This week is Finals Week! I hope to have all student grades finalized by the afternoon after their final. While the final was mostly the December Concert, there will still be a large rehearsal grade given for the final period for all classes except Beginning Band. Beginning Band students will have their semester playing test during the final. This playing test will be in three parts; a line that the student selects and prepares (chosen from 91, 92, 95, 101, 104 or 109) worth 50 points, the concert Bb major scale worth 30 points and a line of my choosing to be announced at the start of the final (selected from Level 3) worth 20 points. This will be worth about 13% of the overall semester grade (the concert was also worth the same).
This week, the grab bag fundraiser from We Care Coffee Company will be delivered! Remember that all items sell for $13 each and you can collect cash or checks, payable to "Pioneer Performing Arts." All payments will be due the week we return in January. For those who didn't participate this time, or would like to sell more, we will reorder January 3-6 and items will be delivered about 4 weeks later. You can also continue to use the online store here.
Several folks have asked about the Big Band Dance. The 17th annual Big Band Dance will take place Saturday, February 11 from 7-10 in the PAC and involve students in Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. We will require help from families for set-up, clean-up, donations of appetizers & desserts, and of course in attendance. This year, we will keep the same ticket price of $20, but contribute $5 of each pre-order ticket to the selected student's account. This is in addition to the raffle proceeds, which will also directly benefit student accounts (when they pre-sell the tickets). All of the paperwork for the BBD will be distributed to students and posted online when we return in January. If you are interested in being more involved with this massive undertaking, let me know and I can put you in touch with our leadership team.
I have made a page with all of the information for West Side Story- the link at the top labeled WSS. Be sure to check out the rehearsal schedule, and ticket ordering info which will be posted when it's available.
When we return in January, there is a $150 payment due for the Disneyland trip. We will also be working to finalize our room assignments and itinerary (we are still waiting for details from Disney).
Finally, congratulation to Brian Hubbard who made principal horn in the Santa Clara County Honor Band! This is the first time in many years that Pioneer has a seat in the band, and Brian will represent us well. Be sure to catch the Honor Band performance on Sunday, January 15 at 2:00 at Gunn High School in Palo Alto. This will be a double credit review opportunity!
