA families until June 19 at 6:30 PM.  We are sorry for the inconvenience, but we want every student to have the best opportunity to get the instrument they desire.

​If you have seen this message, the communication problem has been resolved.  To help us know that the communication problem has been solved, please fill out the Grade 6 Enrollment Survey below.

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Dear Grade 6 Families,
   It is my pleasure to be a part of welcoming your family to Notre Dame Collegiate, and helping your students be prepared for the transition!  Transitioning to Grade 7 is relatively straightforward, and there are very few things that we need your input on to get your student completely ready for NDC.
   First, all students will need to decide their involvement in Band at NDC.  I encourage every student to study music, as there is plenty of research showing music as the only field of study that helps students systematically develop connections between every area of the brain, develop their own character and express their own personalities, and develop the 21st century skills of collaboration and creativity all within that same area of study.  That, and it is a huge amount of fun!

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On Grade 6 Orientation day, your students tried out four instrument-types; Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet and Trombone.  These are not the only instruments available, but they gave students an idea of what those types of instruments feel like.  Other instruments that are encouraged in Grade 7 Concert Band (a class offered inside the schedule) include Oboe, French Horn, Baritone and Tuba.  Saxophone is not included in this list of recommended instruments (frankly because Saxophone in Concert Band is boring), however students keen on the saxophone are encouraged to play Clarinet in Concert Band to develop skills in an interesting and fun way, and to play Saxophone in the after-school Jazz Band where the Saxophone parts are more fun.  The after-school Jazz Band and Steel Pans are other opportunities for drumset, bass guitar and piano as well.

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The alternative to the Band music class is known as "Academic Enrichment", a course that focusses on foundational skills including typing, learning how to hand write, specific study skills, organization, review of core course concepts, and then they do have the opportunity to complete homework as well.  It is designed specifically for those students who need to focus on those types of skills and activities.

With this information, I ask that you fill out this Grade 6 Enrollment Survey.  This survey will help us ensure your student is in the best course for them.  It will let us know about their desired involvement in Band (including what instrument they prefer), Academic Enrichment, French, after-school music classes, and a bit more to make the transition to NDC far smoother.

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Please fill out this form by the end of this week.  Then keep checking your emails this coming weekend, as we will be conversing by email to ensure the right classes and instruments are assigned to your student.  On June 19 (postponed from June 12), I invite you to the Instrument Rental Night Notre Dame Collegiate to rent your student's instrument.  Your instrument will be delivered before the end of the school year, so that they can start playing over the summer months, and get used to making their first sounds.

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I really am looking forward to next year of beginning band with your students!  It promises to be an exciting adventure together!
Contrapuntally yours,
Joel Windsor