AFM Newsletter
Copies of the AFM Newsletter mailings just in case you've misplaced yours.

April 9, 2008

Amador HS: Winter Percussion Champions 2008
Roland Ellingsen

With a score of 84.7 The Amador Winter Percussion Team placed 1rst in the CCGC Finals this past Saturday. Student members extend their heartfelt thanks to the coaches for a fantastic year and motivation to meet goals set at the start of the season. Please look for a video of the performance in next week's newsletter.

Please take a moment to review the posted pictures of last week's Night of Drums and Dance. The event pulled together Foothill and Amador, along with all the Junior High School Percussion and Winter Guard teams. It was a great night of performances in a packed out Amador Gym. Please make plans to attend next year with the whole family as this will be an annual event.


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Concord Pavillion: Earn Cash for Your Student Account!
Cecilia Melby

The Concord Season starts 5/2 with Duran Duran, and promises to be a packed season with lots of opportunities for earning cash for your student account. There are TWO training requirements - Orientation for ALL volunteers, and TIPs training (renewed every 3 years).

Mandatory Orientation training for all volunteers (both old and new) will take place next Thursday or Friday at the Pavilion. Dates are April 10th or 11th, from 5:00-8:00. We will carpool from Pleasanton at 4:00. Please let me know if you plan to attend and want to carpool.

TIPs training for all new volunteers (and expired old volunteers) will take place in Concord on the following dates:

Saturday 4/12 9-12
Saturday 4/12 1-4
Tuesday 4/15 6-9
Wed 4/16 6-9

NEW - our own Lori Sheppard is also offering TIPs training in Pleasanton for Amador Parents! We have picked the following dates in the AVHS Choir Room:


Thursday, April 17 6:30 - 9:00

or

Saturday, April 19 9:30-12:00


For anyone attending TIPs training - Please RSVP with your preferred date so that we can arrange carpools to Concord and/or confirm that we have met the minimum of 5 people to hold the class at Amador/Pleasanton.

Thanks and we look forward to a very profitable season.

Cecilia Melby
Phone: 925-425-6914
Fax:925-425-4498
Cell: 925-323-9346

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Jon Grantham

Winter Groups Shine in Final Competition!
Congratulations to the AVHS Winter Percussion on bringing home the Scholastic Open Championship at the CCGC circuit finals on Saturday. The team finished a solid 4 points in front of the rest of the pack and turned in a stellar performance to bring home another 1st place finish.

Also congratulations to the Winterguard on a strong 5th place finish out of 9 in the Scholastic AA division at CCGC finals. The guard was just a point behind the 3rd place guard-competition was close and the Amador guard had a strong showing.

Both groups are to be congratulated for a job well done this season. Special thanks and congratulations to percussion seniors Trent Ellingsen, Christy Olsen and Sarah Chan as well as guard seniors Kate Dowdy and Carmen Azcona for many years of dedication to the band program!

Wind Symphony performance (6th period band) coming up!

On Thursday April 17, the Wind Symphony will be sharing an afternoon of music with the band members from San Lorenzo High School. There will be a performance after school at 4:00 pm followed by a pizza dinner and social gathering for the two bands. Each group will be presenting 2 pieces of music and will join to share 2 pieces of music in a combined "in-concert." The activitites are taking place in the band room-parents are welcome to attend, but please note that seating will be limited due to the number of student performers.

3rd Annual PUSD District Band Concert TONIGHT!
Members of Amador's Wind Ensemble I will be joined by the Foothill Wind Ensemble, top concert groups from each middle school as well as the 5th grade Superband in a free concert at the Harvest Park gym beginning at 7:00 pm. Band members are asked to arrive to HPMS at 6:51 pm in full concert dress with instrument and music.

CMEA Band Festival fast approaching-
CMEA (California Music Educator's Association) sponsors a judged concert band festival that is the highlight of our concert band season. This festival, held at CSU East Bay in Hayward, is the culmination of many weeks of hard work. Attendance by all band members is mandatory and parents are asked to arrange for transportation. This is a free event to watch; parents and families are welcome to enjoy the performances. Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble I are on Friday April 25. Wind Ensemble II is on Saturday April 26. Please see times below for each group:

Group Warm-up Performance Sight-reading
(group picture to follow)
Symphonic Band (Per. 5) 4:15p 4:40p 5:05p
Wind Symphony (Per. 6) 7:10p 7:35p 8:00p
Wind Ensemble I (Per. 1) 9:00p 9:25p 9:50p
Wind Ensemble II (Per. 3) 10:45a 11:10a 11:35a (this group is on Saturday 4/26)



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Magic of Music Countdown: 17 days!
Dianne Jones

Top 10 Reasons to attend The Magic of Music:

10. Be part of Tradition. Now in its 4th year, the Magic of Music raises tens of thousands of dollars replacing many smaller fundraisers such as cookie dough sales and car washes for much greater rewards.

9. Because its Fun!! You will meet new people and get to know other members of the band family. So while you're reveling in an evening of fun, you're also helping to support a very worthwhile cause. Dining, dancing, music, and good company - It's a perfect night out!"

8. Support the Best and Brightest. A record number of students of the AVHS music program are winning top awards and honors at local and regional competitions. Help us ensure that the tradition of excellence continues at Amador . Be an example for your son or daughter. Teach them to give back.

7. Introduce someone new to the AVHS Music Program. A lot of people have never become involved in The Amador Friends of Music
simply because no one ever asked them. I am asking now.

6. The Music. Outstanding music by our very own talented students. When was the last time you danced to your son or daughter's playing?
Enjoy a fabulous night on the town. As Arthur Murray said, 'Put a little fun in your life!"

5. Enjoy a delicious 3 course meal and hors d' vours with free wine and beer that you don't have to cook for or clean up. All that for $75!!

4. What would an auction be without Swag? We have a fabulous array of Live and Silent Auction items, Prizes, and music-related merchandise for you to take home. Save money on items that you would purchase anyway. They will be a great value. - Hunt for the Bargains!!

3. Cheesecake! Whats not to love?

2. Find your own reason to attend. Just do it. Send in your form TODAY or call Paulette (846-8957)or Dianne (426-5662)

1. And the No. 1 reason to attend The Magic of Music? It's just the right thing to do. For all the reasons listed above and many more. It's fun, it's simple, we need you, and it's right. Besides, you'll be missed if your not there!


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Eliminate Check-out Lines This Year!
Magic of Music Update
Phil & Nalanda Bowman

This year, with your help, we're eliminating the check-out lines to settle your bills. You can pick up your winning auction items at your convenience without standing in a line for the cashier at the end of the evening.

We're following the model from the successful Walnut Grove School auction and strongly encouraging all attendees to sign a credit card slip right when you check in (VISA or MasterCard only). Your slips will be safely held and the invoices for your winning bids together with the completed credit card slips will be mailed to you the next day.

No lines this year waiting for the cashiers to tally the thousands of bid records. You can pick up your winning Silent Auction items at your convenience at the end of the evening. (Notices to the Silent Auction winners will be delivered to your tables during dinner.)

We hope to get 100% participation in this new process of signing credit card slips in advance so all our guests can enjoy the Magic of Music without the wait.



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Magic of Music Volunteers
Trish Moosbrugger

Wow, you guys are SO awesome! I've heard from a number of people and all the key spots for volunteers are filled. Now we just need to know of a few more of you who are willing to fill in here or there if a need arises. Please let me know if you can be an "ANY Miscellaneous Job" kind of person, and when you would be available. Are you available during the event? Saturday morning? Can you fill a small job even though you are attending the dinner? Just drop me an email and let me know. pmoosbrugger@comcast.net

Decorations:

The Decorations group is well on it's way to creating an exciting atmosphere for the Magic of Music. Three parents have already stepped forward to organize and plan, and students volunteers will do the heavy work that morning. We'd love to have three more adults offer to lend a supervisory hand on Saturday morning, April 26, to decorate the ballroom at the Pleasanton Hilton. Please let Rose Roesch know if you'd like to help out. roesch@comcast.net

Updated: April 9, 2008