Apex Middle School Performing Arts Department BAMCAT Parent Orientation Information bamcatams.org

Transcription

1 Apex Middle School Performing Arts Department BAMCAT Parent Orientation Information bamcatams.org What is BAMCAT? The success of our AMS chorus and theater programs is due in part to the support of our booster organization, BAMCAT: Boosters for Apex Middle Chorus and Theater. BAMCAT was founded four years ago to: Provide Essential Financial Support to the Performing Arts Department Provide Volunteer Time, Skills, Resources in Support of Performing Arts Education and Productions Provide Enriching Experiences and Educational Opportunities for Performing Arts Students Member Registration All AMS chorus and theater students and their parents are automatically considered members of BAMCAT: Boosters for Apex Middle Chorus and Theater. It is important for all members to register so we can keep you informed of performing arts events, field trips, performances, and other activities throughout the year. Instead of filling out paperwork, all parents need to visit our new BAMCAT website to register online by going to Performing Arts Communication The BAMCAT website will be used as the main communication hub for the performing arts department. alerts will direct members to the website when important notices or event details have been posted. Members will have consistent access to all information pertaining to our performing arts programs, and will be able to make online payments via Paypal for field trip expenses, musical cast fees, and donations. As of this meeting, parts of the website are still in progress, but it should be fully functional within the next few weeks. Please be sure to add both BAMCAT addresses to your contacts list: and A Few Words from Mrs. Rothwell CHORUS PARENTS AND STUDENTS! Please start NOW to get together your performance apparel. It is part of your grade. No excuses. If you know that you will not be able to get these items, let me know at least 1 week ahead of the performance. We will help. 1. White, long sleeve button-down shirt. (Available at a very reasonable price $12-$14 from Target Online ( and Old Navy Uniforms ( Many thrift stores have these shirts for under $5.) 2. Long black pants. Black jeans are OK. Leggings or yoga pants are NOT OK. 3. Black dress shoes. NO athletic shoes. Heels for girls are OK if 2" or less. 1

2 Please make sure your youngster comes to school dressed in performance attire for both day and evening performances, as well as any planned field trips. Performance Attendance and Etiquette Please come to your youngster's performances. They might not admit it, but this is really important to them. Bring guests: Grandparents, neighbors, friends, etc. These performances are a big deal to these kids, and full audiences make them much more fun. BRING YOU BEST AUDIENCE ETIQUETTE. Don't talk/text/facebook during the show. Sit quietly. Don't move around unnecessarily. Remove crying babies. Educate your children and your guests about respectful, considerate behavior during performances. Please plan to stay for the entire performance. Imagine the feelings of those kids who watch half the audience leave before they get to perform. We are making every effort to keep performances relatively short; your patronage for the entire event is appreciated. IMPORTANT! For most day performances, we are at capacity for our auditorium and cannot invite parents to attend. The evening performances are for parents and guests. Exception: monologue performances. We do not bring in entire grade levels for our 6th graders, so we love it when those parents attend. Field Trips We are in the process of planning field trips for my students. At this time, exact dates are not available, but I will pass those along as soon as they become confirmed. For the chorus students, we traditionally do a service-oriented community tour in December to such venues as nursing homes, rehab centers, the VA Hospital, etc. If you have ideas for facilities that might welcome us, please let me know. It's important that the facility be large enough to accommodate 30+ singers. For Drama students, we are working on opportunities to attend optional evening events. We will also need parent chaperones for these trips! A Tentative Performing Arts Calendar We have included a tentative calendar in this orientation packet but please keep in mind that ALL PERFORMANCE DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Use Blackboard, our new BAMCAT website, and my s to stay informed. Thank you for being an interested, involved parent, and for sharing your terrific youngster with me this year! 2

3 Performing Arts Budget With budgets for arts programs nearing extinction, BAMCAT provides essential monetary support for the AMS performing arts department by raising funds to cover the costs of: Class materials, including scripts and sets of music Supplies such as paper and ink cartridges Performance vests for chorus Technical equipment upgrades and replacement Training and workshops for teachers and students Educational and performance opportunities for students Last year, BAMCAT purchased the chorus vests for performances, scripts for drama performances, classroom shelving and cubbies, and covered the costs for teacher training and workshops. BAMCAT contributions offset costs of the NYC field trip, significantly reducing the per-student cost. BAMCAT Estimated Income and Expenditures Opening Balance $4, Income $37, Expenses $38, Opening Balance $3, Major Projects - Income NYC Trip - trip fees $28, Cast and Crew Fees $2, Poinsettia Sale $2, Les Miserables Group Tickets $ Other - Movie Nights, concessions, variety show, Annie ads and other sales (estimated) $3, TOTAL INCOME $37, Major Projects - Expenses Chorus Vests $1, Chorus Fees $ NYC trip - Jr Tours - payment $29, NYC trip - Tips - payment $ NYC trip - sub for Ms. Rothwell and Mr. Wiliams $ Les Miserables Group Tickets - payment $ Poinsetta - payment $2, Annie T-shirts $ Other - Movie Nights, concessions, trips, musical support and other sales (estimate) $2,

4 Support to Ms. Rothwell - cubbies, music, training, ink $ Banking fees $35.50 Booster Fee $95.00 TOTAL EXPENSES $38, Class Material and Equipment Needs The performing arts department is currently in need of essential class materials and technical equipment. There are two ways of supporting the program in this area: Music and Script Sponsorship Parents may choose to sponsor a set of music or a theatrical script. In addition to our gratitude, sponsors will receive recognition in the event program created for the performance. Chorus Music Medley Sponsorship > $150 Chorus Music Single Song Sponsorship > $40 8 th Grade Play Script Sponsorship > $150 Wish List Item Donation Parents may choose to donate an item from our Wish List. This list will be posted on the BAMCAT website and will include links to view/purchase the specific items we are requesting. 2 Wireless MICS Music Staff White Board Sturdy Garment Racks for Costumes - Several Rubbermaid Storage Totes (18 gallon) - Several Label Makers (and Refills) 2 MAC laptops (new or used) for the auditorium cart and tech booth. Fundraising The AMS performing arts department budget allocation for is $500. This is the total amount of funds available to cover the necessary expenses of all chorus and drama classes for the entire school year. BAMCAT helps fund AMS Performing Arts programs by holding a variety of fundraising events throughout the school year. Fundraising opportunities offered for this year include: Fall Semester: Spring Semester: Innisbrook Sale, Movie Nights, and Poinsettia Sale Valentine's Day Sale, Musical Concession and Stars for Our Stars Sales, Movie Night, Rummage Sale, and Evening Variety Show Student Accounts The Poinsettia Sale the one fundraiser that provides an opportunity for students to earmark a portion of the funds they ve raised to be applied toward costs associated with their participation in the Wicked Optional Theater Outing and the 8 th Grade Chorus Field Trip to DC. (More details will be provided in November.) 4

5 Field Trips Contingent on AMS and Wake County approval, we are planning the following trips for our performing arts students this year: 7 th Grade Chorus Field Trip (High School Chorus Performance, Nov/Dec) 8 th Grade Chorus Field Trip to Washington, DC (April 16 18) Optional Theater Outing for Drama Students: Phantom of the Opera (DPAC: Sunday, October 19 at 6:30) Optional Theater Outing for Drama Students: Wicked (DPAC: Sunday, January 25 at 6:30) More About Our Optional Drama Outings Drama students and their families are invited to join us to see Phantom of the Opera at DPAC on Sunday, October 19th at 6:30pm. Tickets are $50 each for balcony seats and are available on a first-come first-served basis, as our ticket block quantity is limited. To attend, please fill out bottom portion of the flyer included with your orientation packet and enclose with full payment in an envelope addressed to BAMCAT. (Important! Please make checks payable to BAMCAT and indicate student s name on memo line.) Students may turn envelopes containing ticket requests and full payments in to Mrs. Rothwell up until Friday, September 12th. Our treasurer Kathy Peterson will also be glad to collect ticket request forms and checks tonight. We have also reserved a block of tickets for Wicked, coming to DPAC in January. The performance date is Sunday, January 25th at 6:30. Tickets are $58 each for balcony seats or $77 each for Orchestra AA-EE / Grand Tier seats, and these are also available on a first-come first-served basis. Ticket requests for Wicked must also be turned in to Mrs. Rothwell by Friday September 12th. Request slips should be enclosed in an envelope marked BAMCAT. No payment is necessary at this time. A down payment of $25.00 will be due on October 10th, and the full balance will be due in December. As mentioned, students participating in the November Poinsettia Sale will be able to apply the portion of proceeds held in their student account to the final payment due for Wicked. A flyer for Wicked has been included in your Orientation packet. Kathy Peterson will be happy to collect your ticket requests this evening. Initially, we are offering these tickets to families of AMS drama students, but if we do not fill our minimum ticket block order, we will extend the invitation to our chorus students and their families. If you are a chorus parent and are interested in either Phantom or Wicked tickets, please check the chorus student box on your ticket request form and we will be happy to accommodate your request if we have extra tickets. Spring Musical The 2015 Spring Musical performance will be announced at our Musical Rally on October 16 th. The audition process will begin in mid-november, and rehearsals will begin soon after. Rehearsal schedules will be posted on the BAMCAT website. Performance dates are March 12 th, 13 th, and 14 th. Ticket sale proceeds go to Apex Middle School. Concession and Stars for Our Stars sale proceeds go to the performing arts department. We are often asked whether students involved in spring sports can participate in the musical. Unfortunately, they cannot. We do not have the flexibility to work around daily commitments. However, if your child has a one-timeper-week commitment, participation may be possible. Rehearsals take place after school Monday Thursday (and sometimes Friday) and will run until 5:00pm (or longer, as we get closer to opening night). The spring musical is a huge undertaking, and parent volunteers are vital to its success. One parent per student participant will be asked to volunteer in some way in support of the production and/or performance. We know that parents will find this to be a fun and rewarding experience! 5

6 Tentative Performing Arts Calendar of Events Events and dates subject to change. More information will be available as event date nears. September 9 Performing Arts Orientation for Parents 11 BAMCAT 2 nd Thursday of Month Meeting (5:30-7:00pm) October 1 15 Innisbrook Fundraiser 9 BAMCAT 2 nd Thursday of Month Meeting (5:30-7:00pm) 16 Spring Musical Rally (3:30-5:30pm in AMS Auditorium) 19 Optional Theater Outing for Drama Students: Phantom of the Opera at DPAC (6:30pm) 24 Scary Movie Night (7:00pm in AMS Cafeteria) 27 6 th Grade Drama Monologues. (Daytime, 6 th /7 th period) Parents welcome. November 7 20 Poinsettia Sale Fundraiser (Pickup date: Fri Dec 5) 10 Chorus Veteran s Day Performance. Parents Welcome. (Unconfirmed.) 13 BAMCAT 2 nd Thursday of Month Meeting (5:30-7:00pm) 17 Spring Musical Auditions: BOYS 18 Spring Musical Auditions: GIRLS 24 or 25 7 th Grade Chorus Field Trip to see local high school performance. (Unconfirmed.) 25 Musical Casting Announced at 3:00pm. December 5 Poinsettia Order Pick Up in Auditorium (Parent pick up of larger orders may be required!) 11* BAMCAT 2 nd Thursday of Month Meeting (5:30-7:00pm) *might be rescheduled due to concert. 11 Winter Chorus Concert (7:30pm in AMS Auditorium) Parents welcome. 12 Holiday Movie Night (7:00pm in AMS Cafeteria) 17 Chorus Daytime Performance. Performance attire required. Students only. January TBA Performing Arts Orientation for Parents (Unconfirmed) 8 BAMCAT 2 nd Thursday of Month Meeting (5:30-7:00pm) 13 6 th Grade Drama Monologues. (Daytime, 6 th /7 th period) Parents Welcome. 13 Drama Evening Performance: 7 th Grade student plays; 8 th Grade play. Parents Welcome. 16 Drama Daytime Performance: 7 th Grade student plays; 8 th Grade play. Students only. 25 Optional Theater Outing for Drama Students: Wicked at DPAC (6:30pm) February 12 BAMCAT 2 nd Thursday of Month Meeting (5:30-7:00pm) Valentine s Day BAMGRAM Fundraiser (7:45 8:15am in AMS courtyard) 19 8 th Grade Chorus Field Trip to DC Parent Meeting (6:30pm in AMS Auditorium) 6

7 March 12* BAMCAT 2 nd Thursday of Month Meeting (5:30-7:00pm) *might be rescheduled due to Musical 12, 13, 14 Spring Musical Performance Dates 12, 13, 14 Spring Musical Concession Sales and Stars for Our Stars Fundraiser 19 6 th Grade Drama Monologues. (Daytime, 6 th /7 th period) Parents welcome. April 9 BAMCAT 2 nd Thursday of Month Meeting (5:30-7:00pm) 16, 17, 18 8 th Grade Chorus Field Trip to DC 25 Rummage Sale Fundraiser May 12 Spring Performing Arts Showcase: Chorus and Drama. Parents welcome. 14 BAMCAT 2 nd Thursday of Month Meeting (5:30-7:00pm) 15 May Movie Night (7:00pm in AMS Cafeteria) 20 Chorus Daytime Performance. Performance attire required. Students only. 21 Variety Show Auditions. (3:30pm in AMS Auditorium) June TBD End-of-Year Variety Show Daytime Performances. Students only, by grade level. 5 End-of-Year Variety Show Evening Performance. Parents, family, and friends welcome. 11 BAMCAT 2 nd Thursday of Month Meeting (5:30-7:00pm) Parent Support Opportunities Parent support is critical to the continued success of Apex Middle School s outstanding Performing Arts Program. As a member of BAMCAT, when you fill out the online registration form, you will be asked to choose at least one way to help contribute to the arts program this year. What we re really in need of this year is volunteer help. We re currently in need of volunteers to fill board positions in the following areas: Fundraising Coordination Local Events Coordination Student Account Coordination Fundraising Co-coordinator Helps plan, coordinate, and oversee fundraising events and activities. Recruits volunteers from pool of BAMCAT board and parent members using Sign Up Genius. Establishes event point-person and assigns necessary tasks. Tracks and evaluates event results. Keeps record of donors and sponsors (so they may be properly recognized during the year). Issues receipts and sends thank-you cards as needed. Events Coordinator Helps plan and coordinate local events and enrichment opportunities for the students. Point of contact for DPAC Phantom and Wicked Optional Theater Outings, Movie Nights, Musical Rally, Workshops, and Chorus / Drama performances. 7

8 Student Account Coordinator Assists Treasurer with the maintenance of student accounts by tracking funds generated from the Poinsettia Sale and applying them to costs associated with participation in the Wicked Optional Theater Outing and the 8 th Grade Chorus Field Trip to DC. Volunteer Opportunities for Events and Activities Innisbrook Fundraiser (Oct) Poinsettia Sale Fundraiser (Nov/Dec) Valentine s Day Fundraiser (Feb) Spring Musical Production (Nov Mar) Spring Musical Concession Sales (Mar) Rummage Sale Fundraiser (Apr) Movie Nights (Oct, Dec, May) Chorus Local Field Trips (Various) 8 th Grade Chorus Field Trip (April) End-of-Year Variety Show(s) (June) Performing Arts Day Performances (Various) Performing Arts Evening Performances (Various) Donations and Corporate Sponsorship For those parents who wish to offer support in the form of a monetary donation, our website will soon offer an online donation option via Paypal. Parents will also be able to access information about our Corporate Sponsorship Program, should your place of business consider supporting our performing arts program. We thank you for helping us make another great year for our performing arts students at Apex Middle School! If you have questions or comments, please come talk to one of us tonight or us at bamcatams@gmail.com. You may always get in touch with us by filling out the online Contact Us form on our BAMCAT website at Sincerely, Annette Cook BAMCAT President 8