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To Rim High Band Parents, Students or Visitors,

School will soon begin again. We probably would all agree, it went too fast!

We have a new description for our music courses at Rim, "Learn, Build, Create". This was inspiried by a Rim music student, and adopted as or motto.

The begining of school has always been an exciting time of the school year for me. I see it as another chance to wipe the slate clean and start again. New faces will enter our rooms of music in anticipation of belonging to a wonderful program here at Rim. Returning faces bring experience and growth from the previous year(s) with hopes of new musical experiences and performance opportunities.

Entering my 13th year here at Rim brings a strong feeling of pride for building a program that is valued in the community and supported by parents encouraging their children to become a part of music whether it is band, strings, or choir. This is not just talk, it is a fact that all our music classes, each different and each important, have maintained enrollment in spite of the decline of Rim High schools total student population. I started Rim in 1999 with a total RHS ADA at well over 2000 students. Today we have about 1200 students. Reflectively, our music program had less than 20 students the semester before I became employed. Today we have close to 200 students enrolled in music. That is nearly 16% of the total student body. Most schools are happy with 8-10% enrolled in music in their schools.

Today in education we are experiencing cuts that for us in the performing arts, seems beyond reason. It is important for those responsible for making these decisions to remember that the arts remind us who we are, and makes us human. So, when making a cut, be cautious not to cut an artery. It may be impossible to stop bleeding, and will ultimately kill the patient.

See you all soon

Musically yours

Mr. Lees

Rim Marching Scots, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Orchestra, and Concert Choir

The Bus Stop
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