Parents / Students

Next year your child will begin a new phase in his/her life. The transition from Middle School to High School is an exciting time for them as a student, and me!  Wonderful challenges lie ahead in the upcoming year, as we stand ready to join hands as teacher and parent, to rally around the expectations that have been set for the year ahead. Whether you work directly with the Band Parents or in a support role at home, your job is key to allowing us to meet those expectations. We will continue to improve student musical achievement for all of our band programs, focus on literacy, and help one another to accomplish these goals and objectives by working together to build a caring community. 

Should your child become a member of our band program, let me be the first to welcome you to one of the most exciting experiences in which you can be a part of - the band!  Now, more than ever, we have information to justify why students participate in this demanding, yet rewarding, activity.  Experts have concluded that the study of music helps with spatial reasoning, test taking, and overall quality of life!  Factor in social skills, emotional development, group interaction, aesthetic perception,  music-making, and the discipline of being in a band program.  I don’t know why anyone would not want to be involved in a successful band program like the one at East Ridge High School.  The ultimate goal is a lifelong understanding and appreciation for high-quality music and music -making!

This past year was full of successes by our students.  In all areas of the program, we saw growth and indications that the program is only going to continue to prosper.  As of this writing, we are looking ahead to some wonderful opportunities for the coming year. Vince Lombardi, renowned football coach for the NFL for many years once said, “If you’re going to play together as a team, you’ve got to care for one another.  You’ve got to love one another.” That is an important ingredient for success.