<p> Berwick Area Middle School Music Department</p><p>To Middle School Band Parents;</p><p>Each year, the Columbia County Band Directors’ Association sponsors a Columbia County Band Festival which features the best and brightest instrumental musicians in grades 6 through 12 from the six Columbia County Schools. The County High School Band consists of students grades 9 through 12 and the Junior County Band students 6 through 8.</p><p>Membership in the Junior County Band is based on student/parent commitment to the dates of participation, and a selection process involving the directors from all six Columbia County Schools.</p><p>Your receiving this letter is an acknowledgement from us that your child deserves this honor and their participation would greatly enhance their musical education. By completing and returning the attached permission form, you are committing your child, if selected, to all rehearsal and performance dates listed in this letter.</p><p>The dates which your child would be involved:</p><p>Monday, January 26th  Departing BHS on a bus to Millville at 5:30 p.m. - returning approximately 9:15 p.m. Thursday, January 29th  Departing BHS on a bus to Millville at 7:30 a.m. - returning approximately 2:45 p.m. Friday, January 30th  Departing BHS on a bus to Millville at 12:00 p.m. – students will rehearse from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - participate in the festival banquet for all performing musicians -concert begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Millville High School. Berwick will not be providing transportation home this evening. We encourage parents to attend the concert, support their child’s musical accomplishments and take them home (there are plenty of places to stop for a celebratory ice cream in transit.)  Dress for the evening is nice dress clothes, gentlemen wear ties. To Be Announced  A few practice sessions may be scheduled at BMS to allow us to assist the students to prepare for the festival. We encourage students to attend.</p><p>Please complete the attached form and return to either instrumental music director by Friday, November 1, 2013. Thank you very much. Sincerely</p><p>Miss Bensinger Berwick Middle School Columbia County Junior Band Festival Amy Bensinger Band Director [email protected] 570-759-6400 x 2123 Berwick Area Middle School Music Department</p><p>Eligibility Form</p><p>Student Name: ______</p><p>Grade: ______Instrument: ______</p><p>Emergency Phone Number: ______</p><p>Mandatory dates of availability for festival participation.</p><p>Monday, January 27th  Departing BHS on a bus to Millville at 5:30 p.m. - returning approximately 9:15 p.m. Thursday, January 30th  Departing BHS on a bus to Millville at 7:30 a.m. - returning approximately 2:45 p.m. Friday, January 31  Departing BHS on a bus to Millville at 12:00 p.m. – students will rehearse from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - participate in the festival banquet for all performing musicians -concert begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Millville High School. Berwick will not be providing transportation home this evening. We encourage parents to attend the concert, support their child’s musical accomplishments and take them home (there are plenty of places to stop for a celebratory ice cream in transit.)  Dress for the evening is nice dress clothes, gentlemen wear ties.</p><p>I/We would like our child to be considered for a position in the 2014 Columbia County Junior County Band Festival. I/We understand they must be available for all dates listed on this form and I/we will provide transportation for our child from Millville High School to our residence following their January 31st evening concert.</p><p>Parent Name Printed: ______</p><p>Parent Signature: ______Date: ______</p><p>Amy Bensinger Band Director [email protected] 570-759-6400 x 2123 </p>