1. Welcome to Piney Grove!

2.  Mrs. Short – Current 6 th Grade Administrator ◦ Email – jshort2@forsyth.k12.ga.us  Mr. Thrower – Counselor, last names A – K ◦ rthrower@forsyth.k12.ga.us  Mr. Chang – Band ◦ fchang@forsyth.k12.ga.us  Mrs. Steinberg – Chorus & Theatre ◦ asteinberg@forsyth.k12.ga.us

3.  Band, Chorus, & Theatre are the only connections classes that students may sign up to take. ◦ All other connections classes (art, PE, technology, etc. are randomly assigned.  Band and Chorus are year-long classes.  Theatre is a semester-long class.  Current 9 Weeks Connections classes: ◦ Art, Health, PE, Spanish, Engeneering & Tech, and Computer Literacy

4. 6 th grade Schedule Layout Qtr. 1Qtr. 2Qtr. 3Qtr. 4 Band Chorus Drama Connection 4 Core Content Class + 1 Literacy class

5. PeriodQtr. 1Qtr. 2Qtr. 3Qtr. 4 1MathBandELAMath 2ScienceArtSoc. StudiesScience 3Literacy 4ELAMathBandELA 5Soc. StudiesSciencePESoc. Studies 6BandELAMathBand 7PESoc. StudiesScienceEng. & Tech

6.  Students do have the option to take band/chorus, band/theatre, or chorus/theatre provided that their schedule allows it.  Enrollment for these classes is capped and spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. ◦ Theatre Enrollment Cap – 40 students per semester ◦ Chorus Enrollment Cap – 70 students per year ◦ Band Enrollment Cap - None

7.  How do I sign my child up for band, chorus, or theatre? ◦ It’s super easy to sign up! Simply fill out the 2016-2017 Band/Chorus/Theatre Request Form.  Where can I find the request form? ◦ You can find the form on the main page of the PGMS Website.PGMS Website  How do I fill out the form? ◦ Simply click on the link and enter your selections. It’s that easy! The form will go live at 12:00 pm on Friday April 1 st.link

8.  6 th grade band is the beginning-level instrumental ensemble at PGMS.  Emphasis is placed on music theory fundamentals and proper playing technique.  No previous experience necessary!  Instrument rental or purchase required.  Individual, at-home practice encouraged.  The 6 th Grade Band performs 2 times during the school year – both performances are required and graded.

9.  6 th grade band starts on the following instruments… ◦ Flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone, and tuba. ◦ Saxophone and percussion are also available but spots are limited. Students interested in these instruments will be screened by Mr. Chang. ◦ Students interested in playing oboe or bassoon will be required to take private lessons outside of school.

10. Instrument Testing Night will be held on Tuesday May 10 th, 2016 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. ◦ Drop in, try out the different instruments, and meet Mr. Chang!

11.  6 th grade chorus is the beginning-level chorus at PGMS.  In 6 th grade, students are introduced to the basics of reading music and music theory.  The 6 th grade chorus repertoire is unison or 2 part and is chosen to help ease students into singing with a large ensemble while still providing opportunities for solo and small group performing.

12.  No previous experience necessary!  6 th grade chorus performs 5 – 6 times during the school year and performances are required and graded.  Students will pay a fee that covers their various chorus expenses for the year (uniform rental, festival entrance fees, bus fees, etc). This fee can be paid all at once or in installments throughout the year.

13.  Fall Concert  Winter Concert  Caroling around the community in December  GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation A.K.A. “Festival”  Forsyth County Honor Chorus & GMEA District 9 Honor Chorus  Festival Concert  Spring Spectacular

14.  6 th grade theater is the beginning-level theatre class at PGMS, where students are introduced to the fundamentals of theatre arts.  Focus is placed on getting students comfortable being in front of a large group of people, performing in solo and small group settings.  Emphasis is also placed on the development of the speaking voice, body movement, character development and stage presence.

15.  Piney Grove’s Junior Thespian Troupe, The Piney Grove Players, is a national student honor society that recognizes and rewards the excellence among the participants of the PGMS Theatre Program.  Any Piney Grove student may be a member of and participate in the PGMS Theatre Program (drama class, PGMS Musical, etc.), but only students who have earned membership may be inducted into the Junior Thespian Troupe.  To be inducted, students must earn points that can be accumulated through work and involvement in the PGMS Theatre Program.

16.  The annual PGMS Musical is open to any PGMS student.  Students will be required to complete an audition with Mrs. Steinberg before or after school.  Once assembled, the cast and crew will rehearse on Monday and Wednesday evenings.  More detailed information about our 2016-2017 production, Shrek The Musical Jr., will be given out at the beginning of the new school year.

17.  Feel free to contact any of us if you have any questions regarding the courses or enrollment.  At this time, anyone wishing to meet Mr. Chang or Mrs. Steinberg may do so in their classrooms. ◦ Band – 1263 ◦ Chorus & Theatre - 1261