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Dear Centennial Music Families, We are reaching out on behalf of the Centennial High School Friends of Music with an urgent request: please take a few minutes to write to our Board of Education and Superintendent to advocate for the reinstatement of 3rd grade strings in the school budget. The decision made with Budget Scenario 7 to cut the 3rd grade strings program will have far-reaching impacts—not just on our youngest musicians, but on the structure of the entire elementary school music program. If this cut is implemented, we have learned that ALL elementary instrumental music teachers of band and orchestra may be completely reassigned, leading to significant restructuring across the district. Long-standing, valued relationships between music teachers and school communities may be lost, as these educators are relocated to new schools with little or no community input. For years, 3rd grade strings has served as a vital entry point for music education in our district—one that fosters discipline, creativity, confidence, and a love for the arts. The earlier we can engage students in music, the greater their long-term academic and emotional benefits. We urge you to join us in expressing to district leaders that music matters, and that preserving strong, consistent music programs is essential to our children's education. Please send your message as soon as possible to ensure it is received before final decisions are made this week. Today is the LAST day for written testimony. Below is sample language you can use or personalize in your own message: Subject: Please Reinstate 3rd Grade Strings and Avoid Restructuring ES Music Dear Superintendent Barnes and Members of the Board of Education, I am writing as a concerned [parent/guardian/community member] to respectfully urge you to restore funding for the 3rd grade strings program in our schools. This program not only introduces students to the joy of music at a critical developmental stage but also anchors the structure of our entire elementary music education system. Eliminating 3rd grade strings will likely result in the widespread reassignment of our dedicated music teachers across the board, severing meaningful relationships they have built with students, families, and school communities over many years. These teachers are integral to our school culture and their stability is essential to student success. Please do not let budget constraints come at the expense of educational equity and enrichment. Music is not an extracurricular luxury—it is a core part of a well-rounded education. Thank you for your time and for considering the voices of our community. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your School Community] Superintendent
Bill Barnes [email protected] Board of Education Jolene Mosley, Chair [email protected] District 3 Linfeng Chen, Ph.D., Vice Chair [email protected] At-Large - County 2 (covers for Board chair) Andrea Chamblee, Esq. [email protected] District 5 Meg Ricks [email protected] District 1 Jacquelin (Jacky) McCoy [email protected] At-Large - County 1 Jennifer Swickard Mallo [email protected] District 4 Antonia Watts [email protected] District 2 Centennial High School Friends of Music is a parent-led organization that supports the music programs at Centennial through volunteer efforts and financial contributions. Our efforts support the continued operation of the music programs and aid the music directors so our students have access to for their emotional, intellectual, and social growth. Please join us on June 10th at 7pm in the CHS cafeteria for a celebration of our many donors and volunteers, find out plans for next year, and welcome new families. Invite your friends and neighbors, including families of rising 9th graders, to hear all about the fantastic music program at CHS. Back-to-School Night is never enough time to meet the directors and learn about all that is going on with the music program. Come out to learn and ask questions.  Upcoming EventsDon’t miss the chance to experience the incredible talent of our student musicians—come enjoy captivating performances from our choir, band, orchestra, and jazz ensembles!
Wind Ensemble is Headed to Midwest Clinic!A huge congratulations to Centennial's Wind Ensemble as they were invited received to perform at The Midwest Clinic in December! The Midwest Clinic is the largest international music education conference in the world with over 17,000 attendees a year. An invitation to perform at The Midwest Clinic is the highest recognition a high school band program can receive. Only five high school concert bands are invited to perform each year from across the country. The CHS Wind Ensemble will perform a 60-minute program of new and traditional music at the conference in December 2025. For context, it is such a competitive process that in 2018, the CHS Wind Ensemble was the first high school concert band in 45 years to be invited from the state of Maryland. No other high school in Maryland has received this honor since 2018. Congratulations to Mr. Matchim and the CHS Wind Ensemble! Participation in this program involves many moving parts. We have set up a fund to help cover costs for participation in The Midwest Clinic and scholarship students that need assistance to attend. Details about how to support this fund are forthcoming. Volunteers: We need your help!Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with other parents, engage with the school, and support the growth of music education at CHS. Get involved and make a difference by volunteering at concerts, marching band performances, and FOM fundraisers—your support helps our music programs thrive and creates unforgettable experiences for our students! Thinking ahead to next school year, we are looking for parents interested in helping out in the following ways. Complete the interest form online or contact us with any questions: c[email protected]
 SAVE THE DATE: June 10th Friends of Music MeetingYour many hours volunteering and your support for our Crescendo Club and our annual fundraisers make all the difference for our music programs. Every purchase and donation helps our music program thrive! We want to extend a special thank you for our many volunteers and donors this year at our final meeting of the year. Join us June 10th at 7pm in CHS Cafeteria for light refreshments, find out plans for next year and welcome new families. (Rescheduled; originally planned for May.)
Invite your friends and neighbors, including families of rising 9th graders, to hear all about the fantastic music program at CHS. Back-to-School Night is never enough time to meet the directors and learn about all that is going on with the music program. Come out to learn and ask questions. I’m absolutely thrilled to share that we have raised all the funds needed to purchase our new sound system! Just a few months ago, the idea of raising $6,000 seemed ambitious—and now, thanks to your generosity and support, it’s fully funded. That’s truly incredible!
A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Fikes, Ms. Puhak, Ms. Vandenberg, and the CHS Friends of Music for leading the charge—coordinating donations, publicizing concerts, and supporting us in countless ways behind the scenes. The response to our donation drive was overwhelming. I was honestly moved to tears reflecting on the generosity surrounding our program this season. I am deeply grateful for your support and so proud to be part of this incredible community. With gratitude, David Matchim Director of Bands Centennial High School A huge congratulations to Centennial's Wind Ensemble as they were invited received to perform at The Midwest Clinic in December! The Midwest Clinic is the largest international music education conference in the world with over 17,000 attendees a year. An invitation to perform at The Midwest Clinic is the highest recognition a high school band program can receive. Only five high school concert bands are invited to perform each year from across the country. The CHS Wind Ensemble will perform a 60-minute program of new and traditional music at the conference in December 2025. For context, it is such a competitive process that in 2018, the CHS Wind Ensemble was the first high school concert band in 45 years to be invited from the state of Maryland. No other high school in Maryland has received this honor since 2018. Congratulations to Mr. Matchim and the CHS Wind Ensemble!  The talented musicians from our CHS jazz ensembles were outstanding at the National Jazz Festival in Philadelphia over the weekend.
Catch the award-winning Centennial High School Jazz Band on April 8th at 7:00pm! All proceeds support our new sound system--help us make every note LOUD & CLEAER! Tickets Tickets are $10 online and $12 at the door. Elementary and Middle School students enjoy free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. Purchase tickets online through April 7th at OSP: https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/DA041-669 Please join us to hear the CHS Wind Ensemble at UMBC Linehan Concert Hall. Hearing these amazing musicians perform in a concert hall is not to be missed. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance as seating is limited.
https://umbctickets.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=3477 Saturday, April 5, 7:30 pm UMBC : Linehan Concert Hall Catch the award-winning Centennial High School Jazz Band live for a night of timeless classics and fresh favorites: April 8th at 7:00pm! All proceeds support our new sound system--help us make every note LOUD & CLEAER! Tickets Tickets are $10 online and $12 at the door. Elementary and Middle School students enjoy free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. Purchase tickets online through April 7th at OSP: https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/DA041-669  As we finalize flights, hotel rooms, and final payments, this is a reminder of our MANDATORY meeting for all travelers and their parent/guardian.
Students must check in at the meeting, where they will receive important and detailed trip information. We will cover: ✔ Flight groups & airport procedures ✔ Detailed itineraries ✔ Packing lists ✔ Code of conduct ✔ Park behavior and procedures 📅 Wednesday, April 9th 🕖 7:00 PM 📍 CHS Auditorium |
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