Welcome to the Eckstein Orchestra community!

Director of Orchestras - Brad W. Smith

OUR DIRECTOR -- A TEACHER WHO MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!
Congratulations to our director Brad Smith for his selection as one of six teachers recognized as a "Teacher Who Makes a Difference". This award is sponsored by Sylvan Seattle and KING 5 TV. Brad will be recognized in a 15-second vignette to be aired over the next several months. Please take time to let Mr. Smith know how proud we are of his accomplishment!

The film clip will be shown on KING 5, KONG and NW Cable News, starting Feb 25.  This clip features many of his students so you might want to tune in -- official Teachers Who Make a Difference site can be found here.

From parent Janice Hall:
For 5 years and two children, I have been involved with the Eckstein orchestras.   During my tenure, I have enjoyed many concerts and I have been particularly amazed with the repertoire and performance of all of the orchestras.

I have listened to 6 graders start out at the first concert playing twinkle variations to this same orchestra playing lovely classical music at the next concert.  I have listened to Mr. Smith say nothing but wonderful things about all of his students.  How talented they are, how willing they were to work on difficult pieces and how their success is really due to their hard work.

I have also seen Mr. Smith teach his students how to be good orchestra citizens by having a dress code that shows professionalism (including Mr. Smith always wearing a tuxedo), encouraging students to listen to the other groups play and encouraging teamwork and mentoring. 

As my older daughter moved on to high school, the reoccurring theme with her and her Eckstein orchestra friends is that Mr. Smith was the best orchestra teacher they have every had.  His faith in their ability to play, his choice of challenging pieces that keep them engaged and his never ending supply of crazy antics to keep their attention during class, has set the standard which they hold for other teachers to live up to.

Congratulations Mr. Smith and thank you!

ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE ECKSTEIN ORCHESTRA!
Our Eckstein teachers and students are recognized nationally for musical excellence and your child is a rising star in the big show!  

Confidence, self-esteem and teamwork is evident in all our students. They know that being in Senior Orchestra is a privilege that demands hard work and strong academic performance in other classes. Music students rise to the occasion at Eckstein and their teachers inspire them to do so!

PARENTS & GUARDIANS - PRACTICE LOGS

Students are now required to turn in a practice log every Monday (or the first school day of each week).  The logs will be graded and grades will be posted on The Source.  If the source indicates a Fail for a student this week, it is because that student did not turn in the practice log.

Parents are encouraged to listen to their child at least once a week before signing the practice log.  Please don’t sign the log without really knowing what your child has been practicing.

MUSIC IS MAKING OUR KIDS SMARTER!

In a 1999 Columbia University study, students in the arts were found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self-confident, and better able to express their ideas. These benefits exist across socioeconomic levels. The Arts Education Partnership

College admissions officers continue to cite participation in music as an important factor in making admissions decisions. They claim that music participation demonstrates time management, creativity, expression, and open-mindedness. Carl Hartman, Arts May Improve Students' Grades. The Associated Press, October, 1999

SUCCESS IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT

Last year's TERRIFIC SUCCESS was the result of hard work of our kids, the fantastic leadership and efforts of Mr. Smith, the wonderful support of our parents, and a sense of civic mindedness which pervades our community.  So many parents have gone out of their way to take on responsibilities which benefit not only their own children, but also of so many other people.  Thanks to ALL!!

SPECIAL THANKS

For the symposium, thanks to Bunny Hirschmann for her fantastic organizationsl skills and attention to detail!  The symposium went off without a hitch.

Thanks to Virginia Dzeikonski for volunteering to manage next year's symposium.

Thanks to Shuman Yu and Ginay Chen, who have taken on the very important task of keeping our books and paying our bills.  We couldn't operate without them!

Thanks to Barbara Bender for organizing this year's (and last year's) retreat to Icicle Creek -- it is a favorite of our Senior Orchestra!  Also thanks to Paul Brown for making contacts in Leavenworth and for arranging the food.

Thanks go to Janice Hall for organizing this year's fundraiser which was a big success.  We have made something over $2000, all of which will be applied to transportation for this year's orchestra trips.  Special thanks also go to Sydnie Sliker, Heather Martin, and MaryAnne Trettenero for helping with this event.

Thanks to Joy Heydon for volunteering to rewrite and update our permission slips for the Icicle Creek Retreat and for the Pacific Northwest Orchestra Festival at Gresham, Oregon.

We are also very fortunate to have a real professional cabinet-maker in the Eckstein Orchestra Community.  Thanks to Keith Martin for volunteering to build much needed instrument storage for the stringed instruments and to Jing-Ming Jong, who volunteered to pay for cabinet-making materials.  Thanks!!!!!!

Again, thanks to Susu Moscatel for organizing the Email list.

(Please send any website corrections/ommissions to the webmaster at curley@blarg.net)