Dear Strings Parents and Students,

Welcome back to another school year. I hope that your summer has been filled with rest and fun and time with family.  My family has enjoyed the summer schedule and weather so much, but I am very excited to see all of the returning strings students again and meet all the new ones! I am grateful to have the opportunity once again to continue to build and strengthen the strings program as part of the wonderful North Muskegon team.  I look forward to investing my musicianship, education, experience, time, and love in your children. 

The North Muskegon Music Boosters have been busy this summer, participating in the North Muskegon parade, selling raffle tickets throughout the festival, planning and hosting a great event with live music and food and drinks in Custer Park, and always….selling SCRIP!  If you haven’t taken advantage of the SCRIP program yet, this is a great time to start.  Gift cards to (nearly all) the stores, restaurants, and gas stations in our area can be purchased through SCRIP every Monday morning in the Superintendent’s office (7:30-8:30 AM) and Wednesday nights in the High School near the office (5:00-6:00 PM).  When you shop with SCRIP, each participating business gives back to North Muskegon (and to YOU) a portion of what you spend. Part of the donated money goes directly to the Music Boosters in order to sustain and strengthen our school music program.  The other portion of the donated funds go right back to you in your student’s account (used for school lunches, field trips, camps, athletic fees, music fees, etc.).  Just one more family choosing to use SCRIP can make a big difference.  Please tell your friends and relatives about this easy way to support our school.

Strings classes are still offered free of charge to all second graders and interested 3-5 graders during the school day.  Second grade violins are provided for every child by the Music Boosters.  Third through fifth grade string students may choose to play Violin, Viola, or Cello (as well as Bass in 4^th and 5^th) and are asked to rent their own instrument for class and home practice.  Choice of instrument should be made based on student timbre preference (the sound they like: low=cello, medium=viola, high=violin). Students enrolled in Strings will have the opportunity to play for school concerts and special events and performances.  Please fill out and return to Mrs. Corbin the attached Strings Registration Form (also available on the NM Elementary Strings website) by Wednesday, September 14.

A rental night for new students is scheduled for Thursday, September 15 at 6:30 PM in the Elementary Library.  A good rental package should include an instrument & bow, case, rosin, shoulder rest or rock stop, music stand, and method book (Orchestra Expressions Book One + CD), and insurance.  In addition to these items, 3^rd through 5^th grade students are encouraged to bring a 3-ring binder with protective clear plastic page covers in which to keep all music given to them.  All students will need to have an instrument and all their supplies by September 21.  (Music stands are to remain at home for practice, and method books are not needed until requested by Mrs. Corbin.)

Also, please visit the North Muskegon Elementary Strings website and blog to post questions or comments, find current information and useful resources for guiding your string player at:

http://nmpselementarystrings.educatorpages.com

Sincerely,

Angela Corbin

231-719-4149

corbinan@nmps.k12.mi.us

“Music does what language cannot do” ~Bennett Reimer 

Music possesses a distinctive power to “refine and extend” our ability to feel. Music allows us to enhance and reveal feeling, just as writing extends and perfects thought. It is a way to hold on to, to control, to clarify and actualize otherwise evaporating and fluid inner thoughts.  

Music should be taught ‘musically.’