October 31, 2017 Campus Messenger - Tour Early Bird Deadline and a few other tidbits

Hi all,

Today is the final day for the early bird Spain/Portugal tour sign up.  You can still enroll after today, but the early enrollment discount of $200 disappears in November and the price may change down the road as well for new enrollments.

One important clarification: The Band and the Orchestra are both touring to Spain in 2019, but these are simultaneous but separate trips to different cities.  Our tour will be orchestra only.

Madison Opera tomorrow.  Send lunch money with students joining us for the trip.  FeePay closed on us, so look for it to open.  If you have not yet paid (and therefore not turned in the virtual permission slip) please send a written note from home with signature giving permission for attendance.  

The Orchestra Soiree III is coming Friday.  Students should attend at least the 4-5 rehearsal if at all possible, and then stay as desired for the food, fun, and 'flatables.

Thanks!

SK

October 19, 2017 Campus Messenger - Important Orchestra Information

Hi, Orchestra Families! There are several items in today's note.  Please read thoroughly and contact me with any questions you may have. Items include:

1. Whole Note Newsletter

2. Cardinal Orchestra Concert

3. Tour Update

4. Soiree on 11/3

5. Orchestra Spirit Wear

6. Annual T-shirts!

7. Taxes

1) Whole Note The Whole Note, the newsletter of the Band and Orchestra Parent Association, is attached and ready for you to read.  There is lots of really great information and some important reminders, so please be in the habit of reading this each issue.  Thanks to Laura Guse for putting it together! 2) Cardinal Orchestra Concert The Cardinal Orchestra will be joining forces with the Cardinal Band and Cardinal Chorale for the Cardinal Showcase this coming Tuesday 10/24.  The concert starts at 7:30 pm in the PAC.  Students should arrive in concert clothes by 6:45 pm for warming up and tuning.  The entire performance will take about 1 hour. Men: White dress shirt, long tie or bow tie (red is nice, others OK), Black dress pants (no black jeans or cords--Dockers are OK), black socks, black dress shoes (no black tennies or the like) Women: Black dress pants (no skirts or dresses), appropriate black top (either long or short sleeve) with covered shoulders, optional splash of red, dark hose of some sort is preferred, black closed-toe dress shoes with no more than 1” heel (no flip-flops/sandals) 3) Tour Update The Spain/Portugal sign up is progressing, and we have extended the sign-up deadline until NOVEMBER 1.  You can still sign up after that date, but the $200 early discount will expire after Oct.31.  HERE is the folder with information about the trip.  Email with questions! 4) On Friday 11/3, the Orchestra will hold its 3rd annual SOIREE.  All orchestra students are invited and encouraged to come.  The fun starts with a semi-required/strongly encouraged rehearsal on stage in the PAC from 4-5pm.  After that, we move on to inflatable fun: hoppy horses, a gladiator joust, and the velcro wall!  We are also collecting dishes to pass and donated pizza, so watch for a request for your assistance in this.  We are also looking for some parents to help supervise the evening (and yes, adults get to play with the inflatables, too!).  We will also have rooms for movies and board gaming.  It is fun every year! 5) Spirit Wear Thanks to graphic artist Sarah Ripp Donovan (Orch CLas of 2006), we now have an official orchestra logo, and we have decided to put it to use on Orchestra Spirit Wear.  Shirts, jackets, hats, sweatpants, and even a fleece onesie are available for purchase at the new BOPA WEBSITE STORE.  While you are there, browse the rest of the site--and thanks to Danielle Boorstein for her work as the web administrator.  Show your Orchestra Pride--orders will be taken until 11/17! 6) Annual T-Shirt Separate from spirit wear, we have also created a new Annual T-Shirt for all orchestra musicians grades 4-12.  Each year, a new design will appear on a shirt that will be used for concert events (Spring Supper, Fine Arts Week, middle school concerts, the Cardinal Creation Demonstration in March, etc.) and can also be worn to advertise orchestra events.  Every student has been charged $6 in FeePay for the shirts, which will arrive in early November.  Please go in and take care of that in the system.  Younger students will eventually have a collection of the shirts, each with a different design, and that can become a reminder of the progress each student makes from beginner to high school musician (can you say "t-shirt quilt?...).  Building community! 7) Tax preparation Thanks for sticking with this rather lengthy note.  Last item! BOPA is looking for a new person to do the tax preparation after a retirement for our last one.  Taxes need to be completed by the end of February.  If you have the desire and skill to do this pro bono or at a reduced rate, or if you know somebody who would, please pass their contact info on to one of the MHS music teachers right away.  Thanks! As always, I would love to hear from you! Steve Kurr 829-9870 www.middletonbandorchestra.org

October 13, 2017 Campus Messenger - Concert Program Opportunities

Dear Band Parents,         Are you looking for a great way to receive a tax write-off while supporting your student's musical endeavors? Do you want to honor your student for their hard work?  Well look no further! The Middleton High School Band and Orchestra programs are offering space in our 2017-2018 concert programs. This ad space is perfect for a shout-out to your hardworking music student or as a place to highlight your local business. Many parents also purchase space with other families to highlight a group or section (e.g., Freshman Flutes, Sophomore Jazz Combo). All donations are tax-deductible and directly help the music program provide equipment and opportunities like our jazz, marching, and solo/ensemble programs.   Attached is a 2017-2018 program ad sponsorship form.  Please consider placing an ad to help us continue to provide great music education to your children. ​ Print 2-Sided with Short Edge Binding

<Program Sponsorship Form.PDF>