Revised Rehearsal Schedule

Revised Band, Orchestra, & Vocal Chords

Rehearsal Schedule

     Winter 2013-14

December 2013

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As I’m sure you are aware, the Burlington Township School District has revised its calendar due to the recent snow day.  As a result, our 6-day calendar has shifted by one day and consequently our rehearsal schedule has changed.  Please review the new schedule, and contact either of the directors or my office if you have any questions.  Remember, any additional unanticipated closing will move the schedule again. At that time, we will again revise the schedule and send out a new version.  Hopefully, this will not happen, but you never know!  Thank you for your continued flexibility and support of our instrumental music program!

Sincerely,

Mr. Johnson, Principal

Beginning Band &            Advanced Band &                      Vocal Chords

Beginning Orchestra        Advanced Orchestra       

(Day 1)                                     (Day 3)                                         (Day 5)

Wednesday, 12/18/13                 Friday, 12/20/13                           Monday, 12/16/13
Tuesday, 1/7/14                         Thursday, 1/9/14                          Friday, 1/3/14
Wednesday, 1/15/14                  Friday, 1/17/14                              Monday, 1/13/14       

Concerts at the PAC:

Vocal Chords: Wednesday, January 15, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

Beginning and Advanced Orchestra:  Tuesday, January 21, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

Band and Orchestra Daytime Assemblies:  Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Beginning and Advanced Band:  Thursday, January 23, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

Concert Piece Recordings

If you would like to listen to a professional studio orchestra play some of our concert pieces click the links below! 

Advanced Orchestra:

Chopsticks Prism 

First Scale March 

Lackawanna Locomotive 


Beginning Orchestra:

Salamander Samba 
 

Early Morning Rehearsal Schedule

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We hope you will join us in our excitement as we begin our instrumental music programs for the 2013-14 school year!  We are preparing to begin our early morning large group orchestra and band rehearsals.  These rehearsals are required for participation in the concerts.  However, we realize that things happen.  Transporting the 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.  Rehearsals will begin promptly at 7:15 a.m.  Please make sure the children are here by that time 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.  Note that Beginning Band and Beginning Orchestra will always rehearse on Day 1.  Likewise, Advanced Band and Advanced Orchestra will always be on Day 3.  If, for some reason, school is closed on a rehearsal day, the very next day will be the re-scheduled rehearsal.  This will also impact the remainder of the schedule, but we will send out a revised list of dates if this happens.  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 &                        Advanced Band &

Beginning Orchestra                    Advanced Orchestra

(Day 1)                                                                 (Day 3)

Fri., Oct. 11^th                                                       Tue., Oct. 15^th

Mon., Oct. 21^st                                                    Wed., Oct. 23^rd

Tue., Oct. 29^th                                                     Thu., Oct. 31^st

Mon., Nov. 11^th                                                  Wed., Nov. 13^th

Tue., Nov. 19^th                                                    Thu., Nov. 21^st

Wed., Nov. 27^th                                                   Tue., Dec. 3^rd

Mon., Dec. 9^th                                                     Wed., Dec. 11^th

Tue., Dec. 17^th                                                    Thu., Dec. 19^th

Mon., Jan. 6^th                                                      Wed., Jan. 8^th

Tue., Jan. 14^th                                                     Thu., Jan. 16^th

Concerts (at the PAC)

Orchestra

Dress Rehearsal and Winter Concert:  Tues., Jan. 21^st, 2014

Concert Assemblies:  Wed., Jan. 22^nd, 2014

Evening concert begins promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Band

Dress rehearsal and concert assemblies:  Wed., Jan. 22^nd, 2014

Winter Concert:  Thurs., Jan. 23rd, 2014

Evening concert begins promptly at 6:30 p.m.

(The Spring Schedule will come out after the Winter Concert.)

Please note:

If the district calls for a delayed opening on 1 of these dates, the rehearsal will be cancelled.

If school is unexpectedly closed on 1 of these dates, rehearsal will be held the next school day.

Creating Practice Space At Home

I recently came across violinist Claire Allen's blog.  She has written a wonderful post about creating good practice spaces at home.  Please take a few minutes to read it.  Having a good practice space can make a world of difference to your budding string player!

Creating Practice Space At Home

Welcome Back!

I am so thrilled that the 2013-2014 school year is now underway!  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.

If you have any questions at any time, please let me know!

Fiddle Fest Ticket Information

Dear Parents,

This year marks an extra special milestone for the Burlington Township School District’s orchestra program.  We are celebrating the 10th year of Fiddle Fest.  This year’s performance will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 6:30 P.M. in the Performing Arts Center.  The 10th Anniversary Extravaganza will feature the Fountain Woods School Orchestra, Burlington Township Middle School Orchestra and the Burlington Township High School Orchestra.  The students are working very hard to make this a memorable evening.

Due to the number of supporters who attend our shows, we are requiring tickets for this event.  There will be an online ticket-tron for parents and the general public to order tickets.  Fiddle Fest is free, but you will have to order tickets.  Once you order your general admission ticket, you will pick your ticket up at the will call in the lobby of the PAC on the evening of the performance.

The ticket-tron will be available beginning Monday, May 13, 2013. You may go online to place your order by visiting the district website and clicking the link that says Fiddle Fest.  You may also call 609-699-4025 to reserve tickets.  Please leave your full name, and please spell your last name, your phone number, and the total number of tickets you would like to reserve.  You will be able to be reserve up to 4 tickets.  If more tickets are needed please speak with Mrs. Corvino or Mrs. Gross.  

In the spirit of celebrating this 10th anniversary of Fiddle Fest, the students will be making a donation to the Burlington Township Food Pantry.  We are asking our guests to bring a non-perishable food item the night of the concert.  Donations can be deposited in the yellow donation bins that will be located in the PAC lobby.

If you have any questions, please contact your child's orchestra teacher.  We are looking forward to a magical and memorable evening.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth A. Scott, M.A.

District Supervisor

Fiddle Fest Information!

For your convenience, listed below are the dates and times for our instrumental music department’s upcoming spring concert (Fiddle Fest) rehearsal and performance.

2013 Spring Concert (Fiddle Fest) Schedule:

Thursday, May 30, 2013 Dress Rehearsal:

Where:  Burlington Township Performing Arts Center

Report Time/Place:  approximately 8:45 a.m. in the cafeteria

Attire:  regular school attire

What to Bring:

Instruments

Music

Folders

*STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BRING A LUNCH*

Thursday, May 30, 2013 Evening Concert

Where:  Performing Arts Center

Report Time:  5:45 to the BTHS Cafeteria (behind the PAC)

Concert Begins:  6:30 pm

Attire:  White Burlington Township Music Department polo shirt, black pants/long black skirt, black dress shoes

What to bring:

Instruments

Folder

Music

**See back for an important message**

PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY

Due to the overwhelming attendance at our Winter concert, this concert will be a ticketed event.  While tickets are free, you must reserve them in advance.  Information regarding our box office procedures for reserving tickets will be attached to a copy of this sheet which will be distributed to your child next week.

This concert should be over by approximately 8:30 p.m.  Please stay for the duration of the performance.  When the student’s performance is completed they will go sit in the audience as a group to watch the remainder of the concert until the finale.  There will be a finale performance at the conclusion of the concert that each child will participate in.  I feel it is important and inspirational for the young Fountain Woods string players to see the older students perform.  After the finale, the students will return to the cafeteria to be picked up by their parents.  Should you need to leave the concert early, please report to the cafeteria and a Fountain Woods staff member will collect your child from the auditorium.  Please, do not attempt to take your child from the auditorium.  This creates a disruption to the people around you who wish to enjoy the concert. 

If you have any questions regarding the above rehearsal or performance, please feel free to contact me.