Dear Kent Middle School Families,

As sunny January days begin to dry out our saturated landscape, activities, performances, and opportunities abound at Kent Middle School!

Music Concerts - The Kent Middle School Music Program presents three unique concerts next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening in the Kent MP Room. On Tuesday, January 31 our 5th grade band and string musicians will play a variety of songs for their first time performing as a group at our school. These budding musicians have developed significantly since the first days of the school year, and are eager to play for you! 6th grade band, strings, and choir students take the stage on Wednesday, February 1 to display the musicianship developed in the second year of our music program. 6th graders sharpen and expand their technique through four days of rehearsal a week at Kent, and are ready to share a diverse set of songs for all in attendance. Our Zero Period band, orchestra, and choir perform on Thursday, February 2. These ensembles are made up of students who have played their instruments for a number of years, and who advance their skills through regular morning rehearsals. Please plan to join Kent music director Mr. Michael Martinez, and our student musicians, for our series of Kent music concerts next week! Each show runs from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Kent MP Room; we hope to see you there!

The Lion King - Student interest in our spring musical, The Lion King, surpassed all expectations, and we have a full student cast and crew eager to get started! Initial auditions for the show will run on Tuesday, January 31 and Wednesday, February 1 in the Kent Library after school. Weekly rehearsals will follow this same schedule through the first week of April, with rehearsals held in the MP Room. For students and families who signed up to participate, please expect to hear from North Bay Theatrics with more specific information about auditions and rehearsals. Please keep an eye out in future newsletters for information about performances for our school and community!

Redwood Open House - Redwood High School holds its annual Open House this Thursday, January 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. Current Kent students, especially 8th graders, are invited to attend Open House to learn more about academic, social, and creative opportunities at high school. The Redwood Open House is a wonderful opportunity for 8th graders to start to envision themselves on the Redwood campus, and to begin to answer some of the questions students may have about offerings and student life at our feeder high school.

Let’s have an awesome week ahead!