Direct Ask Fundraising Campaign - thank you!!

BUILD FOR THE FUTURE 2024

THANK YOU to everyone and every organization who made a contribution to the FORESMA 2024 Direct Ask Fundraising Campaign.  A special thanks to Dumpling Tzar and Jesse and Zach Parry for their $2500 corporate sponsorship donation! Thank you to Alaska Airlines, Apple, Adobe, Boeing, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Docusign, GitHub, Microsoft, Optum, Sales Force and the Walt Disney Company for matching employee contributions and donating a combined $2700!

We raised $18,000 with this Direct Ask, which is almost half of our annual budget! Every contribution helped us near our goal.

FORESMA is dedicated to ensuring our kids receive a robust music education and one that is accessible regardless of financial ability. We raise money to ensure every student has a holistic music experience, one that enriches their overall lives and education, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Your donations directly support the following:

• Participation in regional festivals, parades and competitions such as the WWU Orchestra Festival, Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and the St Patrick’s Day and Daffodil Parades.

• Purchase and maintenance of musical instruments 

• Professional small-group instruction and instrument coaching

• Jazz Band instructional support

• Expansion of the sheet music library with modern music, keeping kids engaged

All of the above adds up to an annual budget of $40,000, closing the funding gap between the program needs and Seattle School District funding support. Your donations will allow us to continue providing this enrichment for our kids.

Storm Game Halftime Show

Join us for the Storm Game on May 25, 2024 at 6pm. Watch our marching band perform for the halftime show, and join the RESMS community in cheering on our local WNBA team. Click here to purchase tickets in our reserved sections.

Spring Concerts

Orchestra and Band concerts are coming up!

Tuesday March 26: Guitar and Orchestra performance 7pm

Thursday March 28: Band and Jazz Band Performance 7pm

Banh mi sandwiches, snacks and desserts will be sold as a fundraiser for the music programs so come with an appetite and paypal on your phone (cash & credit cards work too!). 

Dress attire for performers is all-black. See the  band and orchestra handbooks for specifics. In summary, all performers should dress respectfully and wear all-black attire: all-black button-down shirts / blouses, long pants, dresses, skirts, all-black socks/tights, all-black shoes. There is an all-black clothing and shoe exchange in the music room available to all students. Swap out your lightly-used, too-small atire with something that fits.

Spirit Wear Fundraiser

Hoodies and T-shirts and Sweatpants, OH MY!

It’s not too late to order spirit wear. Show your pride for our program, and raise funds for our students. Order your spirit wear at apparelnow.com/resmsmusicspiritwear today. Adult and children sizes available as well as accessories: water bottles, re-usable tote bags, stadium seats and more. We receive 12% on all purchases.

Marching Band Debuts at Seattle’s St Patrick’s Day Parade

Beautiful weather and crisp red shirts— our band stood out loud and proud as they marched through downtown Seattle on March 16. What a great way to start off the parade season!

Orchestra performed at Central WA University

Concert orchestra students had a blast representing RESMS music at the Central Washington University Orchestra Festival on March 8! Students performed a full set of music, got feedback from a great clinician, heard some amazing school orchestras perform, and got to see a slice of collegiate life!

Incoming 6th Graders…

Choose one of the many music electives! See our flyer here.

Dine Out Fundraisers: Tutta Bella this winter!

Warm up your winter nights with our Tutta Bella Dine Out Fundraisers! Every second week of the month (January, February, March and April, excluding Friday and Saturday nights) they will donate 20% of their profits to the RES music program. Use the code EasyAsPieFORESMA when ordering. Tell your friends!

Sunday, January 14th  – Thursday, January 18th, 2024
Sunday, February 11th - Thursday, February 15th, 2024
Sunday, March 10th - Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Sunday, April 14th – Thursday, April 18th, 2024

Tutta Bella has a warm atmosphere, authentic pizza, and tasty pasta and salads. For dine-in OR take-out. Their locations are Wallingford, S Lake Union, Columbia City, Issaquah, U Village QFC (Online only), Kirkland QFC (Online only).

Dumpling Tzar FUNDRAISER - December 10-13, 2023

Dumpling Tzar in Fremont generously donated $550, which was a portion of their proceeds from our dine-out event this December. Thank you!!

If you’re looking to diversify your dining habits, consider supporting this local business that supports us.

What are dumplings? Simple and delicious food from the Russian Siberian tradition of keeping meat fresh through long, harsh winters.

T-Shirt Contest Winner

Congratulations to our finalists Nayanika, Sierra, Suzuka and Haven who all submitted creative designs. Students in both band and orchestra voted and the 2023/2024 winner… is Haven. FORESMA is working with a graphic artist now to get their concept into a printable form and onto a t-shirt for all of the music students. Well done artists!

Winter Concerts

Orchestra and Band concerts are coming up!

Tuesday Dec 5: Guitar and Orchestra performance 7pm

Thursday Dec 7: Band and Jazz Band Performance 7pm

Banh mi sandwiches, snacks and desserts will be sold as a fundraiser for the music programs so come with an appetite and paypal on your phone (cash & credit cards work too!). 

Dress attire for performers is all-black. See the  band and orchestra handbooks for specifics. In summary, all performers should dress respectfully and wear all-black attire: all-black button-down shirts / blouses, long pants, dresses, skirts, all-black socks/tights, all-black shoes.

Performance Attire - Exchange / Donation Rack

A resource for everyone! There is a donation rack in the music room for gently-used black performance clothing. Borrow, exchange, donate. Students are growing quickly in middle school and everyone is always changing sizes.

TO DONATE:

• Please wash clothes / clean shoes and clearly label shoe size

• Bring to the front office (specifying it is for the music rack) OR

• Bring on December 1 from 2-6 when picking up evergreen orders.

TO TAKE: Clothes and shoes are available...

• December 1 from 2-6 when picking up evergreen orders OR

• On the rack in music room (ask your teacher)

Ridge Pizza Fundraiser - November 14, 2023

Thank you to everyone who joined us in dining out at Ridge Pizza on Phinney Ridge on Tuesday November 14. And thank you to Ridge Pizza!! They are donated $500 to our program, which was a percentage of their sales that day.

Couldn’t make that date? Choose another day to support this local business that supports us and say… Thank you!

T-Shirt Design Contest

Thank you to all students who submitted designs for the RESMS 2023-24 Music T-shirt! Students are voting on their favorite design and t-shirts will follow.

Many amazing designs were submitted! Design submissions required the following:

• Must be red and white design (to be printed on black fabric)

• Design should reflect our school and music community

• Deadline was November 9, 2023 via email or submit in person to Mr. Gordon or Ms. Gorham.

Holiday Evergreens Fundraiser

Our biggest fundraiser of the year…

Thank you to everyone who ordered a wreath or garland! This fundraiser raised $3700 alone for our music program, which is FANTASTIC!

• Don’t forget to pick up your orders from school:
  Friday, Dec 1, 2023 from 2-6pm in room 154 - entrance to this room is in the front of the school just west of the main entrance
  Google Calendar - ICS

Sherwood Farms is a family-owned business out of Centralia, WA, offering centerpieces, wreaths, garlands, and holiday keepsakes exclusively as fundraisers for non-profit organizations. They continue to provide outstanding products with exceptional customer service, all while donating back to Robert Eagle Staff Music program. Thank you Sherwood Farms!

If you have questions about your direct delivery items contact Sherwood Forest Farms customer service line directly at 1-800-767-7778 and they will be happy to assist you.

On-line sales end Nov 5, 2023. Download our digital flyer here, which includes fundraising save-the-dates for our upcoming dine-outs as well.

MOD Pizza Fundraiser - October 22, 2023

Thank you to everyone who participated in our MOD Pizza fundraiser (Sunday October 22).

Amazing pizza with an amazing outcome! Three different locations of MOD generously donated 25% of the day’s sales to our music program for more than $560 in one day. Thank you MOD Pizza!

Program Fees

At the beginning of each school year, we ask that each music student contribute $45 as a program fee for the year.

These funds supplement districts funds and our fundraising efforts and help pay for activities including small group coaching, instrument purchases & repairs, sheet music, instrument reeds, strings, oils, transportation to performance trips & competitions, a t-shirt for each student, and more.

This fee is key to the success of our music program.

Read our 2023-2024 Welcome Letter which discusses this fee, and the FORESMA organization, which is a 501 (c) non-profit organization helping to support this middle school music program. This will also be sent home with each student.

2023/24 Jazz Band

Jazz Band 1 auditions are complete. Congratulations to the students who were selected to be in this elite ensemble! Jazz 1 rehearses Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.

While Jazz 1 is an audition-only ensemble, anyone in the music program can participate in Jazz 2, which rehearses before school Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays.

Both Jazz bands (Jazz 1 & 2) have the opportunity to travel for several days to the University of Idaho for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in the spring (April 16-20, 2024) where they perform for judges, participate in clinics, and listen to live evening performances by world-class musicians. It is an extraordinary experience.

All students in the Jazz program should pay an additional $40 program fee via schoolpay. This fee, combined with other funding, pays the teachers’ salary for this extra ‘A’ period.

James Baldwin Elementary Ribbon Cutting

Our Marching Ravens played at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new elementary school opening this August 2023. Drums and horns welcomed new students and the public to tour the new building and celebrate its opening.

All students can be musicians

Even 8th graders who have never played an instrument are encouraged to sign up for music. It is never too late to learn! Classes include semester-long and full year electives:

• Guitar (semester)

• Percussion (semester)

• Orchestra (full year)

• Band (full year)

• Experience Music (semester)

How can you get involved?

Volunteer

We welcome your help as a one-time gig (bake a batch of cookies?) or as an ongoing thing (be a band or orchestra concert coordinator?). See the volunteer page for details.

Follow Us on Facebook

FORESMA has regular updates on Facebook and is monitored by our Board so that you can get answers!

CHECK OUT The MuSIC CALENDAR

See all the events Robert Eagle Staff Middle School music programs have going on now and in the future.

Make a donation

Funds support instruction, instruments and music, and opportunities for students to travel and perform. Donations are tax deductible. Corporate match info is here.

• Donate via credit card or with PayPal here or mail a check to FORESMA c/o Robert Eagle Staff Middle School, 1330 N 90th St, Seattle, WA 98103

ATTEND A FORESMA MEETINg

All are welcome! FORESMA meets on the second Mondays of the month, from 7-8pm. Get the virtual link here or check out our previous meeting minutes

Learn more about Robert Eagle staff MS

Check out the PTSA website

Check out the RESMS school website

FORESMA (Friends of Robert Eagle Staff Musical Arts) is a booster group that supports the music programs at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School.

Through fundraising and outreach, it ensures all interested students, regardless of their background or musical experience, have access to music education and the opportunity to develop a passion for music. Last year almost 1/2 of the student body (350 students) were enrolled in music programs!