Welcome students and parents to the second quarter. The grades for the first quarter were good, as I expected. Generally. students either received an A or a C - either they did the work or they didn't. Let me encourage you to get busy on the practice records. With all of the vacations this quarter it is difficult to keep things straight, but just make your hours of practice fit on the chart. Despite what my disclosure statements says, I am trying to be lenient on my citizenship grading. Just behave in class (including no gum), don't have tardies, and clear up any excused absences and I will forgo the minus point system. Let's have a good quarter.        

New! Thanks parents for your tremendous support for the our first concert. we had 71 books added to our library and many contributions. I thought the kids sounded great. We had some (a lot) of issues with the technical aspects of the performance. It appears our faculty member who was in charge of the sound got got caught behind an accident, that only left students in charge who had no experience. We had some problems in the band room during the performance by students who did not show the chaporone respect and follow instructions. We are addressing their behavior as a class. Their assignment is due Monday, Nov. 16.   

The Jazz Band is perfoming November 21 at Barnes and Noble in Murray (53rd South State) around 12:00 noon and about 1:45 PM. Please come and do some early holiday shopping as a portion of the proceeds go to our school library. 

New! Our first Chamber Series concert for the year was held on October 26. Thank you for a fantastic crowd.  We have got okay from the PTSA to fund the next concert. It is tentively set for Monday, January 11 at 7:00 PM. The group is Salzburger Echo. They are a local group but with a national reputation as they perfom throughout the country at Octoberfests and Austrian - Swiss Days.  

On Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the school auditorium the Olympus Junior High Jazz Band will perform on a concert featuring the Phoenix Jazz and Swing Band. This annual concert is a highlight of our year as many former profession Salt Lake musicians of th Big Band Era are still performing at an astonishing level. We look forward to seeing you there.