Music and Band Teacher

sgriffin@d70schools.org

Chorus Club, Band, and Drama Club

Twitter: @D70CougieMusic

 

This is my 13th year teaching music and band at Copeland Manor School. I have a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Illinois State University. I also have a masters degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL. My passion lies with sharing my love of music with others. I hope to instill a love of music in each child's heart along the way! 

My main instrument is the flute, but I also enjoy playing the piano. Outside of school, I have a family with 3 children. My sons are 9 years old and in third grade. My daughter is 4 years old, and just entered her final year of preschool. I love to read, watch TV shows, and be outdoors with my family. Most of all, I love Harry Potter, as I'm sure most of the students can tell you. :) 

Musical notes on a staff in a wavy format

Hello,

Your student had the opportunity to try the band instruments with their band teacher during the school day over the past two weeks.  If you have more questions or want to register in person, please attend our band registration night at HMS on Tuesday, September 20th between 5:00pm and 7:00pm.  


If you prefer to register your student online or you cannot attend the Open House, you may do so here on this Google registration form.

 

Next Steps:

You may obtain an instrument by following these steps:

  1. Instruments can be rented through Libertyville Music or Quinlan and Fabish Music Company. *All Bell Kits, Alto Saxophone, Trombone, and Flute rentals will need to be done through Quinlan and Fabish. Libertyville Music is experiencing supply chain issues.* 

https://www.qandf.com/directors/qf-rentals

Additionally, you may rent an instrument through either of these companies at our registration open house on September 20, 2022. 

 

All rental contracts need to be completed by September 20, 2022 in order to schedule students and get our lessons started! 

 

Some other important items to include with your rental or purchase to start band:

  1. Wire music stand- this provides the best opportunity for proper playing position and posture ensuring future success.

  2. Beginning band lessons book “Essential Elements Book 1”

ELEMENTARY LESSONS

Each student receives one 30-minute, small-group lesson per-week at their elementary school during the school day.  Every effort is made to keep the lesson groups to like instruments.  Instruments taught include flute, clarinet, alto saxophone (5th grade only), cornet, trombone, and percussion (bells and snare).

 

BEGINNING BAND REHEARSALS

The 4th Grade Band rehearsals are held once per-week after school on Tuesday until 3:30 pm. The 5th Grade Band rehearsals are held once per-week after school on Thursday until 3:30 pm.  Each group rehearses at their own elementary school.  The four groups merge for one or two practices before each concert. The weekly 4th grade and 5th grade after school rehearsals will begin December 6th and December 8th respectively. 

 

BEGINNING BAND PERFORMANCES

There will be two public concerts this year. There will be a Winter Concert with both Beginning Bands on February 7, 2023. The Spring Beginning Band concerts are part of  two shared concerts with the Highland Bands in May. 4th grade students will perform their Spring concert on May 16, 2023, and 5th grade students will perform on May 18, 2023. Students will perform simple band arrangements at each concert. 

 

The word Sing made up of music notes.

Chorus Club 2022-2023

If your child is interested in participating in Chorus Club, please fill out the attached form and return to Mrs. Griffin no later than Friday, September 23rd with the $5 club fee (cash or check payable to Copeland Manor School). This fee covers music and supplies.

The Chorus Club sign-up has also gone digital. If you prefer to fill it out electronically, please do so at: https://bit.ly/3sRD0pP

Once signed up, please send payment into the office in an envelope marked “Mrs. Griffin - Chorus Club”.

Rehearsals:

Fridays during Recess starting Friday, Sep 30, 2022

Occasionally, we will combine during lunch/recess to combine 4th and 5th grade together. 

 

Current Scheduled Performances:

Please add these dates to your personal calendar at your earliest convenience.

  • November 10, 2022 - Fall Sing 6:15PM Call Time - 6:30PM Performance 
  • November 20, 2022 - Chicago Wolves Performance (Details TBA)              
  • ​​​​​​​May 3, 2023  – Combined Elementary Chorus Club Performance 5:15PM Call Time - 6:00PM Performance

Performances may be added, as we would love to give the students as many opportunities as possible. You will be notified with plenty of time to prepare.

**If you have a relative in a retirement community, or know of someone who would like holiday cheer, we are looking for somewhere to go caroling this year. 

Please let me know if you have a connection*

Performances

All performances are in the evenings. With this in mind, I do not make performances mandatory. I hope to get as many Chorus Club members as possible of course since these performances are what we work so hard for, but I do understand when schedules may not align. PLEASE let me know when your child is NOT able to make a performance.