Antietam Vocal Music

First, let me apologize for the extreme length of time between blog posts.  The last several weeks seem to have gotten away from me, and here we are at Thanksgiving already (well, almost).

Update #1:  All fruit sale orders and money should be turned in TODAY (Friday, Nov. 20).  A tentative delivery date is set for Dec. 8.  Students/parents will pick up the fruit orders on that day and deliver the fruit to their customers.

Update #2:  The next payment for the Boston trip ($150) is due on Monday, Nov. 23.  If you would like us to take some or all of the money out of your child’s music account, please send in a note stating that information.

Update #3:  Our winter Poinsettia Sale is going on until December 7.  Students were given tickets for poinsettias to sell for $10 each.  The plants will be used to decorate the stage at the Winter Concert, then those who purchased the plants may pick them up at the conclusion of the concert.  Orders, money, and any unsold tickets must be returned  by Monday, December 7.

Update #4: The Music Department Book Fair at Barnes & Noble will be held on Tuesday, December 1.  Vouchers are available at the school or from a music student.  Hopefully, you  have seen what these look like already.  All you need to do is bring your voucher when you do your shopping at Barnes & Noble on Dec. 1, and the Music Boosters receives a percentage of the profits.  There wil be a story time for kids with Mrs. Faro at 6:00 pm and performances by the Stony Creek Chorale and AWE (Antietam Women’s Ensemble) at 6:30.   Hope to see you there!

Update #5:  If you’re still reading this, I really appreciate it!  Thank you

Update #6: The next Music Boosters meeting is on December 2 at 7pm in the band room at the high school.  See you there!

Update #7:  The Concert Choir and Middle School Choir have a required, graded dress rehearsal for the Winter Concert at the Primary Center from 6-7:30 on Monday, December 7.

Update #8:  Finally, the Winter Concert will take place on Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00 pm at the Mt. Penn Primary Center.  Studenet attendance is mandatory and graded.  More information about call times and dress code will be posted in the near future.

I think that’s all for now!  Thanks for reading!  If you have any questions, please ask and I’d be more than happy to answer them.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  I know I am thankful for the opportunity to work with your very talented students as we share and develop a love for music.

Just a reminder that all Boston permission slips (and $75 deposit) are due on Monday, September 28.  

My goal is to have 25 choir members join us in Boston….so far, 2 are signed up.  Let’s get those permission slips in!

The apple dumpling sale is continuing to be successful.  Orders are still coming in, and our dumpling count is well over 700!!! Great job, guys!  :)

I am pleased to announce an exciting fundraiser that the Music Boosters are sponsoring this year!  On Tuesday, December 1, we will be having a Book Fair at Barnes & Noble in Wyomissing.  Mark your calendars to do some shopping that day, since part of the proceeds will go to support the Music Boosters (which will help in supporting our trip to Boston, providing scholarships to music students, and purchasing music awards).

More information will be coming your way shortly, but I just wanted to let you know that we’re planning this fair.  There will be special performances by the Stony Creek Chorale and Women’s Ensemble, as well as story time for elementary school kids and a craft!  Come show your support and do some holiday shopping on December 1 at the Barnes & Noble in Wyomissing.   Flyers and vouchers will be sent home with your students, so be sure to ask them about it soon!

The deadline for applying for these auditions is quickly approaching! Any student who is interested in auditioning for Sr. County (gr. 10-12) or District (gr. 9-12) Chorus should pick up an application from the choir bulletin board and return it to me by Friday, September 25.  Please note that there is an audition fee of $5 per application.  (This fee is stated incorrectly on the Sr. County audition form — Sr. Counties is $5, not $4)

I would like to see many students audition for these choirs, so encourage your student to grab some music and apply today!  I am available to help students with these pieces at any time during IST/after school.  

Auditions for Sr. Counties are at Gov. Mifflin on October 13.  District auditions are at Parkland HS on October 20.

The school year has just begun, and already the music department is looking towards and planning for May 2010!  A letter was sent home last week inviting Concert Choir students to go along on the annual music department trip to Boston, MA.  This will be a great weekend filled with music, sight-seeing, and FUN!

In order to prepare for this trip with our festival and bus companies, we need to get a head count of how many students (and parent chaperones!) will be attending the trip.  In order to reserve your place on the trip, a $75 registration fee (non-refundable) is due on Monday, September 28.  Please make all checks payable to “Antietam Music Boosters.”

Help make the trip more affordable for your family — participate in our fundraisers!  Apple Dumplings are now on sale for $3 each and can be ordered now and picked up at Homecoming.

Already, this school year is off to a great start!  I hope you’ve all had a restful summer and are ready to get back in the swing of things.  A few things that would be helpful to know…

The first Music Boosters meeting of the year is tomorrow, Wednesday, September 3 at 7:00 pm in the band room at the high school (rm. 224).  I hope to see many parents there to get the year started!

The Music PR group — new this year — will meet the second Friday of each month to promote the music department in our school.  Any band and choir student is invited to join in the fun!  The first meeting will be Friday, September 11 in the choir room after school.

Fall rehearsals…..Stony Creek Chorale rehearsals will be Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays from 3:15-3:45.  The first rehearsal is Tues., Sept. 8

Women’s Choir will rehearse Thursdays from 3:15-3:45 in the choir room.  First rehearsal is Thursday, September 10.  See you there!  Start thinking of cool names for this ensemble!  (feel free to post them in the comments spot….)

Sr. County/District Chorus auditions are coming up quickly (beginning of October).  If you haven’t already gotten the music, please stop by the choir room and pick up a copy today.  It’s an incredible piece, but it is challenging.  You’ll want to spend plenty of time practicing this one!  See me if you need help!!

Well, as I’m sure you are aware, the Spring Concert was last night.  I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate all the students on their hard work this year and wonderful performance last evening.  I hope you were able to enjoy your time on stage making music together.

Another thing about the concert that I enjoyed immensely was the overwhelming support of the music parents.  Thank you for all you do for the music department at Antietam!!  From running sound to being our “stage crew” to providing refreshments, you are always serving with a smile, and I appreciate it SO much.

Attention students going on the Annapolis trip: If you are 16 and older, you MUST bring photo ID with you. As part of our walking tour of Annapolis, we will be visiting the US Naval Academy. In order to be allowed on the grounds of the academy, you must show your ID. The is VERY IMPORTANT! You won’t want to miss this great opportunity, so be prepared and have your ID with you on the trip.

13 more school days til we leave for Annapolis!!!!

The Pops Concert is quickly approaching — Saturday, February 28 at 7:00 PM at the Primary Center.

Just a reminder that all Pops Concert money/ads/patrons/sponsor information is due to Miss Heffner or Mr. Gillner by Friday, February 20.  It is very important that this deadline be met, so we can get the program together.  Remember, 100% of everything students sell for the Pops Concert goes directly into the student’s music account to help cover the cost of the music department trip.  Tickets may also be purchased at the door ($6.50 for adults; $3.50 for children under 5).  All unsold tickets should also be returned by Feb. 20.

If you’ve been to the High School recently, you may have seen the signs advertising the Pops Concert.  Thank you to all the Middle School Choir students who gave up their time to make and hang the posters!!  They look great  We’ll have to continue the “poster party” tradition for our future concerts.

Here is the Chorale rehearsal schedule for the month of February.  Let’s work hard to prepare for a great performance at the Pops Concert!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009 – NO rehearsal

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 – 3:15-3:45

Monday, February 9 – Rehearsal during IST

Tuesday, February 10 – Rehearsal during IST

Wednesday, February 11 – 3:15-3:45

Monday, February 16 – NO SCHOOL!!!! J

Tuesday, February 17 – Rehearsal during IST

Wednesday, February 18 – 3:15-3:45

Monday, February 23 – 3:15-3:45

Tuesday, February 24 – IST-3:30

Wednesday, February 25 – IST-3:30

Friday, February 27 – 4:30 at Primary Center

Saturday, February 28 – POPS CONCERT – concert starts at 7:00 pm

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