45 fifth-graders at CGS eager to start band lessons

An annual rite of passage was held at Chester Grade School on Sept. 16, as the Music Department hosted its 2020-21 Beginner Band event.

The annual event is held for prospective 5th grade students from CGS, St. John and St. Mary's who are interested in learning an instrument. Students and parents visit with staffers from Shivelbine's Music Store to learn about various instruments, and rent them if they want to.

All visitors and staff were masked and had temperature checks before they could enter the cafeteria. Only two students with parents were allowed to visit with the Shivelbine's staff at one time.

Sue Colonel, the CGS band director answered questions and helped with registrations and rentals. There was a great deal of excitement as fifth graders were anxious to start their music careers.

"We had a great turnout tonight for Beginner Band Night," Sue Colonel said. "We plan to start almost 45 new beginning band students this year. That is a good number of new band kids. We will hopefully start the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 2 if all goes according to plan.

Colonel said that with the COVID-19 restrictions in place, it has been challenging to hold band classes and band events as usual.

But Colonel said she intends to do her best to work with students, parents, school officials and health department officials to continue to hold as many music activities as allowable and still stay within the parameters of COVID-19 precautions.