This week, I wanted to focus on the importance of volunteers. The band and strings team met up on the weekend to discuss upcoming events and it was made quite apparent we need volunteers to assist and share the workload.

This will be my second year being involved with the Strings Program as Convenor and I have found an amazing network of volunteering parents. Parents that have happily shared their time and knowledge with the Music Program but as their children move onto high school, the baton is to be passed on to the next lot of parents. So in turn, I am looking for a Co-convenor that will take over the reins for 2023.

The String Program plays an important part in the musical life of Artarmon Public School.

The Objectives of the String Committee are to:

• To provide an avenue for string players within Artarmon Public School to play together and develop musically.
• To encourage new learners of string instruments by the provision of a tutorial program.
• To provide an instrumental rental service for string players in the school.
• To complement the successful band program at the school.

The Strings Program is coordinated by the String Committee which is made up of parent volunteers. These parents give their time generously to coordinate instrument hire, finances, tutors, concerts and special events.

Strings Committee Meeting/AGM

The Strings committee held the AGM and first committee meeting for the year last week via Zoom. Thanks to those parents who were able to attend.

A big thank you to all these parents who have volunteered to help with strings this year. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

We still need to fill in many volunteer roles to assist with Strings 2021. Certain roles only require an hour for one term. Other roles require a little more time. The more people who help out, the less any single person has to do. The smooth running of the Strings Ensemble relies on the dedicated team of parent volunteers.

We still need to fill the following volunteer roles to assist with Strings in 2021/2022:

• STRINGS CO-CONVENOR:  Assists Convenor with insurances, instrument purchases, newsflash writeups, replies to email queries, updates MSM portal, event planning, liaises with Strings committee, uniform shop, school and Mr Mansukhani. Takes over the reins of Convenor for a minimum 2 year term. Requires work in your own home.  Approximately 2 hours a week.

• ASSISTANT TRAINING STRINGS CO-ORDINATOR: Assists Training Strings coordinator with parent supervision roster, relay information via MSM portal to parents. Updates MSM portal. Approximately 1 hour a week.

• MUSIC INTENSIVE CO-ORDINATOR & ASSISTANT:  Assists to organise the Term 2 weekend intensive at the school: permission forms for student attendance; student sign ins; parent supervision roster etc.  Approximately 15 hours in total from your own home, plus time at the school on the intensive weekend.

• MUSIC CAMP CO-ORDINATOR & ASSISTANT:   Organises music camp in Term 3 at Collaroy including transport, liaison with venue, parental permission, dietary requirements, sleeping arrangements, payment, parent supervision roster, First aid roster, Covid safe officer register. Several people usually share this role, from band and strings programs.  Approximately 30 hours preparation time in your own home and own time, plus time at Collaroy on the music camp weekend.

• FESTIVALS CO-ORDINATOR & ASSISTANT:  Registers Strings for festivals on Mr Mansukhani’s advice, organises permission notes, works with the school to organise transport.  Most festivals occur in Terms 2 & 3.  Work from your own home (although being able to talk to Mr Mansukhani in person is useful – can be done before Strings rehearsals in the mornings).  Approximately 8 hours per festival.

By volunteering you will be making a valuable contribution to the running of the String program and your child(ren) will love to see you get involved.

If you are interested in volunteering for one of these roles or would like more information, please email strings.artarmonpandc@gmail.com attention Ellen.

Diary Dates

Invoices

Thank you parents for prompt payment of Strings Annual Fees 2021.

If you have any questions related to an invoice or payment, email stringstreasurer@gmail.com

Creative Kids Vouchers

Dear Artarmon String Parents,

A reminder to submit your Creative Kids voucher through MySchoolMusic by 22 Mar 21.

If you would like to use a Creative Kids voucher to reduce your 2021 string fees by $100, then please follow these 3 steps by 22 Mar 21:

• Apply for a voucher for your childon the Service NSW website:  go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher. You should do this now.
• As soon as you receive your voucher (it will be emailed to you by Service NSW), log in to the Myschoolmusic parent portal Music Portal Login, answer YES to the question on the Creative Kids form andenter your Creative Kids voucher number  and the other details.
• pay $100 less on your strings invoice for your ensemble fees and instrument hire, than the total amount. Please note that this discount may already be included on the invoice.

If you have more than one child please follow the process for each child individually.

Please note that due to the number of children in the band and strings programs, we are unable to process refunds on the band or strings fees if you pay the full amount and decide later to apply for a Creative Kids voucher. You must pay $100 less on your band or strings invoice and tell us your Creative Kids voucher number by Monday 22 Mar 2021. Thank you for your understanding.

 If you do not intend to claim the Creative Kids rebate as part of your 2021 strings fees (eg. because you are not eligible or have already used it with another provider), then:

• Please pay the full amount of your strings invoice now. 
• Log in to the Myschoolmusic parent portal Music Portal Loginand respond NO to the question on the Creative Kids form. You can do this now.

Any questions please email band@artarmonpandc.org.au

Got a question?

If it is about your hired instrument or instrumental tutorial please contact your tutor at first instance. Alternatively contact our instrument coordinator or strings coordinator if required. For anything else please contact your Strings Convenor.

THANK YOU!

Ensemble rehearsals:          

If your child is sick and/or unable to attend a rehearsal, please notify your Strings Coordinator

2021 Strings Committee