Tuesday, June 2, 2010
Chicken fundraiser: The delivery should be in shortly. The pick up, I believe, is at Nipissing…I’ll check.
Tag Day: In the end it was a small group, but each person made $60 towards their trip next year. So, well worth it for them.
Upcoming Performances:
a) Jazz band: Monday and Tuesday morning–please arrive by 8:15 to get set-up in the theatre with our stands and warmed up. We will be playing for the grade 8s who are touring our school on both days–two different groups. The jazz band will be involved in a short entertainment segment by a few school groups first thing in the morning. So, the students should only miss about 10 minutes of class. No uniforms needed.
b) Thursday, June 9th: unfortunately, this tour conflicts with Summerfest activities, but we will enjoy some of it when we return. As a result though, no classes will be missed. This is only to visit and perform at Monck and BPS–Jazz Band and the grade 9 band with a few junior ensembles as well.
Uniforms: Girls….please return your kilts, vest and ties!!!! To the guys….WELL DONE!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Spring Concert: Senior Tour Band requires their full, formal uniform (including black socks/pantyhose and black shoes please). We have new red bow ties for the guys so they need to return their Christmas ties we purchase in December for them. Grade 9 band students are wearing long pants, and solid colour tops (no logos, or designs). No camisoles please unless covered with a blouse. Thank you.
Students arrive: 6:15 p.m. (music room to warm up and tune)
Theatre doors open: 6:45 p.m. (for audience–adults $10; seniors $5; students/children free)
Concert ends: 8:15 p.m. (senior band members to help return stands and chairs to room)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Hello everyone. Our Toronto trip was quite relaxing and successful. Both shows were entertaining. A quick survey on our bus ride home was that Jersey Boys was number one with our group. We also had great seats which was a treat! Dinner at Mr. Greenjeans was tastey, delicious and not too expensive. Jugs of ice tea, or pop were purchased for the group which helped with the cost.
Loblaws gift cards (for groceries): Still available through Mark’s Work Wearhouse in $50, or $100 denominations. We don’t run this in the summer. The profit is only $3 per $100, but don’t forget, you spend about $700 per month on groceries so that $21 a month of easy money for a trip. Jan Lucy and Don Evans have been operating this for us this year.
New fundraiser: Chicken (boxes of wings, breasts, fingers and more). Profit is $5-$8 per box sold! It’s barbeque season so help your son/daughter out by asking your colleagues, neighbours, friends…Forms were distributed at our last rehearsal yesterday. Deadline is May 3rd. Please notify Don Evans now to inform him that you are participating in this activity.
New concert date: Just a reminder that we had to push our date back by one day. It’s now Thursday evening, May 6th. Start time is 7:00 p.m. (students to arrive at 6:15 p.m.) and the concert will last just over an hour with awards and a slide show as well. Senior students are to wear their ‘formal’ uniform, ties, black shoes, kilts etc. No tickets will be sold this year in advance. Tickets are through the general door admission at a cost of $10/adult; $5/senior; students and children are free.
Fundraiser: Tag Day (Friday, May 28th between 4:00 - 9:00 p.m.) This will be done in 2 shifts of music students. They are to both play and one student is to speak to customers and thank them for their donation. Stickers of ‘thanks’ can be given to the donors.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Rehearsal time changes (reminder): Mondays…Concert Band: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.; Jazz Band 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Easter time change: Tuesday (due to holiday Monday)…same times as above.
Toronto: Friday, April 9 (depart 1:50 pm) to Saturday, April 10 (return around 8:00 pm). Pack snacks and drink for hotel and bus. Need cash for Friday’s dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch. We will have a snack stop on the way home (Tim Horton’s service station north of Toronto). Wear casual but nice clothing to the 2 shows. So, we’re only missing one class on the Friday.
Spring Concert: Due to an event for the G8, our concert had to be changed. So we just moved it one day later to Thursday, May 6th. Bands and small ensembles will perform. There will be general admission. Adults $10; seniors $5; students have free admission.
Thursday, March 11.2010
Rehearsal time changes: Due to a few conflicts and other students able to make the change (very considerate of you all) and that the nice warm weather is upon us, the Senior Tour Band (concert band) will now rehearse between 3:30-5:00 p.m.–right after school. This spot often conflicts with sports, but we seem to be okay for the next month with the music students. Then, after a break, the jazz band will rehearse for an hour (approx 5:30-6:30 p.m.). So, Mondays will be ‘marathon Mondays’ in the music room!
Collingwood Musicfest: Yes, your sons and daughters did you proud! We received a silver and Jennifer Hammell was presented with the honour award for her leadership and musical abilities–hat’s off to you all! It was a wonderful day hearing a few bands perform; performing ourselves and working with the judge afterwards; and who can forget our spectacular smiles for this year’s photo (yes, please pay $15 if you ordered one); and then the commraderie at East Side Mario’s ‘high speed’ dinner; wrapping it all up with a quick visit to the opening ceremonies to the Ontario Winter Games.
Bus and Photo money: If you still owe $25 for the bus, or $15 for the 8X10 photo, please bring it in asap. Thank you.
Spring Concert: A reminder that our end-of-year show is Wednesday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre here at the school. Students will need to arrive around 6:15 p.m. You will need to purchase tickets ahead of time.
Tag Day: Our last event of the year to raise some funds for our excursion next year will be Friday, May 28.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Cake: Yes, it’s our monthly birthday cake tonight prepared by our own Jenn Hammell.
Musicfest:
date: Fast approaching…Thursday (March 4). Depart at 9:15 a.m. (during period 1). Return 9:15 pm.
costs: We will need $25 for the bus from all students. $15 for the photo if you wish. Money for dinner.
bring: full uniform (black shoes, black socks/panty hose, black pants (guys); kilts, vests for girls. Also
bring snacks, lunch, instruments, music, mallets for percussion, hat/gloves etc for Winter
Games at the Gravenhurst wharf at 7:30 p.m.
time change: (winter games)–We have had a unique opportunity presented to us. We have received guest passes for the entire band to participate as spectators in the opening ceremonies of the winter games in Gravenhurst at the wharf. This means that we will be returning later than previously arranged by about an hour. We should be back around 9:15 p.m. at the school. The band will be discussing this tonight.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Pancake Breakfast fundraiser: No changes from my last posting, but here are the details for the music students:
a) Arrive in the music room by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning–Parents are to
go to the cafeteria/kitchen area to get instructions from the
co-ordinators of the event.
b) Give the money ($$) from your sold tickets and all remaining, unsold
tickets to Mr. Don Evans.
c) Warm-up; tune in the music room until 8:45 a.m.–move to cafeteria
d) Cafeteria set-up (8:30 - 8:45 am): A few students will set up the
performing areas with music stands.
e) We expect to finish playing around 10:30 a.m. and the breakfast at 11:00
at which time we will have clean-up.
This week’s rehearsal: WEDNESDAY 3:15-5:15 P.M. (students’ vote)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Winter Camp: A great time had by all! Snow shoeing across the lake, night skiing, broomball, mountain hiking–all these were enjoyed in between our 4 hours of workshops with our guests. A very productive and engaging weekend.
Pancake Breakfast: Yes parents, it’s this Saturday morning. Students and parents are to arrive at 8:00 a.m. (morning) to set-up. The breakfast runs between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.–you might hear some repetition of music groups.
Monday rehearsal (family day): Due to the holiday this coming Monday, our rehearsal has been moved to Wednesday, February 17th after school: 3:15 - 5:15 p.m. The students all voted on this time slot.
Toronto: Still no plans have been laid for our postponed overnight trip to Toronto (remember the blizzard in December?). Hopefully, something of interest to us will present itself shortly.
Thursday, February 3, 2010
Camp: Last minute information: After you read this note, please read the next blurb below this as that has more information about the camp. URGENT: You need to bring a sleeping bag AND pillow along with your bagged lunch for tomorrow. You should be receiving a telephone call from one of band exec members again with this latest information. Please pick up a music stand with both sets of music tomorrow morning by 8:30 a.m. (band music and your ‘fun’ ensemble music for the Pancake Breakfast). Sleep well and we’ll see you tomorrow. Please be on time!
Monday evening: Rehearsal time has been changed for this week only: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Camp Tawingo: student meeting (10 minutes), Thursday (1st day back), at 11:30 in the music room. The final daily itinerary is ready. Expect a telephone call from a band executive member since we need to arrange our outdoor activities into 2 groups. Depart: 8:45 a.m., Friday and return: 10:15 a.m., Sunday. We will have breakfast on Sunday morning before departing. The student band executive will be organizing group activities for the camp and they will also be presenting small gifts to our clinicians. We have also discussed new fundraising initiatives.
Bring: bagged lunch (Friday), snow boots, hats, gloves/mitts, ski underwear, sunglasses, fleece, 2 pairs of pants, music, a stand, toiletries, pajamas (!), thick socks, slippers, turlenecks.
Monday rehearsals: Resume February 8th at the regular time, however, this coming Monday we have a change to help accommodate a student–5:00-7:0 p.m. The following Monday, is Feb. 15 and it is a designated holiday, Family Day, in which case band is also cancelled. This gives us only 2 remaining rehearsal before Musicfest competition. Please be present at all rehearsals.
Pancake breakfast: Yes, tickets should be sold within this next week, or two. Please sell your allotted 10 tickets. More are available if you need them. Any parents who work during the event will also be able to earn money for their son/daughter in the band by tickets purchased at the door. These ticket sales will be evenly split among student of each parent working at the event. There is a good core group of parents working to organize this event. Please contact Don Evans if you have any questions. All students need to attend this event since they are performing.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Parent meeting: Last Monday, several parents started the organizing for our fundraising breakfast scheduled for Saturday, February 13 in the morning only. Next meeting:7:00 p.m. Monday, January 11th.
Toronto trip: We did lose some money due to our trip. We lost the ballet ($1,500) and some money from Il Divo ($400). However, the hotel and bus and most of the Il Divo money has been kept for reuse in the spring. No plans as of yet. We have to start making inquiries into events happening in Toronto in April. Ideas are welcomed!
Friday, December 11 at 4:30 p.m.
TRIP CANCELLED: Yes, the blizzard is ongoing and it’s far worse in Port Carling. The roads in and out of Bracebridge cannot be guaranteed to be cleared by our morning departure time and we obviously don’t want people venturing out in poor conditions to meet the bus. You will be informed of the money issue at Monday’s rehearsal–all is not lost. The phoning tree has been started as of Friday at 4:30 p.m. by the band student executive. This was a very difficult decision to make and it is very disappointing. However, we still have our winter camp in early February (5th-7th), Musicfest, our spring concert and most importantly…our final rehearsal before Christmas with our festivities on Monday evening. Don’t forget to bring your plate of nibblies! Thanks for using our web site to stay on top of the news.
Friday, December 11 at 8:00 a.m.
TRIP POSTPONED: Due to bus cancellations, our excursion to Toronto will depart tomorrow morning around 9:30 a.m. assuming that the weather forcast for a clear day tomorrow continues. We will depart Toronto around noon and I expect we’d be back at bmlss around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. A new itinerary will be presented to you/parents at the bus tomorrow.
3rd update…Thursday the 9th at 4:30 p.m.
Personal contact: Our vice-principal, Mrs. Williams, will be contacting you this evening to inform you of the 2 possibilities regarding tomorrow. I have laryngitis–still. Thank you Mrs. Williams!
First option: if buses are running; schools are open; the trip is on!
Second option: if buses are cancelled; we depart on Saturday morning (probably around 9:00 a.m.) in time to see the Nutcracker Ballet. Yes, we will lose the non-refundable tickets for Il Divo, sadly. However, there is a FREE concert at Nathan Phillips Square at 7:00 p.m. followed by ice skating on their beautiful outdoor rink–a Toronto tradition and one that we can enjoy. So, all is not lost. Bring your swimsuit for the hotel pool if you wish, and a pair of skates if you have them, but one can rent skates for a couple of dollars at the rink, too.
Stay posted and please be near a telephone. See below for earlier packing recommendations.
Thursday the 9th at 4:00 p.m.
Toronto update: Please read below if this is your first visit to the site today. There are no definite plans for tomorrow. If buses are cancelled, please check this site first (9:00 a.m.) and then, if needed, contact me at school (645-4496 ext 321) after 9:00 in the morning. We will most likely leave Saturday morning at the latest since Saturday looks clear regarding the weather and stay overnight at the Delta which is available. However, Friday could still be a possibility, so please be available for contact in the morning whether buses are cancelled or not. A band executive person may contact you regarding our plans.
Thursday, December 9th at 1:20 p.m.
Toronto: Yes, we have another blizzard to deal with. Tomorrow’s departure is not looking too optimistic since the weather report is indicating that we should be getting 25 cm more snow today and the same tomorrow. The hotel (Delta Chelsea) will allow us to re-book at a later date…Saturday, or later. We would lose Friday’s Il Divo tickets (non-refundble) and potentially Saturday’s Nutcracker. Depending on weather conditions, we could depart at a later time. Mr. Golden and I will be discussing options shortly–within the hour. Please check back here later today.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Parent meeting/Pancake breakfast: Thank you for those who were able to attend. We discussed upcoming events and our main topic, fundraising ideas. A decision was quickly made to offer a Pancake Breakfast on Valentine’s weekend–Saturday, February 13th in the morning. The students will help with the set-up, clean-up and they will perform during the breakfast. An important parent meeting will take place on the first Monday back after the Christmas holidays….Monday, January 4th at 6:30 p.m.; Room 164 (Guitar room)
Parade: Congratulations to all the students. At least we didn’t have -15oC like last year. The wonderful flakey snow presented us with a lot of wet music. Yet, we all had a good time performing together and the street was packed with people enjoying the parade. Thank you for making it all work, students!
TORONTO: Depart: 11:00 a.m. Friday; Return: 7:00 p.m. Saturday.
Yes, it’s this weekend. Meals are not provided. Please be sure to have money for dinner at Dunn’s Deli ($20) on Friday evening and Saturday breakfast and lunch which you can buy less expensively at a local mall (Eaton’s Centre, lower level). Bring water, juice, fruit, and snacks. Please bring all the basics for an overnight trip such as the following items:
General items: snacks, water, toiletries, pajamas, medications, make-up shavor, hairbrush, swim suit/shorts, bathing cap, underwear, tops (shirt, sweater, turleneck), jeans/pants, boots, gloves.
*Hairdryer, soap and towels are provided.
Evening attire for Roy Thomson Hall dress. Please adhere to the following clothing…..
Gentlemen: shirt & tie (no jeans please); Ladies: nice outfit
Winter Camp: Please submit either one cheque at $100 (December 16, 2009), or 2 postdated cheques (Dec. 16 and Jan. 4, 2010) at $50 each to Mrs. Mitchell at your earliest convenience. All cheques to the band are made payable to : BMLSS Music
Monday, November 30, 2009
Parent meeting: Tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the guitar room (room 164) which is beside the music room.
Elementary schools’ tour: The first school, Watt, went quite smoothly. We have discovered that the large chimes are not portable by bus, nor by car. However, a pick-up truck works well. Hats off to Eilish, Liam and Jason for trying to make it work even in the rain. We continue this week with the remaining schools. We load at 8:15 a.m. each morning (Tues, Wed and Friday) and we will be back by lunch time–noon. Tomorrow is Muskoka Falls followed by Monck. We will feel even more confident now that North, our drummer/skiier has returned from his travels.
Camp Tawingo: You may bring in the $100 (payable to BMLSS Music) for this camp at any time. Our band account is subsidizing this weekend camp for each student to a token of $50 each. This is a command performance for all band members as we are arranging guests and it is our final preparation for Musicfest. The Toronto trip is optional.
Musicfest: This is coming up around March 4/5 (one day). We just need to pay for the bus and entry fee which I expect to be about $25 per person.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Uniforms: Black pants, socks and shoes for our casual wear. Looking for ties.
Guys are purchasing the long-sleeved black shirt from Walmart ($9). For those that preferred that I pick it up for them, they are here at school and you need to bring in your money this week.
Ties: We are looking for ties to wear with a music logo on them.
Girls: How difficult can it be to find a white blouse, or black??? The girls are hitting a deadline. I did a lot of shopping for both the girls and guys last Saturday. The fellows were easy to please, the girls….hmmmm. So, we do not have a decision as of today and we need them by Thursday of this coming week. So, if we have nothing, they may wear white, or black. If anyone has a good idea, please contact me!
Letter to parents/permission form: A letter will be going home on Monday evening (Nov 23rd) that will outline our schedule for our elementary school tour along with other information (Toronto, parade, our winter camp..). We usually do not visit all elementary schools, but last year the morning we were to travel, we were hit with a blizzard and missed 8 students and one school. So, it’s been 2-3 years really.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Updates: Please have a look at both the Important Dates & Homework (under ‘Courses’) links on the home page menu.
Halloween cake for October born students was fabulously decorated. We have grown quite attached to the new town bakery ‘Sweet Aromas’.
Congrats to David Pepper who sang O Canada this morning at our Remembrance Day assembly, a capella (no instrumental accompaniment–solo voice!). Also, to Kristen Webb, our lead trumpeter this year, who performed the somber Last Post and more uplifting, Reveille. I actually enjoyed playing the tin whistle along with a small combo with Tori Wines singing at the assemblies.
Gigs: Thankfully, it has been a bonus having the seniors this semester (usually the senior class is in semester 2). We have received several calls for some short entertainment segments at various community/school events and the students have really stepped up to the plate and had good experiences under low pressure. Work hard and then enjoy the rewards. Brass group: Vincent Evans-Lucy, Annie Armstrong, Stephan Pecile, Jason Warnaar, Andrew Milner. Saxes: David Pepper, Naomi Higgins, Mallory Tingey, Erik Stager
Upcoming gigs: Wednesday, Nov. 18th (a 6:00 start in the foyer); background music for guests (Trillium Lakelands Trustees’ event) Woodwinds: Eilish McDermott, Frances Jones, Carly Conway, Hannah Baker, Naomi Higgins and Mallory Tingey.
Elementary school tour: We’re just starting to arrange this. Since we have class this semester, we will try to miss our own music class (block B) and block A in the mornings. However, we still will not miss the entire week, of course. We’re aiming for 3 half days and one will be a full day to get 2 schools in one day. This will be free of charge for the students, except a Tim Horton’s lunch stop one day–although I have heard a pull for Boston Pizza developing. Details will follow.
Toronto: YES! After a highly unusual arrangement to order tickets for the famed Il Divo playing with the jazz singer, Holly Cole at Roy Thomson Hall, everything has finally been arranged. We leave Friday morning, December 11 and return Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. This will be a spectacular show to hear at the acoustically sound Roy Thomson Hall. I’m sure some last minute Christmas shopping will be done on Saturday morning before the Nutcracker matineé at 2:00 p.m. ALL FORMS & CHEQUES should have been submitted by now–it’s on my credit card! There remains 5 outstanding students who have all told me that all is well and it is forthcoming. Please discuss this to confirm that this is the case. Many thanks!
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Tuesday, October 12, 2009
‘Important Dates’ link: I have posted a list of gigs for small groups within the band/class/jazz band in addition to updating upcoming trips on the ‘Important Dates’ link. Check out that page.
‘Homework’ link: Please keep updated with your son/daughter’s current and upcoming major assignments and tests by clicking on ‘Courses’; scanning to the bottom of that page; then, click on ‘homework’ if they are in music class this semester.
Overnighter to Toronto: It would be convenient if Toronto would have a place to put all their big entertainment events onto one site. Our student executive is thoroughly combing through the various web sites to try to coordinate 2+ professional shows on the same weekend so we can make our overnight trip worthwhile. I expect in addition to the shows, we will have a tour of a sound engineering school, or business—connections from bmlss graduates now in the ’sound engineering’ field of work.
Rehearsals: We only have one rehearsal a week for each band so it is paramount that the student attend these rehearsals. Please avoid arrangements (haircuts, birthdays for grandma …) for Monday evenings. This also teaches your son/daughter a good work ethic. Practices are going quite well so far this year, I’m pleased to say.
Cake: Our first monthly birthday cake was provided from a new local business in our downtown core, “Sweet Aroma”. It was fabulous. I’m happy to say that one of our newcomers, Stephan Pecile (trombone) caught on to celebrating his Sept birthday by enjoy 2 or 3 massive slices of the cake.
$$$: Yes, once we finalize our Toronto and Winter Camp plans, you can expect a request for permission forms to be signed and a small lump sum of money in the next couple of weeks.
STAY TUNED!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
First rehearsal for the ‘Senior Tour Band’:
Rehearsals start on Monday (Sept. 14) between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Students should arrive 15 minutes early to have time to get out their instruments, warm up, practice on their own for a few minutes.
Holiday Mondays: Rehearsals are cancelled.
Snow days: Please check this site for updates. If the blizzard clears, we may hold rehearsal, or have it on another evening/early morning.
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