Westchester Elementary Strings Orchestra

2019-2020 Information

GWYOA Winter Concert

Sunday, December 15, 2019 (Snow: Dec 16), 1:30 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 - 1:30 PM, Junior Strings - 2:15 PM, Youth Symphony - 3:15 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!

1:00 PM — Arrive at regular Rehearsal Room

1:15 PM — Proceed upstairs to stage

1:30 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.

Please click here to register for the 2019-2020 Elementary Strings season

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 1^st rehearsal (minus $50 processing fee); 75% refund after 1^st rehearsal (minus $50 processing fee); 50% after 2^nd rehearsal (minus $50 processing fee); 25% after 3^rd rehearsal (minus $50 processing fee); no refund after 4^th 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

ES ARCHIVE