RM Cluster Emphasizes The Importance Of Music

Combined RMHS choruses

Last night for the first time, students from all of the schools in the Richard Montgomery Cluster performed in the annual RM Cluster Concert. The evening showcased every sort of musical endeavor available from a cappella groups to choruses to instrumental music. One of the objectives of the event is to give the kids a chance to see what you can move onto musically.

Ronald Frezzo, Director of the Richard Montgomery Choruses, explained why music is offered in schools. The reasons include math (counting), geography (musical heritage), civics (patriotic songs), discipline (listening and standing), teamwork, mutual respect, and even the health effects of breathing. Mr. Frezzo told the audience that more drama and music majors get into medical school than biology majors.

The evening kicked off unofficially with the three a cappella groups from Richard Montgomery High School (RMHS): the all-female Resonance, the coed In Tune, and the all-male T Tones. In Tune introduced themselves as the “Pokemon Trainers Association of America” but that must have been an attempt to get the attention of the elementary school kids in the audience. Billing themselves as the “funest” group, they covered the Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes. The T Tones went with The Longest Time by Billy Joel.

Beall Elementary

The main performances of the evening were by the elementary school choruses. The Beall, College Gardens, Ritchie Park, and Twinbrook Choruses all bravely sung to a standing-room-only crowd.

College Gardens Elementary

Their sweet young voices were gently punctuated by the simple accompaniment of a piano.

Ritchie Park Elementary

Ritchie Park added some percussion to Blue Waters of the North.

Twinbrook Elementary

Since Julius West Middle School (JWMS) lost their chorus program due to budget cuts, Mr. Steve Cowan brought three instrumental groups to perform. Over 250 kids play instruments at JWMS. The short excerpts played gave a taste of what the school offers from jazzy brass Pink Panther to Bach on strings. Listen to what the Bach turned into:

The Combined Richard Montgomery Choruses brought the evening to a grand finale. During Dona Nobis Pacem all the elementary choruses joined in the singing the rounds. Since the younger students sat in the side rows, their voices surrounded the audience with a flowing embrace of Latin.

Then the audience stood and joined in with the first and fourth verses of America, the Beautiful so parents could show their support with their voices.

During the evening RMHS Principal Dr. Nelson McLeod, proved the value the school places on music by presenting $200 gifts to each of the music programs. Totaling over $1,000, these gifts are a tradition which acknowledges the important role each music program plays for the students.

During this tough budget situation, parents can also reach out to principals and the County Council to show their support for these thriving music programs. Kids who show commitment to choral and drama programs demonstrate their ability to succeed in college. Last night the students and faculty certainly demonstrated their passion for music.

Parents Asked To Support the RM Cluster Testimony

RPES Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Many parents have voiced their concern about school overcrowding in the Richard Montgomery Cluster during public meetings in Rockville. Now the time for testimony to the Board of Education regarding the Superintendent’s Recommended FY 2012 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY 2011-2016 Capital Improvements Program has finally been announced.

Representatives from the Richard Montgomery Cluster will be testifying before the Montgomery County Board of Education on Thursday, November 11, 2010. The time frame for testimony is from 6:45 until 8 PM. The hearing begins at 7 PM. At Monday night’s Mayor and Council meeting, Mayor Marcuccio and Councilmembers Britton and Pierzchala indicated they were willing to provide testimony, so these elected officials will speak first followed by the Cluster Representatives.

The Richard Montgomery Cluster includes Ritchie Park Elementary, College Gardens Elementary, Twinbrook Elementary, Beall Elementary, Julius West Middle School, and Richard Montgomery High School. The testimony will include comments on the MCPS proposal to study the creation of a new school in the RM cluster and the expansion of Julius West. The testimony will also focus on the additions planned for Ritchie Park, Beall, and Twinbrook, as well as the transfer of the Chinese Immersion Program from College Gardens to the new school when it is built.

Cluster representatives have been encouraging parents to attend and show the Montgomery County Public Schools and Board Of Education that the community is very concerned about the growth in enrollment. All of the Cluster’s elementary schools are over capacity. Parents will be advocating for a plan to alleviate overcrowding in the schools within the City limits.

The testimony will be given at the Carver Center Auditorium (850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville, next to Montgomery College). Parking is available in the lot on the Rt. 355 side of the building and the North entrance is on the right set back slightly from the flagpole entrance to the building. Parents are encouraged to wear or carry their school’s spirit wear, or to bring a handmade sign the size of a piece of paper to show support. Of course, everyone attending is expected to remain quiet during the testimony and leave quietly at the appropriate time.

Many have hoped that the energy recently revealed in meetings at the schools will result in a strong showing before the Board of Education during this opportunity to testify.

The Laramie Project Promises To Be A Powerful Performance

Rehearsal Photo by Steve Bailey

Last spring the Black Maskers, Richard Montgomery High School’s drama club, decided to present The Laramie Project. They choose the play because its message about tolerance is something everyone should hear, especially high school students.

Rehearsal Photo by Steve Bailey

The Laramie Project concerns the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, in Laramie, Wyoming. He was found tied to a fence after being brutally beaten and left to die, setting off a nationwide debate about hate crimes and homophobia.

Here’s a description from the play’s promotional material:

A month after the crime, Moises Kaufman, a writer and director with the New York City theater troupe the Tectonic Theater Project, traveled to Laramie with a handful of actors to interview people who lived in and around Laramie in preparation for an upcoming production; Kaufman’s goal was to create a play that focused not on the assault on Matthew Shepard, but on the community where such an attack could happen, and how many of the citizens reacted to the crime. The result was The Laramie Project, which was first performed in early 2000. In the play, the thoughts and opinions of Laramie residents from all points of the political spectrum are presented alongside re-enacted excerpts from the trials of the two men who attacked Matthew Shepard. Powerful and thought provoking, The Laramie Project is innovative, mournful, and politically charged, more of a sociological interrogation than a dramatic story. It is an evening of theatre that you will not soon forget.

Since the Black Maskers decided to perform the play, many stories have been in the news about young, gay adults committing suicide. These stories have spurred the club on even more. In light of everything that has happened, they want to voice a message of tolerance and respect to our community. The cast has been discussing how they love doing a play with a message which they “feel strongly about”. Emily Davis, the director, believes the performance will be both “powerful and timely”.

Performances are on Friday and Saturday evenings: November 5, 6, 12, and 13, 2010 at 7 PM in the Richard Montgomery Auditorium. Tickets are $13 for adults and $5 for students. Get tickets in advance here.

Warning: due to mature themes and language, parents are advised against bringing young children younger than 13 years to the show. The Laramie Project is comparable to a PG-13 movie.

Weekend to Weekend Pick 10/14/10: Nunsense

The Richard Montgomery High School Black Maskers present Nunsense, which has been making folks laugh for 25 years. This is our chance.

At Richard Montgomery High School auditorium
Friday, October 22, 2010 7-9 PM
Saturday, October 23, 2010 10/23/2010 2-4 PM AND 7-9 PM
Adults: $13, Students: $5
To reserve tickets, go to Richard Montgomery Drama at Ticketleap

The surviving Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook accidentally killed fifty-two residents of the convent with tainted soup. Upon discovering the disaster, Mother Superior had a vision in which she was told to start a greeting card company to raise funds for the burials. The greeting cards were an enormous success and, thinking there was plenty of money, she bought a home entertainment system for the convent, leaving her with no money to pay for the last four burials.

With remaining deceased nuns on ice in the deep freeze, the sisters decide to stage a variety show in the Mount Saint Helen’s School auditorium to raise the needed funds. Participating in the project are Mother Superior Mary Regina, a former circus performer who cannot resist the spotlight; her competitive but dignified rival, second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert; Sister Robert Anne, a streetwise nun from Brooklyn; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is determined to be the world’s first ballerina-nun; and wacky, childlike Sister Mary Amnesia, who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. The entertainment that they present includes solo star turns, madcap dance routines, and a wild surprise turn of events that will tickle your funny bone!!

The Black Maskers annually perform one play in the fall and a musical in the spring, much to the delight of our community. This one sounds like a heavenly endeavor for hearty laughs.

RMHS Implements 'Every 15 Minutes' Program

This from >Kate Savage, chair of the Every 15 Minutes effort for RMHS:

Richard Montgomery High School wants to extend the idea of education beyond the classroom and facilitate in creating learning experiences that are applicable to real life situations. The possible ramifications of drinking alcohol, unsafe driving, and the impact it has on our students, their friends, and families are unfathomable to most young teenagers.

On April 21, 2009 and April 22, 2009 Richard Montgomery High School will be implementing the “Every 15 Minutes” program here at our school. This two-day program focuses on high school juniors and seniors in challenging them to think about drinking, personal safety, driving habits and the responsibility of making mature decisions when lives are involved. The name of this nationally recognized program was conceived from the fact that every 15 minutes, someone in the United States dies in an alcohol-related traffic collision. Since these programs began, those statistics have actually decreased proving the awareness helps in the prevention. With this program, we wish to involve as many organizations and members of our community as possible.

The first day of this event involves pre-selected students being sought out by the Grim Reaper as a teenage statistic to later represent someone who has died in an alcohol-related crash. A lunchtime event involves the re-creation of an auto accident as it would occur first hand. The City of Rockville has partnered with the school in assisting with this process for students to be able to recognize what would occur when losing one of their classmates.

The second day of this event is an assembly for the 11th and 12th graders. A video summary of day 1 is presented in addition to the student participation reflections. Guest speakers share personal experiences they have had with alcohol-related or unsafe driving incidents that have affected their lives forever. Since these events sometimes evoke emotional reactions from students the school has arranged for additional counseling services to be provided. We feel it is important to present the awareness of these issues to hopefully prevent future tragedies. Student participants, their parents, event volunteers and VIPs have a luncheon after the assembly.

Take Your Pick Of High School Drama This Weekend

Devotees of the limelight will have to make some choices this weekend and next as Richard Montgomery, Thomas Wootton, and Rockville High Schools are presenting plays.>Rockville High School Theater will be mounting a production of High School Musical, starring Rockville High School students complete with a pit orchestra. The Saturday show is ASL. Admission is $5 for students, $10 for Adults. Tickets at the door.

Friday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m.

And, the Richard Montgomery High School Black Maskers theater troupe is presenting Thoroughly Modern Millie. The author of the play attended a rehearsal and gave it his stamp of approval. Tickets available here.

April 16 & 17 at 7:00 pm
April 18 at 2:00 pm
April 22 at 2:30 pm
April 23 & 24 at 7:00 pm

Last but not least, the Thomas Wootton High School Center for the Arts is putting on a production of Bye Bye Birdie. (Use the form at the link for tickets, or go to door.)

April 16 & 17 at 7:30 pm
April 18 at 2:00 pm
April 23 & 24 at 7:30 pm
April 25 at 2:00 pm

If you work it right, you can see all three!

Thanks to Rockville Central friend John Cooper-Martin for making sure we knew about the shows.

If You Need Mulch Then Support RMHS

>Kevin Brooks, the President of the Richard Montgomery High School (RMHS) Booster Club, sends along this announcement of their upcoming annual Mulch Sale on Saturday March 27, 2010:

This is the biggest fund raiser that the Club holds each year. The profits benefit not only the student athletes and their teams, but, also to the many school organization’s inside the school. The Booster Club donates to Every 15 minutes, Post Prom, the year book, the School newspaper (The Tide) and other groups as well.

The Mulch sale is a great opportunity to come out see the community spirit that is required to sale and deliver over 5,000 bags of mulch in one day!

The Booster Club has been putting this Mulch Sale on for years. Each year people from all over Rockville come out and donate their trucks, cars and hands to make the day a great success. We welcome all the help we can get that day.

The Mulch is sold by the bag (3 cubic ft) and can be picked up in front of the school or can be delivered (25 bags free, 24 or less $10 additional). Students who come and work the Mulch Sale can earn those important SSL hours as well.

Orders can be placed on-line at www.RMboosters.org. Keep a look out for flyers to be delivered to your door as well. All orders need to be placed by March 24th. For further information, call Cheryl Hoover at: [email protected].

Thank you very mulch!

All About The Emergency Shelter at RMHS

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Our local Richard Montgomery High School has been set up as a Montgomery County emergency shelter for those experiencing power outages. Curious, I walked over to learn what it would be like to stay at the high school.

With electricity still out for approximately 50,000 Montgomery County residents and temperatures expected in the teens tonight, the shelter will provide warmth and food for those suffering without electricity. All the volunteers and staff created a very welcoming atmosphere. This makeshift facility is providing top notch services. Nurses were available along with an officer from the Sheriff’s department who’ll make sure everyone stays safe.

Anthony Holmes, an American Red Cross volunteer, was on hand to answer questions. He’s a volunteer with our local Red Cross Disaster Team. When he heard they needed volunteers in the DC area this weekend, he signed up to help. Last night at 11 PM as he huddled under a blanket without electricity in his own home, he received the call to volunteer. He immediately told them to send a vehicle over to pick him up.

Cots are set up in the gym and the 21 people who stayed there last night had plenty of room. Families are allowed to stay together. The Red Cross supplies their signature red blankets to everyone. Heater Meals, which require wrapping an individual heater pack around liquid and food packets, are available for on the spot meals. Steam rises from the packs during the fast 10 minute cooking process. M&M’s and peanut butter are included in the Meals. Hot tea and coffee are brewed throughout the day.

This morning the IHOP in Ritchie Center sent over 30 meals which included eggs, pancakes, sausage and bacon for everybody, along with a big bottle of syrup. Remember to thank IHOP for this community service the next time you stop by for a meal.

Some people with medical needs have been transported to the shelter by ambulance and the National Guard. If you don’t have heat, go to the shelter. If you are wondering about whether you should go before the roads freeze up tonight, don’t worry. They pulled out a T.V. and everyone will be able to watch the Superbowl.

In addition to the shelter at RMHS, at 4 PM today Montgomery County opened two more: (1.) at Schweinhaut Ctr, 1000 Forest Glen in Silver Spring and (2.) Longwood Ctr, 19300 Georgia Ave, in Brookville/Olney.

See The Richard Montgomery High School One-Acts On January 15!

Last year, the Richard Montgomery High School drama club, the Black Maskers, started what looks to be a fantastic tradition of a one-act play series. They reached out to us to let us know about this year’s production:>

The Richard Montgomery High School Black Maskers Drama Club Proudly Presents

ONE-ACTS 2010!

The One-Acts, created and performed for the first time last spring, is back as an annual Black Maskers tradition! For one night only, the hard work from this completely student-run production will be on display. Four comedies under the direction of six student-directors will be preformed. Co-creators Kate Drummond and Jonathan Frankle are back to produce the show for another year.

The show is going up for ONE NIGHT ONLY on Friday, January 15th, 2010 at 7:00pm in the RM auditorium. Tickets will be $7 for students and $10 for adults. The entire auditorium will be general admission seating. Tickets can be purchased online here.

And here’s another thing: The Black Maskers are still accepting ad applications for the program. For information on that, companies, parents, or friends should email: [email protected]. This show is funded entirely on donations, ads, and bake sales, so they appreciate everything!

RMHS Student Named Youth Entrepreneur of the Year

>Richard Montgomery High School junior Julie Cheng has been named the greater Washington region Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Junior Achievement.

Julie, who is 17, founded Create With Care. What’s that? Glad you asked. According to JA’s press release:

Julie founded Create With Care in 2007 when her then-unborn sister’s health was in question. Realizing that good health was not something to be taken for granted, she decided to create an organization that would improve the lives of children who were not as fortunate. Since then, Create With Care’s more than 100 active members have donated over 1,500 crafts to the Children’s Inn at NIH.

Congratulations Julie!!

(Image from Junior Achievement)

Contributor Review By Piotr Gajewski: The Baker's Wife

>The following Contributor Review is by Rockville City Council member Piotr Gajewski:

The Baker’s Wife by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin) is a funny yet touching story with many life’s lessons in the bargain. The action takes place in a small French town of Concorde, which is itself a “character” in the plot (much as is Rockville on Rockville Central!).

The Richard Montgomery High School production is expertly directed by Denise Duvall Saladyga and conducted by Peter Perry. The cast is uniformly strong with good singing voices and often able dancing. I was at the premiere and thoroughly enjoyed the show and recommend it for its great community entertainment value. Congratulations to all who worked to make this production the success that it is! The remaining performances are March 20 and 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Piotr Gajewski

Join Richard Montgomery Black Maskers for The Baker's Wife

>From our friends at Richard Montgomery High School:

Come join the Richard Montgomery High School Blackmaskers as they produce the Steven Schwartz musical, THE BAKER’S WIFE!!

This unique musical combines the singing, dancing and acting talents of the cast with the incredible skills of the crews to create a delicious and delectable experience of the senses that is sure to delight you.

The baker will provide you with eye-popping and wonderful oven-fresh goods that are low-carb, low-cal and low-sodium-perfect for anyone’s diet or appetite!!!

Don’t miss this exquisite theatrical experience!!!

Friday March 13th, Saturday March 14th, Friday March 20th, and Saturday March 21st at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday March 15 at 2:00 p.m. in the RM Auditorium!!!

Richard Montgomery High School
250 Richard Montgomery Dr
Rockville MD 20852
Plenty of free parking

Tickets: $5 for students / $10 for adults

Tickets are available at the door or can be purchased in advance on-line and then follow the directions to reserve your seats for any performance. And the processing fee is approximately $1.37 per ticket

Don’t forget to visit the Blackmaskers Website.

You won’t want to miss this show-where else can you find a musical with a cat AND 72 loaves of bread?

David Gelin Talks BBQ Joints

>BB-Q, Bar-B-Que, Barbecue, or B-B-Que. No matter how you like to spell it, mosey on over to the Rockville Library this Saturday, November 28 29, 2008 at 3 PM to find out all about it.

Rockville native son, David Gelin, will be serving up a lively sample of his book, BBQ JOINTS: Stories and Secret Recipes from the Barbeque Belt. After graduating from Richard Montgomery High School, he headed down south to Emory University and never looked back. Many of you may know him as the son of Jacque and Margaret Gelin.

After an extensive journey in search of the best barbeque, David pulls together a book that goes beyond a travel guide or restaurant listing. You won’t forget the life stories and contemplative gazes of the folks from these hole-in-the-wall or out-of-the-way joints. Lately I’ve grown restless with fictional, made-up stories and seek appealing, true-life narratives so maybe that’s why I read the book cover to cover even though I have no plans to visit these states in the near future. The passionate people who serve up their renowned barbeque make your acquaintance on every page.

The photographs from the book were shown as an exhibit at the University of South Carolina in Columbia but David explains, “I can’t begin to tell you how many places I have been to that were everything I could ever hope for in a picture, and I could just tell that there was a gem of a story behind the place. But I couldn’t be true to you if I steered you to a place where the food is just mediocre.”

David dishes up a comprehensive list of what should not be at a barbeque joint. Keep driving if you see a costumed animal waving. Don’t eat it if it’s drenched in barbeque sauce. Avoid chains at all costs. To find out what makes a place a good bet, you’ll just have to buy the book. You’ll also find some fine recipes on how to grill corn-on-the-cob, make slaw, fry tilapia, boil peanuts, bake Elvis’s pound cake, or even cook coon burgers.

If you are planning a trip to the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, or Texas and walk into one of these joints with knowledge of David’s work, rumor has it that you get the royal treatment. I feel like I’ve already had a whirlwind trip down South.

Any of my family still wallowing around my house after the Thanksgiving excess will come with me to the Rockville Library. Perhaps by Saturday we’ll be able to think about food again because this book will make a great holiday present.

POTD: Come And Stay A While

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This is the set for the Richard Montgomery High School Black Maskers’ production of The Man Who Came To Dinner — which is excellent. One weekend left! Go see it!

Richard Montgomery Seeks New Principal

The following is from >Rockville Central friend Lori Miller:

Families in the RM cluster can have a voice in the selection of a new principal for Richard Montgomery High School, but don’t delay: MCPS plans to move on a fast track for a decision.

MCPS officials described the selection process and took questions from parents at a meeting Thursday (6/12) night. Parents filled out a survey to rank the most important characteristics of a principal, and also submitted written comments. That information will be used in choosing and interviewing the principal candidates.

Because the meeting was called on short notice, PTSA President Kate Savage has arranged to provide copies of the questionnaire in the main office at RM. They are designed to be read by a scanner: Use a number 2 pencil and fill in the bubbles for up to five listed characteristics. At the top, fill in 0201 for the school code and use the date June 12.

Comments can also be sent to RM’s community superintendent, Dr. Sherry Liebes.

Candidate interviews are to take place and a decision made within weeks. Current principal Moreno Carrasco announced his departure this week, and will become director of secondary leadership training in the MCPS central office.

Parents at the meeting floated one candidate’s name: James Fernandez, current principal of Einstein High School and former principal of Julius West Middle School. The two MCPS officials present said they didn’t know if Fernandez would want to leave Einstein or if Superintendent Jerry Weast would prefer to keep him there. Members of the community can submit names and offer advice, but the final decision belongs to Weast.