Mr. Myers Band/Music Update

Hi Everyone,

My name is Collin Myers and I am the new band teacher at Cameron Middle School. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be part of the Cameron community. I attended the concert last spring and was so impressed with all of the bands and blown away by the students' enthusiasm and joy playing music together. I am beyond excited to meet all of the band students and start making music.

A little bit about me, I live in Dorchester with my wife Krista and our 1-year-old son, Emmett. I've taught middle school band for 15 years, including in Auburn, MA and Cohasset, MA.

I've included a lot of important information about the beginning of the year below and attached several important documents including the band contract, instrument selection form, jazz band form, and the practice record.

Please read the band contract and mark down the concert dates on your calendar. This is the culmination of everything we've been learning in class and attendance is mandatory.

Winter Concert - Thursday, January 22nd, 2026

Spring Concert - Thursday, June 4th, 2026

Every student received a copy of the band Contract with lots of information including on grading, Concert dress, practicing, jazz band, among many other things. If you haven't seen it, please as your child. It needs to be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to me by September 19th. I've also attached a copy of it below.

There are two options for obtaining an instrument for band.

Option 1 - Preferred Choice: Buy or Rent your own instrument.

• Framingham Public Schools Partners with Centre Music House for all rentals and repairs. Their phone number is 508-875-0909

Option 2 - Loan a School-Owned instrument for this school year. *Reserved for those with financial need.*

• Complete the back of the attached instrument information and borrow form with a parent signature.

Jazz Band is open to grade 6-8 students and meets on Thursdays from 2:30-4:00. It is recommended for intermediate and advanced band students. Jazz Band members should be able to play and read sheet music.

Jazz Band performs many times throughout the year. Besides the Winter and Spring Concert, they usually perform at the FHS Music in Our Schools Concert in March, the Callahan Senior Center in May, Potter Road and Harmony Grove Schools, various school assemblies, and the Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony.

There is a Signup sheet outside the band room (201). If you have a 6th or 7th grader who played in jazz band last year and would like to sign up again this year, please complete the attached registration form and return it to Mr. Myers by September 18th.

Many students in the band have things they need for their instrument. I've provided a list of recommended items below and a link to an Amazon shop that has everything I've recommended below for your convenience.

Clarinet or Saxophone - If your child plays clarinet or saxophone, there's a good chance they need a new box of reeds to start the school year. A box of 10 reeds should last most of the year.

• Recommended - Rico Brand - Strength 3.0
• Warning - There are many poorly made reeds on Amazon. Do NOT buy any Reeds that are sold in a clear plastic case with a red label. They are branded as CeMeow, EPUICEK, Sovvid, Pimoys, Suewio, They are cheaply made reeds that do not play.

Trumpet - Valve Oil (Any brand)

Trombone - Slide Grease (Any brand)

Percussion - Snare Drum Sticks - Vic Firth SD1

This year Mr. Myers is teaching both 7th and 8th Grade "Music Appreciation." In 7th Grade we focus on creating and performing music using drum circles. We also learn to read mixed percussion ensemble music and create our own compositions using various types of music technology programs. In 8th grade we will also be performing in drum circles as well as learning about rock, pop and rap from the 1950's to today. Grade 8 students will compose a playlist of their favorite music from each era. I am looking forward to a great year of learning through Music!