Author: James Adkins

November 16 ……… Akron Tree Festival………Knight Center 1:00…….. Book 3……stands

December 7…………Johnson United Methodist……….time T.B.D. …………Book 3….. stands

December 16……..WRMC…………Holiday Concert……time 7:00…………..Book3……. stands

GIGS…………….DATES…………………..TIMES……………….MUSIC………………..Location………..

Small Groups Recital……….April 30………..6:00….. small group selections…..Akron Library

Side By Side String Concert….May 15…..T.B.D.

Memorial Day Remembrance ….May 23……T.B.D. (afternoon)…..book 1. ….WRMC

Summit Metro Parks Combined Concert…..June/July ……T.B.D. book 2. Park not yet selected.

Emanuel United Church of Christ …….July 6,14,20 T.B.D………book 2. …….Folding Chair Concert

WRMC indoor Concert………August 19th; 7:00……………….book 2……….. no charge for guests

Barberton MumFest……….September 28; early afternoon……….book 2…..Folding Chair Concert

Norton CiderFest Queen Ceremony….October 3; 6:30 evening…. book 2

SPRING AND SUMMER Calendar Rehearsal Dates:

March Mondays – 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. 5:00 – 8:00 at F.E.C. Thursdays 6 & 20 MAPS 2:30-4:00, Thursdays 13, 27 F.E.C. 6:00 – 8:00.

April Mondays – 7, 14, 21, 28. 5:00 – 8:00 at F.E.C. Thursdays 3 & 17 MAPS 2:30-4:00. Thursdays 10, 24 F.E.C. 6:00 -8:00.

May Mondays – 5, 12, 19. 5:00 -8:00 at F.E.C. Thursdays 1, 15 (Band only today), 29 MAPS 2:30-4:00. Thursdays 8 & 22 F.E.C. 6:00 – 8;00.

June Mondays – 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. 5;00 – 8:00 at F.E.C. Thursdays 5, 19 F.E.C. 6:00 – 8:00 Thursdays 12, 26 at MAPS 2:30 – 4:00.

July Mondays – 7, 14, 21, 28. 5:00 -8:00 at F.E.C. Thursdays 3, 17, 31 MAPS 2:30 – 4:00. Thursdays 10, 24 F.E.C. 6:00 – 8:00.

August Mondays – 4, 11, 18, 25 at F.E.C. 5:00 – 8:00. Thursdays 7& 21 F.E.C. 6:00 – 8:00 Thursday 14 & 28 MAPS 2:30 -4:00.

Good evening, Music Lovers!! Just a couple or three or four or five reminders about Monday’s IMPORTANCE!! It’s Annual Business Meeting Night! 5:00 – Orientation Class; 5:20 – Jim’s Rhythm Class; 6:00 – Annual Business Meeting; 7:00 – String Ensemble downstairs, Band Upstairs. The opening of the Business Meeting requires two steps as you enter the room: 1). Print your name on the attendance list and 2). Return your autographed music for the “Christmas on Broadway” selection. Please do not enter the room until I open the door. Please do not take your instruments out of your cases until rehearsals start at 7:00. Returning the signed John Higgens charts is a very important part of this evening’s rehearsal. It will help us take a double check on attendance which is a very important part of the evening. Again, please PRINT your name at the top of the first page. Please take a seat quickly and quietly so that we may start on time (6:10). IT’S NOT NECESSARY FOR YOU TO SIT IN YOUR NORMAL PLACE IN THE BAND SET UP DURING THE MEETING. String members choose 1). enter with coats and instruments, 2). take them downstairs first, 3). hang coats on rake and place instruments in cases in front of the Sanctuary doors. Please PRINT your name on the attendance lists as you enter the room.

We have much to share with you with respect to the plans for 2025, and are excited to explain the importance of ” BRINGING A FRIEND”.

5:00 – Percussion; String Orientation Class; 5:20 – Rhythm Class; 6:00 to 8:00 String Ensemble and Band rehearsing separately!

Jim

WOW! I really need to get back to rehearing! See you Monday the 13th not Saturday the 4th!

Jim

Good evening, Scholars and Lovers of MUSIC! I just noticed that my last post (list of January rehearsals) was missing its last paragraph! Sorry! That’s what happens when you don’t check your work! Anyway, here is the important info that was missing. It’s this Monday’s schedule!

JANUARY 13TH F.E.C.

5:00 – I would like to meet with the members listed below at 5:00 this Monday to hand out Percussion Parts for the ensemble selection we will be performing in March. We will talk through the parts and begin rehearsing as an ensemble either at 5:00 or 6:00 in February. I will be working with individuals and smaller groups at 5:00 through-out January. Her is the list: Deb, Art, Marilyn, Kathy, Heidi, Herman, Me.

5:00 – String Orientation Class

5:20 – Rhythm Class

6:00 – 8:00, Strings Ensemble downstairs, Band upstairs

I’m EXCITED!!!!!!

Jim

I greet you this evening with great appreciation for the hard work, dedication, cooperation and musical growth experienced throughout 2024. Simply saying thank you seems to be a shallow expression of how deeply I appreciate your hard work and commitment to our program. Our staff has meet and is working together in preparation for new experiences, new music and membership growth. The achievement of your improved musical abilities allows us to move forward into the never-ending world of expressive growth. It’s a privilege to be working with Cathy, Bev, and Cal and all four of us are looking forward to the unlimited possibilities which await us in 2025!

Please find below the rehearsal plans for January. Our Teaching Team is excited about new class activities, music, and growing membership. We have planned new experiences for you all and hope that you realize that each of these opportunities have been organized for your growth! Participation in classes will expand your abilities and correct old habits. We believe that small changes in our class and rehearsal schedule will be an improvement and will work for a continued improvement of all our ensembles. I’m excited!!!

Jim

Monday, January 13th F.E.C. – 5:00 String Orientation. 5:20 Rhythm Class; 6:00 Sectional Classes, Percussion; Woodwinds; Brass; Strings. 7:00 String Ensemble; Band. 8:00 -Bye!

Thursday, January 16th F.E.C. – 6:00 – 8:00 String Ensemble; Band.

Monday, January 20th – MLK Day No Classes or Rehearsals

Thursday, January 23rd MAPS 2:30 – 4:00 – String Ensemble; Band.

Monday, January 27th F.E.C. 5:00 Percussion Ensemble; 6:00 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING; 7:00 String Ensemble; Band. 8:00-Bye!

Thursday, January 30th F.E.C. 6:00 – 8:00 String Ensemble; Band.

Large Ensemble Classes listed above will be reading new music and working on ensemble technique. These rehearsal structures will change as we prepare for March, April and May performances. I’m looking forward to

DECEMBER 16TH LAST MINUTE NEWS FROM JIM

VERY IMPORTANT REHEARSAL TONIGHT……HOPE THE WEATHER ALLOWS YOUR ATTENDANCE. LOOK FOR INFORMATION ABOUT TOMORROWS WRMC PERFORMANCES POSTED AFTER 1:00 TOMORROW AFTERNOON. HERE IS IMPORTANT INFO FOR ALL WITH RESPECT TO TOMORROWS PERFORMANCE.

STRINGS

Please report at 4:30 and enter through doors on the southeast side of the building (looks like a church which is the area in which the Full Ensemble will as always, perform). Please go directly to the hall area in which we leave our cases. Please do not leave coats and cases in the Auditorium. Jim will walk you to the string performance area at 4:45. Please remember to bring your music stand. Chairs will be provided. Here is your performance selection order: 1. Three English Carols; 2). Perpetual Motion; 3). Carol of the Bells; 4). Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 5). God Rest; 6). Kings. At the conclusion of this dinner music performance, you will return to the area in which your cases remain. Please stay in that area until you are called to be placed on stage in the auditorium.

WINDS and PERCUSSION

Please report at 5:15 entering through the doors on the southeast side of the building. (looks like a church from the outside). Go immediately to the area in which we leave our cases. We will call you by instrument to enter the auditorium and be seated by section. Full Ensemble warmup will be at 6:00. Performance selections are in the same order as our last performance with the exception of the omission of the fourth and seventh spots which will be replaced by string only selections. More info tonight at rehearsal!!

Thank You,

Jim

Hello, my Fellow Music Makers! We will be rehearsing this evening at the F.E.C. as scheduled. However, we will also be adding classes and rehearsals on Mondays December 9th and 16th. Attendance at these three rehearsals will allow us to be better prepared for both of our remaining Holiday performances. Thank you so much for your continued support and understanding! Each of you is an important member of our ensembles. Drive carefully!

Jim