Back-to-school is an exciting time, filled with anticpation of seeing friends, meeting teachers and getting absrobed into the new school year. While this Septmeber school looks very diffferent from what we are used to, many things are still the same.

Your teachers are really excited to work with you every day. Your friends want to connect with you and we will get into a flow that will help us all feel more comfortable and ease some of the anxiety that we are all feeling.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1) You are expected to attend online classes just like you would for in-person instruction.

2) There will be problems. You will get frustrated. It will not be the same. That's ok! Take some deep breaths and reach out to an adult for help if you need it.

3) Step away from teachnology and take breaks - Virtual Learning can be very tiring. Make sure to use the time between classes to get away from the screen. Stand up, stretch, walk around, maybe even go outside for a bit.

4) While practicing social distancing is extremely important to help control the spread of Covid-19, music can help us feel connected to others in many ways. We encourage you to make music and listen to music! Experiment, make mistakes, make noise! Listen to something you havent heard before. A wide world of research documents the positive effects of music on our health, well being and outlook.

Stay well and healthy and don't forget to keep music a part of your life!

We hope to see you soon.

Musically,

Eric Wiener, Jay Bradley and Marie Herow

Greatings! We hope this finds you well and healthy.

While practicing social distancing is extremely important to help control the spread of Covid-19, music can help us feel connected to others in many ways. We encourage you to make music and listen to music! Experiment, make mistakes, make noise! Listen to something you havent heard before. A wide world of research documents the positive effects of music on our health, well being and outlook.

Check back for resources on music making and consuming at all levels. Have something to share? Reach out to us by email. Our contacts are at the top of the page. Also follow Webutuck Music on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates and resources.

Stay well and healthy and don't forget to keep music a part of your life!

We hope to see you soon.

Musically,

Eric Wiener, Jay Bradley and Marie Herow

On Wednesday, January 29th, The Webutuck High School Chorus had the joy and honor of visiting with residents of the Sharon Health Care Center, a local nursing facility. Residents gave us a hearty reception and we performed for them some of the songs we've been working on. After the performance, the chorus was invited to join the residents for hot chocolate and cookies.

Accoriding to Director of Therapeutic Recreation, Liz Sayre, many of the residents that attended our performance are in the dementia unit and "music is so important for dementia patients". One resident said, "I've always enjoyed Chorus. I was in Chorus in high school and went to All-State. Chorus reminds me of high school."

As an added bonus, we were able to perform for Chorus member Emma Manning's great-grandmother - Grandma Jane - a Sharon Healthcare resident who is about to celebrate her 99th birthday. According to family lore, Grandma Jane used to sing in a band and is the source of the family's musical talent.

It was such a joy to be able to share our music with the residents of Sharon Healthcare. Thank you for giving us this fantastic opportunity!

Please note the following changes to music event dates/grade configuration:

• WHS 9-12 Spring Concert, Thursday May 14th @7PM
• EBIS 4-8 Spring Concert, Thursday June 4th @7PM
• Webutuck Drama Society Musical April 24 & 25 @ 7PM, April  26 @ 2 PM
• For a full list of Music Events click here

Happy 2020!

In November:

• 7th graders checked out the origins of Hip Hop with Grandmaster Flash at the Bardavon! This was a fantastic trip and, thanks to a grant from the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, our students did not have to pay admission!
• We highlighted music classes at our 2nd annual Elective Fair. Students got to hear about Music offerings and try out equipment and instruments.
• Our Elementary Band and Chorus honored veterans at the EBIS Veterans' Breakfast.
• Senior Deanna Hanze performed with the NYSSMA Zone 10 Area All-State Mixed Chorus. Congratulations Deanna!

In December:

• Grades 7-12 and 4-6 did a great job of performing at our Winter Concerts
• WHS Band and Chorus performed at the annual EBIS Holiday Breakfast
• 8th Graders Grainne Williams (Flute) and Riley Thirlwall (Clarinet) were accepted to perform in the DCMEA JHS All-County Music Festival Band and Wind Ensemble and 8th Grader Emma Manning and 9th Grader Aerianna O'Halloran were accepted to perform in the Chorus. Well done Music Warriors. Good luck on your performance on 1/25/2020

In January:

• Webutuck hosted the DCMEA Elementary All County Audition day. This is a great festival where 5th and 6th grade Band and Orchestra students from across the county come to audion for the All-County festival. Thank you to Music Warriors Amy Hayes, Daisy Matus, Disha Patel, Xin Wong and Kyle Fisher for helping out at the festival. It was a great day!
• Congratulations to 6th Graders Grace Manning & Jaishaun Fergusson for being accepted to perform with the All-County Chorus and to 6th graders Brian Rivera Lima (Trombone), Michael Johnson (Alto Sax), Ashley Johnson (Clarinet), Zaina Aboueid (Flute), Sebastian Melchor Agustin (Trumpet), Carlos Franco-Sub (Clarinet) and 5th grader Levi Elliott (Trombone) for being accepted to perform in the All-County Band!

Webutuck Drama Society Musical

• Auditions were held and the production is under way for the Webutuck Drama Society production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"
• Check the Webutuck Drama Society page for updates on the production.

Mr. Wiener and Mr. Bradley will be available for conferences on Thursday 11/21 from 12:30-5:30. You are more than welcome to stop by the Band and Music rooms. Please email us if you would prefer to schedule an appointment. We hope to see you on Thursday.

eric.wiener@webutuck.org   jay.bradley@webutuck.org

7th Grade is heading to the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie to see Grandmaster Flash - Hip Hop: People, Places, and Things, a multimedia show on the development of Hip Hop! This show is not to be missed! See the preview video below and don't forget to bring in your permission slips by Thursday! See the links below for the video, trip itinerary and permission slip.

There is no admission charge for Webutuck students (normally $7/person) thanks to a grant from the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley that Mr. Wiener received.

Grandmaster Flash Promo Video

Trip Itinerary

Permission Slip

Dear EBIS Chorus and Band parents/guardians,

There has been a slight change in the EBIS Chorus schedule for this year. Chorus will still meet on B, D & F Days but will NOT meet on Fridays. Each rehearsal will be 10-15 minutes longer so there will be no loss of contact time. Students will continue to take the 3:45 bus home.

EBIS Band will continue to be on every A, C & E days, including Fridays.

As always, for the safety of your child we ask that you let us know if your child will be in school but will not be attending Band or Chorus. Also, please make sure that your child knows what the plan is if Band or Chorus are cancelled.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns and thank you for your support.

Best,

Eric Wiener
eric.wiener@webutuck.org
845-373-4100 option 2

Here's a short video featuring some of the new Music technology in action! All music was created by Webutuck students. Thank you to Trent Morey and Amy Hayes for speaking on camera. Webutuck Music Tech

One of the most important things we do as educators is provide opportunity for our students. This new digital piano in our school library provides students access to a piano on their time, thanks to a grant from the Webutuck Quest for Excellence Fund. Students can use the piano with headphones when they have free time and the Library is open. Many thanks to the Quest Fund for funding this project. Also, thank you to Beth Murphy for sharing my vision and giving this piano a home in the Library.  #WebutuckKidsDeserveIt