2012/13 Season

Hello everyone! Welcome back to alumni and "congratulations" to all the new performers and families.

We are so excited to welcome you into our wonderful performing group.  I have been working hard on figuring out what new popular songs and classics to rearrange for our performers this season.   Our audiences are going to love it!  We have an exciting season prepared for you, and it is going to be jam packed with performances with which you will need information.  Therefore, this blog will be the place to find out information about our rehearsals & concerts.  Please check the blog between Wed-Thurs each week to know what to prepare.  I will do my best to update the blog by Wed evening.  Thank you so much for your participation in this year's WYE!  We are excited to have you and can't wait to meet you all at our first rehearsal.

First rehearsal: Sept 10th Monday
Place: Wasatch Arts Center; 196 W 12300 S, Draper
Time 5-7pm  normally time for rehearsal is 4:30-7pm

What to expect at the First rehearsal:
Meet and Greet
Music Theory Games
Work on Tone, speed, shifting, and other techniques
Work on Violin positioning
Sight reading
I will post what to prepare for the following week on the blog

What to bring:
Snack, water bottle
Music Stand
Black 1 inch 3 Ring Binder & Clear plastic page holders
No name on the binder. I'll bring Name stickers and we'll label the binders at rehearsal

Each student will come home with a Welcome packet and information sheet to fill out.  Parents, there will be a page that I will need you to fill out and have your child bring back with them on the following rehearsal.

Parent Meeting: TBA

Hawaii 2012

As we stepped off the plane, our amazing educational tour of Hawaii and it’s beautiful culture began.  We were greeted by an“Aloha” greeting and fragrant leis from Katie at Hawaii State Tours.  Our hotel the Hyatt Place was newly remodeled several months before our arrival.  Everyone was surprised to see how open the hotel lobby was.  There were no front doors.  You just walked in.  After settling in we met downstairs for an orientation briefing by David, our guide for the week while eating pizza by the pool.  Shortly after dinner, Reno, David’s assistant gave everyone a hula lesson.

Day 2:  AFter a wonderful breakfast we boarded the bus and headed out to Secret Island located in Kualoa.  Before taking the boat to Secret Island we had a private fire Tongan show where we learned to husk a coconut and make coconut juice and shredded coconut.  It was delicious!   Everyone was given a beautiful headband made of leaves from Hawaiian plants and flowers.  

Surrounded by Mangrove and hau trees, there is a secluded island where you can sink your feet into a white sand beach while canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling and more.  A pulled pork meal and the fun of roast marshmallows on the beach. 

After our tour of Central Oahu, we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe.  

Day 3:  We were honored to perform at Pearl Harbor. Our backdrop was the Pacific Ocean, ships, flags representing countries of the world were to our left.  David presented our group a bowl and USA flag that was flown over the USS Missouri in our honor.  We also received an official certificate of the flag and wreath presented in our honor.  It was a humbling experience to perform at this historical place.  It was wonderful after the performance to talk with people from all over the world about our group and where we were from.  A special honor was meeting men who survived and fought at Pearl Harbor the day she was attacked.  After the performance, we sailed to the USS Missouri where Everyone cut their leis in quiet remembrance and silence of those who died.   

Our next performance was at Ala Moana Center Stage where people were saving their spots for our performance before it began.  All of our performers gave 100% and the crowd loved their performance.  

Day 4: This day was amazing.  David taught us how to order Shave Ice.  He said we should try the macadamia icecream which is put on the bottom of the cup, then sweet beans.  You can choose 3 flavors on your gigantic ball of shave ice. Then add some ____ which tastes like sour patch.   After a refreshing afternoon we took some side roads to Pali Lookout which is the windyest point on the island.  It was fun trying to jump in the wind which blew you backward.  We drove and stopped to take pictures at the LDS Temple then finally took a boat ride in the Polynesian Cultural Center where we enjoyed throwing spears, learning to fish, and watching HA Breath of Life.  Before HA we performed on stage at the marketplace where our largest crowd applauded enthusiastically.  

Day 5:  Hanauma Bay had the most beautiful water we had ever seen.  The fish were brilliant and some people even saw eels and turtles.  Our last performance was at Wakiki Beachwalk where our amazing performers gave it their all.  This was the last performance, a magical moment and special because everyone had now an amazing bond.  Friendships had become stronger and memories would never be forgotten.  

Day 6:  Diamond Head Crater Hike and good byes.  Thank you David and Hawaii Travel for your wonderful educational tour of Oahu.  We learned so much from you about the people, the language, country landscape and the stories behind it.