Westchester Elementary Strings Orchestra
2019-2020 Information
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.
Our primary communication with members during the season will be through email. Please make sure you have registered under your primary email address and check to make sure email communication from gwyoa.org and Active Network are not being directed to your Junk or Spam folder. Click for Active Online Account portal
2019 Elementary Strings Sectional Rehearsals
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Click here to sign-up: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/GreaterWestchesterYouthOrchestraAssociation?regnow=camps-regnow#/selectSessions/2665412/filter/session=43458704
The orchestra is divided into its respective sections with each section working on their own music with the conductor or a teacher.
Here are the rooms and the times for each section:
1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
Cellos & Basses meet in room 116
Violas & 3rd Violins meet in room 104
2:45 pm – 4:00 pm
1st Violins meet in room 116
2nd Violins meet in room 104
Parents are welcome to bring in snacks and drinks for the students to enjoy at the end of their session.
BRING: 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 Crowne Plaza Concert
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
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 the Winter Concert program. Followed by the Crowne Plaza's Tree Lighting ceremony.
Students need to arrive between 4:00 - 4:30 PM. They will be directed to the "ready room" to store coats and cases and to tune instruments. Performance starts at 5:00 PM. Concert or holiday attire required. Public parking is available just past Crowne Plaza entrance on Hale Avenue. Parents, family and friends welcome.
4:00 - 4:30 PM — Arrive at Crowne Plaza to tune and set up
5:00 PM — Performance begins.
DRESS: Either concert dress (see below) or colorful, seasonal attire
Elementary Strings Fall Concert Tour
Thursday, December 12, 2019 (Snow Dec. 13)
Info to come
GWYOA Winter Concert
Sunday, December 15, 2019 (Snow: Dec 16), 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.
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 $50 processing fee); 75% refund after 1st rehearsal (minus $50 processing fee); 50% after 2nd rehearsal (minus $50 processing fee); 25% after 3rd rehearsal (minus $50 processing fee); no refund after 4th rehearsal.
If you experience any difficulties registering or have a question, please contact us at: info@gwyoa.org
Concerts and Sectional Rehearsals 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.
Click here to sign-up: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/GreaterWestchesterYouthOrchestraAssociation?regnow=camps-regnow#/selectSessions/2665512/filter/session=43445613
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 - Friday, April 24, 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.
Note that the Up-County NYSSMA Solo/Ensemble Festival will be Friday afternoon and evening, and Saturday, April 25. If you plan on participating in that NYSSMA Festival, please request Saturday, April 25. Our tour will last a full day, and our musicians will need to be rested.
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: Click here to sign-up: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/GreaterWestchesterYouthOrchestraAssociation?regnow=camps-regnow#/selectSessions/2665412/filter/session=43458704
1) in Spring - Sunday, February 9, 2020 (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