May 20, 2008               

Amarillo Boy Concert Choir – Weekly Note

 

 

Congratulations on a fantastic year!  Thank you gentlemen for creating wonderful memories for Mr. Perales, Mr. Zeman, Mr. Laur, Mrs. Gray and myself.  We hope you have fond memories of the year and of the Spring in the Park Tour.  We look forward to seeing the young men who are leaving us perform in other choirs and accomplish great things.  Please know that we will always support your endeavors!  We look forward to next year and to those boys who will be returning for another fun-filled year in the Amarillo Boy Choir!  Have a wonderful summer break!

 

Today – RETURN AUDITION NOW YARD SIGNS

                If you checked out an Audition Now yard sign(s), please plan to check the sign(s) in today at rehearsal. 

 

Today - LAST REHEARSAL / UNIFORM CHECK-IN – May 20, 2008

                The last rehearsal will be on Tuesday, May 20th.  During the regular rehearsal time, the Amarillo Boy Choir uniforms will need to be checked in. To qualify for the uniform refund, you must return the light blue oxford shirt, tie, navy blazer, khaki pants, navy ABC polo shirt, and red / blue ABC garment bag.  All items must be in good shape, i.e., all buttons sewn on, no stains, tears or rips.  If you are unable to attend rehearsal on May 20th, please contact Kathy Martin, 382-4928, to make arrangements for uniform drop-off.  It is your responsibility to turn in your uniform to avoid any late fees or replacement charges.  Uniform fee refunds will be handed out at this time as well.  A parent/guardian must sign for the refund money.  All outstanding obligations must be paid before a refund will be given.

                Many turned in the full uniform after tour but did not turn in the navy ABC polo shirt.  Please be sure to return the polo shirt TODAY if needed.

 

UNIFORM CLOSET

                If your son has a pair of burgundy shoes or navy braided belt that he has outgrown, please consider donating these “gently used” items to the uniform closet.  The recycled items will be available to choir members throughout next season for trade.  Items may be brought to the last rehearsal or dropped off at the AYC office.

 

ROME TOUR 2009 – Second payment due June 1st         

The cost of the 2009 Rome, Italy Tour is $2,500 with the second payment of $250 due on June 1st.  Those parents selected to serve as chaperones need to return their Encore Tour Registration Form ASAP.

 

For those returning next year – MEMBERSHIP PACKET/PROGRAM AD SALES – Summer 2008

                You will receive your membership packet today with registration forms for next year.  The forms need to be filled in and returned to the AYC office by July 1st.

                Also included in the packet you will find information on next season’s printed program ad sales.  The program advertising fund raising effort is required for all AYC members.  The minimum requirement is $120 in ad sales.  A buy-out option of $90 is available for those AYC members who chose not to sell ads.  This is a wonderful way to raise funds for those members going on the tours next year or in the near future.  The AYC board has designed a plan whereby you can earn sixty-five percent (65%) of each dollar (after the $120 minimum has been reached) toward your child’s trip costs.  There is a waiting period lasting through June 1 before advertisers can be contacted by anyone other than the AYC member who sold them an ad last year.  Be courteous to your fellow AYC members.  Look through last year’s book and index to see if someone you would like to contact purchased an ad last year.  If you sold an ad to someone last year you have until June 1st to contact them this year before others may contact them.  All order forms, artwork and payments are due by August 25th.

                Finally, included in your membership packet is a registration form for our 2nd annual “X-treme Music Theory & Vocal Boot Camp” to be held August 4 – 8, 2008 from 9:00 – Noon at St. Stephen United Methodist Church.  If your child would like to work on his music reading skills or just have a good time, please plan to enroll.  The cost is $80 before July 22nd.

 

PART TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT JOB OPENING

                Amarillo Youth Choirs, Inc. is taking applications for a part time Administrative Assistant.  The Administrative Assistant would work 15 hours during the business week and would be directly responsible to he Executive Director.  Applications will be accepted and may be obtained from the Amarillo Youth Choirs office, 203 W. 8th, Ste. 303, 372-1100.

 

 

SPRING CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

May 20                   5:00 – 5:30 p.m.                     Last ABCC rehearsal                                           PSUMC

                               

ABSENCES

            Regular attendance at rehearsals and performances is the most important part of commitment to the Amarillo Youth Choirs program.  All absences will be reviewed, as irregular attendance affects the choir’s progress.

Excused Absences:

            Three (3) excused absences are allowed during each calendar semester.  An excused absence is one with a reasonable excuse (sickness, death in the family, etc.)  In order for an absence to be excused, notification of the absence must be received by the Amarillo Youth Choirs office, 372-1100 prior to the rehearsal/performance.  If more that three (3) absences from rehearsals/performances per semester occur, release from the choir could occur.

Unexcused Absences:

            One (1) unexcused absence per semester is allowed.  An unexcused absence is being absent without a reasonable excuse (reasons other than sickness, death in the family, etc.) or without prior notification to the Amarillo Youth Choirs office.  If more than one (1) unexcused absence from rehearsals or performances occurs, release from the choir could occur.

 

PARENT PICK-UP

                This is a reminder to please be on time when picking up your child from rehearsals.  In addition, we kindly ask that if you need to pick your child up early that you come in to get him.  We do not feel comfortable letting your child wait outside without supervision.  We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

 

NEW FUNDRAISING POLICY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

            The AYC board of directors adopted a new fundraising policy that states, “All fundraising deadlines for each choir will be strictly enforced.  No late orders will be accepted without exception.”  This means that you may turn in your fundraiser early but you cannot turn in your fundraiser late.  The deadline for the Amarillo Boy Concert Choir will be 6:30 p.m. on the stated Tuesday.  No ABCC fundraising orders will be accepted after that time.

             The fundraising chairmen and AYC staff work with extremely tight deadlines processing and then placing the fundraising orders for all four AYC choirs.  Accepting late orders makes this task very difficult and simply is not fair to those students who meet the deadline on time.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

 

TARDIES

            As a reminder the AYC tardy policy states that disruption is caused when a choir member arrives late to rehearsals.  A tardy occurs when a choir member is not in place when rehearsal begins.  Three tardies shall constitute an unexcused absence and release from the choir could occur.  We understand that there are special circumstances.  These will need to be brought to our attention, will be dealt with on an individual basis, and will be at the discretion of the Artistic Director.

 

QUESTIONS/INFORMATION

                If at any time you have questions or need to reach someone, please feel free to contact Katrina Perales or Jennifer Gray in the AYC office at 372-1100.  The weekly note will be emailed to those with email addresses, sent home with all AYC members, and can also be found on our website, www.amayouthchoirs.org under Weekly Notes.

 

VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE – www.amayouthchoirs.org

                At our new website, you will find information and current photos of the Youth Choirs.  You will also found the latest weekly note for your choir.  Required forms will also be available in a downloadable format for you as well.

If at any time you have questions or need to reach someone, please feel free to call Katrina Perales or Jennifer Gray in the AYC office at 372-1100 or e-mail, which is easily accessible through our website.

 

NO FOOD, DRINK OR GUM ALLOWED AT PSUMC -             This is a reminder that no food, drink or gum is allowed in the PSUMC building.  PSUMC generously allows us to use the facility free of charge.  Let’s return the favor by keeping it clean.  We appreciate your cooperation.

 

EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES NEEDED

            Office Depot allows Amarillo Youth Choirs to trade in empty printer ink cartridges for free paper.  If you have any empty ink cartridges that you would like to donate, please bring them to the AYC office or to rehearsal.  Thank you.