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Vanier Music
October 2009 Newsletter
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Report Cards and Attendance
Band and Choir are each once credit but run over both semesters. Therefore, mid term grades are assigned at the Christmas reporting period, as that is half way through our course.
Some attendance reports show on the formal report card, but I have my own attendance which is not reflected on the October report card. There are many reasons, but one is that when I have a student for a sectional, they are already marked present in another class. The point is, if it says on your October report card that your child has no absences in choir or band, that may or may not be accurate because of my separate attendance taking system. Please see me at interviews or write if you are interested in checking on their attendance.
Attendance
Students must be accountable for getting to all band sectionals. If they miss a sectional they need to come to the make up sectional time (“overflow sectional”) Thursday mornings at 7:40 am.
Choir students have rehearsals twice a week at noon. If students are absent a total of ten times they run the risk of being removed from the class. Our music classes run both semesters and the absences carry from one semester to the next. Check with your child to see if they have been attending regularly or feel free to call or write or stop in at interviews
Uniforms – needed soon.
All band and choir students will need uniforms by the middle of November. This includes black dress pants, black socks and dress shoes (not runners with bits of other colours please).
In addition, girls require the red/maroon top that we wore last year. If you do not have one, the student must sign the form in my office in the music room immediately! Uniforms were new last year so we are charging $25.00 for used ones. If there are not enough from previous graduates for purchase, then you will have to have one made.
In addition to the black outlined above, boys require a white collared dress shirt and the vest and tie that we used last year. If you do not have one the student must sign the form in my office in the music room immediately! Uniforms were new last year so we are charging $25.00 for used ones. If there are not enough from previous graduates for purchase, then you will have to order one and this cannot be left until the last minute.
Fundraising Opportunity
and Spring Tour
Our spring tour this year will be to Edmonton. The tentative dates are February 25 – February 28. All band and choir students are expected to attend unless there is good reason not to. It is an amazing time of group building and learning. The trip this year looks especially exciting as we will be working with a fantastic clinician for a whole day, attending a great concert, performing along the way ourselves and of course, going to the West Edmonton Mall. The final cost is dependant on how many students attend (mostly due to splitting the incredible bussing costs). However, my guess is that it will cost approximately $250.00 per student. That includes most meals. I keep telling the kids to start saving!
We do not provide a lot of fundraising activities but here is one, a catalogue called “Let the Good Times Snowball”. Students were asked to pick up these catalogues on Friday, October 16. We have to move fast as it is a short campaign. Money earned by a seller goes entirely into his or her music travel account. Basically students pre-sell items from the catalogue. The more they sell, and the more we sell as a group, the more money goes into each students individual music travel account.
Important points to remember for this fundraising drive:
*Use black or blue ink only.
*Make cheques payable to Vanier Music
*Do not charge sales tax
*This is a pre-paid fundraiser – money must be turned in with order form.
Important dates:
End date for campaign is October 27. All orders and money must be returned to the school by this date.
Delivery date: On or before November 23.
We will inform you with the product pick up date.
You must report any damaged/missing items within 3 days of delivery to your fundraising coordinator.
Prairie Christmas Concert IX
One of the highlights of our year is our annual Prairie Christmas Concert and Silent Auction. We guarantee you will walk away with a smile in your heart and refreshments in your belly!
If you can donate anything to the silent auction, or know anyone who might, please contact Mrs. Mc at val.mcwilliams@htcsd.ca. Thanks!
When: Sunday, December 6
Where: Hillcrest Apostolic Church
Time: Moving equipment, set up, decorating at 2:00 (volunteers needed!)
Dress rehearsals for all students beginning at 2:00
Performance begins at 7:00 PM
Take down following concert (many hands needed again)
Cost: Adults $10.00
Students and Seniors $6.00
Other Performances this semester
We will be performing for Moose Jaw elementary schools the week before Prairie Christmas. This gives us four much needed performance opportunities. More about this will be sent home next month.
Choirs will perform at the Rotary Carol Festival (usually mid-December) and at Bethlehem Live (usually the very end of November). Please watch for details.
General Music Room Reminders 
Please be reminded that regular early band classes begin at 7:40. That means that the student should be in the music room by then. We have had some really, really late starts because by the time students go to their locker, come down, put their instrument together – well – you get the picture!
Band and Choir Fees
Band fees were due a while ago. The band fee payable to HTCSD (not Vanier) is $125. If you rent an instrument from us there is the additional fee applicable to your instrument.
Percussionists have a fee of $50 in addition to the $125.
Choir fees were due a while ago also. The choir fee is $20.00. That cheque should be made out to Vanier Music.
New York News
Things are moving along nicely! Here is what I want each of you to check at this time.
*Double check passport names against traveler list we have – Check Tour Website
*Does anyone need EF’s All Inclusive Insurance that does not yet have it?
*Dietary Restrictions List, (Vegetarian, Muslim, Jewish, Vegan?)
Allergy List (Nuts, Seafood, Gluten). Please outline and email Mrs. McWilliams.
*Anyone on the tour not having a Canadian Passport must check with countries visiting that no special visa to enter will be required, this also applies to transiting through the U.S.
*Reminder that full payment for tour completed – 99 days prior to departure.
Thanks as always for the support from home provided
to these music students. We are learning lots andmaking
some beautiful music already!
Mrs. McWilliams
