This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Raleigh Fine Arts Society! Each year they host a Choral Celebration, but since it is the 50th Anniversary they have planned some special additions which means....OUR SCHOOL WAS INVITED TO SING AT THE CHORAL CELEBRATION!! I have decided that our 4th Grade students will perform at this event!! Please know that this is not a requirement for music class, but a wonderful opportunity to perform on one of the best musical stages that we have in Raleigh. This will not be linked to your child's grade in music class this year.
Here is some information that you will need to know to participate...
1) We will have several rehearsals in order to prepare for the performance. All the rehearsals and performance are before or after school and you will need to provide transportation. If you are unable to provide transportation, please feel free to carpool with others.
2) Dates:
Monday, April 13 from 8:00am-8:45am we will practice in the Forest Pines Gymnasium/Stage before school begins.
Tuesday, April 14th from 6:30pm-7:30pm we will practice at Meymandi Concert Hall.
Wednesday, April 15th from 6:00pm-9:00pm is the Choral Celebration program at Meymandi Concert Hall in downtown Raleigh.
3) Directions to Meymandi Concert Hall:
Get on US-1 South/Capital Blvd. going toward Downtown Raleigh. Stay here for 10.2 miles. Continue straight to stay on US-401 South toward Downtown for 4.4 miles. Turn Left onto West South Street and go .3 miles. Meymandi Concert Hall is on the Right. End at 2 E South Street. There is a parking garage and a parking lot on the Left across the street from Meymandi Concert Hall. Please use your own discretion as to where is most appropriate for you to park. When you get to the front of the building look for signs to Meymandi Concert Hall. When you walk into the front lobby turn right and go to the end of the front lobby. I will be there waiting to receive students. This will be our meeting location on both Tuesday and Wednesday. You will drop off your child and pick up from this location.
4) The night of the concert students should wear a nice outfit that is all black or black and white. Girls may wear a nice black dress or black skirt. Girls could even wear nice black pants and a nice black or white blouse. Boys should wear nice black pants and a black or white shirt. Please don't feel that you have to go out and buy something just for this concert, however remember that we will be performing on Raleigh's greatest musical stage and we want to present ourselves well.
5) On Tuesday, April 14th please drop your child off in our meeting location promptly at 6:30pm and feel free to go and sit in the auditorium to watch the different groups perform. We will get into our order, practice on the stage and meet you back in our meeting location at 7:30pm for students to be picked up. Please be patient during dismissal. I will be reviewing the procedure for dismissal so that all our students get to their parents safely. There are over 100 students in our 4th grade and I want to make sure that they all get home safely.
6) On Tuesday, April 15th please drop your child off in our meeting location promptly at 6:00pm!! Please make sure that your child has used the restroomBEFORE you drop them off. It is a long night and there will NOT be an opportunity for us to go. You will also notice how crowded it is on the night of the performance. Once a student is in my care I don't want them running off to use the restroom for safety purposes.
7) At 6:30pm the house will open and you may go into the auditorium to find your seat. There will be ushers to help you. This is a FREE concert so you don't have to worry about tickets, but please be mindful of how many family, friends and relatives you invite. We recommend 2-3 in the audience for each participating student. If we go over the firecode capacity for the building, then Meymandi Concert Hall may not be allowed to let everyone in. Thank you for your help with this.
8) There is a total of 8 groups performing, plus some mass pieces sung by all 8 groups. Please prepare to stay the entire time. We will be singing at the beginning, middle and end of the night. The concert begins at 7:00pm and will last till about 9:00pm.
9) At the end of the concert, please meet us back in our meeting spot to pick up your child. Again, please be patient and don't just grab your child and leave. There will be a lot of people in the lobby and I want to ensure that all our students get home safely.
I REALLY look forward to this wonderful opportunity!! Our school was hand picked by the Raleigh Fine Arts Society to participate and I can't wait to showcase all the hard work that your children have been doing here at school!! If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to email me and I will be happy to help.
Leah Eubanks
Music Specialist
Forest Pines Drive Elem
919-562-6262
[email protected]