Nov.10, 2006

Dear Families,
 

• Next week—is large group rehearsal.  Chaperones please arrive at 9:15 to set up chairs.  Chaperones are: Borden, Casella, Gretton, Kruschwitz, Ooyama, Roets.

• Gala meeting—everyone who is interested in helping with the Gala, please come to a meeting during large group from 8:30-10:30 in the student lounge.  The Gala is our major fundraiser and is a lot of fun for all the families.  This year’s gala will take place at Nazareth.  We need everyone’s help to make this event a success.

• Website:  Our new website has launched!  Please check it out at www.bachkidsusa.org. There are many new features and more are planned.  Please let us know if there is anything specific you would like to see included in the website.  Your ideas are welcomed.  Huge thanks to Skeeter Harris (Emma’s dad) for all the work he put into changing our site!

• NEW MAJOR SCHEDULE CHANGE:  Our apologies, but due to problems with scheduling the orchestra the Dec 9th rehearsal will now look like this:  Large group rehearsal at Nazareth from 9:30- 11:30.  Then, break for lunch and reassemble at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church from 12:30-1:45.  This was out of our control, but as most of you know, we usually have double rehearsals prior to Messiah.

•   School newspaper announcement: We would like all of you to let your school know about your accomplishments.  Please use the attached sample email to send to your individual school principals or local papers.  Feel free to modify it to suit your needs.  Just copy and paste it into the body of a new email and edit as necessary.  Most school principals enjoy hearing and sharing their student’s extra-curricular accomplishments.  They may even come to see you perform!

• Nutcracker chaperone schedule is attached.  The December chaperone schedule should be ready soon, as well.

• Major schedule change!!!—On Monday December 4th, we will be taping “Sounds of the Season: at WROC Channel 8 (201 Humboldt St, near Culver) instead of having Messiah rehearsal.  We will arrive at the studio at 6:30 for 7:00 taping.  We will be singing Dormi Dormi and Maoz Tsur for this event.  Concert uniform required.

• Sunday night Nutcracker announcement:  The RPO and RCB have reserved seats for the chorus to watch the Sunday night performance.  We will watch the first half, take our places to sing from inside the theatre and then sing.  We will have our cast party during the second half, but choristers may choose to go back to the theatre to watch the ballet.  All choristers are welcome to attend this performance and sing regardless of whether or not you are scheduled.

• Nutcracker—. Party.  Sign up with Mrs. Danielak to bring something for the party on Sunday night. Sign up sheets will be at large group next week.

• Nutcracker gifts— Thank you to everyone who is out scouring the stores for gifts.  We appreciate everything you’ve done so far!

• Next week—is small group rehearsal.  It is a test week on: Noel Nouvelet, Les Anges, Maoz Tsur, Dormi Dormi, Schafe, and Beau Soir.  If absent for any reason, a make-up test must be scheduled directly with Mrs. Krogstad before any performances.  Students who need an additional try at the test will be able to do so during Nutcracker..

• NEW MAJOR SCHEDULE CHANGE:  Our apologies, but due to problems with scheduling the orchestra the Dec 9th rehearsal will now look like this:  Large group rehearsal at Nazareth from 9:30- 11:30.  Then, break for lunch and reassemble at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church from 12:30-1:45.  This was out of our control, but as most of you know, we usually have double rehearsals prior to Messiah.

• Chicken BBQ: thanks to everyone for all their help with the bbq.  Those of you who helped will receive a credit to your chorister’s trip account.

• Major schedule change!!!—On Monday December 4th, we will be taping “Sounds of the Season: at WROC Channel 8 (201 Humboldt St, near Culver) instead of having Messiah rehearsal.  We will arrive at the studio at 6:30 for 7:00 taping.  We will be singing Dormi Dormi and Maoz Tsur for this event.  Concert uniform required.

• Sunday night Nutcracker announcement:  The RPO and RCB have reserved seats for the chorus to watch the Sunday night performance.  We will watch the first half, take our places to sing from inside the theatre and then sing.  We will have our cast party during the second half, but choristers may choose to go back to the theatre to watch the ballet.  All choristers are welcome to attend this performance and sing regardless of whether or not you are scheduled.

• Nutcracker tickets:  vouchers are in your folders today.  Vouchers must be redeemed at the RPO box office on East Ave.  Choristers need a ticket to see the second half of the show, except Sunday night.
• Nutcracker schedule-is attached today. 

• Nutcracker—. Party.  Sign up with Mrs. Danielak to bring something for the party on Sunday night.

• Nutcracker gifts—At the Sunday night cast party, all choristers receive a thank you gift.  First choice is given to those choristers who have sung in all six performances, then five, then four and so on.  We need some help this year in procuring the Nutcracker/holiday themed gifts.  Please consider purchasing and donating one or two gifts for the raffle.  These can be brought to any rehearsal between now and Nov 19th or brought directly to the Eastman school during Nutcracker.

• Next week—is repertoire workshop.  Times are: 9:00-10:20, 10:30– 11:50, 1:30-2:50.  Please choose one to attend.

• Trip:  Trip registrations are due this week (10/28) at large group. There will be a box in the hallway to deposit your forms into.  Each person will need a form.  Please clip forms for your group together and attach a check.  Note at the top of the form any special requests for rooming, i.e. looking to share a room with another family, willing to chaperone, please share room with the Smith family, etc.

• The possible January concert was not confirmed.  It will not be necessary for the kids to learn the two German pieces at the end of the Oct. cd.  Thanks for your understanding.

• Parent steering committee meeting:  is today (10/28) at. at 9:45.  Each family must attend at least one per year.  You only have six chances left! 

• Chicken BBQ: thanks to everyone for supporting the bbq, either by volunteering or by buying chicken!  The weather will not be great, so we need everyone’s support in order to not get stuck with leftover chicken.

• Major schedule change!!!—On Monday December 4th, we will be taping “Sounds of the Season: at WROC Channel 8 (201 Humboldt St, near Culver) instead of having Messiah rehearsal.  We will arrive at the studio at 6:30 for 7:00 taping.  We will be singing Dormi Dormi and Maoz Tsur for this event.  Concert uniform required.

• Nutcracker tickets:  vouchers will be handed out soon for two tickets per chorister.  Vouchers must be redeemed at the RPO box office on East Ave.  Choristers need a ticket to see the second half of the show.

• Nutcracker—Requests for excusal from specific performances are due to Mrs. Lyubomirsky by Oct. 28th.  All choristers will be scheduled for five performances. Please try to be as flexible as possible, for instance, do not ask for a specific performance off unless you have no other choice.  Choristers are welcome to do all six.  Please let June know if you would like to do all six. 

• Nutcracker gifts—At the Sunday night cast party, all choristers receive a thank you gift.  First choice is given to those choristers who have sung in all six performances, then five, then four and so on.  We need some help this year in procuring the Nutcracker/holiday themed gifts.  Please consider purchasing and donating one or two gifts for the raffle.  These can be brought to any rehearsal between now and Nov 19th or brought directly to the Eastman school during Nutcracker.

• Next week—is large group rehearsal.  Please be in your seats by 9:25.  Chaperones should arrive at 9:15 to set up chairs. We will have a Halloween party at rehearsal; we will end a few minutes early for the party, which will go until 11:45.  Feel free to wear your costumes!

• Reminders for Les Anges: The children are to learn the first verse in French as written, second verse children don’t sing, third verse in English (Come to Bethlehem&hellip and fourth verse in French.

• Trip:  Trip registrations are due next week at large group. There will be a box in the hallway to deposit your forms into.  Each person going on the trip will need a form.  Please clip forms for your group together and attach a check.  Note at the top of the form any special requests for rooming, i.e. looking to share a room with another family, willing to chaperone, please share room with the Smith family, etc.

• Parent steering committee meeting:  is next Sat. at 9:45.  Each family must attend at least one per year.  You only have six chances left!  Please see the minutes from the last meeting at the end of this memo.

• Chicken BBQ:  Next Sat is our 1st annual chicken bbq fundraiser for the trip.  We are in need of volunteers for the later shifts:  2:00- 4:00 and clean-up.  Please contact Sue Knight at 624-4767 to volunteer.  You won’t benefit if you don’t participate!  Please consider purchasing your lunch after large group next week from the BBQ. Price is $8.50 and includes ½ chicken, salt potatoes, mac salad, roll and butter.

• Major schedule change!!!—On Monday December 4th, we will be taping “Sounds of the Season: at WROC Channel 8 (201 Humboldt St, near Culver) instead of having Messiah rehearsal.  We will arrive at the studio at 6:30 for 7:00 taping.  We will be singing Dormi Dormi and Maoz Tsur for this event.  Concert uniform required.

• Nutcracker—Requests for excusal from specific performances are due to Mrs. Lyubomirsky by Oct. 28th.  All choristers will be scheduled for five performances. Please try to be as flexible as possible, for instance, do not ask for a specific performance off unless you have no other choice.  Choristers are welcome to do all six.  Please let June know if you would like to do all six.  Vouchers for two tickets per chorister will be distributed in your folders soon.  These are good for any tickets and must be redeemed in person at the RPO box office.

• Nutcracker gifts—At the Sunday night cast party, all choristers receive a thank you gift.  First choice is given to those choristers who have sung in all six performances, then five, then four and so on.  We need some help this year in procuring the Nutcracker/holiday themed gifts.  Please consider purchasing and donating one or two gifts for the raffle.  These can be brought to any rehearsal between now and Nov 19th or brought directly to the Eastman school during Nutcracker.

• Next week—is small group rehearsal

• Sheet music for “Les Anges’ is being distributed today.  This music must be returned to the chorus in January.  The children are to learn the first verse in French as written, second verse children don’t sing, third verse in English (Come to Bethlehem&hellip and fourth verse in French.

• Major schedule change!!!—On Monday December 4th, we will be taping “Sounds of the Season: at WROC Channel 8 instead of having Messiah rehearsal.  We will arrive at the studio at 6:30 for 7:00 taping.  We will be singing Dormi Dormi and Maoz Tsur for this event.  Concert uniform required.

• Entertainment books:  congratulations to Jenna D’Angelo for earning first place by selling.31 books.  Katie Larkin earned second placed with 30 books and Briannamarie Burrhus earned third place with 25 books sold.  Thanks to these ladies for their hard work and determination!  Thanks to everyone who participated!  We still have some books left if you need or want one. 

• Nutcracker—Requests for excusal from specific performances are due to Mrs. Lyubomirsky by Oct. 28th.  All choristers will be scheduled for five performances. Please try to be as flexible as possible, for instance, do not ask for a specific performance off unless you have no other choice.  Choristers are welcome to do all six.  Please let June know if you would like to do all six. 

• Nutcracker gifts—At the Sunday night cast party, all choristers receive a thank you gift.  First choice is given to those choristers who have sung in all six performances, the five, then four and so on.  We need some help this year in procuring the Nutcracker/holiday themed gifts.  Please consider purchasing and donating one or two gifts for the raffle.  These can be brought to any rehearsal between now and Nov 19th or brought directly to the Eastman school during Nutcracker.

• Practice coach:  Each chorister needs to have one adult to serve as their practice coach.  Coaches ensure that practice time is adhered to, works with the child to help them memorize the words to the songs and quizzes them to make sure that they have mastered the words.  Having a coach is crucial to your child’s success.  They can’t do it without you.  A coach should ideally be the same person every time.  It is recommended that your child listen to their music 20-30 minutes a day and pick one song a day to work on memorizing the words.

• Annual Fall Giving Campaign:  Our annual fund drive kicks of Oct 1st. This year, an anonymous donor has pledged $2500.00 in matching funds.  That means that when you give a dollar, your dollar is doubled.  Please help us maintain our great program by making a gift today.  Look for more info and a pledge form in the upcoming newsletter.

September 30, 2006

Dear Families,

Next week—is small group rehearsal.

Practice coach: Each chorister needs to have one adult to serve as their practice coach. Coaches ensure that practice time is adhered to, works with the child to help them memorize the words to the songs and quizzes them to make sure that they have mastered the words. Having a coach is crucial to your child’s success. They can’t do it without you. A coach should ideally be the same person every time. It is recommended that your child listen to their music 20-30 minutes a day and pick one song a day to work on memorizing the words.

Annual Fall Giving Campaign: Our annual fund drive kicks of Oct 1st. This year, an anonymous donor has pledged $2500.00 in matching funds. That means that when you give a dollar, your dollar is doubled. Please help us maintain our great program by making a gift today. Look for more info and a pledge form in the upcoming newsletter.

Parent Steering Meeting: This week is the parent steering committee meeting during large group rehearsal. It will start at 9:45 Doris Ludek will be sharing a project plan and talking about volunteer opportunities for our Spring Gala. There will also be time to have any other questions answered. Each chorister’s family must attend at least one meeting per year.
Entertainment Book —last day to order books is Sept 30th. The chorus is making a higher profit per book this year than last year. We have an opportunity to raise a significant amount of money. Please consider trying to sell just one more book. Remember, there are cash prizes for the top sellers and you will receive one free book for every eight books you sell.
Attendance—please direct all requests for excused absences to Mary Lyubomirsky (LYUBYS@rochester.rr.com) or 385.1848

Problems: Please call June at 582-3082 or e-mail JuneSantini@rochester.rr.com if any problems arise. We will work together to find a solution.


Karla & June

Practice tip of the week:
Mark the French words to Noel Nouvelet according to Mrs, Krogstad’s five rules of French. Memorize two lines of the poem of Noel Nouvelet per day. Memorize the words to “Waltz of the Snowflakes”

Upcoming dates to remember

October 7 Small group
October 14 Repertoire Workshop
October 21 Small Group
October 28 Large Group (1st trip payment/registration due)
November 4 Repertoire Workshop
November 11 Small Group (test on Messiah, Noel Nouvelet, Schafe, Beau Soir, Les Anges, some of these are on the next cd
November 18 Large group rehearsal. Mandatory for Nutcracker Performance.
November 22 Nutcracker dress rehearsal—Mandatory for new choristers
Nov. 24-26 Nutcracker
December 2 Large Group
December 4 Messiah Rehearsal St. Paul’s Church Episcopal Church
December 6 Messiah Rehearsal Hochstein School of Music
December 9 Messiah Dress Rehearsal St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Mandatory
December 10 Messiah. Arrive at Hochstein at 2pm for 3 pm performance
December 14 Bethany Presbyterian rehearsal
December 15 Carols by Candlelight, Bethany Presbyterian
December 17 Cloverwood 3:15 arrival for 4:00 pm performance Pizza and pool party to follow, Done by 6:30.

September 23, 2006

Dear Families,

Tuition—is now seriously overdue. Please leave your checks in Mrs. Santini’s folder today, or contact her immediately to make payment arrangements. Failure to make payment arrangements will result in your child being excluded from chorus until your account is brought up to date. Make checks payable to Nazareth College. Tuition is $400.00 for the year. Thanks to everyone for getting your payments in.

Next week—is large group rehearsal.

Parent Steering Meeting: Next week is the parent steering committee meeting during large group rehearsal. It will start at 9:45 Doris Ludek will be sharing a project plan and talking about volunteer opportunities for our Spring Gala. There will also be time to have any other questions answered. Each choristers family must attend at least one meeting per year.

Uniforms – ties and cummerbunds will be available for pick-up next week. If you paid and haven’t received it yet or if you still need to pay and pick them up, see Anne Schiro at next week’s rehearsal. There will also be a limited supply of used uniforms for sale that day.

Entertainment Book —last day to order books is Sept 30th. The chorus is making a higher profit per book this year than last year. We have an opportunity to raise a significant amount of money. Please consider trying to sell just one more book. Remember, there are cash prizes for the top sellers and you will receive one free book for every eight books you sell.

Chaperone schedules—are attached. Everyone must chaperone 2-3 times per year.

Attendance—please direct all requests for excused absences to Mary Lyubomirsky (LYUBYS@rochester.rr.com) or 385.1848

Problems: Please call June at 582-3082 or e-mail JuneSantini@rochester.rr.com if any problems arise. We will work together to find a solution.


Karla & June

September 15, 2006

Dear Families,

Tuition—was due last week. Please leave your checks in Mrs. Santini’s folder today, or contact her immediately to make payment arrangements. Make checks payable to Nazareth College. Tuition is $400.00 for the year.

Next week—is repertoire workshop. For the first workshop only, new choristers must attend the 10:30 – 11:50 class. A parent must attend with them. Returning choristers should attend either the 9:00 – 10:20 or 1:30- 2:50 class. Please try to attend in afternoon if you can, many people must attend mornings and we do not want more than thirty choristers at any one workshop.

Fall Schedule—although we made it as complete as possible, we are planning on adding a WROC Channel 8 taping to the schedule as soon as it becomes available. This should occur before Thanksgiving. We will inform you as soon as they tell us the date.

Uniforms - Anne Schiro, uniform coordinator, has ordered ties and cummerbunds for those who did not get them at camp. She will be available at Sept 30th large group to distribute these. Navy blue pleat front uniform pants are available in the boys department at Sears, or from Frenchtoast.com, please refer to your handbook for complete uniform information.

Entertainment Book —orders can be filled at rehearsal at large group on the 30th. Please return either the sample books or turn in money for them by Sept 30th.

Chaperone schedules—will be sent soon. Everyone must chaperone 2-3 times per year.

Attendance—please direct all requests for excused absences to Mary Lyubomirsky (LYUBYS@rochester.rr.com) or 385.1848
If you have any questions please call June at 582-3082 or e-mail JuneSantini@rochester.rr.com

Corrections to the handbook, apologies to everyone affected:
Info for Gina Komor is as follows:
PO Box 214
Palmyra, NY 14522 315-502-4021
Phone for Chelsea Finch: 585.217.7228
James Light’s father’s name is Guy, not Gary
Shannon Briggs is stepmother of Kaya


Karla & June