Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Fall/Winter Rehearsal Schedule

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.)

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Welcome Back!

I am so thrilled that the 2016-2017 school year is now underway! I'm settling into my first week back after my year long maternity leave last year.  I'm very excited to see so many familiar faces and I can't wait to work with all of the orchestra students at Fountain Woods.  This week, string lessons begin and the students will be learning their first three songs!

Practice is essential in these early days.  For beginners, 10 minutes a day is perfect.  I'd much rather see each child practice a few minutes each day than an hour the night before their lesson.  Short periods over several days is crucial for correct muscle development.  Don't forget, if it is painful...STOP!

Here is a video highlighting the points we cover in our first lesson!

First Lesson Review

Our early morning rehearsal schedule will be handed out shortly.  We are expected to begin these rehearsals the second week of October.


Beginning Orchestra will rehearse on TUESDAYS
Advanced Orchestra will rehearse on THURSDAYS

If you have any questions at any time, please let me know!  The easiest way to reach me is via email at kcorvino@burltwpsch.org