WHS Music News

Choir Concert

Wed, 17 May 2006 21:09:39 EDT

- The Choir had an excellent concert May 17th! Go to the Choir ensemble page to listen.

Concert Band Concert

Mon, 15 May 2006 21:34:43 EDT

- The Concert Band had a successfull concert on the 15th! Navigate to the Concert Band ensemble page to have a listen.

- Be sure to come hear the Choir sing on May 17th!

FCPS Building Plans

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 10:14:55 EST

Dear Parents:

Please consider attending this very important meeting. As you know our school does not have the best facilities at all and we are becoming more and more over crowded as the years go by. In fact, we are getting even more portables next year. As you may or may not know, Urbana HS has received many add ons since it has been opened, and Tuscarora HS will be getting an addition in 2008, while an update to Walkersville has been pushed back to 2012 according to FCPS's latest capital improvement plan.

Our band room is not big enough for our students, plus the risers built into the floors are not conducive to a modern concert band. Our stage area is literally falling apart, our practice rooms have been converted to storage closets for other departments, and the choir room is now being used as the drama room. Simply put, WHS needs to be updated to meet our current needs.

Sadly, there are other schools in worse shape then we are. Parents in the Linganore area have been pushing for new facilities for years and hopefully it is about to pay off. We need to get together and let the board know that our kids are just as important as the ones in Tuscarora, Urbana, Linganore and the other schools that are receiving these capital improvement funds. As I said, please consider attending this important meeting. These are your tax dollars at work, it would be nice if they would go towards our kids.

The County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the Capital Improvement Program on Tuesday, March 28, 7 p.m., at Winchester Hall, Frederick.

Concerned citizens are encouraged to attend and provide feedback about county-funded projects, including proposed school construction, additions and renovations.

For more information about school projects under consideration for the 2007-2012 CIP, please go to: http://www.fcps.org/content/publications/CIP.pdf

2006 Marching Band Update

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 22:33:46 EST

I hope everyone has had time to rest and relax after our exciting 2005 Marching Band Season. As I look back at the year I find it hard to express fully just how proud I was to be associated with such a great group of young people. They did such a great service to the entire music program, the school, and most importantly themselves. As a friend of mine said, "Wow, Walkersville was the real deal this year."

I wanted to write all the families of the marching band to give an update on the status of the 2006 season. We are in the final stages of planning the show and things are looking really good. We have hired Emma Roberts, the color guard instructor of the 2005 DCI World Champions, The Cadets, to write our color guard book. With Emma comes a gentleman by the name of Mike Zablocki who will teach the color guard on a daily basis. Mike had marched for Emma in the Cadets and brings with him many years of experience teaching high school color guard.

I'm happy to say it looks like 90% of the members who are eligible to return will be returning. Please be sure your son or daughter turns in their commitment forms by the end of February. I need this form in order for the drill and music to be finalized. If forms come in late we won't get an accurate count and the music and drill may be delayed. I am a bit nervous with recruitment in the middle school. There has not been a large amount of students wishing to do marching band. Many students and families are flat out saying "no" to marching band. The effects of this are being felt the hardest in the drumline. In order to have a drumline we need to find at least six more students. To date no percussion students in the middle school have been interested.

What I am asking for is your help in recruitment. If you know any families who have students in the 8th grade, please give them a call and tell them about our organization. On Thursday, March 9, we will be having an information night for all families who are interested in marching band. This date will be announced at both the High School and Middle School but please inform them of the meeting. I also ask you to reflect back on your first year in the marching band. What questions did you have? Is there anything else I could be doing right now that you think would have a positive influence on any families who are in the 8th grade now?

After such a successful year, I would hate to see us take a step back simply because of low numbers. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help sway students and parents, and please let me know if there is anything you feel that you or other parents of this organization could do to help raise our numbers.

Thank you - Mr. Franceschina