As we embark on a new school year, we also reflect on our successes of the previous year.

A Year in Review … a FEW Highlights

Last year, our musicians worked extremely hard in preparation for our many activities and concerts

throughout the year. We had many musical guests visit our school. We kicked off our year with mu-

sical guests from Cuba who shared their music and knowledge with all of our first semester classes.

Gerry Markman of Steve’s Music in Toronto and local musician with the Sensations joined our guitar

class to impart some knowledge. Dr. Kevin Watson, Dr. Colleen Richardson and Neil Barlow all came to our school to work

with a number of different instrumentalists and bands.

We had 5 ensembles participate in the Georgian Bay Regionals of Music Fest Canada. The results are on page 3.

Our Junior and Intermediate Bands and our Guitar class performed at the International Music Festival held at Canada’s

Wonderland and received some excellent feedback. Their tone quality and blending and tuning as a group impressed Pro-

fessor Stoll.

All music students had the opportunity to attend three different concerts in Toronto, two performed by the Toronto Sym-

phony Orchestra and another performed by the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra and CADENCE. Our students also had the

opportunity to go and see the musical The Titanic also in Toronto. Everyone had a fabulous time and enjoyed these experi-

ences.

During the spring, many of our students travelled to New Orleans to take in many of the sights and sounds. It was a fabu-

lous trip and many great musical memories were made. Please read more about it on page 3.

Our students played in the Orillia, Coldwater and Moonstone Santa Claus Parades, and showcased their talents during our

annual Holiday Concert, Spring Fling and final May Melodies’ Concert as well as a special showcase at the Board Office

and fundraiser at Boston Pizza.

As you can see, we had a great year and are gearing up for anther great one. We have some great events and activities in

store for this year … continue reading to find out more!

WELCOME TO OSS MUSIC

RAISE FUNDS FOR FUTURE TRIPS via FUNDSCRIP

If you or a relative/neighbour

typically spend $100+ a week

on groceries you could be earn-

ing $$$ towards your childs fu-

ture music trips.

Dollar for dollar gift cards are

purchased (i.e. $100 dollars in

Zehrs gift cards gives you a

$100 gift card) BUT a % of the

sale goes directly back to the

individual music student. Per-

centage rebates vary depending

on promotions (earn anywhere

from 3-7% per card).

Who are the participating retail-

ers?

There are tons of choices from

Aldo to Zellers, and everything

in between.

It’s the perfect way to raise

funds for your son/daughter and

the music department without

breaking the bank!

Visit www.fundscrip.com/

retailers for the complete list.

The Music Parents’ Association

has a special code for our group

(to ensure funds come back to

OSS Music and your son/

daughter). Please see Mrs Wat-

son or Mrs Matthie to get this

code.

OSS Music Department September 2015 WELCOME TO MUSIC

MUSIC NEWS

Inside this issue:

Fundscrip 1

Schedule of Events 2

Field Trips 1,2

Concert Band Trip 2015

Review

3

Intermediate Concert

Band—Workshop

3

Rehearsal Schedule 4

Music Parents

Association

4

MusicFest 2015 Results 2

Music Department Trip 3

Page 2

MUSIC NEWS

Music Fest 2015 RESULTS

The Music Department entered

FIVE ensembles in MusicFest

Regionals in Collingwood this

past March. Never have so many

groups competed and the results

were outstanding!

The tremendous commitment

and work ethic demonstrated

paid off with THREE groups re-

ceiving invitations to the Nation-

als in Toronto! Intermediate

Concert Band, following their

‘rehearsal retreat’ at Geneva

Park in February, earned a

GOLD.

Senior Concert and Senior

Stage Bands returned home

with HIGH SILVER qualifying

them both for the Nationals.

The Intermediate Stage Band

and the newly formed Jazz

Combo both earned SILVER.

Mrs. Matthie and Mrs. Watson

were proud of the accomplish-

ments of all. Although no

groups went to the Nationals in

2015, more great results in

2016 are already in the plans!

.

Meat Fundraiser

Begins September 14—sales sheets available

“There’s no place like New Or-

leans. It’s got the best food. It’s

got the best music. It’s got the

best people. It’s got the most fun

stuff to do.” Harry Connick, Jr.

Crawfish, catfish, alligator, gum-

bo, jambalaya, beignets. We ate

it all! The eclectic music was

like nowhere else in the world! Every student learned to Cajun

folk dance to a live band at Mu-

late’s on the first night. At the

NO Jazz Festival we heard Ed Sheeran, Elton John and count-

less other spectacular musicians

along with a record crowd of

120,000 people! A private con-

cert just for us in the historic

Preservation Jazz Hall treated us to incredible Dixieland. A Gos-

pel Brunch at the House of Blues

saw ODPark’s vocalist Aaron

Trindorfer come away winning a classic parasol after singing with

the pros on stage! It brought the

roof down! Our last night at

Snug Harbour Jazz Bistro was an evening listening to the world

renowned blues/fusion music of

the Charmaine Neville Band.

Live music was part of every

meal and also on the streets of

the French Quarter! For contin-

ued fun and culture, we em-

barked on both an evening

swamp tour in search of alliga-

tors and ghosts and a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi. We

toured a civil war era plantation

and on our visit to Mardi Gras

World we saw amazing floats on a level never seen before! As

well, we were treated to true

‘southern grace’ through our

quiet, skilled, and tolerant bus

What does big band music and delicious

desserts have in common? You will be

treated to both when you attend our

Sweet Spring Fling!

Put on your dancing shoes, sit back and

enjoy the musical selections from a num-

ber of stage bands at OSS. We even have

an alumni band—comprised of students/

staff from many different eras … as far

back as 1966.

New Orleans, April 30-May 5, 2015

Sweet Spring Fling April 29, 2016

INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND MUSIC

RETREAT

February 9-10, 2016

This year, we will once again

be holding an Intermediate

Concert Band retreat for our

students.

Not only will the students work

with some great musicians

and learn a lot, but we also

spend time enjoying the facili-

ties at Geneva Park.

Team building activities will

occur along with some wonder-

ful outdoor activi-

ties.

More information

will provided, in

December/

January.

We hope that all

of our students

will be able to

attend this great

opportunity.

Last year, members of our

Intermediate Concert Band

had the opportunity to attend a

band retreat at Geneva Park.

Thirty-eight music students

and thirteen instrument spe-

cialists along with a guest con-

ductor = a lot of fun, a great

learning experience a huge

amount of musical progress on

their instruments and interme-

diate band music.

Page 3

September 2015 WELCOME TO MUSIC

Fun Music Facts

The last note of a

keyboard is C

The first pop video

was Bohemian

Rhapsody by

Queen, released in

1975

Beethoven was the

first composer who

never had an offi-

cial court position,

thus the first known

freelance musician

MUSIC NEWS

2016

Music Department

Trip Plans

We are in the elementary

stages of trip planning.

Our history department has

gone to Holland each year

as an exchange and it looks like an exciting possibility.

The organizers have ap-

proached us to do it as a

'Music' focussed trip.

We have also been consider-

ing Boston as a music per-formance trip.

Information will posted on

bulletin boards and will be

provided music students via

ensemble rehearsals.

2 Borland St. E Orillia, ON L3V 2B4

Phone: 705 329-4537

E-mail: OSSMusic2015@gmail.com

The Music Parents’ Association supports the OSS Music Department in so many tremendous ways. The program would not be nearly as

successful without this dedicated, creative and positive group!

Through their planning and financial support, students look great in their uniform shirts for concerts, are eligible for one of three $500

scholarships in their grade 12 year and are provided with substantial reductions on music trips including the Toronto Symphony, Canada’s

Wonderland festival and the major end of year senior trip. As well they provide busing for the Musicfest Festival in Collingwood, the Won-

derland festival and the annual Geneva Park retreat. Also at Geneva Park, the numerous guest clinicians and conductor are financially

provided by the Association.

The Music Department’s biggest annual event, the ‘Spring Fling’ dessert and swing/latin dance, is actually completely organized by the

Music Parents’ Association with only the music provided by the Music Department. This event is incredibly successful as a result!

At our concerts the Music Parents’ provide both the decorations and treats which greatly enhance the performance by the students.

Monthly meetings are held and new members are always welcome and needed! Please contact one of the music teachers to get involved.

INTERMDEDIATE

CONCERT BAND

(Open to grade 10s & Experienced

Grade 9s)

Tuesdays

Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 Nov 3,

10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 8

@ Lunch (11-11:30)

In preparation for Music Fest, rehears-

als will move to TUESDAY evenings 7

-8:30 during the month of February.

SENIOR CONCERT BAND

Wednesdays Sept 16, 23, 30,

@ Lunch (11-11:30)

Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 25,

Dec 2, 9, 16 (holiday party/social)

@ 7:00—8:30 p.m.

Come see Watson/Matthie before the

first rehearsal to secure an instrument &

get music

SENIOR STAGE BAND

See Mrs Watson regarding start date.

Rehearsals will be

Wednesday evenings

5:30-6:50 pm

JUNIOR CONCERT BAND

(Open to grade 9 students)

BEGINS at LUNCH in

NOVEMBER

INTERMEDIATE STAGE

BAND

See Mrs. Matthie if interested.

Rehearsals will be Wednesdays

afterschool.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

SMALL ENSEMBLE

Duets, Trios, Quartets

Looking to play in a small group setting … see Matthie/Watson if you are

interested

Percussion Ensemble, Saxes, Clarinets, Brass Ensemble, Dixieland, Choir

Have an idea for a NEW group … come and see us

MUSIC PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION MUSIC NEWS

MUSIC EXECUTIVE Join us in planning a FABULOUS YEAR!!

First Meeting Fri. Sept. 11 @ 11