Twitter Poll Results from Winter Concert

Well, I still enjoyed The Chimes of Liberty with Maddies's  chimes melody and Abby's piccolo solo!

What was your favorite Concert Band piece from tonight's Winter Concert

— GHS Music (@GraftonBAND) December 16, 2015

Music Boosters Seek Baked Goods for Winter Concert Bake Sale

The Music Boosters will be holding the annual Winter Concert bake sale on Wednesday December 16th. Please consider offering to help by donating a baked good. The money raised helps support scholarships, guest artists, and trips.

Baked Sale Sign-up

GHS Music Booster Private Lesson Scholarship Application

The Grafton Music Booster's private lesson scholarship application is now available. The application is due by December 18th.
We are grateful to the GHS Music Boosters for once again offering this great opportunity for music students to receive a semester of private lesson study through Apple Tree Arts.

Download the Application

The Fruit is Coming!

Our Fruit is scheduled to arrive on Monday morning December 7th. As we have done in the past, there will be the opportunity to take home fruit directly after school and/or between 6-8pm Monday evening. Please make arrangements to collect your orders either after school or between 6 and 8pm.

GHS Music Winter Concert-Wednesday Dec. 16th 7PM

On Wednesday December 16th, the GHS Music Dept. will present a winter concert. The evening will feature music from all of the high school performing ensembles. Grafton music boosters will be holding a holiday bake sale. The evening promises to be a fun-filled family event for all ages. If you have any questions or seek information about the event, contact Stephen Trombley-  trombleys@grafton.k12.ma.us.

The concert begins at 7pm in the auditorium. Tickets $2 per person $5 max. per family.

All proceeds support GHS Music.

Costume Concert 2015

Thank you to Mr. Walsh and the folks from Video Production!

Central District Volunteer Sign-up

Costume Concert Wednesday Oct. 28th 7pm

On Wednesday October 28^th, the GHS music program will be presenting a Halloween Costume Concert. There will be music and costumes and special treats for all the youngsters who come to the concert. The audience is invited to come in their costumes for this fun and none too spooky evening. The bands and choruses at the high school will provide a showcase of music. GHS Music Boosters will be hosting a bake sale, so you can stock up on some goodies. We look forward to seeing you at this family friendly event. Tickets are $2 per person and the concert begins at 7pm in the GHS auditorium.

Hershey/ New York Proposal and Sign-off form

Thank you to those who came out for the informational meeting on our planned trip to Hershey and New York. I hope you were able to get any questions you may have had answered last night. If any other questions come up, or you were unable to attend, please don't hesitate to send an email: trombleys@grafton.k12.ma.us

The initial $100 deposit is due by Thursday October 15th.

Please remember that any checks should be made out to Bennett Student Travel, Inc.

I am including a link to the Trip information that was handed out last night. This packet has a sign-off page (last page) that will be sent in along with the deposit payment by the 15th.

Hershey information and Sign-off form

Message from the GHS Music Boosters

GHS Music Boosters is a parent run organization which raises money to support the music programs and education at GHS. Via bake sales at concerts throughout the school year and concession sales at home football games as well as the yearly Music Districts Auditions hosted by GHS each November we are able to raise enough funds to assist with the cost of transportation for music competition trips such as the trip to Hershey in spring 2016, provide private lesson scholarships to Apple Tree Arts and award scholarships to graduating GHS seniors who choose to pursue a degree in Music. 

Please consider donating a hour or two of your time to help at the various concession sales, perhaps a few baked goods or even join with other parents “behind the scenes” to keep the Music Boosters an active and productive organization so we can continue to benefit the wonderful music programs at GHS and the students who enjoy them. 

Your commitment can be as much or as little as you may choose. Many hands make light work and it is a lot of fun!

Please contact GHS Music Boosters at musicboosters.ghs@gmail.com to join our email list. 

Hershey Trip a Go! Informational meeting scheduled for Sept. 23rd.

The school committee recently approved the planned GHS Music trip to Hershey PA, therefore we are set to move forward.
The first step will be an informational meeting on Wednesday, September 23rd. 7pm. in the GHS Auditorium. Doug Bennett from Bennett Student Travel, Inc. will be at the meeting to answer questions related to the trip. Ceil Thurber our school nurse will always be at the meeting to discuss any medical related concerns about the trip.
It is our goal that all GHS Music students participate in what hopes to be a memorable experience in the Spring.

I am attaching the proposal that was approved by the school committee. You will be able to get a good sense of the trip as the itinerary is included along with some projected pricing.

Hershey Proposal

Auditioning for Central Districts

The process for auditioning for Central Districts is a great way to grow as a musician. The music is challenging and the auditions can be nerve-wracking but all I can say is sometimes you have to push yourself to get where you're going. I encourage everyone to give it a try.

Please let me know if you are interested in auditioning for Districts. The auditions are on November 14th (right here in Grafton) and we send in our audition lists at the end of September. The audition fee is $7 (so you'll have to skip a day of Dunkin Donuts...) and is due upon sign-ups.

You can see the audition lists, scales and audition forms on our music resources page. I will also be posting the audition pieces in the coming week or so. If you want to take get your hands on the music more quickly, please see me.

Welcome Back!

Time to face the music. The 2015-2016 school year will be off and running for all students at GHS on Tuesday Sept. 1st. The 9th graders have their sneak-peek on Monday the 30th. The most important thing for you to know right now is simple. Be prepared. Be prepared to play music. How can you be prepared?

• Have your instrument on Tuesday 9/1
• Have your iPad charged and ready to go
• Have your accessories on the ready (ie. reeds, valve oil, neck straps, etc.)
• Review our website
• Check the calendar
• Find your music
• Search through the resources tab
• Get involved with GHS PEP!

You will find some of these things on the calendar, but I wanted to draw your attention to some firsts:

• First GHS PEP! game is on Friday September 11th 7pm
• First performance for the Concert Band is the Costume Concert Wednesday October 28th 7pm
• GHS PEP! rehearsals will be on Tues. and Thurs. 2-3pm. First rehearsal for GHS PEP! will be on Tuesday Sept. 1st.
• GHS will again host the CDMMEA Central District auditions on Saturday November 14th

You will receive more information as the school year gets underway. Please check in with our website on a regular basis or follow the site through your email. Most information from this site will be posted to Twitter @graftonBand.

If any student is interested in doubling on another instrument (we are specifically looking for Tuba, F Horn, Bassoon, Baritone Horn, Trombone) please let me know.

Contact Info:

E-mail: trombleys@grafton.k12.ma.us

Twitter: @graftonBand

Remind (Text Alerts): Instructions to Join

Looking forward to a great year making music with you!

Have a Great Summer Break!

The summer break is almost upon us. I hope you have a fantastic time with friends and family throughout. Please make time to have fun with music throughout the summer as well. There are numerous resources and musical selections available to you right here on our website. You can preview some of the music we will be performing next school year, rock out with some of our over 60 GHS PEP! selections, or check out musical resources to start preparing for central districts, etc.
The 2015-2016 GHS Music Calendar is up and running and many of our dates are already booked.
First up is GHS PEP! Summer Fun Musicfest Spectacular (working title...) in August.

It is important that if your instrument needs any repairs or cleaning, the summer is the perfect time to get it done. Please don't start the 2015-2016 with an instrument in disrepair.

I will be keeping you up-to-date on the plans for Hershey/ Broadway (May 2016) on this blog so stay tuned!

We have so many opportunities to make great music next school year. Let's turn these opportunities into great memories!

Be Safe,

Mr. Trombley

Thank You for 40,000 Views!

I hope you continue to find our GHS Music site helpful and informative. In honor of breaking the 40,000 view plateau, we have offered a new look and slightly different layout which should make the site even more user friendly.

2015 Graduation Video

Grafton High School Music Promotional Spot!

Here is a short promotional video about the merits of GHS Music!

Graduation Information for Band

Graduation will be held at the Hanover Theater on Friday June 5th. The Hanover Theater is an absolutely beautiful venue and we are honored to have the opportunity to play there again this year. Unfortunately, space constraints in the pit at the theater will limit participation for band members this year. We are planning to go with a band consisting of current juniors and sophomores. This will give us a relatively balanced instrumentation and numbers that should allow us to fit in the pit.

The schedule for the upcoming graduation rehearsals and ceremony:

Thursday June 4th
 9am Graduation rehearsal in the GHS Auditorium

Band members performing at graduation will be part of this rehearsal

Friday June 5th

8am Band students will load bus to go to the Hanover Theater for morning rehearsal

Students will return to the school by 11am

4:30pm Band students will load the bus to bring us to the Hanover Theater for the graduation ceremony

At the conclusion of the ceremony, a bus will return us to GHS (approx. 7:45-8PM)

Concert attire is BLACK AND WHITE!

Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day Parade Changes and Update

The times and route of the Memorial Day Parade have changed this year. For band students, this means you will have a later start time though the end time remains the same.
Band students should arrive at GHS at 10am. We will load buses to take us to Norcross Park. From there we will march to the town center for a ceremony. From the center, we will march down 140/Worcester St (new this year) and take a left onto Providence Rd. to GMS for the flag ceremony and National Anthem.
We expect to finish up at noon.

Thank You!

Great East Festival

We had a wonderful day at the Great East Festival on Friday May 15th. It was a long day that started early as we started loading the buses at 6:30am. The groups performed for adjudicators at Minnechaug High School. The Chamber Choir and Chorus performed first and were fantastic. The Chamber Choir received a platinum rating for their performance and the Chorus received a gold rating. The jazz ensemble was up next and received a gold medal rating. I was happy for these students as this was the first year this group has been in existence and the first festival performance for them. The Concert band was the final group to perform. They received a silver rating for their performance. The adjudicators spent time with each group in short clinics. The feedback is invaluable as we continue to grow the groups in terms of both membership and musicianship. Each group also received recordings of their performances with detailed judges comments.

The remainder of the day was spent at Six Flags and the weather was wonderful. By all accounts the students had a great time and hopefully added some special memories to their high school and music making experiences.

Arts Night and Spring Concert

The annual Arts Night/ Spring Concert will be held on Thursday May 15th in the GHS Auditorium. The doors open at 6pm and patrons can view student work on display throughout the school. Projects from a variety of disicplines will presented with artisits and craftsmen on hand to discuss their work. The Music Department will present the Spring Concert beginning at 7pm. The Chorus, Chamber Choir, Jazz Workshop, Jazz Ensemble and Concert Band will be featured performers. The Grafton Music Boosters will be hosting a bake sale during the event. If you are able to donate a baked good for the evening, please sign-up at this link. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A044AAEA922A13-spring/9381004

                          

End of Year Band Performance Schedule

Upcoming Band Schedule:

May 14th Spring Concert/ Arts Night

This evening starts at 6pm with doors opening for art displays. The concert begins at 7pm.

The concert will feature the band, chorus, chamber choir, jazz workshop and jazz ensemble. Concert attire is black and white.

May 15th Great East Festival

The schedule for the day is posted in the links section of our blog.

May 25th Memorial Day Parade 8:30am-noon

Students will meet at the school at 8:30am. Attire is green and khaki. The parade will conclude in front of GMS.

June 5th Graduation

Members of the band will be performing at the Hanover Theater. A separate schedule which includes rehearsal times will be posted. Not all students will participate due to space constraints at the theater. Students scheduled to perform will be notified this week.

Joining Google Classroom for Band

To help collect evidence of your growth we will use your videos delivered to a Google Classroom.
You all have been added to the Concert Band classroom. Please go to classroom.google.com to find our classroom. If you don't see our class, you can join by following to following instruction.

CLASS CODE

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Here is some information about joining the classroom...

Music Booster Fundraiser at Pepperoni Express Wednesday 3/25

The Music Boosters have organized a fundraiser for Wednesday March 25th at Pepperoni Express. Go in and order lunch and/ or dinner, tell them you are supporting the music program, and we get a slice of the sale.

Thank you for your support.

Four Students from Grafton heading to All-States

Pictured L to R: Jake Sandakly, Austin Bailey

Izzy Edwards, and Jillian Gosselin

Four Grafton HS choral students will be participating in the All-State Festival and performing at Symphony Hall in Boston this weekend. The students will be in Boston for 3 intensive days of rehearsals culminating in the All-State concert on Saturday at Symphony Hall. Seniors Jake Sandakly, Austin Bailey, Izzy Edwards and junior Jillian Gosselin where chosen after a double audition process. The students had previously performed with the district chorus at Mechanics Hall in January. We wish them well as they prepare for this prestigious honor.

Jazz Night Concert Monday March 9th featuring the Hot Cat Jazz Band

Grafton High School will once again host the annual Jazz Night Concert on Monday March 9th at 7pm.
The music boosters will be selling tickets for the Jazz Night Concert at the door.
Tickets are $5 each with a family cap of $15.
We are once again excited to announce that the Hot Cat Jazz Band will be our guest artists for Jazz Night. The Connecticut based band will perform a set of traditional and big band style jazz. Along with the Hot Cats, there will be performances by the Jazz Workshop, Chamber Choir.
We are grateful to the GHS Music Boosters for once again sponsoring our Jazz Night concert.

Central District Music Festival

Congratulations to all of our representatives at this past weekend's Central District Festival. The student performers were amazing. Great job to Leah Kydd, Eric Webster, Jillian Gosselin, Samantha Jacobson, Emily Stratton, Bailey Conkey, Jessica Guertin, Jackson Briggs, Jake Sandakly, Claudia Cruz, Teddy Kiritsy, Austin Bailey, Danielle Pratt, Izzy Edwards, Ashley Scarlett, and Elizabeth Wagner.

I am embedding a short documentary about the district event. Thanks to Sam Jacobson for sharing her thoughts about the experience.

8-Measure Melody Activity

Please use Noteflight to compose your own unique 8-measure melody in the key of Eb.

Clicking the link below will bring you to the Noteflight Log-in screen and the template for your melody.

Activity Template

Music Booster Scholarship Winners Announced

Congratulations to Jake Sandakly and Kyra Chevalier for being awarded the GHS Music Booster private lesson scholarships. Jake and Kyra will receive private lessons throughout the spring from Apple Tree Arts. Jake plans to pursue piano while Kyra will study the cello. Thank you to our music boosters for this tremendous opportunity!