May 5-9 Newsletter Posted!

About the Program

Meet MRs. Townson!

Hello, I'm the Director of Bands at Hawley Middle School! I am super excited to get started with enabling our students to open their minds to the world of instrumental music through structured rehearsals, independent practice, and full group performances.

I am originally from the Outer Banks of North Carolina (the small county of Currituck). I am a graduate of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC where I received my B.S.Ed. in Music Education and my B.A. in Music.

My experience is vast and includes a year as a teaching assistant for the low reeds section and two years as a staff coordinator/administrative assistant with WCU's marching band (The Pride of the Mountains Marching Band), a semester of student teaching at Pisgah High School in Canton, NC, a semester of student teaching at Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva, NC, a semester and a summer teaching general music at Stovall-Shaw Elementary School in Stovall, NC, a full academic year teaching general music at Creedmoor Elementary School of the Arts in Creedmoor, NC, and various other observation and private tutoring opportunities in middle schools, high schools, and with peers.

I am enthusiastic and excited to continue as the head director here at Hawley Middle School and I look forward to working with the students, parents, and staff members to provide a safe and positive environment for maximum learning opportunities to take place.

See you soon!

Hawley Bands

There are three levels of band at Hawley Middle School. The bands are based on grade level in school. See below for more information! If more questions still exist, check out the FAQ page.

6th Grade Beginning Band

All sixth graders wishing to join the bands at Hawley will be placed in the 6th Grade Beginning Band classes. All members of this band will be taught as beginners who may or may not have had prior music experience or education.

7th Grade Beginning Band

All seventh graders wishing to join the bands at Hawley, regardless of prior band experience will be placed in this band. If you have prior band experience from sixth grade or no experience and are joining band for the first time in seventh grade, you will be caught up in the first month or so. Individual practice will be required to help catch up to the same level as those who have been in band for a year.

8th Grade Intermediate Band

All eighth graders wishing to join the bands at Hawley regardless of prior band experience will be placed in the 8th Grade Intermediate Band. Most musicians in this level of band have had at least one year of band instruction. If you are an eighth grader with no prior band experience, you may still join. However, you will need to practice more at home to catch up to the level of those who have had band for at least a year.

Other Hawley Music Programs

Check below to see the other programs taught by Ms. Caldwell at Hawley Middle School this year!

6th-8th Grade General Music

Students who do not participate in band or chorus this year will be enrolled in a 9 weeks only general music course. This course will last the duration of each grading period and students will be able to explore the world of music through listening, participating and experiencing music.

NEW! Hawley Bands Extra Curriculars!

Students enrolled in the Hawley Band Programs will have an opportunity to join various programs for the 2024-2025 school year! Check below for a breif explanation of each program.

Hawley Bands Leadership Organization

At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, 7th and 8th grade band members will be offered an opportunity to take a leadership role within their grade level band as well as for the overall band program. There will be bi-weekly meetings with Ms. Caldwell to check in on things, but students may opt for more frequent meetings as needed. Each member of the Leadership Organization will have specific roles and tasks they are responsible for. 6th grade band students will be offered this responsibility after the end of the first semester. The leadership organization will consist of the following roles with the following hierarchy, all of which will be explained in detail after school begins:

Director of Bands - Mrs. Townson: top of the hierarchy, oversees all operations
Band President - 8th Grader Only: reports directly to Mrs. Townson
Band Captain - 7th Grader Only: acts as a Vice President
Junior Captain - 6th Grader, 2nd semester only: acts as an assistant to the Vice President
Service Chairs - One from each grade level, 6th is 2nd semester only: oversees all equipment needs such as set up, tear down, and plans for all events.
Librarians - One from each grade level, 6th is 2nd semester only: assists with copying needs and print materials. Will also assist in pulling originals to hand out new music.

Hornets Nest Pep Band

Pep band this year will be offered during BOTH Football and Basketball seasons! It was a huge hit last year just during basketball so we have been invited to cheer on our Football team this year as well. This is only offered to 7th and 8th graders for the football season with opportunity for 6th graders to "audition" or be invited to join based on progression of skill during basketball season. More information to come as we get closer to the start of the school year.

Hornets Mini ensembles

This year we are also offering an opportunity for students to create small ensembles to feature on a showcase in the spring before the Spring Concert. Students will be introduced to this idea in the fall for 7th and 8th graders with a chance for 6th graders to join in the spring. One of these mini ensembles may be a jazz band!

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