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June 18, 2008
Dear Orchestra Families,
I am very excited to be teaching orchestra at McCleskey this year and am looking forward to the start of school. I wanted to take some time to introduce myself before school starts. I am originally from Cobb County and did my undergraduate degree in Music Education at the University of South Carolina. I also have a Master’s Degree in Music and Human Learning from the University of Texas and am a Suzuki trained cello teacher.
I am excited about the possibilities for the orchestra program at McCleskey. My vision of a string orchestra is one in which students are making beautiful music with consistent and accurate posture and position. Being part of a musical ensemble motivates students to work together to develop a cohesive sound. I look forward to encouraging the students through their playing experiences and have high expectations for their performances. I will be glad to help individual students before or after class whenever possible.
Any additional experiences that you can provide beyond the classroom would also be very beneficial for the students. Private lessons are a great option for students to further their playing skills. One thirty-minute private lesson once a week can help your student tremendously. Lessons outside of school can improve his/her chances of getting into Honor Orchestra and All State Orchestra later on in the school year. There are also other ongoing youth orchestras that the students have the opportunity to participate in.
In August, I will send home a calendar of events for the school year including concerts, rehearsals and any other dates that you should know about. I will also include a list of private teachers.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions throughout the year. Thank you in advance for your support of the string program!
Sincerely,
Dana Newton
McCleskey Orchestra Director