January 1, 2021

Greetings, Hamilton music families! 

You are receiving this email because you are registered with the Friends of Music at Hamilton International Middle School (FOMAHI).

It's been a very strange school year for everyone at HIMS, and we hope you are all healthy and well. For those of you new to our community, welcome! FOMAHI is the community-led group that funds and manages many aspects of the award-winning music program at Hamilton.  

In a normal year, there would have already been concerts and events showcasing the talents of the hundreds of students involved in music at HIMS. And we would be preparing for a live, in-person Music-A-Thon—an all-day musical extravaganza in February that allows each student the opportunity to perform pieces of their own choosing.

Of course, this year isn't normal! However, our music directors—Paul Harshman (band), Angela Pence (choir, vocal jazz, band), and Geoff Ogle (orchestra)—have been working overtime setting up online learning and coaching for all students. Despite the obvious challenges, we are planning an online Music-A-Thon on February 10th. And we would like to invite you all to become a member of FOMAHI—membership fees are waived this school year—to help your student and our music community stay connected and growing until we can all do so in person again. 

How do students benefit from FOMAHI? Here are a few of the ways FOMAHI supports students and the music program:

• increased coaching during Covid-19 remote learning
• teaching supplies and music, editing support for student project compilations during online school
• scholarships for families who need support with instruments and music supplies
• seamless concert operations, field trips and other events (when school buildings reopen)
• community building events (Music-A-Thon!)

If you'd like to get involved or have questions, please contact us at fomahihelp@gmail.com. We'd love more families to participate and help us build a stronger, energized FOMAHI community to support HIMS' music program.

Thank you! 

FOMAHI Board Co-Presidents: 

Dave Wine (Band), Renée Remlinger-Tee (Choir) & Christina Holden (Orchestra)

Are you wanting to support your student's music education, help grow FOMAHI, and strengthen HIMS' music programs? We need you! We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers.

Currently, the highest priorities are to fill the Secretary and Communications Chair positions. These roles involve attending FOMAHI board meetings (currently online) plus another hour or two each month. It's a minimal commitment for far-reaching support across Hamilton's music program. 

If you're interested or have questions, please contact us at fomahihelp@gmail.com. We welcome you joining us in a way that suits your interests and availability. To learn more about FOMAHI and what we do, feel free to attend an upcoming virtual Board Meeting—see the calendar below for dates and meeting access.

Important! Have you updated your FOMAHI membership profile this school year? If not, please go to FOMAHI's website (https://fomahi.membershiptoolkit.com), log in and make sure your student's grade level and music class are correct for the 2020-21 school year. This will ensure you receive communications appropriate for your student's specific music class. 

Know a HIMS music family who isn't receiving FOMAHI emails? Please forward this newsletter to them and send them to FOMAHI's website to register. We can only send emails to families that have registered. Spread the word! Thank you for your help.

If you have left the music program or Hamilton and need to unsubscribe, please go to www.fomahi.membershiptoolkit.com and choose "Log In" or "My Account" to change your preferences and account status.

Questions? Please email fomahihelp@gmail.com

Assistance Available

FOMAHI is dedicated to ensuring all music students have access to the supplies and instruments they need. If assistance is needed or if there is difficulty in paying instrument rental fees, please reach out to your student's music teacher or the FOMAHI Board at fomahihelp@gmail.com.

To attend FOMAHI Board online meetings, email fomahihelp@gmail.com for Zoom link access.