Hillview PTO

Saturday 5/1 Keplers Day - approx. 11:00-12:00 (let your coaches know about this NOW!)

Wednesday 5/26 Spring Concert 7-8:30 (NOTE:We are trying to secure the M-A PAC for this event.  If we do, there will be an admission charge.  If you have concerns about this, please e-mail me) 

DISNEYLAND TOUR Jan 7-9, 2011 ( I need parents to help me organize this, if interested, e-mail me)

Thoughts on Orchestra - In the coming months there is going to be a lot of discussion regarding next year's schedule and how the fiscal crisis will impact the program.  Right off, if the Parcel Tax doesn't pass, expect there to be significant changes in the elementary program.  Whether these will reach up into the Hillview program is anyone's guess.  But the implications are ominous.  I would implore all of you to keep up to date on this.  As you are all aware, Arts tend to be the first things cut when money dries up.  If you can think of ways to help promote the Arts and the Hillview Music program in the community, please let me know.

THURSDAY MORNING ORCHESTRA is a lot of fun.  We have a good core, although if some more violins wanted to join as well as a few trombones, it'd help fill out the parts.  Everyone likes the music.  I'm looking forward to our first performance!

GRADING CHANGES- This semester, I am going to be creating a series of technical benchmarks that students need to master as part of the overall grading process.  I will using a grading program called SmartMusic to help with this.  Look for more information in the coming weeks on this program and how it can also be used in the home as a practicing tool.  It is a really, really incredible piece of software. 

ORCHESTRA AT M-A - Many of you have asked about orchestra at M-A.  right now, only Woodside and Carlmont have orchestras in the Sequoia district.  I am in contact with Frank Moura and Pincipal Zito about the possibility of forming an orchestra next year.  There are two problems, however.  One is that Mr. Moura is retiring and they will looking for a new director (who may not have any orchestra experience).  The second is that a class needs 20 students to be viable. Orchestra may have to begin as a club for a few years before it can become a full fledged class.   I will have more information for you shortly but I encourage you, if you have an interest, to contact the M-A counselors and Mr. Zito directly.  When I ran the M-A Orchestra Club ten years ago, it was funded by the Foundation for the Future for two years before it became a class in its own right.  The demise of the M-A Orchestra is a sad tale but suffice to say that it has been absent from the curriculum for the past 4 years....perhaps now is the time to ressurect it....

SUMMER PROGRAMS - I have just sent out a first list of Summer Programs.  There are many fun, local workshops. The local youth symphonies are a possible alternative to the lack of an orchestra at M-A.   Part of the Spring Semester will be spent preparing each student to be able to take an audition for one of the orchestra programs.  Each student will learn a short solo piece from the Suzuki method as well as  two octave major & minor scales from Eb to A Major.  If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to ask.