Dear Current and Future Hillview Parents,

This letter is specifically directed to current fifth, sixth and seventh graders possibly interested in a music elective for next year. The last two weeks of online elective requests have been going very well. Thank you for your willingness to try something new. We've already learned some great lessons from the process and it will be even better next year.

As feedback regarding the options started coming our way, we received some reasonable requests that we wanted to see if we could address. Many of our incoming sixth grade parents and students who wanted Band 6 or Orchestra 6 also really wanted the option of taking the Trimester Elective Wheel. Additionally, many of next year's seventh and eighth graders wanted some clarity around when and if they could participate in the Jazz and Blues Bands.

Thanks to the willingness of some of our staff and the support of our district and teacher's union, we were able to come up with a creative and flexible schedule for our music teacher, Mr. Vaughan; this flexibility provides more access and options for students who want to sign up for music. If your child is not interested in one of our instrumental or choral music programs, there will be no changes to his/her request and you can stop reading this letter. If your child is interested in music, then keep reading the new options.

Sixth Grade

Orchestra 6 and Band 6 will move to a two-day-a-week program during Open Session (the seventh period of the day). Students who choose this option will be in Qu3ST (Quiet Sustained & Supported Study Time) two days a week and in their music course the other two. Both programs can be accomplished in a two-day-a-week program. This allows for sixth graders to take Spanish or French or the Trimester Wheel as their primary elective.

Band 6 will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays during Open Session and will meet in one of their academy Qu3ST classes on Tuesdays and Fridays. (There is no Open Session on Thursdays).

Orchestra 6 will meet on Tuesdays and Fridays and will meet in one of their academy Qu3ST classes on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Seventh and Eighth Grade

Jazz and Blues Bands were originally scheduled to be clubs that met when Mr. Vaughan had available time. However, in the new configuration, we are able to offer Jazz and Blues Bands as classes in the morning. This will allow for greater opportunity for kids and greater balance for Mr. Vaughan who is grateful to have these bands as part of a teaching day rather than clubs he has to lead as an additional commitment.

Jazz Band will be offered by audition. For audition information, current sixth and seventh graders should see Mr. Vaughn. This is an advanced ensemble. Students should have a minimum of experience on their instrument. Jazz Band will meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 7:35 - 8:20 a.m.

Blues Band will be open to all interested musicians and will meet Tuesdays and Thursday mornings from 7:35 - 8:20 a.m. This is a non-auditioned class. The focus will be on traditional blues songs moving into rock. If you can play three chords, you can play the blues. All instruments and vocalists are welcome join

In order to accommodate families who want a few more days to consider their options, the Power School elective request window will remain open until Monday, June 10. Students are able to change their requests until 4 p.m. on Monday.

If you have questions related to the music program, please email Richard Vaughan. Questions related to scheduling should be directed to your student's counselor Deb Devoto or Robyn Watts.