Today was the first day of school!  It was great to see band students walking about the hallways and in home room ... we don't get to start band until Tuesday next week - Sept. 7.  That night we will host our Back-to-Band Night at 7pm.  This is an information session for parents of Band students.  I hope to see you there!

We have a lot of exciting things and some great music planned for this year!  I can't wait to get started!  Students who have not picked up their Audio Yearbook should stop by anytime this week or next to pick up their copy.

Students interested in auditioning for GT Band and/or All State should definitely stop by and pick up an application/permission slip.  Don't wait!  They will be do next week right away!  Get cracking on the music right now: you can download it and start pacticing by clicking here:

http://www.follyquarterband.org/gtmusic.html

Hope you had a GREAT summer!

Mr. Spang

Hey Folks!

The official MMEA All State audition music came out today.  Here is the link!  Remember, this is the same music that is used for GT Band Auditions.  Please buy the book and get crackin' on it!  I want good representation from FQMS this year!  :-)

http://www.mmea-maryland.org/images/control_panel_image/2010%20-%2011%20All%20State%20Band%20Music%20Requirements.pdf

Of course, you will still need to know your major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats, plus your chromatic scale.

http://www.follyquarterband.org/res_scales.html

Please ask for help AS SOON AS POSSIBLE -- don't wait until the week of auditions to ask for help!  Let me know you want to audition so I can plan on helping you!

Thanks,

Mr. Spang

Hi Everybody!

I hope that you have had a great summer!  Mine is just beginning - I have taught at three band camps, a scout camp, lead a choral festival, and attended a technology conference.  Finally, I have some time to visit family and friends!  I spent some time today uploading and entering almost all of our concert dates, festivals and rehearsals into our Google calendar.  New this year: I have learned how to publish "subscribe" buttons so that you can add it directly to your iCal calendar program, or subscribe via standard XML.  Get the dates imported directly into your family calendar!  I hope this service is of use to you.  I am really excited for another great yeat at FQMS in the Band Program!

Happy summer! Ahhhhh!

Our 2010 Audio Yearbook arrived with just an hour of school left!  If you did not get a chance to pick up your copy on the last day of school, the CDs will be held in the Front Office at FQMS.  Stop by at your convenience during summer hours and ask for your CD.  They are labeled by with the students' names. 

I hope that everybody has a great summer and gets a chance to give the CD a listen and revisit our successes from the past year!

Hello!
I wanted to let you know about our wonderfully successful trip to the Music in the Parks Festival at HersheyPark.  On Friday, May 21, we left from Folly Quarter Middle School at 5:30 in the morning with 200 students and 55 volunteer chaperons, staff members and conductors.  The Music Department performed eighteen musical selections in six separate performances for professional adjudicators.  The performances were rated and entered into a competition and the results were truly impressive.

There are two divisions and two age categories: 'A' (school populations less than 750 students, that us...) and 'AA' (school population over 750); 'middle school/junior high' and 'high school.'  Also, each one is further divided into two sections ('I' and 'II') for schools sending more than one band, or chorus, and so on...  Every ensemble receives a score in ten categories, and then they are totaled and compared with other ensembles in the same division and age categories to earn 'places.'  In all, there were over 2000 students involved from 5 states.

In addition, schools are given ratings: Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor.

The Concert Band (under the direction of Mr. Spang) earned a 1st Place in the Junior High/Middle School Concert Band II Division and a "Superior" rating.

The Symphonic Band (under the direction of Mr. Spang) earned a 1st Place in the Junior High/Middle School Concert Band I Division and a "Superior" rating.

In addition, our Symphonic Band earned the Best Overall Junior High/Middle School Concert Band trophy for the band with the highest score of the day, regardless of school population.  This is an extremely prestigious award and I couldn't have been more proud of the kids' accomplishments in earning this impressive trophy.

The Symphony Strings (under the direction of Mr. Walls) earned 1st Place and an "Excellent" rating.

The Chamber Symphony (under the direction of Mr. Spang & Mr. Walls) earned 1st Place and a "Superior" rating.

In addition, the Chamber Symphony earned the Best Overall Junior High/Middle School Orchestra trophy for the orchestra (string or full orchestra) with the highest score of the day, regardless of school population.  This is an extremely prestigious award and we couldn't have been more proud of the kids' accomplishments in earning this impressive trophy, as well.

The Advanced Chorus (under the direction of Mrs. Sartor) earned 1st Place in the Junior High/Middle School Mixed Chorus I Division and a "Superior" rating.

The FQMS Singers (under the direction of Mrs. Sartor) earned 1st Place in the Junior High/Middle School Treble Chorus I Division and an "Excellent" rating.

On a side note, the Advanced Chorus was only 0.75 points (less than one point!) away from being tied for the Best Overall Junior High/Middle School Chorus award!

Lastly, we are very excited to announce that Folly Quarter was selected for the Esprit de Corps Award for this year's festival!  The Esprit de Corps Award is presented to the students from a school who demonstrated proper social behavior as well as musical behavior/encouragement.  They possess the qualities of highly successful people who are sensitive to the feelings of others and applaud accomplishments no matter if by one's own school or another school.  Evaluation has taken place from arrival at the festival site to the awards presentation.  All schools are eligible for this award, but only one group has the honor of taking this trophy with them back to their school.