Band, Orchestra, & Vocal Chords Rehearsal Schedule
September 2016
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We hope you will join us in our excitement as we begin our elective music programs for the 2016-17 school year!  We are preparing to begin our early morning large group Orchestra, Band, and Vocal Chords rehearsals.  These rehearsals are required for participation in the concerts.  However, we realize that things happen.  Transporting children before our school day starts offers some challenges for some of you.  Children may miss a rehearsal for a variety of reasons.  We understand this.  However, in order to prepare the students for a successful performance, they do need to practice together.  To be fair to all, we have decided that each child will be allowed to miss 3 rehearsals and still perform in the Winter Concert at the PAC in January.  More absences could lead to that child not being able to perform.  This decision will be made by the FW Administrative Team along with the musical director, and will be based on the individual circumstances.  Hopefully, it will not get to that point.
Parents will need to provide transportation to the school on rehearsal mornings.  We do not have busses available for this purpose.  You are asked to drop off the children in the front loop of the school and come into the building to sign them in.  A sheet will be set up just inside the front doors for this purpose.  You can drop off your child starting at 7:00 a.m.  Please do not drop off any earlier than this as we will not have any supervision for the children until 7:00 a.m.  For safety and security reasons, our front doors will not be unlocked until 7:00.  From 7:00 - 7:15, the young musicians will assemble their instruments, tune, and warm-up.  An administrator will open up the building promptly at 7:00 a.m. to let the children and parents in.  Rehearsals will begin promptly at 7:15 a.m.  Please make sure the children are here by 7:15 so they do not miss the beginning of these important rehearsals.
We understand how difficult it is to get the children up and moving at that time (sometimes equally difficult for us!)  However, their participation in the morning ensemble rehearsals is vital in preparing them for the upcoming concerts.  Participation in our morning, large-group morning sessions helps them to know the music better.  They become more familiar with the sound of their classmates while playing together.  Students that practice together should be more comfortable on “the big stage” at the PAC when they perform in the concerts.
 Please refer to the back of this page for the full Fall / Winter schedule in preparation for the January performances.  Beginning Band & Orchestra will always rehearse on Tuesdays, Vocal Chords will always rehearse on Wednesdays, and Advanced Band & Orchestra will always be on Thursdays.  Please note:  If we have a delayed opening, the rehearsal for that day will be cancelled.  If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Corvino, Mr. Mastin, or my office.
We look forward to a great season with your talented musicians!
Sincerely,
Mr. Johnson
Principal
Rehearsal Schedules
Beginning Band    Vocal Chords   Advanced Band
& Orchestra         & Orchestra
Tue., Oct. 11th      Wed., Oct. 12th     Thu., Oct. 13th  
Tue., Oct. 18th      Wed., Oct. 19th     Thu., Oct. 20th 
Tue., Oct. 25th     Wed., Oct. 26th    Thu., Oct. 27th 
             Wed., Nov. 2nd           Thu., Nov. 3rd 
Tue., Nov. 15th    Wed., Nov. 16th    Thu., Nov. 17th 
Tue., Nov. 22nd      
Tue., Nov. 29th      Wed., Nov. 30th    Thu., Dec. 1st   
Tue., Dec. 6th           Wed., Dec. 7th           Thu., Dec. 8th
Tue., Dec. 13th    Wed., Dec. 14th    Thu., Dec. 15th 
Tue., Dec. 20th     Wed., Dec. 21st    
              Wed., Jan. 4th      Thu., Jan. 5th  
Tue., Jan. 10th     Wed., Jan. 11th      Thu., Jan. 12th  
Tue., Jan. 17th (Band ONLY)       
Dress Rehearsals and Concerts (at the PAC)
School day dress rehearsals:
FW Orchestras & Vocal Chords – Tues., Jan. 17, 2017
FWS Bands – Wed., Jan. 18, 2017
Evening Concerts:  
FW Orchestras & Vocal Chords – Tue., Jan. 17, 2017 @ 6:30pm    (report - 5:45)
FW Bands – Thu., Jan. 19, 2017 @ 6:30pm    (report – 5:45)
(The Spring Schedule will come out after the Winter Concert.)
