Swint

Correction for Chorus Application Packet

First Rehearsal for Dowell Singers will be Wednesday, Sept. 2nd.  We will rehearse on Wednesdays.  Students who are accepted (after teacher review) will be notified by Monday, August 31st.  

Singathon will be Friday, Sept. 18th from 2:30-6:00pm at Dowell.  I apologize for the error on the last page.  

Update for Parents of 4th and 5th graders

Chorus sign ups will begin this week.  On Thursday night, 8/20, during open house, Mrs. Swint will be in the music room to answer questions and pass out chorus packets.  If parents are unable to attend open house, Mrs. Swint will be in the music room Friday, 8/21, at 7:40am to pass out chorus packets.  Forms will be accepted on a first come, first served basis starting Monday, 8/24.  Students will need to turn in a completed application,  including teacher recommendation forms.  The Medical history form which needs to be notarized  can be turned in anytime before Sept. 2nd.  Students will be notified of acceptance when teachers complete the recommendation forms.  Please be aware that chorus is a completely volunteer, extra-curricular activity and that donations cover music costs, supplies, materials, and transportation.  Mrs. Swint is also a volunteer - so parent help is GREATLY appreciated in whatever capacity it is given!  Only 70 students will be accepted due to space in the music room.  Rehearsals start Sept. 2nd!  

Recorders are still available from Dowell.  The cost is $8, please cash or check made out to Dowell Elementary and place completed white envelope in the safe.  See Mrs. Swint for envelopes or questions!  Recorders for all 4/5th grade classes start Wednesday!  

Welcome Back to School Students!

Hi everyone, 

I hope you had a marvelous summer.  I traveled with my husband who was teaching study abroad in London, England.  Our family went to  Scotland, Holland, and Ireland!  It was very exciting, and I enjoyed hearing music from other cultures.  In the music room this week, we will be reviewing rules, learning about expectations, and starting off on our musical journey for 09-10.  All 4th and 5th grade students will need a recorder, music folder, and pencil.  You can purchase one from Dowell, or visit Ken Stanton or Ponier Music on Dallas Highway.  Please do not use dollar store recorders as these do not hold pitch or last.  Chorus sign ups will begin after Back to School night the end of August.  Our first event is Sept. 18th!  

This year students in grades k-3 will use the standards based report cards.  Although we cover 20+ standards per grade, the report cards only indicate student progress on 2 standards per grading period.  The standards change each quarter.  Students either meet standards (3), progressing towards meeting standards (2), or do not meet standards (1).  It is possible to get a 3+ if the student goes far beyond meeting the standard. Students also receive a grade for learning skills and behavior.   Again, all standards are taught and assessed, but all are not reported on the report card.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.  

Students in 4/5th grades also are graded on progress with music standards, but progress is noted as O for outstanding, S for satisfactory, and N for needs improvement.  They also receive a grade for learning skills and behavior.  In the upper grades, students are expected to learn recorder and demonstrate progress.  We have frequent announced performance assessments. Please support your student by making sure they have and use their recorders!  Please contact me for questions/concerns.  

My goal for your student is that they begin to develop a connection with music that will last a lifetime.  They will be interested in, and develop the skills necessary to sing, or perform on an instrument in upper grades.  They will enjoy making music with each other.  Lastly, their academic skills will be strengthened by their involvement in making music!  

Looking forward to a great year, 

Mrs. Swint    

Thank you!

Dowell Singers and Parent Supporters, 

Our party was a rousing success!  We had tons of pizza and cake, and had so much fun with each other.  Ask your student to tell you about the game we played....found out lots of interesting things about our members.  It was very special to Mrs. Hudson and myself to receive the generous gift.  It sounds trite, but the honest truth is I do chorus because I want to share what others have given me....the joy of singing and performing.  The students give back to me so much throughout the year with their personal and musical growth.  I appreciate the support parents give me, and the recognition that what I have shared makes a difference in your child's life.  As your student goes off to middle school, I hope that they will always keep a song in their heart!  I tell them they will see me at middle school and high school concerts, so please come up to me and let me know how they are doing!  For all the 4th graders, you are the future leaders, so I expect to see you back next year!  Have a great summer, Mrs. Swint 

Chorus End of the Year Party

All chorus members, there will be a end of the year celebration this Wednesday, May 6th from 2:30-3:30 pm.

Parents who are available to help, please join us!  Thanks so much, Mrs. Swint 

DOWELL SINGERS PTA PERFORMANCE

Don't forget to report to Dowell Tuesday 3/31 at 6:40 pm in full uniform for the PTA performance!  

Dowell Singers Last Rehearsal

Out LAST Dowell Singers Performance: PTA meeting March 31st - report to the music room at 6:40pm. Parents, please attend the technology presentation from 6:45-7pm! We will provide the music during the PTA meeting at 7pm. Regular uniform is expected. Today the forms for the enrichment trip went home. Students were evaluated by myself, the specialists team, classroom teachers and other staff with regard to behavior, attitude, musicality, and attendance. The top scorers receive the initial invitation. The second group will be contacted in order as spaces are available after April 1st. The enrichment trip to see "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is a donation of $35 which includes coach bus, dinner, and tickets. A deposit of $20 is due April 1st to reserve a spot. All of our students are fantastic. We just only have a certain number of spaces for students with transportation and tickets. Due to the day off following our performance on April 1st, as well as spring break the following week, today will be the last rehearsal time for the Dowell Singers for 09. I will try to set up a final day before the end of school for all the chorus students to have a celebration and party. More on this to follow after the CRCT is over! As I told the students today, they are a very musical group! I want everyone of our 5th graders to listen closely Friday morning when our middle school music teachers present the options for participation in middle school as I want all of them to continue! I also hope to see every single one of our 4th graders back next year as 5th grade leaders! Thanks for all the support this year! See you Tuesday Night!

Dowell Singers March News

Dowell Singer Parents:  

In effort to continue to conserve, we are going to send out fewer paper notices from now to the end of the year.  Emails and the blog will be updated.  Today the students heard their tape from Festival, and also reviewed the judges comments.  I am very proud of the work they have done.  

Our next event is a performance at the Dowell PTA meeting on March 31st.  Please make sure your student is ready in uniform in the music room at 6:30 pm that evening.  

I hope by now you have gotten some information about our Spring Event from them - be it a bit garbled!  Our Spring Event will be Friday, April 24th from 4pm to approximately 11pm.  We have 50 tickets for the Broadway Production of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" at the Fox theater.  This is the same production from NY and London traveling through the States.  Our evening will include dinner and the production, with possibly a performance by us.  I do not have firm details to share at this time, but I anticipate the cost will not be more than $35 per student, possibly less dependent on the cost of our dinner.  Because we only have 50 tickets, students will be selected based on attendance, behavior, motivation, etc.  The Spring Event is typically a reward for students who have gone above and beyond with their chorus participation.  This decision will be made following the PTA performance.  

Given the current economic situation, and since Spring is a major time for sporting events, etc. if you do not want your student to participate, please let me know.  I have encouraged the students to consider ways they might be able to contribute.... babysitting, yard work, giving up a treat etc.  If the student can put aside $5 per week, the total amount could be done.  

Again, Parents thank you for your support.  I am very pleased with the musical work the students have accomplished.  

Sandy Swint

Black History Program Tonight

Report at 6:10pm in full uniform ready to perform.  All students who are participating in another component besides chorus may wear their skit/wax museum costume during the chorus performance portion.  

There WILL NOT be chorus practice tomorrow 2/25 as noted in our prior notes!  thanks, Mrs. Swint 

Congratulations Dowell Singers!

Students:  Congratulations for a fine job at LGPE Festival today!  I can honestly say I have never heard the group sound better.  The judges agreed and gave us superior and excellent ratings.  Thanks to our saxophone artist, Mr. Andy Bulecza and Mrs. Noel Roberds our accompanist!  Also, big thank you to our parents for helping chaperone.  

Also, parents, please make sure you thank Dr. Frost for attending our performance.  She was one of just a few principals who made time in their busy schedules to see elementary programs perform!  

Texas Roadhouse once again provided an "interesting" experience, and a great meal just for us!  Thank you so much for being our partner in Education!  

Sandy Swint