Happy Homecoming!

Hello All! Happy Homecoming Week! This Monday, our Woodwind Ensembles (one from each school) and Choir Members (each in their own school) performed for their respective Coronations. Each ensemble did their absolute best and I'm very proud of the work they put into their performances. I've posted the videos of the Northwood groups (sorry, Hatton, my video camera didn't work at your Coronation!) so check them out!

Thanks again to the students for their hard work and to everyone who came out to see them! Today is our Pep Band's premier performance under my direction and I'm so excited to do a march-over throughout the school. Wish us luck!

Keep Holding On!

Hey Northwood High School Choir Members!

I have the accompaniment track for Keep Holding On. If you'd like a CD please come ask me for one (I'll be in Northwood tonight for the VB game). Please be practicing with either this CD or a recording of the whole song. I don't think I'll be able to be at Coronation so you guys are on your own. Practice with CONFIDENCE!! You guys sounded awesome today so I'd love it to be even better by Tuesday! :)

Here's a link to the song with lyrics. Please please please practice!! :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atkGDPRiD-Y

Recruitment, Recruitment, Recruitment!

It's recruitment time (as if you couldn't tell from the post title?). Most of my classes had about fourteen (from each school) signed up this summer, but when the first day came almost half dropped! (And for those of you wondering, they dropped BEFORE they met me, so I didn't even get a chance to be the "mean teacher"!) I was greatly disappointed because these students obviously had an interest in music but for some reason or another chose not to participate. I've heard various excuses such as "it's too big a commitment" or "I wanted an 'Easy A' class" or even, "I want another study hall". Excuse me, "another"!? This is the part of the story where I, as a newly considered "old person" say, "Back in my day, we didn't even HAVE a study hall!". I'm just kidding, but really, there's no reason that a student needs two study halls, or even one now that we have Common Learning Time (a half hour time period for students to work on homework, i.e. "Study Hall") at the end of each day. Anyways, I digress. No matter the

reason, I have lower numbers in my classes. This is a problem for many reasons!

Number one being that I need a good number of students enrolled to keep the buses moving kids to either school and to keep the program alive. Secondly, I need good numbers to have a well-balances ensemble. And thirdly, and most importantly, Arts Education is part of being a well-rounded person! Check out this link for all the details, <http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/benefits.html>

I understand if you don't want to read the whole thing, but here are a few key points:

• Lower usages of alcohol and drugs.

Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs). Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report. Reported in Houston Chronicle, January 1998

• Kids that study music do better in Math.

In an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data on more than 25,000 secondary school students (NELS:88, National Education Longitudinal Survey), researchers found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years show "significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12." This observation holds regardless of students' socio-economic status, and differences in those who are involved with instrumental music vs. those who are not is more significant over time. Catterall, James S., Richard Chapleau, and John Iwanaga. "Involvement in the Arts and Human Development: General Involvement and Intensive Involvement in Music and Theater Arts." Los Angeles, CA: The Imagination Project at UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, 1999.

• The arts are classified as a Core subject.

"The term 'core academic subjects' means English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography."

No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, Title IX, Part A, Sec. 9101 (11)

• Improves self-esteem!

Students who participated in arts programs in selected elementary and middle schools in New York City showed significant increases in self-esteem and thinking skills. National Arts Education Research Center, New York University, 1990

• Higher grades and academic honors.

Data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 showed that music participants received more academic honors and awards than non-music students, and that the percentage of music participants receiving As, As/Bs, and Bs was higher than the percentage of non- participants receiving those grades.

NELS:88 First Follow-up, 1990, National Center for Education Statistics, Washington DC

• It betters our education system and prepares students to be better workers.

"The nation's top business executives agree that arts education programs can help repair weaknesses in American education and better prepare workers for the 21st century." "The Changing Workplace is Changing Our View of Education." Business Week, October 1996.

So parents, I encourage you to enroll your students in music. If they want to quit, ask them why. Talk to me about how to keep them interested. We have so much fun stuff planned for this year that I'd hate for them to miss out and wish they hadn't quit. Also, if your student hasn't been enrolled in music before, it's never to late to join! I have lesson openings posted outside my door so they have plenty of time to catch up. I think every student should have the opportunity to enjoy and love music. I just need your help!

Friends, if you have any Recruitment advice, feel free to share! Below are my new Recruitment posters. Hopefully this will spark some interest among students that have left us.

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School has started!

Hello All!

School has finally started and I'm so excited to see shining faces in my classrooms! We began yesterday but I only had a few classes as students weren't bussed between schools yet. So today was my first "real" day with all my classes. It was a band day so I started my day with high school band, then I had fifth and sixth grade bands in Northwood. I love seeing the fifth graders faces when they get to hold an instrument for the first time and try to make a sound on the various mouthpieces. It really is magical that a tiny slice of wood vibrating can make such a beautiful sound!

Then I left for Hatton where I ate lunch with my Mom (aren't I lucky!). I then had junior high band, followed by fifth and sixth grade Hatton bands. It's been so much fun getting to see a glimpse of what this year will hold and I can't wait to get into the literature.

I passed out our music handbooks and asked all students to go through them with their parents to make sure they understand my expectations. If the parents are reading this that means my students have listened well!! If there are any questions or concerns parents can e-mail me at allyse.hoge@northwoodk12.com Also, please sign the contract in the back of the handbook and return it to me!

Good night for now!

Pictures of my Northwood Classroom

A while back I talked about painting the new music dept logo on the big empty wall. I've decided to hold off for now and wait for help from students (well, I can dream). Plus, I'd need about a fifteen foot tall ladder (and I petrified of heights). So I'm going to procrastinate on this one. However, I wanted to give you a tour of my new space.

When you first walk in, there's a door to your right where the instruments are stored.


Continuing on your right is a small practice room (farthest on the right), a large practice room (currently full of the elementary teacher's props) and my shared office on the left. Yes, I share my room with the elementary music teacher. It's tough because we both have very different needs in the space, but hopefully we'll make it work!

Here is my big, empty wall. This is where I wanted the big logo, but as you can see it's easier said than done! There's also a portable smart board to the right and a back door that goes into another storage room. This is continuing left, with our crazy spaceship round windows that are throughout the building. My band will be set up in this "corner".

Continuing left is the choir set-up. In front of the risers is where the elementary music class is primarily held.
And we're back around to the door! This is the main entrance. There's a plain portable whiteboard to the right and a sink and counter area behind it. The door on the left is the door to the instrument storage.

So you can see that I have a strange set-up, but I DO love a challenge! If you have experience with a space like this or ideas for a different set-up, please share!!! :)

Happy last few weeks of summer!

The Countdown Begins!

Twenty-two days until my first day of school as a REAL TEACHER! Oh, I'm so excited! Today I decided to get my butt in gear and start in on some tough stuff. My first task was creating a Music Department Handbook. As I started this I realized I need to talk to my Athletic Director to secure all the dates for the concerts before I go any further, as well as figure out my office phone numbers. I looked on both school websites and couldn't find them on either. I guess that will wait until I get to the school again.

But while I was browsing the school websites, I found class descriptions for all the high school classes. I re-wrote the ones for my classes, check 'em out!

Music Department

Course: Junior High Band

MISO3 Course Code: 12006

Grade Level: 7-8

Credit: None

Course Description: The Junior High Band meets every other day for the entire year and is open to all students in grades seven and eight who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument, or would like to learn. We study and perform music from all stylistic periods and range from full band to solo works. The group performs many times during the school year for school functions, district and state contests, and concerts. Students are expected to participate in all of these performances, which typically take place outside of the school day.

Course: Junior High Choir

MISO3 Course Code: 12007

Grade Level: 7-8

Credit: None

Course Description: The Junior High Choir meets every other day for the entire school year and is open to all students in grades seven and eight with an interest in vocal music. We study and perform music from all stylistic periods and range from full group singing to solo works. The group performs many times during the school year for school functions, district and state contests, and concerts. Students are expected to participate in all of these performances, which typically take place outside of the school day.

Course: Senior High Band

MISO3 Course Code: 12051

Grade Level: 9-12

Credit: ½

Course Description: The Senior High Band meets every other day for the entire school year and is open to all students grades nine through twelve who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument or would like to learn. We study and perform music from all stylistic periods and range from full band to solo works. The group performs many times during the school year for school functions, district and state contests, and concerts. Students are expected to participate in all of these performances, which typically take place outside of the school day.

Course: Senior High Choir

MISO3 Course Code: 12040

Grade Level: 9-12

Credit: ½

Course Description: The Senior High Choir meets every other day for the entire school year and is open to all students grades nine through twelve with an interest in vocal music. We study and perform music from all stylistic periods and range from full band to solo works. The group performs many times during the school year for school functions, district and state contests, and concerts. Students are expected to participate in all of these performances, which typically take place outside of the school day.

You may or may not notice that there isn't a Jazz Band or Show Choir included. I've decided to start the year without these two ensembles. I still want to work on small ensembles throughout the year, but there hasn't been enough committed students to make the jazz band and show choir work well. When I see a high level of commitment from students and a great interest in outside ensembles, I would love to bring them back.

I've also been working on a survey to give students the first day of class. It includes questions about their range, if they're working with a private instructor, what their musical goals are for the year, how I can help them with those goals, and their expectations of me as their music director.

Now I need to start work on finalizing my classroom rules and expectations and putting together my handbook! Wish me luck :)

More Logo Options

Here's a few more logo options. Number 4 (the top one) is something my friend Mike suggested doing, as we're the Hatton-Northwood Thunder. I threw it together in word and paint and if I went with something like this I'd have to find someone to do a more professional job...


The next one, number 5, is one that someone created and left as a comment! I really like it, but it would be pretty tough to paint on the big wall in my classroom.


The last logo (I hope) is number 6 and is one that I created on an online make-your-own-logo program. I took a photo of my computer screen since I couldn't download it unless I paid moo-lah, which I didn't want to do unless I actually use it. So the blue doesn't actually fade, it's just a solid blue.
Again, I appreciate any input or help. I've started typing up the new Music Department Handbook (which includes a syllabus, grading scale, what to expect, what I'm expecting, etc.) and I'm still typing the inventory list....slowly but surely...uff-da.

Logo Options

Number One
Number Two
And Number Three

Please help me choose one, or if you're good with graphics, help me design a new one!!

Thanks all!

First Day in My New Classroom!

Today is my first day in my new Classroom! The teacher that just left was kind enough to leave me helpful notes around the office so that I have somewhat of an idea what to expect in my first few days. I've started looking through and updating the inventory. You see, I went to high school here, and one of the teachers I had (there were four different teachers in my four years of high school) was a super-organization specialist (thank you!!) and inventoried the entire band room. As awesome as that is, I no longer have any electronic copy of the inventory, and it hasn't been updated since she left in 2004. At least I have something to start with, and I'm so grateful for that! I found all of the choir folders and started filling them with pencils (they're velcroed in so the kids won't lose them), warm-ups (such as "When Jesus Wept" and "Ave Maria") and our first song ("Sicut Cervus"). I'm so excited to keep working on things in here and get everything prepared and ready for the first day. I want to paint a new music department logo on the huge empty wall in the room, but I'm having trouble coming up with a good logo. I'll upload photos later and you'll have to give me some input. Wish me luck and I'll update you all soon!