Melissa Grundy was again featured in the Rocky Mountain News, this time for her work with Mile High Community Band! In a letter written by Executive Director Deborah Ray, MHCB offers appreciation for Melissa's work in bringing people together through music. Read the complete letter.

Congratulations to MHCB Conductor Melissa Grundy, who was featured in the March 29th edition of Rocky Mountain News. The lengthy article, "Positive notes: DPS teacher brings sound of music back" in the Spotlight section, highlights and praises Ms. Grundy's success in reviving the music program at Abraham Lincoln High School, despite cutbacks and other challenges. Congratulations, Melissa!

Dear Members,

We have very generous people in our band!

Last month you will recall, band members contributed to gift certificates for two retiring officers. After we purchased the initial certificates, members contributed beyond the amount we sought for the gift certificates.

At the March 2, 2008 Board meeting, the Board discussed what to do with the excess donations. Having already presented the certificate to one retiree, we decided that the fairest procedure would be to keep the other certificate at the planned amount and to earmark the rest for future such occasions.

I hope that we have appropriately served everyone’s best interests.

Also, Bill Sargent, an emeritus member of the band, has made a $100 contribution to our general fund. Many thanks, Bill!

Thank you for your support.

Roger Oram, Board President
Mile High Community Band

In this letter to the community, MHCB President Roger Oram announces Deborah Ray as new Executive Director. Read on to find out more....

Jazz and Concert Band members were delighted to have the opportunity to sit in with guest conductor Mike Lucas on March 6th, a woodwind specialist who has played with artists such as Nelson Riddle, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Suzanne Sommers, Steve Lawrence/Edie Gormet, Sammy Davis Jr., Robert Goulet, Johnny Mathis, and Clark Terry. Mr. Lucas is a member and Assistant Conductor of the Denver Municipal Band, as well as a member of the Dean Bushnell Orchestra and Prestige Orchestra. Thank you, Mr. Lucas! We look forward to having you again!

by Ben Clapton

Don’t feel like practicing, but know you should, 'eh? It can be tough sometimes, and we need to be aware of some things that we can do. Here’ are 10 things that I do when I don’t feel like practicing.

• Take a break. No really… just go away and not do anything for a while. You’ll soon feel that you want to practice, especially if you just sit there doing nothing. “OH well, there’s nothing else to do, let’s do some practice.”
  

Don't miss this letter from incoming MHCB Board President, Roger Oram. In addition to talking about the recent changes at MHCB, Roger talks about his own ties with the band, dating back to 1959: "In January 1965, I went by train with the rest of the Inaugural Band to Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration of President Lyndon Johnson." Great photos included as well. Thanks, Roger!

Have fun with this music terminology word search! Challenge yourself to define the music terms, too. Don't know all of the definitions? Check out www.essentialsofmusic.com for a straight-forward glossary of music terminology.

Tonight (2/17/08) we installed new Board officers, as follows:

President - Roger Oram
Vice President - Joel Knutson
Secretary - Deborah Ray

Thanks to all of you for putting up with me these 3 years. I believe we are moving forward in a positive direction. The only thing that made the job worth while was all of you!

Joel
Immediate Past President