News- February 8, 2010
Posted 02.08.10 – S&E Results: Congratulations to our students who competed this past weekend at the MSBOA District Solo & Ensemble. 15 events performed and 12 are now State qualifying finalists! State is Saturday, March 27 @ Holland West Ottawa High School (same site as in 2009) but is the 2nd day of Spring Break. Students were reminded today to check with family members on travel plans and availability.Band Slide 2010

Symphonic Band @ Lawrence Central
Posted 01.30.10 – The Lawrence Central (Indianapolis) Band & Orchestra Festival has become a traditional trip for the Symphonic Band the last 8 years. This performance opportunity is how we build our performance repertoire for the ensemble and has served as a fantastic experience for all involved.

Exam Week Newsletter January 2010
Posted 01.30.10 – KRESA- Education for the Arts (EFA) Grant Monies!!!! This phenomenal funding opportunity is available to all current K-11 students (students graduating in June are no longer eligible) looking at expanding their artistic experiences through summer arts camps (art, music, dance), WMU Summer Seminar Music Camp, Legends summer tour, school year private lessons……to name a few.

January 2010 Newsletter
Posted 01.14.10 – KRESA- Education for the Arts (EFA) Grant Monies!!!! This phenomenal funding opportunity is available to all current K-11 students (students graduating in June are no longer eligible) looking at expanding their artistic experiences through summer arts camps (art, music, dance), WMU Summer Seminar Music Camp, Legends summer tour, school year private lessons……to name a few.

December 14 Holiday Newsletter
Posted 12.21.09 – Mother Nature & Construction wins :( The Collage cannot be rescheduled due to the lack of any facilities. We were thinking of having a mini band collage for the CMS band students during the day, but trying to make this work and having to move the entire “bandroom” to our PC Gym was just an overwhelming task…..Mother Nature and construction won this round.

November 30 Update & Collage Concert Info!
Posted 12.6.09 – PPS Funding Cuts- Community Survey results: www.portageps.org The results will be updates and posted on the site after November 30. If you have not completed the survey, it will close tonight. Critical that you give your input on this survey by tonight so the data can be shared at the next Board of Education Meetings on December 7th & 14th. The main page www.portageps.org also contains the specific funding information that has been shared with all staff at building meetings.

November Newsletter
Posted 11.22.09 – State of Michigan Education Funding/PPS Cuts: As many of you have been hearing from Lansing, the K-12 funding for education has been cut for this year and substantially cut for 2010-11. Portage is having to cut $2.5-$3 million by second semester and $5.6-$6 million for 2010-11. This is a devastating scenario that we all must take seriously and realize that it will dramatically affect all academic areas, co-curricular and extra-curricular offerings as well as the loss of many, many teaching positions. More specific information as it becomes available.

PPS Funding Cuts- Community Survey link:
Posted 11.22.09 – www.portageps.org and the survey is on the main page.

Open House Rehearsals
Posted 10.25.09 – The Legends Indoor Ensemble is in its 10th season. This program is for brass and percussion students and is designed to give 8th through 12th grade students the opportunity to perform challenging and exciting, original arrangements, and to receive top level instruction from some of the areas finest brass and percussion instructors.
Open House Information
Posted 09.22.09 – Central Site Program Overview: We at the Portage Central campus are very proud of our band program. At CMS, we enroll over 323 (148 6th; 100 7th and 75 8th) students in band. Here, our program includes 150 students and is known and respected at the state, national and international level for musical excellence. The high school program includes your Freshman Band, Symphonic & Concert Bands, Jazz band, “Legends” Winter Brass & Percussion Ensemble and Marching Band just to name a few! We have something for everyone!

First Day Information/Syllabus
Posted 09.07.09 – Marching Band/Seminar/Concert & Symphonic Bands