Volume 3 Issue 1 Fall 2008 K ETTERING MUSIC!

Featuring News, Highlights, and Upcoming Events from all Kettering City Schools Music Programs

R OCKAPELLA HEADLINES FAIRMONT I NSIDE... A CAPPELLA FESTIVAL — NOVEMBER 15TH

Fairmont Music The family friendly concert will benefit the Kettering Fairmont Performing Arts Center Fund which is look- Page 2 ing to raise money to benefit all Fairmont music stu- Elementary Music dents with supplemental support for equipment and lesson scholarships. The KF-PAC Fund is part of the Page 3 Kettering Performing Arts Parents Association’s con- Middle School Music tinuing effort to support Kettering Fairmont High School music students and to enhance the high- Page 4 quality performing arts programs at the high school. Welcome Music Teachers Rockapella will also offer a hands-on vocal clinic to a Page 5 select group of Fairmont choral students. Marching Firebirds Additional parking will be available at the church Rockapella concert to benefit the across the street from the Fairmont Performing Arts Page 6 Center. Kettering Fairmont Performing About Rockapella: Arts Center Fund Often imitated; never duplicated, this certifiably “Some say the best musical instrument of all is unique pop musical group has taken the previously Presidents Speak the human voice , if you’ve seen Rockapella you stodgy music genre of a cappella and brought it full- know that’s the truth,” says USA To- force into the 21st century. Rockapella is composed “The future of our day. Rockapella, the undisputed kings of con- of tenors Scott Leonard, Kevin Wright, and John K. nation depends on temporary acappella music, will perform at Brown, bass George Baldi, and vocal percussionist providing our chil- 7:30pm November 15, 2008 at the Kettering Jeff Thacher. dren with a complete Fairmont High School Performing Arts Center Rockapella became renowned for their theme song education that Auditorium, 3301 Shroyer Blvd. The November for the PBS television show “Where in the World is concert will also feature Fairmont's own a cap- Carmen Sandiego?” The group wrote and performed includes music” pella groups Eleventh Hour and Fusion. Re- original music on the show from 1990-1995, enter- served seat tickets are $20 and $35. Doors open taining millions of viewers each week with their Gerald Ford 60 minutes prior to show. For ticket information, seamless harmonies and witty lyrics. This five-man 38th President of the visit www.ticketmaster.com or call the Fairmont powerhouse, whose sound is an infectious blend of United States High School box office at (937) 499-2647. $35 soul, rock, r&b, and jazz, advanced across the USA, VIP level tickets will include a free Eleventh Hour selling-out shows and appearing on radio and televi- CD. sion everywhere.

I NTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED VIOLINIST PERFORMS FOR FAIRMONT STUDENTS

Fairmont music students were Oftentimes Fairmont students “I don’t think I recently treated to a performance get the chance to hear perform- would have become by Mayuko Kamio. The interna- ers of this caliber as The Fair- President if it were tionally acclaimed violinist won the mont Performing Arts Center not for my school gold medal in the 13th annual has become a favorite stop for Tchaikovsky Competition and since musicians who travel to Day- music program.” her professional debut has been ton. The Fairmont recital hall appearing with major orchestras all provides the perfect venue for Bill Clinton over the world. such events. Special thanks to 42nd President of the She was in the Dayton area per- Alana Bowling, the Dayton Art United States forming on the Vanguard Concert Institute, and the Vanguard Series of the Dayton Art Institute. Concert Series.

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AIRMONT USIC Upcoming F M Fairmont Music IB PROGRAM HAS INTEGRAL MUSIC COMPONENT Performances We are very excited to be a part of 4.World Music the IB World School at Fairmont 5. A whole lot of fun. this year. We currently have 18 Although it is an intensive 2 year junior and senior music students course, students will leave Fair- Fairmont Music enrolled in IB Music! This repre- mont with a beginning collegiate sents one of the largest IB Holiday Concerts level of music training! So fresh- classes in the Fairmont program! man and sophomores, start plan- Dec. 16 and 18 We often get the same question ning ahead and think IB. 7pm asked of us: “What is IB Mu- sic?”…that’s simple: Najwa Turpen is the FHS Auditorium instructor for the IB music 1.Music History courses and also teaches music 2. Music Theory at Beavertown Elementary.

3. Analytical Listening

S T . OLAF ORCHESTRA

VISITS FAIRMONT

On Wednesday October 15 ture, and one of Brahms’s a large and enthusiastic most joyful compositions, audience was in attendance the 2nd Symphony. Or- for a performance from the chestra Director Steven St. Olaf College Orchestra. Amundson considered St. Olaf College is located in this to be one of the more Northfield Minnesota and is memorable stops on their nationally recognized for Fall tour. Fairmont excellence in the arts and The St. Olaf Concert was their annual Christmas Fes- one of many concerts Music Staff tival that is aired on PBS. hosted by the Fairmont The performance was ener- Music Department Band getic and polished featuring throughout the year. We tage of these great opportu- Michael Berning the Slavonic Dances of An- encourage younger students tonin Dvorak, Rimsky Korsa- and families to take advan- nities to hear live music in Dan Nicora kov’s Russian Easter Over- the Kettering Schools. Tim Parker Krista Berning Fairmont Choirs presents What is "Songs and Sweets" - Holiday K-PAPA? Lori Snead music, desserts and fellowship

The FHS Choirs choir. Coffee and In short K– PAPA stands for the Orchestra will present a desserts will be Kettering Performing Arts Par- concert full of served during ents Association. The group Rich Wright holiday favorites intermission. Par- formed this year out of neces- Michelle Donohoue on Saturday, De- ticipating groups sity to support the upcoming cember 6 at 7:30 include: Concert “Rockapella” Concert. The Becky Geels p.m. Tickets will Choir, Treble group consists of members of the Fairmont Choir Boosters, be $8 adults, $6 Choir, Symphonic students/seniors, Chorale, Fusion, Orchestra Parents, and Band Choir and FREE for kids Eleventh Hour Boosters. While this group is 5 and under. The and Illusion Show just getting off the ground, we Brody McDonald concert will con- Choir. Tickets go hope it will be just the start of sist of performances by the on sale November 17 in the great collaborative efforts Alex Phan among the Fairmont Booster choirs, soloists, our accapella FHS music office. groups and the Illusion show groups!

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MUSIC Beavertown Elementary Moraine Meadows Elementary Indian Riffle Elementary Najwa Turpen, Music Teacher Krista Berning, Music Teacher Courtney Nicholl, Music Teacher

Greetings from Beavertown! We have been Moraine Meadows students have been At Indian Riffle, the students have discovered hard at work learning about music’s FUNda- learning Patriotic music! We celebrated one thing about our world: music brings eve- mentals this quarter. Grades K-5 have all National Anthem day by singing The Star ryone together. Whether it is a change in the started with beat, then gradually moved on Spangled Banner after the pledge of alle- seasons, an event in our lives, the Olympics, to form, rhythm, melody and pitch. We are giance. The Veteran's Day program will be and yes, even the election, music is every- currently working on musical phrases with Tuesday November 11th at 10:15 AM. All where. People rely on music to promote our Halloween and Harvest songs and hav- are Welcome! Local veterans will visit peace and unity all around the world. We ing a blast in the process! One of the impor- Moraine Meadows for the program and have discovered that through troubled times tant themes this year in music will be bridg- stay for lunch and spend time with the in our country, people use music as an outlet ing the gap between music and the class- students. Fourth and fifth grade students to express themselves. When we are having room. It is important for children and par- have been playing recorders, hopefully difficulties with our friends and families, mu- ents to see how music plays such an integral you have heard them practicing at home. sic is also another way to bridge the gap and role in everyday life. It is also important to Second and Third graders learned all unite us. Everyday at Indian Riffle, we strive see how math, science, language arts, social about the orchestra with a program by the to unite the world in music studies and all other disciplines fit into the Dayton Philharmonic. Please plan to at- Oakview Elementary songs we sing and play. tend the Holiday Musical on Monday, John F Kennedy Elementary December 15th at 7:00 PM. Janis Combs, Music Teacher Colleen Badenhop, Jody Wilson, Greenmont Elementary Music Teachers Lori Snead, Diane DuVal, Music students at Oakview have been work- ing on their audience etiquette skills in The students of JFK are busy preparing for Music Teachers preparation for upcoming holiday programs several different musical programs this fall. in November and December, as well as en- Greenmont students are busy preparing The entire school will participate in the an- semble performances at Oakview by some for our Veteran's Day Program on Wednes- nual Thanksgiving program on November Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra ensembles. day, Nov. 12th. Each grade level will be 25. This year's program will celebrate In September, first graders enjoyed a per- singing a song to honor our Veterans. The Thanksgiving Day itself, even including formance by the DPO Percussion Trio, and third grade classes will present "Close songs about the food! The third graders are the fifth graders attended a performance by Encounters of a Christmas Kind" on already preparing for the holiday musical the DPO Brass Ensemble. During the month Wednesday, December 10th at 7:00. This "Forty Winks 'Til Christmas", which will be of October, the DPO Woodwind Quintet per- is a change from the school calendar. The performed on December 18. In addition to formed for the fourth graders. During the fourth and fifth grade chorus will also be performing in these programs, the JFK Cho- same month, third graders were attended a performing at this holiday program. rus will make special appearances at the performance by the DPO String Quartet. JFK Movie Night on October 24 and the JFK J.E. Prass Elementary During these performances, Oakview stu- Literacy Fair on November 20. dents learned a lot about various instru- Jody Wilson, Music Teacher ments and were able to hear beautiful music performed by professional musicians. Orchard Park Elementary The music room at Prass Elementary is on the move! This year began with a room Southdale Elementary Diane DuVal, Music Teacher change. We now have a larger room for Rebecca Childs, Music Teacher music which gives us a singing area, an For the third year in a row, Orchard Park instrument area, and a large area for Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome! Mrs. celebrated National Anthem Day! With the movement. All classes like the space and Childs’s students began the new school year entire student body gathered in the audito- agree it was a great move. We are also on with singing in German, French, and English. rium, students, staff and honored guests the technological move with the addition Southdale got off to a quick musical start of sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” Honored of a SMART Board. With the use of a the new school year with the Southdale Sing- guests this year included members of the SMART Board, we have discovered the ers performing the National Anthem for the Kettering VFW, along with parents, family sound of a Renaissance shawm and a August 30th Dayton Dragons game. members, and neighbors in the community Baroque harpsichord as we check out Fourth graders are expanding their under- who are currently serving or have served in composers from long ago. We also ma- standing of musical notation using their re- the United States’ Armed Forces. With each nipulate our music notation as we learn corders. Parents – please encourage daily Orchard Park student standing next to their our music reading and writing skills. The practice – 5 minutes is the minimum I ask! family member, each of the honored guests’ 5th grade students are preparing for a trip names were read aloud. Orchard Park was to the Schuster Center to listen to the Classes are using seasonal songs, poems presented with the Patriot’s Award from the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra while and rhymes as a starting point to creating Chairman of VFW District 3, Mr. Bob Dawes. other grade levels have had a visit from their own compositions. Photos of this event may be seen on MENC’s various orchestra members to play their Wilkommen! Anyone who wants to sing, official website. family of instruments. Every grade level move, and play instruments is welcome to the is busy during music time! music room! Page 4 Volume 3 Issue 1 Middle School Middle Schools Music Staff Opera for teens? believes middle school is the perfect age to introduce kids to opera. “Very shortly after Joan Reynolds herded 15 middle schoolers that it’s too late,” he said. “Opera becomes Van Buren onto the chartered bus, headed for the something separate from their daily lives. Schuster Center and the Dayton Opera’s There’s a barrier that springs up in high Middle School dress rehearsal of “Turandot” …How on earth school age, as well as stereotypes about would Kettering teenagers relate to that? opera.” Band Turns out I underestimated both the MUSE Dan Nicora Machine and the kids themselves. James Wolfe Before the performance, hundreds of stu- Mary McCarty—Commentary Excerpts Re- printed from the Dayton Daily News Krista Berning dents were treated to an overview of “Turandot” by Luke Dennis, director of arts Joan Reynolds teaches music at KMS and is Orchestra education for the MUSE Machine. Dennis the advisor for the KMS MUSE Machine. Lynn Rohr Rich Wright Van Buren Choirs biggest KMS Bands Choir and best yet! As we put the finishing Brody McDonald We are thrilled to report that welcome Mrs. Combs as as- touches on exploratory band Janis Combs this year is a banner year for sistant director. Mrs. Combs and orchestra, we would like General Music Van Buren Middle School enables us to divide male to welcome all of our new Choirs. The numbers in the and female singers, providing 6th grade brass, woodwind, James Wolfe choir are both above 50, the female singers with the and percussionists to the which is wonderful. Also, we vocal model they need to KMS band program. We are are seeing a wonderful mature into their voices. She excited to have all of you trend of young men singing. has been a wonderful col- and as always, we encour- We have close to 20 men in league, and the kids love her. age the parents of these the 8th-grade chorus and We look forward to seeing new musicians to communi- nearly 25 men in 7th-grade you at our concerts this year. cate with us. chorus! Not only is that a lot If you have any questions, Our first concert is just of young men - they are the please do not hesitate to around the corner on De- best-singing men we have contact me at cember 9th at ever had! brody.mcdonald@ketteringsc 7:00PM. This will feature all In addition to the spectacu- hools.org or 499-1680. bands including the KMS lar talent on the risers, we Jazz band. Great things con- Kettering tinue to happen in the KMS Middle School 8th grade band members band program. Parents, if make music with Fairmont you have questions, please call or e-mail us at any time. Band Marching firebirds Tim Parker KMS and Van Buren 8th grade band students Lori Snead recently had the opportunity to perform with Fairmont Marching Firebirds at the Varsity Krista Berning Football Game on September 26th at Roush Orchestra Stadium. This annual performance gives all of our Future Firebird Musicians the chance to Michelle Donohoue perform with the marching band in a real game Becky Geels setting. Middle school night is always a highlight of the season Choir and is a great way to get stu- Alex Phan dents thinking about their par- ticipation in Fairmont music Joan Reynolds Above, Right, and Far Right— programs. Any 8th grade parent General Music 8th Grade with questions about Fairmont Musicians music programs can contact Joan Reynolds perform at their middle school music Courtney Nicholl Middle School teacher or the high school music Night office at 499-2647.

Kettering Music! Page 5

Spotlight on new music teachers

Courtney Nicholl Before coming to Kettering, Courtney Nicholl Becky worked at Clark is originally from State Community College a small commu- in the Department of Community nity in Ellington, Outreach and Education. Becky New York. After continues to play with two orches- graduating from tras at Wright State and is also a Bethel Baptist member of the Lebanon Symphony Christian Acad- Orchestra. Becky is the lead emy, she went teacher of the Concert Orchestra at to Cedarville FHS and the 8th grade orchestra at University and KMS. studied music education with an emphasis on flute and piccolo. Alex phan While at Cedarville, Courtney re- ceived a Giovanni Gabrieli scholar- Mr. Phan comes to us from Bowling ship and also served as an officer Green State University, where he for the school’s MENC chapter. sang in the Men's Chorus, Colle- Throughout her career at Cedar- giate Chorale and their men's acap- Please support the FHS Choir Department with your purchase of the new CD by Eleventh Hour – evolution. ville, she maintained a flute studio pella group, HeeBeeBGs. Mr. Phan of 7 students. In January of Hear why this group was selected for Best of High is a graduate of Avon Lake High School Acappella 2008, opened for The Beach Boys 2007, Courtney married her hus- School where he band, Andrew, who is the Associ- and LeAnn Rimes, sang backup for Kenny Loggins, sang with their and performed on the2008 OMEA conference. ate Pastor of Worship and Fine AA choir and also Arts at Fairhaven Church in Cen- their elite cham- Please return this order form to: terville. Together at Fairhaven, ber choir, The Lisa Kelsey – Fairmont Music Office, they lead a children’s choir of Merples. 3301 Shroyer Road – Kettering, OH – 45429 eighty children in grades kinder- garten through fifth grade. In addition to this Evolution (2008) rich choral back- # of CDs @ $10 = ______ground, Mr. Phan How Sweet It Is (2007) Becky geels plays piano and # of CDs @ $10 = ______Becky Geels guitar, and ar- Eleventh Hour (Debut 2006) graduated ranges music as well. He has al- summa cum ready arranged a few selections # of CDs @ $10 = ______that you might hear on the Fusion laude from “Box Sets” (all 3 of above) set list. Some of those are “Coming Wright State # of “Box Sets) @ $20 (save $10) = ______University in Back to Life” by Pink Floyd, “50 Best of High School Acappella 2008 2007, receiving Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul a degree in Mu- Simon, and a hip-hop medley that # of CDs @ $10 = ______sic Education features Usher, Fergie, Nelly, Sean Acappella Night (2007) with an empha- Kingston, Rhianna, Flo-rida and more. He played soccer in high # of DVDs @ $10 = ______sis in violin. includes Fusion, Eleventh Hour and During her college career, she school and likes to roller-blade. played in the University Symphony Mr. Phan assists with Symphonic Van Buren's Amp'd Out Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Chorale and Concert Choir, and is Opera Pit, as well as the Jazz the lead teacher for Treble Choir, Total Enclosed = ______th th Band. Among others, Becky re- KMS 7 grade and KMS 8 grade. ceived two prestigious scholar- He directs the a cappella group Make checks payable to Fairmont Choral Boosters Fusion and assists with Illusion ships – the Sonia Goldfarb Award as well as the Sucher Honors Show Choir. Chamber Orchestra Scholarship.

Always a great time to start private lessons Students studying music in the Kettering Schools have many for more information on private lessons. Many teachers wonderful opportunities, one of those being private lessons. offer lessons during daily music classes. Make plans now Whether the student is involved in band, orchestra, or choir to enrich your childs music education! Your child may be there are many quality private teachers available. Contact your next year’s college scholarship winner or simply another child’s music teacher or the district music office at 499-2647 life long lover of music! Kettering Kettering City Schools NONPROFIT 3750 Far Hills Ave. ORG. Music! U.S. POSTAGE Kettering, OH 45429 PAID DAYTON, OHIO

PERMIT NO. 481

District Music Office Fairmont High School Performing Arts Center 3301 Shroyer Rd. Kettering , Ohio 45429

Phone 499-2647 Fax 499-1648

Coordinator of Music Michael Berning

M ARCHING FIREBIRDS C ONTINUE SUCCESS

The Fairmont Marching Firebirds completed another success- ful season full of great music making. Some highlights of the 2008 season included the new pre-game show which in-

cluded “Script Birds”, an Ohio State style drill which con- cludes with the “dotting of the i” by a sousaphone player. Websites of Interest The Band also had the oppor- tunity to perform in the Horseshoe at OSU and tour Kettering City Schools the OSU band facilities and www.ketteringschools.org the annual Buckeye Classic marching band competition. Pages for music... The Marching Firebirds also found success at the Bands Kettering Bands of America Regional Champi- onships held at Paul Brown www.fairmontbands.org Stadium in Massillon. The Above—Kayleigh band was named a regional Roenker performs finalist among some of the Kettering Choirs as a member of the top bands from 7 states. The www.fairmontchoirs.org Marching Firebirds Marching Firebirds capped Color Guard, Right— off another great season with Michael Loree per- their 11th consecutive supe- Kettering Orchestras forms on Tenor rior rating at the Ohio Music www.KetteringOrchestras.org Saxophone Education State Marching Finals at Welcome Stadium!