Riley Street Middle School

Class Pages

End of Year Instrument Information

It is time to put our finishing touches on the school year! Please see information below regarding what to do with your student's instruments. Our last playing day will be June 3 for 6th grade, June 4 for 7th grade, and June 5 for 8th grade.

Returning Members

The majority of our current band members are returning next year! I can't wait to continue to work with them! Your student will bring their instrument home over the summer. You do not have to do anything with Meyer Music.

If your child is using a school owned instrument and has a home instrument they will need to turn it in by May 27 for inventory and repairs and then can check it out over the summer if they choose.

Non-Returning Members

For the small group that has chosen not to continue next year please see your options:

If you own your instrument you may choose what to do with it. Facebook Marketplace is a great place to sell and get some money back!
If you rent from Meyer Music your student will leave their instrument with me on Thursday, June 5. It will be picked up by our road rep and the return will be processed. If it is not left with me that day according to the instructions given to students I will not be able to return it and you will have to return to store yourself.
Please go to THIS LINK to let Meyer Music know your student's instrument is going to be returned.
If you rented from another company you will have to coordinate return through them directly.
I will gladly take any non-returnable books and accessories (ie swabs, mouthpieces, neckstraps, etc.) to use as donations for future students in need.

School Owned Home Instruments

Please bring in any school owned instruments used for home practice by Tuesday, May 27. Students will be able to check out a home instrument for the summer after inventory and any necessary repairs have been completed.

8th Grade Students

Students who are continuing into high school will keep their rentals. All school owned instruments will need to be returned and students will be issued a new instrument from the high school.

Students who are not continuing in high school will need to return their instruments as explained above.

I have also included the summer opportunities details again. Please reach out with any other questions you may have. Thank you for a great year in band and I can’t wait for next year!

Spring Concert Livestream Links

RMS 6th Grade Band

RMS 7th/8th Grade Bands

Good Things Happening!

Summer Opportunities

Summer camps are a great way to keep your kids busy over the summer, get them out of the house, and keep up and add to their skills!

Private Lessons

Private lessons are the best way for students to get individual attention and develop the skills they need to at their own pace. Students who take private lessons quickly become our most talented musicians and learn other skills such as hard work and dedication.

When: Times and location will be decided on with the private teacher. Lessons are typically 30 minutes in length once a week.

Cost: Varies by instructor, usually $25-40

Instructors: Reach out to Mrs. Koella and she will pair you with the teacher that is the best fit for them.

Knollcrest Music Camp

For over 50 years, Calvin University has welcomed students from West Michigan (and beyond) to engage in wonderful music-making and learning through Knollcrest Music Camp (KMC). This summer experience promotes the musical, social, and spiritual growth of young musicians by helping them find their place within the amazing field of music. Led by Calvin faculty and other outstanding music educators, Knollcrest Music Camp inspires personalized artistic development through formative, practical opportunities within an enriching, inclusive community.

This camp offers many unique opportunities such as guitar, handbells, and a drum circle!

Visit calvin.edu/go/camps for information about other summer camps offered at Calvin.

Dates: July 21-25, 2025, 8:30am—2:30pm

Cost: $300 ($325 after June 30)

Eligibility: Any student entering grades 7-8

Registration: https://calvin.edu/academics/school-humanities-arts-and-social-sciences/music/knollcrest-music-camp

St. Cecilia Middle School Band Camp

This camp is for players with at least one year of playing experience. Daily activities taught by exceptional, talented faculty include: band rehearsals, sectionals, musical games and professional performances. By the end of the week students will have formed new friendships, improved their instrumental technique and performed exciting music in a historic setting.

When: June 16-20

Times: 9:00am-3:00pm, Friday half day with 12:00pm concert

Cost: $250

Instructors: Various highly trained instructors

Location: St. Cecilia Music Center

Registration Link: https://www.scmcgr.org/school-of-music/youth-programs/summer-camps

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp

Spend 11 days/10 nights in the Manistee National Forest making music with new friends. Students spend time in full band, sectionals, instrument classes, and choose a minor area of study. There are opportunities to travel internationally as well! Scholarships available!

When: Session 1: June 25 – July 6, Session 2: July 9 – July 20, Session 3: July 23-August 3, Session 4: August 6-17

Times: Overnight Camp

Cost: $1730 (significant scholarships available!)

Scholarships: Students may submit a video to be considered for a scholarship if they did not audition for Mr. Kline on April 16. This link can be found on Google Classroom.

Instructors: Various highly trained instructors

Location: Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Twin Lake

Registration Link: https://bluelake.org/summer-camp/

Beginning Band Mini Camp!

Blue Lake also offers a min camp for students who will beginning band next year! Led by Blue Lake’s outstanding faculty and staff, Mini-Camp students participate in large ensembles, small technique groups, and classes in reading and listening as they learn a wide range of foundational elements and work toward a demonstration for families on Sunday.

When: August 6-10 or 13-17

Times: Overnight Camp

Cost: $495

Scholarships: There is a $100 tuition credit available! Enter code 'MiniCamp2025' at registration.

Instructors: Various highly trained instructors

Location: Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Twin Lake

Registration Link: https://bluelake.org/mini-camp/

Zeeland Middle School Band Camp

Join us to have fun improving your band skills this summer! This four-day camp is perfect for any student who participated in 6th-8th grade band in the 2024-2025 school year. Each student will receive small and large group instruction from the ZPS Band Directors while we rehearse 3-5 fun concert band pieces. We will then wrap up the camp with a free concert for friends and family to showcase all we learned! Students from all area schools are welcome to join us to make music, catch up with old friends, make new ones, and learn some great songs. Students will get a t-shirt to wear at our concert and be fed a pizza dinner on the last night. Register based on 2025-2026 grade level.

When: July 7-10

Times: 6:00-8:00pm

Cost: $115

Instructors: The fantastic ZPS directors!

Location: Zeeland East High School

Registration Link: https://www.zps.org/z-recreation/youth/band-camp/

Interlochen School for the Arts Camp

A premier overnight camp that allows for a deep dive into musical studies in a beautiful atmosphere! 2-6 week sessions are available.

When: Various depending on camp length, check website

Times: Overnight Camp

Cost: $1830+ (scholarships available)

Instructors: Various highly trained instructors

Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI

Registration Link: https://www.interlochen.org/summer-arts-camp

Aquinas College Jazz Camp

The very popular AQ Summer Jazz Camp has been a true treasure for West Michigan students for almost 40 years! The faculty of the Aquinas College Music Department in collaboration with expert Jazz musicians from various parts of Michigan, are very excited to host the annual Summer Jazz Camp again in 2025, coming back stronger than ever with this creative, expressive, and educational experience that has been enjoyed by so many young musicians!

When: June 15-20

Times: 9:00am-5:00pm

Cost: $350 day camp, $650 overnight camp

Scholarships: This year, the AQ Summer Jazz Camp offers 10 half-tuition scholarships for students who are completing grades 6-12 and have high financial needs. Interested campers can apply here. Scholarship applications are due May 1, 2025.

Location: Aquinas College

Registration Link: https://www.aquinas.edu/arts-at-aq/jazz-camp.html

Michigan State University Community Music School Camp

Students will learn diverse repertoire to perform at an end-of-camp concert, work with professional musicians and educators in daily sectionals, receive instruction from experienced middle and high school band directors, play alongside other student musicians from around the state, and be a part of MSU's campus.

When: July 21-25

Times: 9:00am-2:50pm

Cost: $320

Scholarships: Financial assistance available here: https://cms.msu.edu/el/programs/financial-assistance.html.

Location: Michigan State University

Registration Link: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_emPiB0DOR0g7fls

Bands of America Camp

The Concert Band Camp at the Bands of America Summer Camp offers a week-long, immersive camp experience for middle and high school band students. Students will spend a fun and inspiring week with renowned teachers, exciting artists, and fellow campers from across the country. Designed from the ground up with the band student in mind, students will grow as both musicians and individuals. Their experience will be positively life-changing!

When: June 23-28

Times: Overnight Camp

Cost: $1,129

Instructors: Various highly trained instructors

Location: Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

Registration Link: https://camp.musicforall.org/concertband-2025/

Percussion Camps

Alma College Percussion Workshop

Develop your skills as a performer and a leader in concert percussion, as well as perform in a concert with traditional percussion ensembles, steel drum bands, marimba ensembles, and more. We will help you develop musicianship and technical skills on all instruments including marimba, vibraphone, drum set, timpani, steel drums, hand drumming, world percussion, orchestral percussion, and much, much more. Open to grades 6-12 and incoming students of any skill level.

When: June 22-28

Cost: Resident: $675, Commuter: $375

Instructors: Dave Zerbe, Aaron Krause (Alma College directors), members of the Alma College Percussion Ensemble, internationally recognized clinicians

Location: Alma College

Registration Link: https://admissions.alma.edu/register/?id=28f9df2c-e55b-4530-926d-5c6424d004f6

RMS Bands Calendar

Add the RMS Bands calendar to your Google calendar to help keep track of events, performances, and assignments.

Blue = 6th Grade

Yellow = 7th Grade

Purple = 8th Grade

Green = 7th/8th

Ordering From Meyer Music

Meyer Music now offers easy text to order! See the attachment below for details.

Store to School Ordering.pdf

Store to School Postcards Espanol (2).pdf

About Mrs. Koella

Loren Koella is the band director at Riley Street Middle School in Hudsonville, Michigan. She is also the Assistant Director of the Laker Marching Band at her alma mater, Grand Valley State University. She is passionate about giving every student the best music education possible and having fun while doing it!

Mrs. Koella graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2017 with a degree in Music Education with Performance Honors on the clarinet. She received her Masters in Music Education from the American Band College through Central Washington University in 2024. She loves playing her clarinet and continues to play with the Vintage Parlor Orchestra.

Hobbies: traveling, kickboxing, hiking, eating ice cream, and drinking coffee
Favorite Food: Tacos!
Pets: 2 cats named Fred and Louise and a Bernese Mountain Dog named Mabel
Husband: Nate, an environmental engineer

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