SCSBOA Update

Spring concerts, end-of-the-year activities, and the closing out of another school year has taken place. Summer is here! It is a time to recharge, take a vacation, and relax. No one understands how much we invest in our students each year. It is physically and emotionally taxing, but at the end of the day, we all know it is worth everything. We make a difference. That’s what teaching is all about.

As I head into the end of the school year (I’m not out until the middle of June), I am holding incoming band student and parent meetings where I have the new students register. This helps me plan out my fall semester which includes charting for the marching band. From there, I have our final “concert and cookout.” It’s a concert where people can bring beach/lawn chairs and listen to the entire band program while grabbing a hamburger or two. Awards night rounds out the closure for our year and it is a special night to celebrate our graduating seniors.

Speaking of seniors, or 8th graders, or anyone moving on, this is the time to help students transition into what comes next. I hold meetings with just the seniors every other month in the school year. We talk at a closed lunch time gathering where they can let me know what is happening, what they need, and just be able to talk. The final meeting is coming up with my group. I will fight back tears. This is the class that came to school as 9th graders and didn’t have the opportunity to complete their first year in person. They hung on for their 10th grade year online and finally returned back to school last year as 11th graders. I have had several tell me they wish they had one more year. I told them they will always be stronger for making it through a period in time we never anticipated and hope to never go through again. They are resilient. That is a huge life lesson in itself to not quit.

As you relax and unwind, be sure to make a few lists along the way. My lists this summer will include checking my email once a day (please don’t “boo” me), listening to concert literature and writing down the pieces I think will work with my groups, and planning out fundraisers.

I wish you well from Southern California. My term as SCSBOA President is coming to a close on June 30th, but I am honored to be the CBDA President-Elect. I hope to see many of you along the journey of this next school year. Until then, enjoy your summer!

CODA has had a great year of music making, and appreciates continued partnership with CBDA. As spring turns toward summer, and graduation looms nearer, CODA invites you to take a look at opportunities for the 2023-2024 school year.

CODA December Honor Orchestras

Stanford University - Dec 1-2, 2023

CODA is thrilled to bring the statewide CODA December Honor Orchestras to Stanford University on Dec 1-2, 2023. This event will feature a Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Paul Phillips, and a String Orchestra, conducted by maestra Molly Turner. Students selected to join the ensemble will have the opportunity to perform in the beautiful Bing Concert Hall on Stanford University’s campus. Look out for audition scales and excerpts, which will be available on the CODA website Monday, May 22. The deadline for CODA December Honor Orchestra auditions will be October 9th, 2023.

Casmec 2024

Conference Location and Date

As announced in February, CASMEC 2024 will take place on January 31-February 4, 2024, in Sacramento! We are looking forward to the new opportunities the change in location will bring us. Please do note that because the conference dates are earlier than previous years, the deadline for applications (clinic, performance, and all-state) are also shifted forward.