• Dear Rising 6th Grade Parent or Guardian,

    Friday, your child visited Bay Creek Middle and got to meet our music department. They heard each of our groups perform and heard the teachers talk about the opportunities available. In their Friday folder you should see the letter below, with a sign-up form on the back. Please read it through, discuss with your child, and send the form back to your child’s school by this Friday, April 21. Your child currently has the option to join an all-year performing arts class of their choice at Bay Creek Middle School. These choices are Band, Chorus, Orchestra, and Dance. This is the BEST opportunity your student will have to enroll in a music class, and they may choose up to two performing arts classes. Below are a few things you should know:

    • These classes last the entire school year and can be continued through the 8th grade and into high school.
    • The student does not have to sign up for a music class. If they do not, their connections schedule will instead be filled with other connections classes (PE, Spanish, Art, etc.). Students indicated a preference for these before spring break, but they cannot be guaranteed like placement in a music class can.
    • These classes are co-curricular performing classes, with required periodic evening concerts or one Saturday recital per semester for dance.
    • These classes are held during the normal connections class time. Unlike elementary, where students rotate through 5-6 ‘specials’ in middle school, students attend the same two electives, or connections, each day.
    • Many students play sports or participate in other extracurricular clubs & activities which do not prevent them from joining one or more music classes.
    • Students who select two performing arts classes will not receive any other connection classes for the year.
    • There is a financial obligation with Band and Orchestra. Instruments can be rented from local music stores for a monthly fee. More information about instrument rentals will be given in the fall. Please do NOT purchase an instrument before these informational meetings in August.
    • Chorus students pay one-time dues of $48 that covers their concert shirt, t-shirt and music.
    • Dance students will have a costume fee each semester. Dance also requires a video audition.
    • For Orchestra, instrument selection will take place the first full week of school during class time. Students may test drive each orchestra instrument on Thursday, 4/20 at Bay Creek Middle from 5:00-6:30 PM.
    • For Band, students will test drive and select their instrument during the second full week of school.
    • Students are strongly encouraged to join at least one performing arts class in 6th grade, as joining after 6th grade is difficult due to missed instruction. Questions? Visit department web pages listed on the BCMS website https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/8132, call the school (678-344-7570), or email the director. We are excited to have your student at BCMS! Mrs. Whitney Duncan(Orchestra) Whitney.Duncan@gcpsk12.org Mr. John Hardin (Band) John.Hardin@gcpsk12.org Mrs. Lindsey Montgomery (dance) Lindsey.Mongomery@gcpsk12.org Mrs. Rachel Turner (Chorus) Rachel.P.Turner@gcpsk12.org BCMS Performing Arts