Notes From Mr. Snell's Office

Theatre/Speech/Drama Class Added

I am proud to announce that there will be an exciting addition to the connections program at Dodgen when school begins this fall.  The theatre/drama/speech curriculum will be available for students in all grades during the school day.  Maria Karres-Williams has accepted the challenge of teaching in this newly created position, as well as coordinating/directing the great tradition at Dodgen known as the Spring Production.  Maria brings with her several successful years of middle school theatre teaching experience.  She moved to Georgia from North Carolina with her husband two years ago. 

8th Grade Orchestra

I am proud to have accompanied Ashley Culley, Director, and our 8th Grade Orchestra students on a recent trip to Savannah, Georgia.  This outstanding group of students performed under Ms. Culley's direction on January 25, at the Georgia Music Educator's Conference.  There are only a few schools invited to attend each year, and only after they have auditioned to do so.  What an accomplishment for our students and teacher!  Way to go!  The group is pictured above as they perpare on stage for their performance, and also under more relaxed circumstances.

Music In The Halls - 2006

Music in the halls has become a tradition at Dodgen MS.  Each year members of the band, chorus, and orchestra play music of the season as students enter the building just days before the winter break.  Check out the the photo album in the left margin for more pictures of the event.  Thank you Ms. Culley, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Jeffres, and Mr Whittington!

Honor Chorus

Congratulations to Mr. Chris Whittington and the twelve students from Dodgen who were selected for Honor Chorus.  I enjoyed watching Natalie, Rhashida, China, Erin, Nicole, Anna, Becca, Victoria, Shaina, Trevor, Catelin, and Derick perform last night at Mt. Bethel UMC.  Great job!

German Band

I do not know of another school in the country that can make the claim of having a German Band.  The Dodgen German Band, under the direction of Mr. Jackson, performed a collection of authentic Bavarian Folk music for the Pope High School German Club Oktoberfest celebration on September 28th. The Pope German Club, joined by students taking other foreign languages at Pope High School, made for a great crowd! The Dodgen German Band, a group of 20 musicians pulled from the membership of the Dodgen 7th and 8th grade bands, will perform from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM on the main square in Alpine Helen, Georgia, on Saturday, October 21st  for their official Oktoberfest celebration. 

Superior!

Our 8th Grade Orchestra performed Tuesday, Feb.14, at the Georgia Music Educators Association (G.M.E.A.) District 12 Orchestra Festival at McEachern High School.  The 8th grade students earned SUPERIOR ratings for each of their performances!  ncluding a SUPERIOR for sight-reading!  This is the highest rating that the students could have earned.  Congratulations to our 8th grade Orchestra and thank you to Ms. Culley for your outstanding direction.  There is not a more wonderful director in the country!

Chorus And Orchestra Students Perform In Halls

Dodgen Chorus and Orchestra students decked the halls with the beautiful sounds of the season this morning.  Various groups stationed themselves throughout the building and played music as staff and fellow students arrived to school.  This has become a much anticipated tradition at Dodgen.  Thank you Ms. Cully and Mr. Whittington.  Check out the photo album in the left margin for pictures of the event.

Band Ensembles Perform In Dodgen Halls

Dodgen Band students decked the halls with the beautiful sounds of the season on this past Monday morning.  Various ensemble groups stationed themselves throughout the building and played music as staff and fellow students arrived to school.  One of the woodwind ensemble groups is pictured here.  This has become a much anticipated tradition at Dodgen.  Thank you Mr. Jackson and Mr. Jeffres.  Check out the photo album in the left margin for more pictures.

Music Students Spread Joy

The 6th Grade Chorus performed today for the residents of the Atherton Place Retirement Home.  Thank you Mr. Whittington and students for brightening their day in this joyous season.

The Cello Choir performed for the residents of the Chambrel Retirement Home today.  Thank you Ms. Culley and students for bringing joy to these wonderful folks.

The Tuba and Euphonium students from the Dodgen 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands performed today at Underground Atlanta.  These twenty-five students performed with 300 other tuba and euphonium players ranging in age from 11 to 67.  Thank you Mr. Jackson and Mr. Jeffres for providing this rewarding experience for students.

All-State Band Auditions

Congratulations to the Dodgen Band students who participated in the GMEA District 12 All-State Band audition today at Awtrey  Middle School.  The Middle School Band All-State audition is a very competitive event selecting only 100 students from among over 100,000 Middle School Band students throughout the state!  We are proud of each student who took on the challenge of the All-State Band audition.  We are happy to announce that twelve (12) Dodgen Band students passed this audition and will be participating in the final round of All-State auditions on January 21, 2006,  at Perry Middle School in Houston County, Georgia.  Thank you to Mr. Jackson and Mr. Jeffres for their extraordinary involvement.