Music at Robert Eagle Staff

Dear Future Eagle Staff Music Program Families,

Welcome to the Robert Eagle Staff Middle School Music Program! You are receiving this letter because your student has been assigned to attend Robert Eagle Staff Middle School next fall and we would love for your student to continue (or start) their music education pathway at Eagle Staff! Our names are Mr. Patrick Gordon (Director of Bands) and Ms. Hannan Gorham (Director of Orchestras and Guitar), and we are committed to creating a high-quality educational experience that allows each and every student to build their skills and knowledge to become exceptional musicians, citizens, scholars, and activists of the Eagle Staff community. While many students enter middle school with previous instrumental experience, we want to stress the fact that if you did not learn an instrument in elementary school, you can still join the Eagle Staff Music Program! Whether you have 2+ years of music experience or none at all, we have a place for you in this program.
The Eagle Staff Music Department includes 3 concert bands (Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble), 2 jazz bands (Jazz I, Jazz II), Marching Band, 3 orchestras (Beginning, Intermediate, Senior), and guitar lab. More than 350 students – nearly half of the Eagle Staff student body – participate in these ensembles. These classes meet every day and are a part of a student’s daily class schedule. Listed below are the instrument offerings for each music program:

Concert/Jazz/Marching Bands 

Flute/Piccolo – Oboe – Bassoon – Clarinet/Bass Clarinet – Alto/Tenor/Baritone Saxophone – Trumpet – French Horn/Mellophone – Trombone – Euphonium/Baritone – Tuba/Sousaphone – Percussion – Guitar (Jazz Only) – Piano (Jazz Only) – String Bass (Jazz Only)

Orchestras/Guitar

Violin – Viola – Cello – String Bass – Guitar (Guitar lab)
*NOTE: For all the instruments listed above, we have a limited number of instruments available for use by students in need at no cost. Students may also choose to switch instruments if they prefer to play an instrument other than what they played previously.

Robert Eagle Staff Middle School

Music Program

Friends of Robert Eagle Staff Musical Arts

Patrick Gordon psgordon@seattleschools.org

Hannah Gorham hrgorham@seattleschools.org

Ensemble Placement To meet the varying skill and experience levels of our students, we offer three ability-based ensembles for both band and orchestra, all of which are mixed grade level. Audition/placement information has been sent out for students who wish to enter into one of our upper level ensembles. If your student did not receive an email regarding placement auditions, please contact their respective director as soon as possible. Regardless of ensemble placement, students will receive a rigorous and appropriate musical education.

Experiences/Opportunities

As a member of the Eagle Staff Music Program, students will have opportunities and experiences that foster a positive, safe, and successful time in our music program and school. Student experiences include local and out-of-state music festivals and competitions, parades, overnight trips, and student leadership opportunities, while playing traditional, popular, and innovative musical selections. In addition to creating and performing high-quality music, we are committed to cultivating an environment for students that goes beyond the music with a focus on student-centered learning and leadership, and building positive relationships with each and every student and family. Through participating in the RESMS music program, students will become lifelong creators, performers, responders, and appreciators of music. We would love for your student to be a part of this program and cannot wait to start this partnership with you all.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us with the information below. Thank you for your time and we look forward to meeting you soon!

Patrick Gordon
Director of Bands
psgordon@seattleschools.org
206-413-2351

Hannah Gorham 
Director of Orchestras & Guitar
hrgorham@seattleschools.org
206-413-2348