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Happy Holidays! We’ve got a lot of information coming at you as we close out the year and the first term, so read on. Also, just a friendly reminder that DSM is closed for lessons, classes, band, jams from December 23 through January 2nd. We will see you in the new year! And please be sure--if you haven't already--to donate to DSM.  Did you know that Term 1 continues through January with makeups occurring Jan 16-27? Please arrange makeup lessons with your teacher directly. If you didn’t miss any lessons, you can always take 1 or 2 additional lessons during this time since you will have just had a break over the winter holidays. Please reach out to your teacher and let the office know so that we can arrange the schedule and bill accordingly.  -Did you know that we earned $596.15 for our Harmony Fund for Financial Aid through your support of the Fair Trade Fundraiser, plus additional donations? Thank you so much. -Did you know that we have over 100 students taking private lessons in piano, voice, violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion, guitar, and ukulele? -Did you know that our students range in age from 4-80+?! -Did you know that 11% of our students receive financial aid? -And did you know that there’s still time to make a tax deductible donation to Dedham School of Music before the end of 2022? Be it $5, $50, $500, or $5000, any gift to the school is greatly appreciated so that we can continue to bring music to all who desire it regardless of age, ability, or means. -Did you know that we are continuously grateful for your support?  -Did you know that we offer drop-in bluegrass jams for beginners or intermediate players twice a month? Every second Tuesday and fourth Sunday of the month at First Church. It’s free of charge with a pass-the-hat for those willing to make a contribution. There’s no jam on Dec 25th! The next one is Tuesday January 10th for beginners and Sunday Jan 22nd for the intermediate jam. Both at 7PM. -Did you know that our Dedham Community Band had 5 performances in 16 days to ring in the holidays from ECEC to the Dedham Holiday stroll to Oakdale Square to University Station and Legacy Place malls? -Did you know that DSM runs a ukulele class at the Dedham Council on Aging? Contact us at info@dedhamschoolofmusic.org for more information. -Did you know that we have partnered with the Dedham Housing Authority to bring music to residents and have already had 5 performances since this summer: the latest was our holiday sing-along at the O'Neill residence? -Did you know that on February 4th, our board member Sam Gillman and piano faculty Adam Merrill are putting on a dueling piano concert at 7:30PM? Well you do now, so save the date. Details to come.  -Did you know that we have an amazing board of directors who volunteer their time and talents to keep our music school running smoothly and are always attentive to the needs of our community? You can inquire about joining them! Contact Jody Pongratz or Caroline Angel Burke our board president to see how. -Did you know that we have amazing faculty who are not only dedicated teachers who share their love of music with their students but are also highly educated with most having advanced degrees at the masters and doctorate levels, and are also composers and performers? -Did you know that our Executive Director Jody Pongratz can’t believe that the first year and a half has flown by and that school enrollment has increased and that she’s always thrilled at every recital to see students share all that they have learned in their lessons?  As always, you can find us on Amazon Smile– Music Access Group, Inc.. With every purchase you make with Amazon Smile, a little bit comes to us so we can keep costs down for all families.
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As we wrap up the end of the year and Term 1 at the Dedham School of Music, we want to thank you for your continued support of the school and our mission.  Please consider donating to the DSM. Your generous support of the school allows us to keep providing quality music instruction and experiences for the Dedham community. Don’t take it from us though. Take it from one of the many students your donation helps support: “I wouldn’t be able to take voice lessons without your help. My mom doesn’t make much money. It would take her lots of paychecks to pay for a semester. I am so glad you are all doing so much to help kids and teens like me so that they can have the opportunity to do the things they love in the arts.”  What if we told you that you could get your holiday shopping and support the DSM at the same time? Our partner, FairTrade Caravans, offers unique fairtrade products made or grown with no child labor, fair pay, safe working conditions, and sustainable practices. Visit our page to shop for handmade and unique gifts from around the world. Holiday, Accessories, Gifts, Home, Jewelry, Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate. The DSM receives 25% of product sales to go towards the Harmony Fund for Financial Aid. Please help us raise $500+ to make this happen. Thank you! This opportunity ends December 12.   The school will be closed with no lessons given December 23 through January 2nd. Lessons resume on Tuesday, January 3.  We’re excited to welcome aboard the latest member of the DSM team: Laurie Bloom. Laurie begins this month, serving as our new administrative assistant. Laurie's career in academic and nonprofit administration spans more than 30 years. Laurie's nonprofit human services work has been with such organizations as AIDS Action Committee, Justice Resource Institute, Span Inc, and Harvard School of Public Health's Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research. Her interest in nitty-gritty operational details stems from wanting to ensure an efficient, effective response to customers so they receive the services they seek. As an artist and singer, Laurie is excited to be able to join the Dedham School of Music administrative team! Laurie’s tenure begins with a bittersweet ending, as Laura Swartz is set to leave DSM this month. We thank Laura for her years of service and dedication to the DSM. You will be missed, Laura!  Our next recital is coming up! December 11 at 3PM at First Chruch (670 High Street, Dedham)  Bluegrass Jams Our Bluegrass Jams continue! Slow Jam is Tuesday, December 13 from 7-9 at the First Church Parish House, 45 Bullard Street, Dedham MA. (Please note that there will be no Jam on Christmas night). The DSM Community Band Come join the fun and hear some holiday music! The Community Band will be at University Station December 10th next to Target, at 11AM. They'll also be at Legacy Place on Sunday Dec 18th on the green, at 1PM.  On Friday, December 16th at 7:30 PM at the Church of the Covenant in Back Bay, Cello Faculty Alex Fowler will be performing works by Max Bruch and Arvo Pärt with the Fermata Chamber Soloists. The program will also feature soprano Theodora Nestorova performing Rhespigi's Il Tramonto. They will also be teaming up to perform a soprano-cello cycle by John Tavener. All four pieces should make for a beautiful program. The concert will take place at the Church of the Covenant in Back Bay. Purchase your tickets here.  A DSM Community Member is in need. Sara Santos, who has directed our Community Chorus, is in a family crisis and is in need of assistance. Please join us in coming together to support Sara and her family by contributing to their GoFundMe or the Meal Train.
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