Mesquite High School Orchestra

Here is an update on the proposed elementary school Specials.

Band and Strings are affected under the proposals.

We encourage all to attend this meeting to learn the facts.

I’m including a message that went out from GAME over the weekend. Can you share this with your parents? We have important news to share with you regarding proposed changes to the elementary school Band and Strings programs.

A work study session is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, 2010 from 6 to 7 PM at the Gilbert School District.

The School District will present to the Governing Board proposed changes to the elementary school programs regarding Band and Strings, PE, Library and General Music. The proposals will not be voted on at this meeting. A part of the proposal recommends eliminating the 5th and 6th grade Block time currently set aside for Band and Strings classes. The Band and Strings classes then would share a five day “Special” rotation with PE and Library. Band and Strings sectionals (woodwinds and brass, and high and low strings) are eliminated under the proposal. The public is welcome to attend the Work/Study session on Tuesday to hear firsthand the reasons behind the proposed changes and understand the details of the proposals. The meeting is not open for public comment. We encourage you to attend the session to hear the facts first hand. Many important reasons drive the need for scheduling changes. The Governing Board is faced with the challenge of balancing these needs in a schedule that works for our students. The Board does not take this challenge lightly. An unintended consequence of the proposed change is a reduction of as much as one third instruction time for Band and Strings.

We hope to continue a collaborative effort with the Board in reviewing options relating to this reduction. We need your ideas and suggestions on how the proposal can be developed further to enhance the overall elementary schedules while preserving quality Band and Strings class time. Please let your friends and neighbors know about the upcoming Work/Study session so that they too can learn firsthand the facts and issues.

You can follow us at www.GilbertMusicMatters.com as well as through the following Facebook groups: Gilbert Music Matters; Gilbert Advocates for Music Education; and GAME. Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to our website, to GAME@cox.net and to any of the Facebook groups.

As many of you know, there are some great events and activities in preparation right now with the orchestras. Your students are working very hard on their pieces, and in addition we have some extra things to make note of. Please be sure to read this email carefully, and remind your student of their responsibility in order to make these events great.

Booster Meeting 1/20- There is an executive board meeting for the orchestra board at 6:30, then the general meeting will be at 7:00pm. Important topics include upcoming Texas Roadhouse Strings Extravaganza (including silent auction), Carnegie Hall Debut concert, upcoming See’s candy fundraiser, corporate sponsorship, and much more! We need parents who will come and voice their opinion and volunteer! Please consider joining us for a great (quick) evening while supporting your students!

Texas Roadhouse Strings Extravaganza 2/2- This will be a great evening of good food provided by Texas Roadhouse, a wonderful silent auction and basket auction featuring awesome deals, great music provided by the strolling strings (at dinner) and the Symphony orchestra along with our “feeder” 6th grade programs and Mesquite Junior High. The festival concert starts after the dinner portion and will be under one hour in length.

All MHS Orchestra students are responsible for selling at least 5 tickets to the dinner, and we will have the orchestra families from Islands, Playa Del Rey, Oak Tree, Gilbert El, and MJHS school joining us at dinner and for the concert. This is a huge fundraisier for our students, and a very important recruitment tool to keep our future program strong! Order forms went home with the students last week and are attached in this email as well. The forms with payment are due no later than 1/29. The dinner cost is $12 in advance, $14 at the door and features a menu of BBQ Chicken or Pulled Pork, Baked Potato, Dinner Salad, Rolls with Honey Butter, Dessert and Beverage. In addition each dinner ticket includes a drawing to win a Sam Club Gift Surprise.

In addition, students from MHS Orchestras are asked to donate an item towards the basket auction. The items can be anything to do with the basket “theme”, including gift certificates, but must be school appropriate. The donation categories are:

1st Violin-Sweetheart/Valentine
2nd Violin-Spa
Viola- Game Night/Family Night
Cello-Breakfast/Brunch
Bass- Movie Night

We have already received amazing products for these baskets and we will be giving these baskets to the highest bidders the night of the Extravaganza so be sure to bid on the one you want!

Carnegie Hall Debut Concert 2/24- This is a special Engagement Preview Concert for the Symphonic Strings trip to New York. The group will perform the repertoire they will be performing in Carnegie Hall for family, friends, and community supporters. There will also be a cake reception following the performance provided by Cathy’s Rum Cake Worldwide. The concert will be held on Wednesday, February 24th at 7:00pm in the Ballroom of Villa Siena (890 W. Elliot Road Suite 104, Gilbert AZ) Tickets will be sold starting February 1st for $10 each. This is a first come, first serve event and we only have 350 seats available so please make sure you buy your tickets in advance. We will also be accepting donations for the trip the night of the performance.

We are also accepting Corporate sponsorships for the Symphonic Strings trip and have sent out letters to local businesses for their help. If you know of a business that would be open to sponsoring our students please print out the attached sponsor letter and give it to them. We have sponsorships at the $100, $250, and $500 levels.

Regional Auditions and Solo & Ensemble Festival 1/29-30 – Please check with your individual students as they prepare for these festivals. All students participating received their individual performance times and these times are posted in the orchestra room as well. Students are to dress in nice attire, bring their I.D. with them, and provide their own transportation to and from the event. The event is located at Highland High School. Results of the Festivals will be given the following Monday.

Thank you for your support of the MHS Orchestras and please contact me if you have any further questions!

Amber Dudley
Director of Orchestras
Mesquite High School