A Concert Shout Out
By Jonathan Simonoff
Inspired by a post from the Band Director’ s Facebook group, I decided to try a“ concert shout out” for my winter concert this December. The idea is that parents or community members can fill out a brief shout out paper to give students a feel-good moment. They get the paper when they grab a program and leave them with a volunteer. It was a HUGE success.
I created my own template in about five minutes and made 90 copies to start( one for each student performing that night). I had to make an extra 150 more due to people wanting to extra notes to students! I’ d consider that a worthwhile activity.
I decided to hold the notes for a few days to make sure each student gets one. Unfortunately, I did have to fill 2 or 3 myself but the notes were fun, heartwarming, and sentimental. I think during this time of year when kids are perhaps feeling bogged down with school this will be a great“ pick-me-up”.
I feel this was so simple yet so effective I want to do a similar activity at my spring concert except just for my seniors and perhaps my beginning band. It will be the senior’ s last concert and the beginners first concert so it could send them off and start them off on a good note!
Jonathan Simonoff teaches general, vocal, and instrumental music at all grade levels at Ashland District School as well as conducting the University of Maine Presque Isle Community Band. Jon is also a founding member of the Aroostook River Voices, a 100 piece community choir, The County Combo, a jazz ensemble with music educators and students, and a member of the Star City Syndicates, a community member motown band. He may be reached at jsimonoff @ sad32. org