November 2013

NOvember

Seriously?  We must be having fun because TIME IS FLYING!!!  I’m excited about our progress and truthfully we have learned almost all of our material.

Speaking Parts/Solos

Speaking parts will go home next week.  Please help your child memorize their part and say it with the correct “feeling”.  We will also practice them during class.

Solos will also be announced next week during class.  We will also practice these during class.
Specialties
We will start practicing our boomwhacker specialty next week.  If your child has been asked to participate in this song you will have a note attached to this newsletter
Harmonic Tunes Only
For our deck the Halls song I would like to ask for your help.  I had thought that I would purchase red and green gloves for our kids to wear for this song and I still will, but I think it will look much cuter on stage if they add their own personal touch to the look.  I’m thinking a hat and scarf.  Nothing super hot.  The stage lights are hot enough as it is.
SUGARHILL CHOIR
Please have your kids listen to the music included in the links below.

Christmas Time With choir: http://www.jwpepper.com/Christmastime/10028424.item#.UeSRK9K1GSo

Bethlehem Night Just kids:

http://www.jwpepper.com/Bethlehem-Night/10048593.item#.UeSRdNK1GSo

It has been funny to teach them music with no choreography.  They’re not sure what to think of me if I’m not dancing.  They’re super cute.  But, we definately can use all the practice we can get.  So, PLEASE use the links and practice. 

SLIDE SHOW PICTURES

I always do a slide show during our Christmas concert.  The kids love to see themselves on the “big screen”.  This year I would like to include family pictures.  It can be a Christmas shot, the whole family or just a part.  Whatever you choose.  I would also like a head shot of each of my friends.  It can be a school picture or one that you’ve taken yourself.  I will also include pictures of them performing at the Assisted living center and the breakfast with Santa.

Please e-mail me these pics ASAP.

YOUR COSTUME RESPONSIBILITY

Tiny Tune Girls
White footless tights (opaque)
Black ballet slippers

Harmonic Tune girls
Black socks
Black jazz shoes

All Boys
Black slacks
Black socks
Black shoes

Picture Day

I have never done pictures for my TaVaci groups.  But, now we have in our midst a fabulous photographer.  Rebekkah Larsen has a daughter in our Tiny tunes class.  Rebekkah took our family pictures this spring and she was kind of amazing with my kids.

She has agreed to come to our dress rehearsal and take individual photos of each of our kids.  If you have multiple kids in TaVaci and would like them take together I’m sure she can work with you. 
Performance Cancelled!
Harbins Elementary has decided to use their 4/5^th grade chorus for the Breakfast with Santa.  I’m so sad.  So, we will not have a performance on the 7^th of December after all. 

CALENDAR

Oct. 31- NO TAVACI-  Happy Halloween!
Nov. 7- Tuition/Performance fee Due/Speaking parts go home
Nov. 28- NO TAVACI-  Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec. 4- Wednesday practice/tuition due
Dec. 5- Sugar Hill Choir rehearsal
7:15
Sugar Hill Stake Center performance
4833 Suwanee Dam Rd
SUWANEE,GEORGIA30024
Dec. 8- Sugar Hill Choir Performance
          - Lilburn Stake Center performance
Arrive:  6:30
Perform:  7:00PM

1150 Cole Road Southwest

LILBURN,GEORGIA30047

Dec. 11- Performance-
          -The Bridge Assisted Living Center
          220 Collins Industrial Way
Lawrenceville, GA 30043(678) 377-8191
- 6:00- arrive
6:30-7:00- perform
Wear your costume, no speaking parts.
We go to this same assisted living center before every one of our concerts. The Grandmas and Grandpas there LOVE our kids. After we sing they will want to talk with them and enjoy their fun personalities. For some of my kids it’s great and they love it. For others, not so much. I’ll let you decide for your own child if you want to encourage them to interact with the residents or just head out.
Dec. 12- Last Regular TaVaci Class
Sat/Sun Dec 14/15: Sugar Hill Stake Center performance
4833 Suwanee Dam Rd
SUWANEE,GEORGIA30024
          Arrive:  6:30
Perform: 7:00 PM
Dec. 20- Blocking Rehearsal
          6:00 PM-Full TaVaci group
          Collins Hill High School
Dec. 21- Dress Rehearsal/picture day
          9:30 AM  FULL COSTUME
-Collins Hill High
Dec. 21- CONCERT!!!
          -Collins Hill High
6:30- Kids arrive dressed pressed and happy
          7:00- TaVaci School of Performing Arts Proudly Presents:
It’s The Greatest Time of Year
When you bring your child into the school for the concert, please stop by the restroom and encourage them to go. Little tummies get butterflies and they almost every time will need to go. Make sure their hair is pulled away from their face so that we can see their beautiful eyes and smiles. The stage lights are harsh. A little mascara, blush, and lipstick help define facial features on stage. It does not have to be over the top. Just a little to help outline their natural features.
If you have them change from their outside shoes to their ballets or jazz shoes , please hold their regular shoe at YOUR seat. That goes for coats and jackets as well. They will be up and down the whole concert and we don’t want them tripping over anything that we can prevent.
The seating in the theater is first come first serve. There will plenty of room for everyone. Just a hint, the best seats are about half way back. That is where the speakers are.
Santa has not missed a TaVaci Christmas concert yet! He is planning to attend. So, put on your holiday best and come visit with Santa. He will be taking last minute requests, as long as you’ve had a good year, that is.

Jan. 9- 1^st class of spring semester

May 17- Spring Concert

TaVaci Trivia Tiny’s: sing to me the 2nd verse of Run, Run Rudolph (Said Santa to a girl child…) Harmonics: Show me… “See the blazing Yule before us (FALALALALALALA)  Strike the harp and join the chorus (FALALALALA)

This newsletter is slam packed with info.  I hope I didn’t overwhelm you.  If I did, or if I’ve made a mistake (wouldn’t be the first time ;=)  give me a call  770-480-4491 or email me @  betsyga@bellsouth.net

October 2013

October News

Things are going so well. Dare I say it? We are ahead of schedule!!! That NEVER happens.
Your kids have been exposed to tons of information. The next few weeks we will focus on finishing up a few pieces, cleaning and solidifying a few tricky spots, and having fun.
CDs
I am sending home a CD with your child. Please let them listen to it often. The more they listen to it, the more confident they will be on stage.
Solos
Our concert has several solos. We will have a solo try out day. Please see the calendar for dates. I will also attach a word sheet for your child to use. It would be great if they had it memorized and could come in on time with the CD. We will have them try out with the CD.
Specialties.
We will have 3 specialties during this concert: and Tune Tune number about how they are the perfect present, a boom whacker song performed by our harmonic tunes, and one of the pieces that our choir will be singing with the Sugar Hill Choir.

If your child has been selected to participate in a specialty, you will have an additional page to this newsletter explaining the details.

Sugar Hill Choir
If your child has signed up to participate in the Sugar Hill choir concerts, you will find their name on the attached paper.  Please see attached paper for more specifics about this opportunity.

It is not too late to participate in the Sugar Hill Choir.  I will also attach another copy of the intent form.  If you have already handed it in to me, just ignore the duplication.

Costumes

I will be sending home a few pieces of the harmonics costumes today.  Please try them on when you get home.  If there is anything that needs to be traded I will need time to get that done. 

The rest of the costumes have been ordered.  We will not receive them until the first of December.  The seamstress is fast, but she is human.  As soon as I get them I will send them home with your kids.

Props

You will notice the prop fee added to your October tuition statement.  The prop fee is just a little bit different for each class.  They each have their own props that are not exactly the same.  Your child will get to keep their props after the concert.  But, until then I will keep them safe and sound.

The Harmonics will be dancing with a telephone that really does hook into their ipod.  I am going to write each of their names on their phones now.  They will practice with their own phone every time.  I cannot afford to replace broken phones.  I’m hoping that this will encourage my friends to be careful with their phone during practice.  J

Speaking Parts

This concert has several speaking parts.  I will send these home with next months newsletter.  If your child is asked to present a speaking part, please help them memorize it.  We will practice them in class, but all the extra practice at home helps a great deal.

Time Change

When the time changes, it will be dark when we finish our later classes.  Please come to the door to pick up your kids.  I don’t like them running around outside in the dark.  It makes me nervous that a car won’t see them.

Please Notice

On the calendar below I have fixed the date for our concert.  Our concert WILL NOT be on Sunday.  It is on Saturday the 21^st.

You saw correctly.  We will have one Wednesday rehearsal on December the 4^th.  I realize that Wednesday is a church night for many of my friends, but if you can make it to class that would be great. 

Calendar

Oct. 3- Tuition/Props Due

Oct. 10- specialty/Sugar Hill choir rehearsals start

Oct. 24- Solo try-outs (during class)

Oct. 31- NO TAVACI-  Happy Halloween!

Nov. 7- Tuition/Performance fee Due/Speaking parts go home

Nov. 28- NO TAVACI-  Happy Thanksgiving!

Dec. 4- Wednesday practice/tuition due

Dec. 5- Sugar Hill Choir rehearsal

Dec. 7- Performance

Harbins Elementary Breakfast with Santa

-          Times TBA

Dec. 8- Sugar Hill Choir Performance

          -Times TBA

Dec. 11- Performance-

          -The Bridge Assisted Living Center

          -Times TBA

Dec. 12- Last Regular TaVaci Class

Dec. 14- Sugar Hill Choir Performance

          -Times TBA

Dec. 15- Sugar Hill Choir Performance

          -Times TBA

Dec. 20- Blocking Rehearsal

          -Full TaVaci group

          Collins Hill High School

Dec. 21- Dress Rehearsal

          -Collins Hill High

Dec. 21- CONCERT!!!

          -Collins Hill High

          7:00 PM

Jan. 9- 1^st class of spring semester

May 17- Spring Concert

TaVaci Trivia

Tiny’s: sing to me the 2^nd verse of I’ve been good.

(Santa, Santa I’m no pouter……put naughty by the pup)

Harmonics: Tell me something about each one of our “scrooges”, in order, an attribute that we sing about (grump with a crooked cane)

Sugar Hill Choir

As stated on the attached calendar, we will start practices for the Sugar Hill Choir on the 10^th of October. 

We will be singing two selections.

The first is “Christmas Time”.  We will join the main choir on this song.  It is a joyful celebration of Christmas.  It has some tricky timing, but we can do it for sure.

 

The second is “Bethlehem Night”.  It is a beautiful sacred hymn about the first Christmas night. 

 

These are the links to the pieces are:

 

Christmas Time With choir: http://www.jwpepper.com/Christmastime/10028424.item#.UeSRK9K1GSo

 

Bethlehem Night Just kids:

http://www.jwpepper.com/Bethlehem-Night/10048593.item#.UeSRdNK1GSo

 

Let’s Practice!!!

 4:15-4:30 will be the time set aside for my friends in the 4:30 class to learn this music.

6:15-6:30 will be the time set aside for my friends in BOTH the 5:30 and 6:30 classes to learn this music.

We will practice every week starting the 10^th of October.

Let’s Perform!!!

We will practice with the entire Sugar Hill Choir on Thursday Dec. 5 at 7 pm

Sun Dec. 8: Lilburn Stake Center performance

1150 Cole Road Southwest

LILBURN,GEORGIA30047

Sat/Sun Dec 14/15: Sugar Hill Stake Center performance

4833 Suwanee Dam Rd
SUWANEE,GEORGIA30024

We will wear our regular TaVaci costumes for each performance.

September

The first few weeks of class have gone so great! I love your kids. They have so much energy and expression. Thank you for sharing them with us.

A few things to remember.

We are not allowed to go into the upstairs of the Masonic Lodge. Please help your kids stay on the main floor.

The lodge is a very echoey building. Because of this, I would ask that you wait outside for your kids to finish class. Of course, if Grandma is visiting and wants to watch Suzy during her TaVaci class, that's OK. But, it just gets too loud with everyone in the room.

It was brought to my attention that Halloween is on a Thursday. I LOVE Halloween and want to take my little ones Trick-or-treating. So, we will not have class that week. If, at concert time, we need another practice we will throw one in.

Next week is costume try-on day. We will try to fit as many of our friends in used costumes as possible. If you are hoping to sell a used costume please bring it with you to class next week. Label it with your name so that I don't get confused.

Sugar Hill Choir

I need to know how many of my friends are interested in singing with the Sugar Hill Choir. I will attach a separate information letter about that. I will need to have your signed letter of intent returned with your tuition. Please remember that participation is completely optional and in no way effects our regular concert. It's just an added bonus!

Calendar of events

Sept. 5- costume try-on day!/ Tuition Due

          -All new students will need a costume
            -any returning students that are interested in selling their costume should bring their old costume labeled with their name.  We will try and use as many used costumes as we can.  As long as they are in good condition ;-)
ALL HARMONICS WILL NEED A NEW SHIRT!!! That’s right folks the itchy shrugs are out!  You’re welcome J
Oct. 3- Tuition/Props Due
Oct. 31- No Class Halloween/ TRICK OR TREAT

Nov. 7- Tuition/Performance fee Due

Nov. 28- NO TAVACI-  Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec. 5- tuition due
Class time may be altered due to Sugar Hill Choir rehearsal
Dec. 7- Performance
-          Harbins Elementary Breakfast with Santa
-          Times TBA
Dec. 8- Sugar Hill Choir Performance
          -Times TBA
Dec. 11- Performance-
          -The Bridge Assisted Living Center
          -Times TBA
Dec. 12- Last Regular TaVaci Class
Dec. 14- Sugar Hill Choir Performance
          -Times TBA
Dec. 15- Sugar Hill Choir Performance
          -Times TBA
Dec. 20- Blocking Rehearsal
          -Full TaVaci group
          Collins Hill High School
Dec. 21- Dress Rehearsal
          -Collins Hill High

Dec. 21- CONCERT!!!

          -Collins Hill High
          7:00 PM
Jan. 9- 1^st class of spring semester
May 17- Spring Concert

COSTUME BREAKDOWN:
 Tiny Tune Girls $75-
*sparkly dress
*black bike shorts
*black netting skirt
*silk flower for hair
You will need to purchase: a pair of white footless tights & black ballet slippers

All Boys $35

Black button down shirt $25
*red neck tie $10
You will need to purchase: black slacks, black socks, & black church shoes

Harmonic Girls $72

*black layering shirt-$14

*NEW WHITE TANK $30
*black jazz pants-$25
*ribbon for hair-$3
You will need to purchase black socks and black jazz shoes
TaVaci Trivia:
Tiny’s:  sing me the phrase: Santa make him hurry tell him he can take the freeway down!
Harmonics:   what are the 3 words that best describe the Grinch?
Help your child practice the challenge above.  If they can pass it off next week I’ll have a charm for their bracelet.
Call me: 770-480-4491 if you have any questions or shoot me and e-mail: betsyga@bellsouth.net
I’ve sent this newsletter to our blog: spotlightkids.blogspot.com

August 2013

August

Happy August!  I cannot believe that it is time to start thinking about school, fall, and TaVaci.  I hope that you have all had a fantastic summer.  Ours was filled with swim team, a trip to Utah, and a special visit from my sister and her 5 kids.  It was a blast!!!  I enjoyed seeing some of you throughout the summer in random places.  I ran into friends at church, swim team, Lanier Water park, Stone Mountain, and the grocery store.  It’s funny to see your reaction when you see me out of context. 

I’m excited about this year in TaVaci.  We have some great music as well as a new opportunity to combine with an adult choir!

A few things to think about:

Friends:

August is a great time to invite a friend to come with you to TaVaci.  I have no problem at all with you bringing a buddy to class.  They can hop right in and participate with us.  If they decide they like TaVaci and want to joinin the fun, I’ll order you a TaVaci T-shirt as a thank you for the referral.  My best advertizing is YOU!!!  Thank you for telling your friends about our group.

Location:

Our classes will be held at the Masonic Lodge in Dacula. This is the address to the bike shop a couple doors down.
2493 2nd Avenue Dacula, GA 30019

Lump sum option:

Several people have asked if they can pay their tuition in one lump sum instead of monthly.  The answer is YES!  Aug.-Dec. tuition= 175/child.

If you choose to go that route just remember that the $175 doesn’t include the performance fee ($20 for the first child and $10 for each additional) or the props fee (not yet determined).  It also doesn’t include the costume or registration fee ($20/family).

Used Costumes:
I know I have several Tiny Tunes that are in need of a larger costume, my daughter included.  If your costume is in good condition and you would like to try and sell it to one of our new friends, bring it to costume try-on day Sept. 5.  Pin a note to it that says your name and we will try and sell as many as possible.

Used costumes sell for $35 (Tiny’s).  It’s a great deal for everyone and they are usually in great condition.

NEW COSTUME NOTICE FOR HARMONICS!
I have decided that it’s time to ditch the shrugs.  Here is a picture of the new top.  We will still use the black layering shirt under the tank as well as the black jazz pants.  When you look at the costume break down, please remember that if you are a returning student, you only need to order the pieces you are in need of.

 COSTUME BREAKDOWN:

 Tiny Tune Girls $75-
*sparkly dress
*black bike shorts
*black netting skirt
*silk flower flower for hair
You will need to purchase: a pair of white footless tights & black ballet slippers

All Boys $35

Black button down shirt $25
*red neck tie $10
You will need to purchase: black slacks, black socks, & black church shoes

 Harmonic Girls $72

*black layering shirt-$14
*NEW WHITE TANK $30
*black jazz pants-$25
*ribbon for hair-$3

              You will need to purchase black socks and black jazz shoes

Sugar Hill Choir:
We have been invited to sing with the Sugar Hill Choir for their Christmas concert. The Sugar Hill choir is an adult choir made up adults from around Gwinnett County. They also put on two concerts per year and are absolutely amazing.

They have asked us to join them for their concerts! It’s a huge honor and also a huge commitment. We will be joining them for one song and singing one song on our own.

The rehearsals for these numbers will be held between the Tiny and Harmonic classes.

This is completely optional!!! It doesn’t effect our regular concert at all except that we will sing these songs as a specialty number in our concert in addition to our regular program.

Please see the schedule below to see the performance dates in the calendar below.

Again, participation in optional.

What Will We be singing?

          The Title of our Concert is: It’s the Greatest Time of the Year! 
         The Tiny’s sing a fun song about how they’ve been so good, but their dog has been naughty!  They’re also singing a rock-n-roll song about Rodolph.  It’s super fun.  I’m chosing their last song now.  It’s a toss up and I haven’t made up my mind…stay tuned!
           The  Harmonics will be singing a tricked out version of Up of the Roof Top/Deck The Halls.
                They will also sing a Grinch/Scrooge medley.  It’s a kind of spooky song about our favorite Christmas villans.  Their last song is a Christmas remix of “Call Me Maybe”. 
                The kids are going to absolutely LOVE it!

Calendar of Events:

Aug. 15- First day of TAVACI!!!/ Aug. tuition Due

                -5:30-6:15- Tiny Tunes (pre-K- 2^nd grade)
                -6:30-7:15- Harmonic Tunes (grade 3-grade 7)
Sept. 5- costume try-on day!/ Tuition Due
                -All new students will need a costume
                -any returning students that are interested in selling their costume should bring their old costume labeled with their name.  We will try and use as many used costumes as we can.  As long as they are in good condition ;-)
ALL HARMONICS WILL NEED A NEW SHIRT!!! That’s right folks the itchy shrugs are out!  You’re welcome J
Oct. 3- Tuition/Props Due
Nov. 7- Tuition/Performance fee Due
Nov. 28- NO TAVACI-  Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec. 5- tuition due
Class time may be altered due to Sugar Hill Choir rehearsal
Dec. 7- Performance
-          Harbins Elementary Breakfast with Santa
-          Times TBA
Dec. 8- Sugar Hill Choir Performance
                -Times TBA
Dec. 11- Performance-
                -The Bridge Assisted Living Center
                -Times TBA
Dec. 12- Last Regular TaVaci Class
Dec. 14- Sugar Hill Choir Performance
                -Times TBA
Dec. 15- Sugar Hill Choir Performance
                -Times TBA
Dec. 20- Blocking Rehearsal
                -Full TaVaci group
                Collins Hill High School
Dec. 21- Dress Rehearsal
                -Collins Hill High
Dec. 22- CONCERT!!!
                -Collins Hill High
                7:00 PM
Jan. 9- 1^st class of spring semester
May 17- Spring Concert
Whew!  Talk about a marathon newsletter.  I hope that covered everything. 
I’m attaching the registration form along with this newsletter.  So, if you haven’t filled out a new one or would like to pass it on to a friend, bring it to class with you on the 15^th.
I can’t wait to see all of you in a couple weeks. 
Call me: 770-480-4491 if you have any questions or shoot me and e-mail: betsyga@bellsouth.net

March

Props-  You will notice the prop fee that has been added to this statement.  All props have been ordered.  Some of them we are using in class already.  The kids LOVE their props.  They always want to keep them.  We will let them have them forever after our concert, but until then I will hang on to them.

Specialties-  We will begin specialty rehearsals next week.  If you child has been invited to participate in a specialty, you will have an additional page attached to your newsletter to go over the details.

For the Tiny’s it will be the friends in kindergarten and pre-K.  (5 year olds)

The Harmonics will ALL participate in the Newsies specialty, but only a few will sing the music box doll song.  See attached page.

Solo try-outs-  We will hold solo try-outs next week, March 7^th, during class.  I have attached the word sheets to each of the solo parts.  If your child would like to try-out have him/her practice with their CD and wordsheets so that they have the part down pat.  No word sheets will be allowed during the try-out.  I want to see these kids “sale” the song to me.  I want to see lots of expression and enthusiasm.

Try-outs will be held next week only.  If you know that you are going to be gone and would like to set up a time to come to my home and try-out before that date I will try to accommodate.

T-shirts-  I will be putting in an order for TaVaci shirts next week.  If you would like to order one, add $12 to your tuition and write a size on your tuition slip.  T-shirts are not mandatory, but they are fun.  We will wear them for the memorial day parade.

CD’s-  I am sending a practice CD home with your child.  Let them listen to it as often as they would like.  Practice makes perfect.  Download it to your i-tunes and let them listen on their i-pod.  It’s always obvious which children have been practicing at home.

Costumes-  Costumes have been ordered.  As soon as I receive them I will pass them on to you.  If you have not paid your costume fee, please do so ASAP! 

Calendar-

March 7- tuition/prop fee due

-specialty rehearsal begins

                   5:15-5:30- Tiny Specialty

                   6:15-6:30- Music Box Dolls

                   7:15-7:30- Newsies (All Harmonics)

April 4- tuition/Performace fee due

April 11- NO TAVACI!!! Gwinnett County Spring break

May 2- tuition due

May 24- 6:00 PM Blocking rehearsal

May 25- 9:30 AM Dress rehearsal

May 25- 7:00 PM Concert (kids arrive at 6:30)

TAVACI TRIVIA

Tiny’s- sing for me the “fast” part of My Turn Now:  no time to wait on the side….

Harmonic’s-  show me the “stomp” in Born to be a scout.

Specialty run down:

Tiny’s-  A super cute parody of the New York New York song, this version is speaking of first grade.  I have chosen your daughter because she is in kindergarten or pre-k and will be advancing to the first grade soon.

They will use a top hat and cane for this number.  The addition prop fee will be $4.

We will hold rehearsals for this number inbetween the two Tiny’s classes. 5:15-5:30

Music box dolls-  This song come right out of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  You will be acting like a wind-up doll.  Very robotic and stiff.  Your Dads or Grandpas or brothers (your choice) will carry you on stage and place you onto a stand (Patrick Andrade will build =)  They will wind you up and watch you sing your song.  They will join you one the second time through with a cute poly-harmonic melody about how “scrumptious” you are and how much they LOVE you.

They will wear a “Doll” dress that you may recognize from the temple celebration (if you are a member of my church).

The rental fee for the dress will be $10 and will be paid directly to the Young Women from whom we borrow the dresses from.  (They are trying to earn money for girls camp=)

Newsies-  This is a super energetic medley of the songs from the Broadway musical Newsies.

Please do a google search: images musical newsies.  This will bring up tons of great pictures from the musical.

I will also show you what type of “look” we’re going for.  Which is important because YOU will be responsible for putting together a costume for your child.  =)

There will be no additional charge for this number as you will be gather the costumes yourself.