George Mason High School Band Dates
 (As of August, 2008)

September
Friday, September 12                       Pep Band  - Stonewall Jackson 7 pm +
Musical Orchestra rehearsals begin the end of September!
October
Friday, October 3rd                          Pep Band - Goochland  7 pm +
Friday, October 10                            Pep Band - HOMECOMING Manassas
Saturday, October 11                       Pep Band - It's Academic at NBC Studios 
Thurs & Fri, October 16 and 17          JV Variety Show (Jazz Ens and Drums)
Friday, October 24                            Madison County 7 pm +
November
November 19th - 22nd                        GMHS Musical - TENTATIVE DATE
Monday, November 24th                    Jazz Ensemble - NHS Ceremony
December - REQUIRED CONCERT
Saturday, December 13th                  District Band Auditions at JEB Stuart
Thursday, December 8 or 9th                        Jazz Ensemble Performance for National School Board Convention in Washington, DC
Thursday, Dec 11th                          Winter Concert REQUIRED 7 pm*
(*After school rehearsals for CB on Dec 2, 10.  SB rehearsals on Dec 4, 9)
January
Monday, January 5th                          District Jazz Ens Auditions Hammond MS
Saturday, January 17th                      VCU Festival of Winds and Percussion
Thurs - Fri, Jan 22 - 24                       District X Jazz Ensemble Festival    
Thurs–Fri,  Feb 5th - 7th                    District Band at Hayfield HS
February and March - SYMPHONIC BAND FESTIVAL REHEARSALS
Tuesday, February 3                          Required Rehearsal      3:30 - 5 pm
Wednesday, Feb. 11                          Band Mini- Camp                      2 - 6  pm
Tuesday, February 17th                     Required Rehearsal                 3:30 - 5 pm
Thursday, February 19th                    PreFestival Band Concert        7 - 9 pm
Wednesday, February 25                   Short Wed Rehearsal 2 - 6 pm
Tuesday, March 3rd                           Required Rehearsal    3:30 - 5 pm
Fri, Mar 6th or Sat, Mar 7th             District X Band Festival/Competition*
MARCH BAND TRIP
March 26 - 29th                                 Music Dept Trip to New York
April
Saturday, April 25th                            Solo and Ensemble Festival at Key MS
May
Thurs and Fri, May 7 - 9                      JV Variety Show (Jazz Ens and Drums)
Thursday, May 28th                          Spring Concert (REQUIRED CONCERT*)
(*After school rehearsals for CB on May 19, 27. SB rehearsals on May 20,26)
June
Wednesday, June 17th                      HS Graduation at Constitution Hall 

BOLD AND ITALIZED EVENTS ARE REQUIRED PERFORMANCES for the Concert, Symphonic and Percussion Ensembles.

Pep Band Football Game Policy:
The GMHS Pep Band will consist of all members of symphonic and concert band plus select drums.  There are four required football games.  For more information, please see the Pep Band Policy found on page four.

September 15, 2008

Dear Music Parents/Guardians:
I am delighted to offer your son or daughter the opportunity to attend the New York, New York 2009 band trip this year from March 26th - 28th. In terms of educational benefits, the George Mason High School band will be preparing Broadway music and be placed into a Broadway studio with a Broadway musician who will critique their performance. The chorus will work with a Broadway performer and have the opportunity to perform the piece they just learned along side a Broadway guest performer. Both groups will have a question and answer session with professional Broadway musicians. These studio clinics come with strong praise as being highly educational and a great opportunity for our GMHS musicians.
The price of the trip is $585.00 for quad occupancy. The students have the opportunity to fundraise any portion of their trip. The attached flyer includes fundraising details. At present we are hosting a poinsettia/wreath fundraiser and selling tickets for Applebee's Pancake Breakfasts. Please see the attached fundraising flyer. The deposit of $185 is due by Monday, October 27th. A parent night for all interested parents will be held on Tuesday, October 14th at 7:00 pm in the bandroom. Deposits will also be accepted at this time.
The trip includes an Off- Broadway Show and a Broadway Show as well as admission to the best of New York City's sites:
•
Two nights lodging at a NEW YORK AREA HOTEL
•
Breakfast will be available each morning as well as dinner at ELLEN’S STARDUST DINER and PLANET HOLLYWOOD, lunches at Time Square and Rockefeller Center.
•
90-Minute Harbor Cruise on NY WATERWAYS
•
Admission to ROCKEFELLER’S TOP OF THE ROCK
•
Admission to RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL BACKSTAGE TOUR
•
Admission to off Broadway Show, BLUE MAN GROUP
•
Admission to the Broadway Show, SPAMALOT
•
Visit Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Fifth Avenue and much more
•
Please see the attached itinerary for all the information
The George Mason High School band and chorus are continually striving for excellence. It is an opportunity to broaden students’ musical and cultural horizons. This trip is not mandatory nor is it graded. It is up to the individual parents who need to decide whether their son or daughter would like to attend. If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to let me know.
Please look at the attached documents and note the delightful trip itinerary. I am truly excited about offering this fabulous opportunity to our students. If you have any other questions, feel free to call at (703) 248-5500 x3019 or email websterm@fccps.org or glassl@fccps.org.
Sincerely,
Mary Jo Webster and Lauren Glass
GMHS Music Department

FALL FUND RAISING ACTIVITES FOR GMHS BAND/CHORUS

SIGN UP SHEETS ON THE BANDROOM BOARD
Listed below are the dates and times for the fund raising activities for the NY, NY trip. The fund raising activities are open for any student in band and chorus that will be going on the trip. All music students have an individual account and as they raise money, the profits from all fundraisers are subtracted from the balance of their trip. There will be sign up sheets for these activities on the band/chorus room blackboard. Students are welcome to sign up for any or all of the fundraisers listed below:
October 25th: SELL TICKETS NOW!!!

APPLEBEE'S FLAPJACK FUNDRAISER BREAKFAST
8:00-10:00 am (Sell tickets and/or work as wait staff.)
All students can sell tickets to this fundraiser breakfast for $10.00 each. ($9.00 profit from each ticket sold will be added to each student's account and $1 will be divided among the wait staff.) The breakfast includes 2 sausages, 2 pancakes, and a drink. Applebee’s employees will prepare and make the food. The students are needed to sign up to serve the food and drinks and clean up.

PROCEDURES FOR SELLING TICKETS:
1. Request tickets from Ms Glass or Ms Webster. Tickets received will be numbered and you will be responsible for either bringing in $10.00 for the ticket or returning the ticket.
2. Collect $10.00 for each ticket. Give the ticket to the buyer and bring the money in an envelope with your name on it, marked PANCAKE BREAKFAST to Ms. Glass and Ms. Webster.
ALL TICKETS MUST BE TURNED BACK IN OR MONEY COLLECTED BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22nd!

Wreath and Poinsettia Sale (Sales due on October 31st)
Students are now selling poinsettias and holiday wreaths as a way to earn money for their band trips this year. Please take orders from your customers and enter them on the order forms provided on the chalkboard in the bandroom. Poinsettias are available in a variety of colors and sizes, as are wreaths and other items. The greenery and poinsettias have been beautiful in past years. These poinsettias and wreaths will be from Behnke Nurseries.
MUSIC DAYS (Many Useful Students In (our) Community)

Students will go to homes or places of business to baby-sit, do yard work, odd jobs, or anything within reason within the community. There is no set fee but everyone involved is aware that we encourage fair pay for good labor. Last year, the students involved with this project raised a large sum of money to contribute to their cost of the trip. Many of them easily raised the entire amount and were paid very well for their work. SIGN UP ON THE BOARD for the days and times you can work in the bandroom.
October 25, Nov 1, 8, 15, 22 and December 1 are "MUSIC" WORK DAYS. Sign up on the board to work NOW.
Additional fundraising opportunities will be added to this list.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the fund raising activities, please email websterm@fccps.org.

Private Instrument Lessons by Professional Musicians for Falls Church City Students of All Ages Available at GMHS

(These lessons are optional and are not required for band participation nor are they limited to band students)

Program Enrollment Form
Student Agreement Form

The Falls Church City Band Boosters are very pleased to continue to offer private instrument lessons for our students. We provide private lessons at George Mason for a reduced rate, from some of the areas finest professional musicians, may from the Washington area military bands. The lessons are scheduled after school in the George Mason High School Band room. We anticipate that instruction on most band instruments will be available, as well as vocal instruction. This program has been well received and the students who have participated in previous years have made great progress on their instruments. Please take this opportunity to enroll your student in this successful non-profit program.

The lesson fee is $22.00 per half-hour, and an annual registration fee of $10.00 per family is due with the first month's payment. A thirty-minute lesson once per week is suitable for elementary and middle school students. Longer lessons are available to more experienced students at 10.00 increments per additional fifteen minutes. Payment is due in advance of the months lessons, usually scheduled as four lessons. Please enclose your first months payment, including the registration fee, with your enrollment. Lessons are scheduled Monday-Friday, beginning at 3:00 p.m. and ending at 9:00 p.m. Actual times are to be coordinated between the student and the teacher, according to availability of each.

The benefits of private music lessons are numerous. One-on-one instruction from a professional musician will enhance musical performance for the student already playing an instrument and can serve as an ideal introduction to music for the beginning student. Research has shown that musical training also improves spatial learning skills and can dramatically improve test scores on college entrance exams.

To enroll, click and complete the enrollment form link and the student agreement form link to the left and return them to Mr. Larry Allen, the coordinator, by US Mail to 412 Jackson Street, Falls Church, VA 22046, or by student courier to the GM Band Room or school mail box at Thomas Jefferson Elementary or Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Please enclose a check for $98.00 (4 lessons @ $22.00 + Family Registration Fee of $10.00) made payable to Band Boosters Lessons Program to cover the first month of lessons. Please note that this is a service provided by the Boosters, not a fundraising effort.

For more information, please telephone Mr. Allen at (703) 248-5500 x.3019 or (703) 237-9745.

The Falls Church Public Schools Band Boosters Association recognizing that arts in general and music in particular are a vital part of an effective academic program, is established for the following purposes: a) To actively assist, encourage and support the band program in the Falls Church City Schools; b) To urge and provide support for a strong music program in the Falls Church City schools in general, and encourage community youth participation in the school's instrumental music programs; c) To stimulate community interest in the Falls Church City Schools Band music programs; and, d) To promote organized and active parent/guardian support for the Falls Church City Schools Band music programs established and conducted by the Band Directors.

President:          Joy Nemitz
Vice President:  Jenifer Dismukes
Secretary:          Laura Brady
Treasurer:          Sophie Darling
Fund Raising Co-Chairs:  Lindsay Harris and Beckie Geren
Band Booster Representative on the Design Committee of the Falls Church City Facility Master Plan:  Peter Schaffer

Band Booster Meetings are held in the GMHS Band Room at 7:00 pm, unless otherwise noted.

The high school band music program consists of the following courses and ensembles:

Symphonic Band
The symphonic wind band is designed for the advanced band student. This ensemble focuses on advanced theory concepts, history and advanced playing techniques. This class requires superior self-discipline
and a high level of instrumental ability. Students will continue with the sequential study of band literature, rehearsal and performance techniques. Students will perform grade 4, 5 and 6 levels of music. Performances and rehearsals are required in this class. These rehearsals and performances will occur during school and out of school. Instrumentation will be at the discretion of the director.

Concert Band
Concert band is designed to introduce musicians to the rehearsal and performance requirements for the high school band. Emphasis is placed on developing and refining musical and the techniques required for advancement. Students will perform grade 3 and 4 music. Students develop skills as individual musicians and as members of a musical group. Course content includes intermediate-level technical ensemble skills necessary for performance. Rehearsals and performances outside of normal school hours may be required as a part of this course.

International Baccalaureate Music
Students engage in advanced study of musical performance. An in-depth study of the historical perspective of music including Western society and other world societies will be included. The study of traditional music in
the western society will focus on broad periods of time in history. Included will be specific style, form, and structure of vocal and instrumental music with analyses of specific works of those periods. This course will also provide a solid foundation of the fundamentals of music including intervals; pitch and rhythmic patterns; chords and chord progressions; and musical terms applicable to listening to and performance of musical literature. Prerequisites include permission of the instructor.

DRUMS!
Drums! is a course where students of all abilities can learn to perform on drums, timpani, mallet and keyboard instruments as well as steel drums and other types of percussion instruments. Pianists are especially encouraged to enroll. This course will include students who play percussion in concert and symphonic bands. Percussionists will be able to perform in a percussion ensemble as well as perform in the concert and symphonic bands. The repertoire ranges from classical transcriptions to contempory jazz and world music. Membership is open to all interested students, beginning to advanced skill level. This course meets for one year.

Contract Band
Contract band is designed for juniors and seniors who are experiencing scheduling problems due to the demands of the IB requirements. Contract band is a continuation of the objectives of concert band. Contract band members are required to attend rehearsals after school and attend all performances/rehearsals with the symphonic band. Instrumentation is at the discretion of the director. Admittance to contract band is obtained by permission on an individual basis.

Jazz Ensemble
The instrumental jazz ensemble curriculum emphasizes improvisation and styles of the jazz idiom. Content includes the study of blues scale patterns and harmonic progressions innate in jazz music. Content also includes the study of the appropriate jazz literature and rehearsal and performance techniques from the jazz idiom. Performances and rehearsals both in and out of school may be required. Instrumentation of the jazz ensemble is at the discretion of the jazz instructor. Students in the jazz ensemble must be enrolled in symphonic or concert band except for guitarists.

Pep Band
GMHS Pep Band is an auditioned comprised of students who perform with the symphonic and concert band. The pep band performs at all football games throughout the season and uses different music than symphonic or concert band literature. All pep band performances are on Friday nights and count toward band letter points. Students who commit to be on the pep band will need to find an authorized sub and let Ms Webster know at least three days before the missed game that there will be an absence and who is the substitute is. Failure to do so will result in loss of band letter points and an inability to continue membership.

Musical Orchestra
The musical orchestra is an ensemble which is selected by audition and performs for the musical each year. This ensemble usually includes strings and piano.

Extra-Curricular Ensembles
Small ensembles like Woodwind Ensemble, Brass Quartets, Saxophone. Ensemble perform at school and community events throughout the year. Ensembles are formed related to student interest and availability of rehearsal times.

Pre and post concert band room chaperone: Help the band members with
uniforms and organize the band room after each concert.

Tuxedo and Gown Organizers: Assign and organize student tuxedos and
gowns on the days of a concert and/or at a time of your choice. Help hem dresses.

Band After Concert Celebrations: Help assist with drinks and food the day
after a concert in band class.

Chaperones, Spring Trip: Escort the students on the spring trip. There is a
small fee for chaperones.

Chaperones, Band Festival: Escort the students to their performance at District
Band Festival.

Spring Trip Form Coordinator: Checks a list of students who have returned
spring trip forms and calls parents of students who have not turned in forms.

E-mail Ms. Webster

Handbook in PDF format

Tuxedos and Gowns
All tuxedos and gowns are property of George Mason High School and should be treated with care. Musicians are required to follow the guidelines below to maintain their appearance and quality.

Care and Maintenance
• All individual tailoring costs will be the students’ responsibility. All dresses and tuxedos will be hemmed to the same length determined at the beginning of each school year. Sizes will be fit to each individual and allow for growth throughout the year.
• Damage - All damage costs to the gown or tuxedo will be the student’s responsibility. Rips and tears, broken zippers and the like will need to be fixed at student expense.
• Keep your tuxedo or gown safe - Each musician is solely responsible for making sure their gown and tuxedo is safely stored in the storage rooms with their name clearly written on the cover.
• Report any loss or damage immediately to the band director - Lost or damaged tuxedos and gowns must be replaced at cost. Cost may include replacing the item. Musicians will be notified in writing of the amount he or she owes.

Men’s Uniforms
School furnished: This year the school will provide a full tuxedo for each of the men in band. This can be accomplished by using student fees and with the help of the band boosters. A red cummerbund and bowtie is also furnished.

Student furnished:
Wing tip pleated tuxedo shirt, black socks, and black dress shoes.
(The cost is $20 made out to Falls Church City Band Boosters for the tux shirt. We order these tux shirts directly and they are delivered to the school. THIS IS A ONE TIME EXPENSE and will be collected in October. The shirt will last throughout high school.)

Women’s Uniforms
School furnished: Black suede and satin dress
Student furnished: Stockings and black shoes.

George Mason High School Band Director
      Mary Jo Webster       websterm@fccps.org
      (703) 248-5500 x 3019

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Band Director
      Connie Jenkins       jenkinsc@fccps.org
      (703) 248-5550Thomas Jefferson Beginning Band

Director
     Lauren Hauschildt    hauschildtl@fccps.org
      (703) 248-5640

Band Para
      Larry Allen       allenl@fccps.org
      (703) 248-5500 x 3019

Band Boosters
President           Susan Fortenberry
Vice-President    Don Brobst
Treasurer           Sophie Darling
Secretary            Laura Brady