Westchester Elementary Strings Orchestra
2019-2020 Information
Congratulations! Welcome to the 2019-2020 season of the GWYOA.
You will be redirected to Active Network to register, pay tuition and create an online account. The online account will allow you to receive GWYOA emails and keep your personal information up to date. We are terribly sorry for the inconvenience, we are utilizing a new registration and management system this season, thus you will need to enter information that you had previously provided us. Thank you for your understanding!
In order to hold your seat in the orchestra, you will need to complete registration, including paying tuition, and sign the Musicians' Contract by August 1, 2019. Wait Listed musicians will be offered your seat after the deadline.
If you have multiple children in the GWYOA, please register all of them at the same time to receive the tuition Sibling Discount (see below).
PLEASE NOTE: During check out you will be offered: "PROTECT YOUR REGISTRATION FEES" – please skip, as any refunds will be offered directly through the GWYOA (see Refund Policy below). Upon completion of check out, click "No Thanks" button for "ActiveAdvantage" offer.
Tuition
Full tuition for the 2019-2020 Elementary Strings season is $515. A tuition installment option is now available: $250 deposit with the balance split equally between (2) installments due September 1st and October 1st. Families with multiple children in the GWYOA are entitled to a 10% tuition reduction off of each child's tuition (Sibling Discount), please make sure this is applied before checking out.
[PLEASE NOTE: the new system is not discounting the first child registered, please complete registration for all musicians, (youngest child first), then email our treasurer for a refund check. Please include information on musician's name and orchestra that DID NOT RECEIVE THE DISCOUNT.]
Refund policy: 100% refund before the 1st rehearsal (minus $20 processing fee); 75% refund after 1st rehearsal (minus $20 processing fee); 50% after 2nd rehearsal (minus $20 processing fee); 25% after 3rd rehearsal (minus $20 processing fee); no refund after 4th rehearsal.
If you experience any difficulties registering or have a question, please contact us at: info@gwyoa.org
Rehearsal Times and Location
Rehearsals are on Monday evenings. Rehearsals and the Winter Concert are held at Westchester Community Colleges Academic Arts Building near Parking lot #4.
(see http://www.gwyoa.org/contact for map).
Time: 6:45 PM - 8:20 PM, on the Ground Floor, room 116.
Please arrive by 6:30 PM for time to unpack and tune instruments.
What to bring to EVERY rehearsal:
- filled water bottle (no sugary drinks), no GUM
- music stand
- music folder (supplied) containing ALL the music
- sharpened pencil
- cello and bass ROCK STOPS
Inclement Weather Policy
GWYOA follows the Westchester Community College decisions for bad weather closures. Please check the WCC website (http://www.sunywcc.edu), call the WCC Information number at 914-606-6900, or contact your conductor or parent liaison when in doubt. Should a rehearsal be cancelled for weather, we will notify you by email. Please make sure we always have your current email address.
Concert Information
Elementary Strings Fall Tour - Thursday, December 12, 2019 (Snow date: Friday, December 13). The multiple venue, daylong tours offer students the opportunity to polish their performances for upcoming concerts. Bus to / from WCC is provided. Board bus: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
GWYOA Winter Concert - Sunday, December 15, 2019 (snow date Dec. 16), Westchester Community College’s, Hankin Academic Arts Building. Recorded concert, ES musicians need to arrive at 12:30 PM at regular Rehearsal Room for 1:00 PM performance. Tickets: $15 suggested donation at the door. Seating is general admission.
Elementary Strings Spring Tour - Thursday, April 23, 2020. The multiple venue, daylong tours offer students the opportunity to polish their performances for upcoming concerts. Bus to / from WCC is provided. Board bus: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Spring Gala Concert - Sunday, April 26, 2020 at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, NYC. Tickets are available for purchase through Lincoln Center’s box office a few weeks before the concert. Seating is general admission, although you may be asked to choose seats when purchasing tickets. Student BUS transportation from WCC is provided - and is REQUIRED. Report to WCC parking lot #4 for bus to Lincoln Center at 9:50 AM. Transportation back to WCC from Lincoln Center is NOT provided.
Concert Attire:
Concert attire, as specified below, is required at all performances.
Black or navy pants, black socks and shoes, white shirt with conservative, straight tie, and black jacket. No athletic shoes/sneakers. Shirt must be tucked inside pants.
OR
All white blouse, black shoes, black skirt or concert trousers (knee length or longer).
General Information
Sectional Rehearsals:
1 in Fall - Sunday, October 20, 2019 and 1 in Spring - Sunday, February 9 (snow date Mar. 1)
Attendance and Behavior:
As per the Musicians' Contract, item #1 states: “Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory. Inappropriate behavior, excessive tardiness and absences (excused or not) jeopardizes the orchestra’s ability to perform and will necessitate a review by the conductor with the Board of Directors. More than two (2) absences per semester will be considered excessive and may constitute grounds for dismissal.” Cell phones and electronics must be silenced and out of sight during rehearsals.
Parent Volunteers:
Parents will be given a list of volunteer dates at the first rehearsal for: assisting the conductor with setting up the rehearsal room before rehearsal, monitoring behavior during rehearsal, and restoring room to original setup and condition after the rehearsal. Parents will be asked to volunteer once or twice per season, if you have a conflict on an assigned date, you may swap dates with another parent. Please arrive by 6:10 pm on your assigned date.
Westchester Elementary Strings Contact Information:
Conductor: Bernard Klinger: bernard.klinger@gwyoa.org
Parent Liaisons: Mrs. Grace Baccay: grace.baccay@gwyoa.org / Mrs. Iris Wong: iris.wong@gwyoa.org
ES ARCHIVE
Elementary Strings Crowne Plaza Concert - Wednesday, December 5, 2018, 5:00 PM
Once again this year, Elementary Strings has been given the honor of kicking-off the Holiday Season at the Crowne Plaza White Plains / Downtown (website / map). Performing a selection of Holiday Melodies and Carols, as well as their Winter Concert program. Followed by the Crowne Plaza's Tree Lighting ceremony.
Students need to arrive between 4:30 - 4:45 PM. They will be directed to a location to store coats and cases and to tune instruments. Performance starts at 5:00 PM and should end between 5:45 - 6:00 PM. Concert or holiday attire required. Public parking is available just past Crowne Plaza entrance on Hale Avenue. Parents, family and friends welcome.
4:30 - 4:45 PM — Arrive at Crowne Plaza to tune and set up
5:00 PM — Performance begins. Followed by tree lighting ceremony. Ends between 5:45 - 6:00 PM
Dress: Either concert dress (see below) or colorful, seasonal attire
Elementary Strings Fall Concert Tour Itinerary, 2018
Thursday, December 6 (snow date: Dec. 7)
8:00 AM — Board Bus at WCC, parking lot #4
8:20 AM — Depart for Fox Meadow School — 59 Brewster Rd., Scarsdale, 10583, 914-721-2720
9:00 AM — Arrive at Fox Meadow School
9:30 AM — 10:05 AM Performance at Fox Meadow
10:15 AM — Depart for The Ambassador, Scarsdale — 9 Saxon Woods Rd., White Plains NY 10605
10:30 AM — Arrive at The Ambassador, Scarsdale –914-428-3782
11:00 AM — Performance at The Ambassador
11:45 AM — Depart for Racanelli Pizza and Brew — 85 Knollwood Rd., Greenburgh, 10607, 914-946-5211
12:00-1:20 PM — Lunch at Racanelli Pizza and Brew
1:30 PM — Depart for Northern Metropolitan Health Care Facility — 225 Maple Ave., Monsey, NY, 10952, 845-352-9000
2:15 PM — Arrive at Northern Metropolitan Health Care Facility
2:30-3:15 PM — Performance at Northern Metropolitan Health Care Facility
------------pack up and snack at Northern Metropolitan Health Care Facility
3:45 PM — Depart for Westchester Community College
4:00 PM — Parent Pick-up, Parking Lot #4, Westchester Community College
BRING THE FOLLOWING:
1. MUSIC, FOLDER, and MUSIC STAND
2. Instrument, bow, extra strings, shoulder pad
3. CELLOS/BASSES: ROCK STOPS—This is ESSENTIAL!
Put your NAME on ALL your Belongings
DRESS CODE: Wear your Concert Attire (see below)
GWYOA Winter Concert - Sunday, December 9, 2018, 1:00 PM
VENUE: Westchester Community College's, Hankin Academic Arts Building Auditorium (map).
PARKING: The nearest parking lot to the venue is Lot #4 (same as rehearsals), but you must climb a hill to get to the Auditorium entrance, which may be difficult for some of our grandparents. Please see the overhead map and instructions for Handicap drop off route. Musicians and Guests proceed up the hill towards the regular rehearsal room, Musicians (and Guests that need to use the elevator) head left to the sign for the GREEN ROOM building side entrance, Guests continue up the hill to Auditorium entrance.
TICKETS: $15 suggested donation at the door. Seating is general admission.
PROGRAM*: Elementary Strings - 1:00 PM, Junior Strings - 1:45 PM, Youth Symphony - 2:45 PM (* Anticipated starting time, performances will NOT begin earlier. )
DRESS CODE: Concert Attire is required (see below)
BRING THE FOLLOWING:
1. MUSIC, FOLDER, and STAND
2. Instrument, bow, extra strings, shoulder pad
3. CELLOS/BASSES: ROCK STOPS—This is ESSENTIAL!
12:30 PM — Arrive at regular Rehearsal Room
12:45 PM — Proceed upstairs to stage
1:00 PM — Performance begins
MUSICIANS this is a recorded concert, make sure your music, stands, and chairs are organized and ready for the entire concert. Absolutely no talking, plucking, etc.
After their performance, ES members will exit the stage and proceed back to their Rehearsal Room to pack up and gather their belongings. PARENTS please make sure your child knows WHERE TO MEET YOU, as last year a few tears were shed with students not knowing where their parents were.
2019 Elementary Strings Sectional Rehearsals
Sunday, March 10, 2019
From 1:15 to 2:30 PM: First Violins - Room 116 (our regular rehearsal room)
Second Violins - Room 104 (Jr. Strings Room)
From 2:45 to 4:00 PM: Cellos and Basses - Room 116
Violas - Room 104
Music stands, all your music, and instrument & bow are required.
Sectionals are an important part of concert preparation. Attendance is strongly encouraged.
We also need volunteers to help set up and breakdown. Please let Iris or Grace know if you can help.
As always, THANK YOU ! Without you parents, there would be no orchestra.
Elementary Strings Spring Concert Tour Itinerary
Friday, April 26, 2019
Our first stop is in Dobbs Ferry and the final stop is at Hastings-on-Hudson. Although we prefer to have our musicians start and end the tour at WCC, we understand that there will be some exceptions. You will have an opportunity to let us know where your musician will start and end the tour in the link below.
All musicians need to complete the registration:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YLP2YIUXcmUFTY9VWO9grww3lQuzvllKKVYWmhFATto/edit?ts=5c8c1bb1
7:40 AM—Board Bus at WCC, parking lot #4
8:00 AM—Depart for Springhurst Elem. School (175 Walgrove Ave., Dobbs Ferry, 914-693-1500)
8:30 AM—Arrive, Springhurst Elementary School
9:00 AM to 9:45 AM—Performance at Springhurst Elementary School
10:05 AM—Depart for The Osborn (101 Theall Rd., Rye, 10580, 914-925-8000)
10:35 AM—Arrive, The Osborn,
11:00 AM—Performance at The Osborn
11:55—Depart for Racanelli’s Pizza and Brew--- (85 Knollwood Rd., Greenburgh, 10607, 914-946-5211)
12:30 to 1:30 PM—Lunch, Racanelli’s
1:40 PM—Depart for Ridgeway Elementary School (225 Ridgeway, White Plains, 10605,914-422-2081)
1:55 PM—Arrive, Ridgeway Elementary School
2:15 to 2:45 PM—Performance at Ridgeway Elementary School
3:10 PM—Depart for Andrus on Hudson Nursing Home, (185 Old Broadway, Hastings, 914-478-3700)
3:50 PM—Arrive at Andrus on Hudson
4:05 to 4:35 PM—Performance at Andrus on Hudson
4:50 PM—Depart for Westchester Community College
5:00 PM—Parent Pick-up, Parking Lot #4, Westchester Community College
BRING THE FOLLOWING:
1. MUSIC, FOLDER, and MUSIC STAND
2. Instrument, bow, extra strings, shoulder pad
3. CELLOS/BASSES: ROCK STOPS—This is ESSENTIAL!
Put your NAME on ALL your Belongings.
If your musician brings a snack, kindly consider making it nut-free.
DRESS CODE: Wear your Concert Attire (see below)
SICK?
Conductor: Bernard Klinger: bernard.klinger@gwyoa.org
Parent Liaisons:
Mrs. Grace Baccay: grace.baccay@gwyoa.org
Mrs. Iris Wong: iris.wong@gwyoa.org
Meeting us at 1st stop: Let us know so we don’t hold up the bus, waiting.
Pickup up student at last stop? Please let us know