School Band Program: 2021-2022

Posted on by Janis DeVore

All Saints Band Calendar and Information for 2021-2022

Start of the school year: 2021

  • Tuesday, August 31 – Demonstration of instruments to fourth and fifth grade
  • Tuesday, September 7 – Band Registration Night for Parents/Students at All Saints at 6:45 PM
  • Tuesday, September 14 – Beginner and Advanced Lessons Start – Please bring instruments and music to school

All band lessons will be held every Tuesday throughout the year (if school is in session). Please bring instruments and music on Tuesdays.

All student musicians must be registered with the Garwood Whaley Music Program to take lessons.

Lead Band Parent
This position for the 2021-2022 school year is currently open. Please contact Mr. Ward to find out more. Serving in this capacity will provide you with volunteer school hours.

Band Director is:  Mr. Barry Ward

Instrument rental program through Music and Arts Stores.

Instrumental music instruction is available for your son or daughter next year at All Saints Catholic School. Classes are offered during the regular school day and Zoom classes may now be used to supplement missed days during the year. The child who learns to play an instrument learns discipline, cooperation with others, and a new way to a fuller, richer life. Playing an instrument automatically places him or her in worthwhile school activities, it gives something interesting to do, and is a pleasurable use of time.

The beginner band is comprised of the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone and Drums. However, the advanced band looks to spread out instrumentation with bass clarinet, tenor sax, and tuba, and these instruments may be available to students from the band. The Garwood Whaley Music Program is a local organization which has offered contracted music instruction at All Saints for many years. Our band director is Mr. Barry Ward, who is an original starting director with the program with over 40 years of experience. Also included in this program are written evaluations, performances at school and away, band music, and the opportunity to perform in both the Diocesan Band Festival and the Honor Bands.

Our overall Program was selected as the official program of instrumental music instruction for the Diocese of Arlington Schools in 1979. The program is staffed by full and part-time teachers with degrees in performance and music education. The Program is supervised by Mr.  Barry Ward, who has experience working with elementary schools throughout the diocese, and a retired assistant director from  Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria. Mr. Ward’s diverse background as a performer and teachermakes him uniquely qualified to teach and supervise. He has published a number of educational articles, and composed and published music pieces through C. Alan Publications.

Our school’s band program has earned many honors, and in a sense, too many to list. Of course, the program is presently regenerating itself after this Covid year where there was both in-school and online lessons. If you are interested, we urge you to attend a registration / instrument rental meeting in September. More immediate questions can be directed to Mr. Ward at The3wardsdad@aol.com. If the interest exists, give your child all the possible support and assurance by attending the meeting at school. Enroll your child next year in our band program!

Race for Education Results

Posted on by Janis DeVore

We are so pleased to share that we have raised $32,821 through our 2021 Race for Education!  We are so grateful for your generous support and participation in our largest fundraiser of the year.

The following is a list of the awards announced at yesterday’s student assembly.

  • Dress Down Day for All Students – Tuesday, June 1
  • Shaved Ice for All Students (Capital Snow Truck) – Tuesday, June 1
  • Chick-fil-A Lunch for K2 – Wednesday, June 2
  • Movie & Popcorn Parties – Tuesday, June 8 (Note: The Kindergarten and 8th grade classes will enjoy a movie and popcorn on an earlier day selected by their teachers.)
  • Winners of the $25 Gift Card Drawings – Alistair H. (K2), Thomas M. (5B), & Abby W. (7B)

I wish to thank Mrs. Burroughs and Mrs. Ballard for their wonderful leadership of the Race for Education.  With a strong commitment and a creative approach, they organized a highly successful event for our community, even during this challenging year.

Congratulations to all of our students and thank you for your support of this year’s Race for Education!

In Christ,

David E. Conroy, Jr.

2020-2021 School Theme Announced

Posted on by Janis DeVore

Every year at All Saints we identify a theme that further unifies us as a community by providing a shared focus and source of inspiration for our students, faculty & staff.  I am pleased to announce that our theme for 2020-2021 will be All Things Work for Good for Those Who Love God. (Romans 8:28)

This scriptural reference seems particularly relevant during this unprecedented time as we work together to provide the best formation possible for our students.  Although the path forward may sometimes be clouded by uncertainty, we hold firm to our faith and the knowledge that everything occurs in accordance with God’s providence.  Despite the many changes in routines and procedures that will surround the opening of the new year, the core mission of our school remains unchanged, that of instilling in our students a love for God and for one another.

Announcing … All Saints Virtual Art Show

Posted on by Janis DeVore

We are so excited to announce that Miss Galanides, All Saints Art Teacher, is organizing a Virtual Art Show for All Saints students!

Students may submit their artwork to the All Saints Virtual Art Show through Artsonia and can upload as many pieces of art as they choose. This is an exciting way for students to share the artwork that they have been creating while at home.

To submit artwork, please do the following:

  1. To get started, download the Artsonia 6.0 app in the Apple or Android app store, select the “Students” option, then type the Access Code FDSM-BSKN. You can view a short tutorial video on using the app at artsonia.com/videos/studentapp.
  2. If you don’t have a mobile compatible device, you can simply visit artsonia.com/class/access.asp. To register for the All Saints page, please enter the Access Code FDSM-BSKN.
  3. Once you are on the All Saints class page, you will be able to add your child’s name and parent email to the roster.
  4. Student usernames and artwork will be private until the child’s parent or guardian gives permission for it to be viewed publicly.

We will be sending out a link to the Virtual Art Show on June 2, 2020, so everyone can enjoy the creative works of our student community! See the Virtual Art Show Flyer below for more information. If you have any questions, please email Miss Galanides at lgalanides@allsaintsva.org,

All Saints Virtual Art Show Flyer

Anna Downes Wins VA American Legion Middle School Essay Contest

Posted on by Janis DeVore

We are pleased to congratulate All Saints eighth grade student Anna Downes on being selected as the winner of the 2020 American Legion Post 10 Middle School Essay Contest. The theme of this year’s essay contest was, “I Like Living in America because …”

Anna’s essay was then submitted to the district level and was selected as the 16th District and the State of Virginia winning essay!

We want to take this opportunity to congratulate Anna for her outstanding achievements. We also wish to extend our appreciation to American Legion Post 10 for sponsoring this program locally.

All Saints Band, 2020-2021

Posted on by Janis DeVore
Special Message from Mr. Ward
All Saints Band Director
Learning to play an instrument in any grade is a new and wonderful addition to your child’s regular school day. I like to think of this as an opportunity to be on the ground floor, or at least the starting point, of a lifetime of learning to play and meet other young musicians, or to participate in diocesan honor band performances, or perform at a Kings Dominion or Hershey Park Music Festival. I am sending this notice early, because I would like families and students to not only get excited about this but also be able to discuss decisions and commitments to the instrument and our school program. My goal is to have our students as well prepared for the first day of classes as possible.

I am proud of our band program at All Saints and well aware that your student could one day be in the advanced band. A successful first year is the key to ultimate success and I will do everything possible to make it a great experience. The essential elements are desire and a little discipline. All too often the newness of playing an instrument wears off quickly, so the right instrument and parent support is essential.

We offer the following instruments to beginners in the 4th grade:

  • Flute
  • Clarinet
  • Alto Sax
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Baritone
  • Additionally, the drum kit provides a small drum and a set of bells, but we are accepting only a smaller number of drum students next year. Special considerations go to older students from the 5th – 8th grade. As beginners in fourth grade, I know students usually want to be with their friends.

5th – 8th Grade Students
Every effort is made to put your son or daughter on the right instrument and get them ready as soon as possible for advanced band. Students in 5th – 8th grade can choose from the instruments listed above. In addition, we also offer special instruments to 5th thru 8th grade students, such as bass clarinet, tenor sax, baritone and even tuba, for those willing to play these needed instruments.

The Garwood Whaley Music Program works closely with the Arlington Diocese to provide instrumental programs in all Diocesan schools. All Saints Catholic School has had a long track record, over 40 years of successful concerts, festivals, and individual achievements. As a parent you look for two things ln a program, and they are teacher quality and a proven track record.  Also, be sure to think ahead to high school and activities available at that level.

Music and Arts Stores located all around the Northern Virginia area assist us with instrument rental programs for all instruments, and are made available to parents at registration on Band Parents’ (Registration Night) . Check your school calendar for dates, location and time in Fall of 2020.  I will be introducing the instruments to all students in the first weeks of school with some send along information as well.

I hope to see each of you at the band parents night and /or the next concert with a student in the band program. Be sure to make this a priority to help ensure your child’s success as a member of the All Saints Band.
Sincerely,
Barry Ward

All Saints Band Director

What Do You Miss Most About All Saints?

Posted on by Janis DeVore

Calling All Saints students … we want to know what you are missing the most about All Saints!

I know we had to part without saying goodbye and many of our traditions and day-to-day joys are being missed by us all. What are you missing the most?

Watch Mrs. Slater’s video to see how we can all share what we are missing. Then send us something to represent what you are missing (a special drawing, writing, photos … get creative, but please no video).

Please email your submissions to development@allsaintsva.org. We will put together your thoughts and share them with the whole community!

The deadline to participate is next Thursday, April 30.