Fundraiser orders and money are due next Thursday!
Our band fundraiser ends next Thursday! In class on Friday, all students received a Final Order Summary. ALL students, even those not participating, need to turn this in. Many families that choose not to participate make a donation instead – there is a spot to record this on the sheet. This summary of your order will be used to place your order with the fundraising company. Please take great care, and double check all numbers and totals. There is an Excel version available here that will do all the math for you!! I highly recommend using this Excel version. Do not leave this job up to a student to do without adult supervision or oversight!
On Thursday, three things need to be turned in as soon as your child arrives at school:
As of right now, we need 6 more volunteers to help with order collection and data entry. Click here to sign up! These volunteers will collect as many orders and payments as possible before school, then organize everything and start entering the data into a spreadsheet.
Thank you again for your support of the band through this sale, and also through the many generous donations we have received!
Our band fundraiser ends next Thursday! In class on Friday, all students received a Final Order Summary. ALL students, even those not participating, need to turn this in. Many families that choose not to participate make a donation instead – there is a spot to record this on the sheet. This summary of your order will be used to place your order with the fundraising company. Please take great care, and double check all numbers and totals. There is an Excel version available here that will do all the math for you!! I highly recommend using this Excel version. Do not leave this job up to a student to do without adult supervision or oversight!
On Thursday, three things need to be turned in as soon as your child arrives at school:
- The Final Order Summary mentioned above.
- The order brochure. You will receive this back on delivery day. Many families make a copy of this or take a photo of it for reference.
- The money collection envelope, with full payment enclosed. Please try to send one check made out to Dodgen Middle School. Please do not send large quantities of cash unless there is no other option.
As of right now, we need 6 more volunteers to help with order collection and data entry. Click here to sign up! These volunteers will collect as many orders and payments as possible before school, then organize everything and start entering the data into a spreadsheet.
Thank you again for your support of the band through this sale, and also through the many generous donations we have received!
September Updates
September is a great month for band, as we get past the beginning of the year, and really focus on preparing for all of our fall and winter performances!
8th Grade
7th and 8th Grade
6th Grade
ALL Grades!
September is a great month for band, as we get past the beginning of the year, and really focus on preparing for all of our fall and winter performances!
8th Grade
- Make sure you sign up for 8th Grade Band Night at Pope (September 14) or Walton (October 5)! These are the first official performances of the school year, and they are a lot of fun as you combine with students from Walton, Pope, Dickerson and Hightower Trail!
7th and 8th Grade
- Honor Band & All-State signup is due September 7th! Make sure you complete the online form AND send in the audition fee by the deadline.
- All ensemble members, please be on time to all rehearsals. Rehearsals start at 8:00, so please arrive at the rear door by 7:55. If you arrive after 8:05, please go to the front entrance and enter when they open the front doors as 8:15.
6th Grade
- We are hard at work learning our first five notes! Click here to take the quiz due September 12th!
- All students should spend a little time practicing. Go for a smooth tone, consistent pitch, and great hand position & posture!
- We will have a playing test on Line 6 the week of September 4th. We will be going over the rubric in class.
- Remember to be patient as we give ALL students individual attention - when each person masters a new skill, the whole band improves!
ALL Grades!
- Fundraiser orders and money are due September 13th! Make sure an adult checks everything for accuracy. Click here for the fundraiser page.
- Next Band Breakfast Bash is October 3rd! Please click here to volunteer or donate food.
What a Phenomenal Start to the Year So Far and Exciting Week Ahead!!!
We are thrilled with how well all band classes have been doing in the first few days of the school year. 7th & 8th grade band classes hit the ground running playing instruments on the first day of school. Sounds and skills are already progressing and we have had our first playing test, tone assessment, rhythm analysis and participation grade. We have an incredibly enthusiastic 6th grade class of 147 students who will be bringing in their instruments for the first time this Monday and we can't wait to begin!
Band Events for the week of August 13th:
Monday:
6th Grade - When you arrive at school in the morning, come to the band room and place your instrument, Essential Elements Book 1 and supplies in your new locker. We will have some instructional time in class but we have been scheduled to complete our Music Pre-Test or "Student Growth Measure" in computer labs which will take at least half the period. Students using a school-owned instrument will receive a checkout form that needs to be signed and returned the next day.
7th & 8th Grade - 1st Low Brass Ensemble Rehearsal in the Band Room 8am & 1st Sax Ensemble Rehearsal in the CAVE 8am
8th Grade - Students receive Disney Trip Packet in Class, Parents Have Open House 5:30-7pm
Tuesday:
6th Grade - Start instruction on instrument assembly, playing position, tone production and first sounds!
7th & 8th Grade - 1st Jazz Band Rehearsal / Audition in the Band Room 8am & 1st Clarinet Ensemble Rehearsal in the CAVE
7th Grade - Parents Have Open House 5:30-7pm
Wednesday:
BAND BREAKFAST BASH - All band students are invited to a social event in the band room at 8:00am. Food, fellowship and fun for all! Be sure to drop off your child in the back parking lot by the band room door at 8am. Thank you for all food donations and volunteers!
Thursday:
6th Grade - Parent Have Open House 5:30-7pm
7th & 8th Grade - 1st Dodgen Pops Rehearsal Band Room 8am (Students selected by audition in May.)
Friday:
ENCORE CHEESECAKE FUNDRAISER KICK OFF - All music students meet in the theater to receive all information about our annual fundraiser. No instruments in class.
7th & 8th Grade - 1st Flute & Double Reed Ensemble Rehearsal 8am, 1st Trumpet Ensemble in the CAVE 8am & 1st Percussion Ensemble in the Band Room 8am
WOW! What an eventful week ahead! Please also remember to complete all necessary forms, buy band polo shirts and spirit shirts on the Dodgen PTSA Toolkit, sign up for honor band / all-state auditions, sign up for morning ensembles, sign up for text message alerts, and make sure you have received an email from Mr. Jeffres. We are in for a fantastic year in the Dodgen Band and we are also excited to welcome new band directors at both Walton and Pope High Schools...Mr. Palmer & Mr. Johns at Walton and Mr. Sodders & Mr. Rudolph at Pope! Thanks also to the pep band from Pope that played an impromptu pep rally for Superintendent Ragsdale to announce Mr. Veeder as the Cobb County System Wide Teacher of the Year on Friday and to the Walton Band students that came to Panther Day to talk to incoming students! YAY BAND!!!
We are thrilled with how well all band classes have been doing in the first few days of the school year. 7th & 8th grade band classes hit the ground running playing instruments on the first day of school. Sounds and skills are already progressing and we have had our first playing test, tone assessment, rhythm analysis and participation grade. We have an incredibly enthusiastic 6th grade class of 147 students who will be bringing in their instruments for the first time this Monday and we can't wait to begin!
Band Events for the week of August 13th:
Monday:
6th Grade - When you arrive at school in the morning, come to the band room and place your instrument, Essential Elements Book 1 and supplies in your new locker. We will have some instructional time in class but we have been scheduled to complete our Music Pre-Test or "Student Growth Measure" in computer labs which will take at least half the period. Students using a school-owned instrument will receive a checkout form that needs to be signed and returned the next day.
7th & 8th Grade - 1st Low Brass Ensemble Rehearsal in the Band Room 8am & 1st Sax Ensemble Rehearsal in the CAVE 8am
8th Grade - Students receive Disney Trip Packet in Class, Parents Have Open House 5:30-7pm
Tuesday:
6th Grade - Start instruction on instrument assembly, playing position, tone production and first sounds!
7th & 8th Grade - 1st Jazz Band Rehearsal / Audition in the Band Room 8am & 1st Clarinet Ensemble Rehearsal in the CAVE
7th Grade - Parents Have Open House 5:30-7pm
Wednesday:
BAND BREAKFAST BASH - All band students are invited to a social event in the band room at 8:00am. Food, fellowship and fun for all! Be sure to drop off your child in the back parking lot by the band room door at 8am. Thank you for all food donations and volunteers!
Thursday:
6th Grade - Parent Have Open House 5:30-7pm
7th & 8th Grade - 1st Dodgen Pops Rehearsal Band Room 8am (Students selected by audition in May.)
Friday:
ENCORE CHEESECAKE FUNDRAISER KICK OFF - All music students meet in the theater to receive all information about our annual fundraiser. No instruments in class.
7th & 8th Grade - 1st Flute & Double Reed Ensemble Rehearsal 8am, 1st Trumpet Ensemble in the CAVE 8am & 1st Percussion Ensemble in the Band Room 8am
WOW! What an eventful week ahead! Please also remember to complete all necessary forms, buy band polo shirts and spirit shirts on the Dodgen PTSA Toolkit, sign up for honor band / all-state auditions, sign up for morning ensembles, sign up for text message alerts, and make sure you have received an email from Mr. Jeffres. We are in for a fantastic year in the Dodgen Band and we are also excited to welcome new band directors at both Walton and Pope High Schools...Mr. Palmer & Mr. Johns at Walton and Mr. Sodders & Mr. Rudolph at Pope! Thanks also to the pep band from Pope that played an impromptu pep rally for Superintendent Ragsdale to announce Mr. Veeder as the Cobb County System Wide Teacher of the Year on Friday and to the Walton Band students that came to Panther Day to talk to incoming students! YAY BAND!!!
2018-2019: Get Ready for a
Great School Year!
The summer has flown by, and now it is time to get ready for another great year of performances in the band!
6th Grade Students & Families
7th and 8th Grade Students and Families
Welcome Back! Here are your *keys* to success:
Great School Year!
The summer has flown by, and now it is time to get ready for another great year of performances in the band!
6th Grade Students & Families
- The first week of school is the time to join - the only beginning band classes are in 6th grade!
- NO experience is necessary! We will teach you everything you need to know.
- We will match you with an instrument that fits! This insures you will be successful.
- Band opens up many opportunities in the future! Each year in middle school has more and more to offer, followed by even more in high school and beyond!
- Click Here to read detailed information and get your questions answered!
- Click Here to download the registration form!
7th and 8th Grade Students and Families
Welcome Back! Here are your *keys* to success:
- What do you need for the first day of school?
Your Instrument, reeds/mouthpieces/sticks, Essential Elements Book 2
Summer Instrument Checkouts due back by 9:00am sharp! - Join a Morning Ensemble…or 2 or 3 on the Forms page!
Flutes & Double Reeds, Clarinets, Saxes, Trumpets, Low Brass, Percussion, Jazz Band, & Dodgen Pops Ensembles - Do you typically get A’s on playing tests?
Sign up to audition for the District Honor Band or even the Georgia All-State Band on December 1st right here at Dodgen! - Check out the Photos and Recordings pages for last year’s pictures and concert recordings! YAY BAND!!!
Congratulations on a Great Year!
The Dodgen Band has concluded another stellar year! Our students made huge progress, and created memorable moments every time they took the stage. There were many individual and group accomplishments to celebrate, and lots of great times with friends! In numbers, it looked something like this:
The Dodgen Band has concluded another stellar year! Our students made huge progress, and created memorable moments every time they took the stage. There were many individual and group accomplishments to celebrate, and lots of great times with friends! In numbers, it looked something like this:
- 1080 Donuts served at Band Breakfast Bashes!
- 200 LGPE Superior medals earned
- 155 School-owned instrument checkouts
- 99 Solo & Ensemble Superior medals earned
- 94 A's on the LGPE judge's sheets
- 54 Award plaques earned at spring concerts
- 23 total performances involving band students
- 21 District Honor Band members
- 2 All-State Band members
LGPE Performances were amazing!
Each year, the 7th and 8th grade bands have an evaluated performance, the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation - abbreviated as LGPE! We are pleased to announce that both groups sounded absolutely amazing! In fact, they got the highest possible scores of straight Superior ratings! We are especially proud that both grades got straight A's in sightreading. They received a 2-3 minute piece of music with tempo changes, key changes, and other musical challenges, and read it virtually perfectly! We look forward to guiding the current 6th graders through this process next year.
Each year, the 7th and 8th grade bands have an evaluated performance, the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation - abbreviated as LGPE! We are pleased to announce that both groups sounded absolutely amazing! In fact, they got the highest possible scores of straight Superior ratings! We are especially proud that both grades got straight A's in sightreading. They received a 2-3 minute piece of music with tempo changes, key changes, and other musical challenges, and read it virtually perfectly! We look forward to guiding the current 6th graders through this process next year.
Congratulations on a Great Disney Performance!
The Dodgen 8th Grade Band put on a great performance on February 1st at Disney Springs! There was a good crowd, and many in attendance were shocked to learn that this was a middle school band! After the performance, students got to enjoy time in Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Our amazing team of chaperones made sure everyone was safe and comfortable, and everything went very smoothly. We look forward to continuing this tradition when our younger students reach 8th grade!
Check out the concert video!
View hundreds of photos in our gallery!
The Dodgen 8th Grade Band put on a great performance on February 1st at Disney Springs! There was a good crowd, and many in attendance were shocked to learn that this was a middle school band! After the performance, students got to enjoy time in Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Our amazing team of chaperones made sure everyone was safe and comfortable, and everything went very smoothly. We look forward to continuing this tradition when our younger students reach 8th grade!
Check out the concert video!
View hundreds of photos in our gallery!
Congratulations on Great Concerts!
Each grade level presented their own concert in November, with great results! Each group shared their amazing progress with family and friends, creating quality music in each and every piece. Mr. Jeffres and Mr. Westphal are very proud, and look forward to leading each band toward their next milestone.
We have the following media available so far:
ALL groups will have audio tracks uploaded to our SoundCloud page, as soon as we obtain licensing to publish copyrighted material. We will notify the band by email and edmodo once this is ready.
Once again, congratulations on a great concert season!
Other Recent and Upcoming Performances
Each grade level presented their own concert in November, with great results! Each group shared their amazing progress with family and friends, creating quality music in each and every piece. Mr. Jeffres and Mr. Westphal are very proud, and look forward to leading each band toward their next milestone.
We have the following media available so far:
- 6th Grade - Concert Video, Photo Gallery
- 7th Grade - Concert Video, Photo Gallery
- 8th Grade - Photo Gallery
ALL groups will have audio tracks uploaded to our SoundCloud page, as soon as we obtain licensing to publish copyrighted material. We will notify the band by email and edmodo once this is ready.
Once again, congratulations on a great concert season!
Other Recent and Upcoming Performances
- TubaChristmas, December 1st (Photos)
- Honor Band & All-State Band auditions, December 2nd
- Dodgen Pops performance at East Cobb Park Holiday Lights, December 3rd
- Ensemble "Music in the Halls" performance, December 11th
- Dodgen Pops holiday performance at State Capitol, December 18th
Dodgen Ensembles Rated Superior!
Our extracurricular ensembles recently had two performances: the Ensemble Showcase at Dodgen on Thursday, 11/2, and the GMEA Ensemble Evaluation on Saturday, 11/4. ALL the ensembles that attended the GMEA Evaluation morning received the highest possible rating of Superior! The judges all had very high praise for our students, using words such as “Awesome, wonderful, great, beautiful, impressive, enjoyable, and well-prepared!” Each student who performed will receive a blue superior medal!
Starting November 6, we shift to holiday music mode. There are a couple of changes to the schedule: Trumpets now meet on Monday with low brass; double reeds now meet on Friday with flutes. All holiday music will be performed in the halls of Dodgen on Monday morning, December 11th as students arrive at school.
Our extracurricular ensembles recently had two performances: the Ensemble Showcase at Dodgen on Thursday, 11/2, and the GMEA Ensemble Evaluation on Saturday, 11/4. ALL the ensembles that attended the GMEA Evaluation morning received the highest possible rating of Superior! The judges all had very high praise for our students, using words such as “Awesome, wonderful, great, beautiful, impressive, enjoyable, and well-prepared!” Each student who performed will receive a blue superior medal!
Starting November 6, we shift to holiday music mode. There are a couple of changes to the schedule: Trumpets now meet on Monday with low brass; double reeds now meet on Friday with flutes. All holiday music will be performed in the halls of Dodgen on Monday morning, December 11th as students arrive at school.
Awesome Job on our Fundraiser!
ALL fundraiser orders were picked up on time, and our fundraiser will go down as a huge success! The money raised provides many things and services that help the Dodgen Band go above and beyond expectations. Some of those include bringing in extra staff, registering for events, providing tons of student recognition, staff development, online services for music and photos, and much more! We appreciate the constant support we receive from parents, Dodgen faculty, and our entire community!
ALL fundraiser orders were picked up on time, and our fundraiser will go down as a huge success! The money raised provides many things and services that help the Dodgen Band go above and beyond expectations. Some of those include bringing in extra staff, registering for events, providing tons of student recognition, staff development, online services for music and photos, and much more! We appreciate the constant support we receive from parents, Dodgen faculty, and our entire community!
Welcome to All New 6th Grade Band Members!
Band is alive and well at Dodgen, with a new 6th grade class of over 120 students! Your directors are very much looking forward to working with you over the next three years as we explore new skills, present amazing performances, and make lifelong friends!
A letter was distributed on Friday with information about our next steps. Parents, if you have not seen it yet, ask your child and/or download it below. The week of August 7th we will determine final instrument selections, and learn class procedures and music reading skills. Your child will come home with a packet of information on the day they see Mr. Jeffres for their instrument fitting. After this, you can rent or buy your band instrument. The week of August 14th we will start with instruments! There are also a few things listed for parents to do, mainly on the Forms Page of this website. Please read the letter thoroughly, so you have a clear idea of what's coming next.
Click here to download the letter that was distributed in class on Friday, August 4th.
If you have any special concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Welcome to the band!!
A letter was distributed on Friday with information about our next steps. Parents, if you have not seen it yet, ask your child and/or download it below. The week of August 7th we will determine final instrument selections, and learn class procedures and music reading skills. Your child will come home with a packet of information on the day they see Mr. Jeffres for their instrument fitting. After this, you can rent or buy your band instrument. The week of August 14th we will start with instruments! There are also a few things listed for parents to do, mainly on the Forms Page of this website. Please read the letter thoroughly, so you have a clear idea of what's coming next.
Click here to download the letter that was distributed in class on Friday, August 4th.
If you have any special concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Welcome to the band!!
Welcome New and Returning Band Students!
The Dodgen Band has big plans to make 2017-2018 the best year ever! Whether you are new to the band or returning, we have many performances, events and opportunities in store that will lead to amazing memories!
6th Grade Students
We are very excited to welcome you to the Dodgen Band! With 14 different instruments, we are sure to find the perfect match for you, so you can learn your instrument easily with long-term success! You will have a great time with both new and old friends as you learn to perform in band. We have a long tradition of excellence, with many awards for the entire group, as well as many students receiving individual honors on local and state levels! Please take a moment to visit our 6th Grade Info Section. There you will find lots of detailed information, and answers to most questions.
Returning Students
On the first day of school, bring your instrument and band book, so we can hit the ground running! Now is the perfect time to make sure everything works on your instrument, and take it in for maintenance if necessary. Below are some special considerations for each grade level:
7th Grade - You will need Essential Elements Book 2 for your instrument. You have additional opportunities this year, such as joining an extracurricular ensemble, and trying out for Honor Band or All State! We will explain these activities and have sign-up forms ready during the first week of school.
8th Grade - You will continue to use the same book as last year, Essential Elements Book 2. Ensemble membership is open to everyone, whether you participated last year or not! We are also in the process of finalizing details for our Disney Trip! Once everything is set, we will send home information and sign-up instructions!
The Dodgen Band has big plans to make 2017-2018 the best year ever! Whether you are new to the band or returning, we have many performances, events and opportunities in store that will lead to amazing memories!
6th Grade Students
We are very excited to welcome you to the Dodgen Band! With 14 different instruments, we are sure to find the perfect match for you, so you can learn your instrument easily with long-term success! You will have a great time with both new and old friends as you learn to perform in band. We have a long tradition of excellence, with many awards for the entire group, as well as many students receiving individual honors on local and state levels! Please take a moment to visit our 6th Grade Info Section. There you will find lots of detailed information, and answers to most questions.
Returning Students
On the first day of school, bring your instrument and band book, so we can hit the ground running! Now is the perfect time to make sure everything works on your instrument, and take it in for maintenance if necessary. Below are some special considerations for each grade level:
7th Grade - You will need Essential Elements Book 2 for your instrument. You have additional opportunities this year, such as joining an extracurricular ensemble, and trying out for Honor Band or All State! We will explain these activities and have sign-up forms ready during the first week of school.
8th Grade - You will continue to use the same book as last year, Essential Elements Book 2. Ensemble membership is open to everyone, whether you participated last year or not! We are also in the process of finalizing details for our Disney Trip! Once everything is set, we will send home information and sign-up instructions!