SAVE THE DATES

We will be trialling a second parent/teacher interview this year. Student Achievement Reports will be handed out and the interviews will be in the last week of Term. 

Interviews will be on the 22 and 23 June. More information about booking will come home soon.

RISE IN TRANSPORT COSTS

The costs for buses is dramatically increasing and it is becoming much more difficult to get buses. Please be aware that excursion costs will increase because of this.

CANTEEN SUPPORT

Thanks to Cupcakes and Canapes who manage our school canteen. They have generously supported our Mothers Day Concert and we appreciate their effort.

DOGS ON SCHOOL SITE

It is a great idea for families to walk to and from school. It reduces the trafiic congestion  and is also good for your health.  However, if you are bringing your dog along for the walk can you please keep your dog offsite.  Under the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW),  dogs are prohibited on school grounds.

Some exciting news, Strings will be participating in the Ryde Eisteddfod for the first time this coming August, it will be a great opportunity for the students to perform live in front of an audience.

Please note a change with the Eisteddfod recording session and another recorded session later in the year in Term 3. Don’t forget that the Strings Mother’s Day concert is coming up this Thursday morning. Hope to see you there.

Don’t’ forget to the register for the Weekend Music intensive coming up in a couple of weeks, the deadline is the end of this week.

Mother’s Day concert

We are excited about the upcoming Mothers Day Strings Concert and are looking forward to seeing parents at the concert to see their children in their ensemble groups in person. Training Strings are invited to attend. All string students will present their mothers’ with a special gift at the end of the event.

Strings Captains need to be at the school hall by 730am to assist with setup for the Mother Day Concert. All other string students are to arrive at 74am -7.55am for tuning and unpacking in their designated JS/CS/SS sections.

When: Thursday 6^th May

Where: School Hall

Performance timetable

8:00am – Junior Strings performs

8:10am – Concert Strings performs

8:22am - Orchestra performs

8:30am – Senior Strings performs

Parents are more than welcome to attend. There will be coffee, tea and pink finger buns for breakfast. 

To keep our event Covid Safe, please sign in using Service NSW App upon entry to school and keep a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and other people.

Weekend Music Intensive 15-16 May

The Artarmon Music Intensive Weekend is coming up on 15-16 May. All students in Junior Band, Junior Strings, Concert Band, Concert Strings, Senior Band, Senior Strings and Orchestra are expected to attend (Except Training Band & Training Strings). 

Detailed information was sent out this week from Nicole Liu. Please register for the Music Intensive online via the parent portal by Friday 7^th May. https://portal.msmusic.com.au

Please note that Music uniforms will require to be purchased prior to the concert on Sunday for the Weekend Music intensive in May.

• White point-collar long sleeved shirt (NOT the winter blouse for girls)
• black formal pants,
• black socks, and
• black school shoes;
• Music Tie

Any questions?
Email: Music Intensive coordinator Nicole Liu ld810207@hotmail.com

Diary Dates

Attendance to the above events is compulsory and String students are expected to attend as part of the Music Program.

Volunteers needed

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.

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.

Reminders

Last call for parents to pay their invoices. Invoices are required to be paid by the end of last month. Failure to do so may mean that your child will not be able to attend ensemble rehearsals from this week.

Please check your email/junk mail for invoice and payment details. If you intend to use Creative Kids vouchers towards payment for Strings fees, please ensure you pay $100 less than the total invoice. Please consider the administration headache for the Strings Team volunteers if you decide later that you would like to use the Creative Kids Voucher. Thanks for your understanding.

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

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.

Tutorials:

If you have a question regarding your child’s tutorial, please email your Tutor in the first instance. Alternatively, email Jane at tutorband@artarmonpandc.org.au

Parent Portal – Update Class Details

If your child is enrolled in Band, please log into the Parent Music Portal and update your child’s class details asap. This is important information we need for scheduling & communication purposes with the school.  https://portal.msmusic.com.au/artarmonmusic

THANK YOU!

Ensemble rehearsals:            

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

2021 Strings Committee

Band parents, in addition to email communications, we encourage you to regularly check Newsflash for upcoming events and important band updates.

We are pleased to advise that we have several events that are coming up and scheduled in for later in the year. See key dates below and pencil them into the diary!

2021 Calendar Dates:

Music Intensive Weekend

Our music intensive weekend is coming up and will be held over a weekend at the school. Both band and strings students will attend the music intensive weekend and participate in a combination of tutorials and rehearsals being held over two days.

When:

Saturday 15^th May

• 30pm to 12.55pm – Student arrival and sign-in by parent/another adult (outside music room)
• 1pm to 5.30pm – Tutorials, rehearsals and afternoon tea
• 30pm - Student pick-up and sign-out by parent/another adult

Sunday 16^th May - full day

• 8am – Orchestra rehearsal (7.55am arrival & sign-in)
• 45am to 8.55am – Student arrival and sign-in by parent/other adult (outside music room)
• 9am to 1.30pm – Tutorials, morning tea, group rehearsals and lunch
• 30 to 2.30pm – Mini concert (all groups, parents welcome)
• 30pm - Student pick-up and sign-out by parent/another adult

Where: At the School

All band & strings students (except training band and training strings students) are expected to attend the Music intensive weekend over both days.

Nicole Liu has kindly volunteered to be our Music Intensive Coordinator. Please join the music committee in thanking Nicole Liu for volunteering to take on this important role. We greatly appreciate the time and commitment that she has already put into helping organise this upcoming event.

Detailed information was sent to Band & Strings parents during the last week via email from Nicole Liu. If you have not done so already, please take the time to read through the email and register for the Music Intensive online via the parent portal by Friday 7^th May. https://portal.msmusic.com.au

Parent Assistance. We need parent volunteers to assist with supervision for each session for the intensive weekend to work effectively. Tasks will include - sign-in/out, supervision of tutorials, supervision of rehearsals and breaks, assistance with sausage sizzle.

If you are available to help, please go to the following link and add your name & indicate your time preference:

Music Intensive 2021 Parents Assistance(signup.zone)

Dress Requirements. Students should wear comfortable casual clothes on Saturday. School uniform is NOT required. All students to be in music uniform for the Sunday afternoon concert. (White point-collar long sleeved shirt (NOT the winter blouse for girls) with black formal pants, black socks, and black school shoes). Shirts and pants are available from the school uniform shop or may be purchased elsewhere e.g. Kmart, Lowes etc. The Music tie is also available from school uniform shop - $20. Please purchase music uniform prior to music intensive and Eisteddfod.

Instruments and music. All students are to bring their instrument and music. Large band instruments will need to be brought from home as there are not enough instruments at school for all bands to use them at the same time. Similarly with large Strings instruments, these will need to be brought from home to check that these are in tune and in good condition.

Music Stands. All students are to bring a music stand. Please mark your name on it clearly. They will stay in the music room overnight on Saturday.

Meals. Each day’s session will have breaks – no food will be provided so please send lunch/snacks with your child. All children need to bring a water bottle.

Sausage sizzle.  We will host a sausage sizzle at the time of the concert on Sunday, that’s a lovely gesture by the P&C and a nice reward for the kids. Please ensure any dietary requirements are stated on the online registration.

Payment. No payment is required as this was included in your band/strings fees.

Arrival & Departures. Children MUST be signed IN when they arrive and signed OUT when they leave by a parent / guardian or another adult.

Late Arrival & Early Departures. It is expected that your child will attend the entire time. If there are any difficulties meeting this commitment you must indicate this on your child’s online registration explaining the reason.

Lookout for further email updates regarding the Music intensive weekend during the coming week.

Any questions?
Email: Music Intensive coordinator Nicole Liu ld810207@hotmail.com

Parent Portal – Update Class Details

If your child is enrolled in Band, please log into the Parent Music Portal and update your child’s class details asap. This is important information we need for scheduling & communication purposes with the school.  

https://portal.msmusic.com.au/artarmonmusic

Invoices – Payment Reminder

Confirming Semester 1 invoices have been issued. Please check your email for invoice details. The payment of invoices is now overdue.  Prompt payment is greatly appreciated.

If you intend to use a Creative Kids voucher towards the payment of band fees, please ensure you pay $100 less than the total of your Semester 1 invoice.

If you have any questions related to an invoice or payment, email treasurerband@artarmonpandc.org.au

Band Committee 2021

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

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

• Festivals Coordinator(s)
• Music librarian(s)
• Assistant Instrument Coordinator 2021 (Instrument Coordinator 2022)
• Band Co-convenor 2021 (Band Convenor 2022)
• Secretary

By volunteering you will be making a valuable contribution to the APS Community and the running of the Band program. Your child(ren) will also love to see you get involved!

If you are interested in getting involved in the music program as a parent volunteer, please email your band coordinator or band@artarmonpandc.org.au  

Band & Orchestra Rehearsal Times:

• Training Band: Fridays 8am to 8.50am
• Junior Concert Band: Mondays 12.50pm to 1.40pm & Thursdays 8am to 8.50am
• Concert Band: Mondays 8am to 8.50am & Thursdays 12.50pm to 1.40pm
• Senior Concert Band: Tuesdays 8am to 8.50am & Thursdays 2pm to 2.55pm
• Orchestra: Wednesdays from 8am to 8.50am
• Jazz Band: Thursdays from 3pm to 4pm

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

All band & orchestra rehearsals are held in the music room. For rehearsals before school, students should arrive at school promptly at 7.50am so that band rehearsals can start by 8am.

Instrument Hire

If you have hired an instrument, this is a reminder to read, complete and return the pink slip. Pink slips can be found inside the hired instrument case and should be returned to the Band mailbox near the school main office.

If you have a question regarding instrument hire and maintenance please contact Kirsteen, our Instrument Coordinator, at apsbandinstruments@gmail.com

Tutorials:

If you have a question regarding your child’s tutorial, please email your Tutor in the first instance. Alternatively, email Jane/Rebecca at tutorband@artarmonpandc.org.au

Important note – All Students participating in the Band program are required to take lessons (at school or externally) in their band instrument. If you were going to arrange an external music tutor but now need in-school tuition, please email Jane/Rebecca, our Tutor Coordinators.

THANK YOU!