Date: Friday June 10th, 2011 From: Parent of the a member of the Intermediate Band re: "Spring Alive" Fine Arts performance That was the best performance evening I've attended since my daughter first joined the band. I enjoyed the "upbeat" music. I really enjoyed the percussion, jazz ensemble, and "band" at the end. Once again, let me take this opportunity to thank you for your dedication to music and F.E. Your energy and enthusiasm is amazing. ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Monday December 7th, 2009 From: recent Madill graduate Also, I've been meaning to tell you this for awhile, but just never got around to it, I guess. I just wanted to say thanks for basically making my high school years worthwhile. I've never really been all that good in school and never really saw a point in it, but music class and band gave me a reason to come to school and helped me find something I liked about it. I'm pretty sure however that if I had any other music teacher I wouldn't have stuck with music for as long as I did, or cared about it as much. Band was sometimes the only reason I didn't drop out of school completely. Going on trips and performing were the highlights of my four years at FE and aside from my few close friends, you and Susan were the reasons why those trips were so great. ________________________________________________________________________ Date: Sunday December 6th, 2009 From: Parent of a member of the Intermediate Band re: Music Night performance on Wed Dec 2nd, 2009 Mr. Varillas,
I never got a chance at your Music Night to thank you personally. My husband and I really appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication to the music program at F.E. Like Mr. Ritsma mentioned, the arts are the culture of the school. For kids like mine who love music, and even for kids who don't - its a fantastic opportunity to be part of a music program and have a creative outlet. After many years of paying for piano lessons, I truly appreciate the fact that she gets to learn new instruments for free! I just hope that she continues to enjoy music and stays involved with your program. Its really remarkable all the different groups you have going on in a week. I don't know how you do it!
We wish you a well-deserved and restful holiday. All the best to you and your wife. And a very Merry Christmas.
Sincerely,
Proud parent
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Date: Saturday April 18th, 2009
From: Christina Lammerant (Music Teacher at Lucknow Central Public School)
re: Elementary Massed Band Concert (Thursday, April 16th, 2009)
I Just wanted to let you know that my students REALLY enjoyed themselves on Thursday! They had a wonderful time and I had a LOT of very positive comments from their parents and other family members.
I know that we would really like to be part of another event like this. It gave the kids the opportunity to learn some really worthwhile music and a venue in which to perform them for an appreciative audience. They really liked performing with such a large group of students.
Mid-April worked out as a good time for us for an event like this. If you are planning to do something like this again next year, please count us in!
Thank you for all of the work that both you and John Matthews put into all of this!
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Date: Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
From: Lucknow Band Reunion Committee
The recent Lucknow Public School Band reunion is living testimony that dreams do come true.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of our venture by allowing us the use, on several occasions, of much-needed band instruments.
It is inspiring to know that F. E. Madill continues to instill the love of music into the hearts of so many students. Our members most certainly will always treasure the time we spent together, and the memories of making beautiful harmony.
Your kindness will never be forgotten.
Sincerely,
The Lucknow Band Reunion Committee
Mr. Gordon Cayley
Julie Kuik
Ken Irwin
Dale Lougheed
Marilynne Gilchrist
Anne Guay
Pat Murray
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Date: Monday, May 20th, 2008
From: Brenda Kaufman-Binkley (parent)
Not only have my child's musical skills improved, but I have seen positive social improvements as well. The music program at Madill encourages teamwork which my child really enjoys. She is motivated to improve her skills as a contributing member of a team. The F. E. Madill Music Program has allowed her to strive individually to accomplish personal and group goals. It is an amazing program!
