Thursday, December 8, 2011

Final Assembly - Friday, 9 December 2011

Tomorrow is the final assembly with our year 8 students who will depart on Monday for their Doubtful Sound end of year trip.

As it is a very special assembly, we would appreciate it if the students in both the Rock Band and Senior Ukelele Orchestra are in tidy attire with clean shoes please.  The Choir will also need to be in tidy clothes and shoes(preferably Christmas colours).


Band musicians need to ensure they have picks, drumsticks, instruments and music organised before lunchtime.

The Senior Ukelele Orchestra need to have their ukeleles tuned and in position on the stage before lunchtime with their picks.

Thank you

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Senior Ukelele Orchestra Perform in Arrowtown!

Our Snr Uke Orchestra (minus a few who were walking the Milford Track) performed in Arrowtown last Saturday playing 'I'm Yours' and 'Hey Soul Sister'.  They performed with great confidence.  Well done!

Performing Arts Extravaganza 2011

 
Music courtesy of the Black Eyed Peas with 'One Tribe'.

The Fairfield /Arrowtown Music Exchange 2011!

We had such an amazing time with the Fairfield School rock band students and their families.  One of our students described it as a home away from home experience.  I asked him if he was missing his mum and looking forward to seeing her and he replied...."No! I had a mum here in Dunedin just like in Queenstown.  What was there to miss? Why can't we stay longer Ms Neill?"

I guess that sums up our Fairfield / Arrowtown Music Exchanges.  It is a great experience for students to meet other children who are like-minded and love making music in a safe and secure environment.

Here are a few photos we took during our three days away.  We hope you enjoy them!


 
Music courtesy of Jessie J with 'Price Tag'.

Monday, September 26, 2011

New Band Rehearsal Times (Based on songs)

Monday          8-9am           - BORN TO BE WILD
Tuesday         8-9am           - PARANOID
Wednesday   8-9am           - MONY MONY
Thursday       12.40 - 1.25  - SET FIRE TO THE RAIN
Friday             8-9am           - I WANT TO BREAK FREE

We will also be running through the One Tribe, Nuclear Waste and Place Your Hands next term in preparation for the FAIRFIELD MUSIC EXCHANGE which will be Wednesday, 23 - Friday, 25 November (Wk 5)

Thank you

Friday, September 2, 2011

A Big Thank You!!



Our Performing Arts Extravaganza is over for another two years.  Congratulations and well done to all our students who participated in the show.  You were very professional and displayed extreme confidence on stage.

I am sure you already know that a two hour show with this many cast members could not possibly be achieved without the assistance of many special people.

Thank you so very much to:

Arrowtown Scaffolding Ltd
Steve Ebsworth donated the personnel and resources to construct the magnificent stage.

Craig McIlroy Painters and Decorators Ltd
Craig, Tama and Eugene provided the amazing signage for the stage. The kids were blown away.

Moonlight Country
Geoffrey Clear for providing the blackout curtains around the hall.

Frith O’Hagan
Frith dedicated up to three hours each week to work with the “Dance Troop’ dancers during term 2 and more leading up to the show in term 3.  They were certainly a hit on the night.

Tracey Gieck
Tracy was the ‘behind the scenes’ coordinator who somehow managed in sometimes very stressful situations and with a calm and soothing voice via the school paging system, to ensure the performers were in the right places at the right times.  This job is certainly not an easy job to do and yet Tracy made it look so easy.  Thank you.

Jill Leydon
Jill was our stage 2 manager who took this task on not quite knowing what it entailed. I told her the job required someone who could stay calm under pressure….and the rest is history  as she fulfilled the position extremely well.  On top of that Jill also ensured the wearable arts costumes were on track for the show and organized a few parents to assist.  Thank you to  Jasmine Clark who came in to help the Jungle costume group also.

Steve Brundell
Steve blacked-out all the windows, set-up staging, collected and returned the hired seating, put up the black-out curtaining, packed-out the hall at the end of it and if that wasn’t enough he had to endure my every instruction as he manipulated the lightingboard during the shows. Thank you Steve. 

Sue Parnell
Sue made herself available to help in anyway possible everyday this term leading up to and during the week of the show.  We really appreciated her dedication to the cause.

Stevie West / Kathryn Bell / Chris Langston
These guys were our stagehands for the shows.  They ensured the kids were safely on and   off the stages, the instruments were tuned and props were where they needed to be for each act.  It was great to see ex-pupils Stevie and Kathryn offering support to their primary school.

TomTom Productions
The sound and lighting gear were supplied by TomTom Productions and Liam Martin was at the helm of the sound desk.  Liam is another ex-pupil of the school.

Margaret Young and Donna Fordyce (our ticketek team)
Margaret and Donna were in-charge of the ticket sales for the three shows which would have been straight forward had it not been for the nationwide snow storm.  The shows had to be postponed for a week which lead to the refunding and shuffling of tickets here, there and everywhere.  Due to the sell-out evening shows they also needed to add seating to accommodate the demand.  Thank you girls.



Thank you to all the parents who came into assist with make-up and hair, costumes, ushering and collecting tickets.






Finally, thank you to the Extravaganza Committee and staff for their support throughout the last three months to help make this show a success.


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

SPECIALIST GROUP REHEARSALS RETURN TO NORMAL

The Performing Arts Extravaganza is over for another two years but the rehearsals of each specialist group will return to their usual times from this week.

Junior Ukelele Orchestra is:  Monday, 12.40 - 1.25
Senior Ukelele Orchestra is: Tuesday, 12.40 - 1.25

Band One:  Tuesday, 8.00 - 9.00am
Band Two:  Wednesday, 8.00 - 9.00am
Band Three:  Friday, 8.00 - 9.00am

The bands are now rehearsing for the Fairfield School trip to Dunedin and the Jnr and Snr Ukelele Orchestra have been invited to the Wakatpiu Senior Citizens Rooms to do a performance next term.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Special NoteTo Room 18 - Time Warp Item

Hi Guys,

You should be feeling so proud of yourselves.  I certainly am proud of you coping with the headsets' mishaps for the last two shows.

We are extremely sorry and applaud you for your professionalism by carrying straight on as if everything was fine.  That is a sign of true entertainers.

We will give you hand-held wireless microphones tonight because you deserve to be heard after all that hard work you have put in.

Ms Neill

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

ROCK BAND REHEARSALS FOR WEEKS 3 and 4

Due to the extreme and unpredictable weather conditions this week, there will NOT be any 8.00am rehearsals before school this week or next week.

Thanks

Monday, August 15, 2011

THE PERFORMING ARTS EXTRAVAGANZA 2011 - PLAN B

Due to the current weather conditions, the Performing Arts Extravaganza shows will be postponed until next week.

Our new dates for the shows are:

Tuesday, 16 August 2011 will now be Tuesday, 23 August 2011: 12.30 - 2.15pm
Wednesday, 17 August 2011 will now be Wednesday, 24 August 2011: 7.00 - 8.45pm
Thursday, 18 August 2011 will now be Thursday, 25 August 2011: 7.00 - 8.45pm

Another week to rehearse your items! Yay!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Extravaganza Rehearsal Times for Saturday, 13 August 2011

  9.00-10.00am  Senior Kapa Haka costume fitting
10.00-12.30pm  Band Zero
  1.00 - 2.00pm  One Tribe / Heal the World and Choir rehearsal

ALL SESSIONS IN THE HALL

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Week 11, Term 2 Rock Band Rehearsals

Due to the unpredictable weather conditions this week, there will NOT be any 8.00am REHEARSALS.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Extravaganza Rehearsal Times For Specialised Groups

Please keep an eye on this space as it will change to accommodate extra groups who need time with me.

DaysTimesGroupWhere
Monday10.30 – 10.50
12.30 – 1.30
Room 17 Drummers
Junior Ukelele Orchestra
Performing Arts Room
Performing Arts Room
Tuesday  8.00 – 9.00
10.30 – 10.50
12.30 – 1.30
Rock Band 1
Room 8 Rehearsals
Senior Ukelele Orchestra
Studio
Performing Arts Room
Performing Arts Room
Wednesday  8.00 – 9.00
12.30 – 1.30
Rock Band 2
Room 18 Rock Band
Studio
Studio
Thursday10.30 - 10.50
12.30 – 1.30

Room 8 Rehearsals
Elite Dance Group
Kapa Haka Rehearsals
(See the Kapa Haka Blog for the Schedule)
Performing Arts Room
Performing Arts Room
Performing Arts Room
Friday  8.00 – 9.00
10.30 - 10 50
12.30 – 1.30
Rock Band 3
Room 17 Drummers
Elite Dance Group
Studio
Studio
Performing Arts Room

Extravaganza 2011 Preparations Have Begun!

Excitement is in the air folks. You can certainly feel it as you walk around the school.  Specialised groups are using every spare moment they can to rehearse for the event.

All 18 classes will be involved in the show and it will also involve 4 rock bands, the Senior Ukelele Orchestra, Junior Ukelele Orchestra, an Elite Dance Group and the School Choir.

Please put the dates in your diaries, phones and on your calendars.

Tuesday, 16 August 2011        12.30pm - 2.15pm
Wednesday, 17 August 2011  7.00pm - 8.45pm
Thursday, 18 August 2011        7.00pm - 8.45pm

 Tickets will be on sale from the first day of term 3 at the office.  The office staff will have a seating layout that you will be able to select your seats from.  Obviously the sooner you get in, the better your selection.  There are only 250 seats per show so once they are gone.....that is it.


It is one of the most exciting weeks of the school year so don't miss it!!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Elite Dance Troop for the 2011 Performing Arts Extravaganza

You will remember the 'Thriller' dance troop from our last Performing Arts Extravaganza.  Thanks to Frith O'Hagan's expertise, the group were certainly a hit during our three shows.

It is with great excitement that I can tell you Frith has once again offered her time to another very fortunate group of students for the extravaganza this year. 

If you are in years 5-8 and would love to be involved in this year's dance group, get along to the Performing Arts room at 12.40 on Thursday, 2 June with appropriate clothing and show Frith what you've got.  (Don't be shy boys...you can do it too!)

See you there and don't be late!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Arrowtown Senior and Junior Ukelele Orchestras 2011

Here are our Ukelele Orchestras for this year! 

The Junior Ukelele Orchestra rehearses at lunchtime each Monday from 12.40 - 1.30pm.


The Senior Ukelele Orchestra rehearses at lunchtime each Tuesday from 12.40 - 1.30pm.

JUMP JAM IS BACK FOR TERM TWO!!

What is Jump Jam?

Undoubtedly, this program is successful because it is
so much FUN!  Our students just LOVE IT!

By enjoying and understanding the health and physicial
exercise benefits of aerobics, students eventually become
future role models by leading fellow students through the
routines and later instructing their communities.

Cultural movement concepts from NZ society are
included i.e. Haka, Polynesian, Latin, Indian,
South African, Spanish and even martial arts fitness.

Cardiovascular fitness is interwoven with dance,
drama and music to allow a creative self expression
for the students as they explore and identify a variety
of dance styles.

Students also relate with each other within the group
dynamic, sometimes working as one unit, other times
performing separate masculine and feminine cultural
movement patterns.

Please ensure your child knows which day their class has Jump Jam.
(Their classroom teacher will be able to tell them.)

They are to be dressed appropriately for the classes.  Jeans are not to be worn for these classes.  Each student should bring a water bottle as they are working very hard and heat up very quickly.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Rehearsal Times For The School Rock Bands In Term 2, 2011

Kia ora everyone,

Here are the rehearsal times for the school rock bands during term 2.
Please come prepared to the sessions, i.e., instruments, picks, music, capo, drumsticks and leads.

Band One - Tuesday 8- 9am
Band Two - Wednesday 8-9am
Band Three - Friday 8-9am

Being in a team of any kind requires commitment both on and off the stage or field.  You need to attend your rehearsals on time and ensure you commit personal time to rehearse at home daily.

The Extravaganza is drawing near so go hard!!