Hello Families and Students,
First and foremost, I want to welcome you back to Gardner-Dickinson for a brand-new school year!!! I am really looking forward to meeting you all and working together.
I wanted to share an announcement concerning the Gardner-Dickinson band program. After reviewing the NYS Health and Safety Guidelines, as well as the National Association for Music Education Guidelines, the Band program (Band Rehearsals and Band Lessons) will be discontinued temporarily until further notice. My goal is to reevaluate the circumstances and the guidelines during the upcoming months, in hopes that we can possibly continue the program in the Spring semester. This was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but the health and safety of our students and faculty is our first priority, and that must come first.
If you are currently renting an instrument, I am allowing you to make the decision whether or not you would like to hang on to your instrument and continue practicing at home, or if you would like to return your instrument. I highly recommend you hang on to your instruments and continue practicing if you are able, this way if the program can restart in the Spring, you are already set with your instrument. However, I cannot guarantee that the program will restart in the Spring, and I understand that these are financially difficult times, so if it will be more beneficial for you to return your instrument for the time being, that is completely up to you.
If you would like to continue practicing your instrument, I would be more than happy to provide you with resources. I have several different workbooks and music that I would be happy to share with you so that you can continue working with your instrument.
Once I have reevaluated the NYS Health and Safety Guidelines and the National Association for Music Guidelines, I will be sure to post a follow up announcement as to when the band will be restarting on the school website, as well as make an announcement to all of the General Music Classes. If you would like any resources, or if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach me at kgordon@wynantskillufsd.org and I will be sure to respond as promptly as possible.
Sincerely,
Kristin Gordon
Music Director