Ballard Performing Arts News

September 6, 2022

Upcoming Events

Sept 6 | Uniform/Concert Wear Fittings, 8:30am-2:30 pm

Sept 7 | First Day of School, Freshman Orientation, 8:30 am

Sept 7 | Uniform/Concert Wear Fittings (Soph, Jr, Sr), 8:30-10:30 am

Sept 8 & 9 | Jazz Band Auditions, 7:30 am

Sept 9–11 | Band Camp

Sept 13 | BPA Board and Welcome Back Parents meeting

Sept 14 | Auditions for fall play: The Burial at Thebes

Sept 16 | Marching Band Plays at Football Game, 5 pm (Sr Night - tentative)

Sept 16–18 | Orchestra Camp

Sept 18 | Brass Band Performance, 2-4 pm, NYBA

Sept 23 | Marching Band Leavenworth Autumn Leaf Parade (tentative)

Sept 23–25 | Choir Camp

Oct 8 | Goodwill Truck for BPA 9 am to noon/truck full


See our BPA Calendar for more details.

Contact the Directors


Band: Jay Gillespie

Choir: Courtney Rowley

Orchestra: Daniel Valdez

Theatre Shawn Riley

Featured News

Did you miss Uniform/Concert Wear Fittings?

Our fabulous BPAB helper Jill Hansen has agreed to do last minute band uniform and concert dress/skirt fittings TODAY, Tuesday, 9/6, and tomorrow, Wednesday, 9/7. Students can high-tail it to the stage for a 20 min fitting TODAY between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm, or sophomores, juniors, and seniors can come in on Wednesday, Sept 7 between 8:30 am and 10:30 am. (Volunteers would be greatly appreciated during those times too.) 


Wearing a tux? No need to come in yet, you will be fitted for your tux during class later in the week.

Stay Connected - Join BPA Social Channels

In addition to this newsletter, the directors, and email communications, our programs communicate a lot of information through our social channels – Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and the REMIND app. These channels are where you will find performances, images, video clips, announcements, and late-breaking news. We also love questions, comments, "likes", and shares. When you participate with us online, we are getting feedback from our audience and you are helping to spread the word about the talent and work of our programs and students. Subscribe!


Stay Up to Date on BPA News: Add Your Contact Info to the BPA Student Directory

Please help us begin to communicate with students, parents, and guardians by filling out this student directory form for each student in Ballard Performing Arts. The information is confidential. It is used to keep both students and families informed via weekly newsletters and standalone emails about meeting dates, performances, special events, fundraisers, practice schedules, trip details, and general information throughout the year. 


Sign up here: 2022/2023 BPAB Request for Contact Information Google Form

Music Program Fees for 2022-2023

​Because the program receives no money from the district aside from teacher’s salaries, there are annual program fees to seed things like sheet music and other expenses for the award-winning program to operate.


Annual Music Program Fee: $155


Every music student (band, orchestra, and choir) pays a one-time fee of $155. If your student is in two music groups, they only pay this fee once.

Additional Fees for Other Groups


If your student particiaptes in one of the following groups, there are additional fees to cover the costs of instruction, music, and other things:


Jazz Band I = $150

Jazz Band II = $150

Percussion = $50

Fiddlers = $150


Camp Fees


Band Camp = $210 

Orchestra Camp = $180

Choir Camp = $180 


And remember–no one gets turned away due to financial reasons. Apply for a confidential scholarship here so teachers can budget appropriately.

Pay Fees
Program Updates

Band


Band camp this weekend! Packing list and volunteer paperwork


Thanks to all those parents who reached out about Band Camp chaperones. We are very excited to get to Camp Seymour on Sept 9 to work on pep band and marching and generally getting to know one another. Please consider joining our chaperone team as a backup for Sept 9-11. We would love to get to know you! Volunteer paperwork can be completed ASAP using the district's online portal


Our packing list for band camp is available here


As a note to parents - Camp Seymour is off network for most cell phone service providers. Please do not be alarmed if your kids are out of contact for the weekend. 


In light of the potential strike that could delay the start of school: It is the intention of the Ballard Performing Arts directors to do everything we can to make camps happen as scheduled. Teachers are allowed to attend camps since it is off campus, but an administrator also has to attend as an official leader. We will keep parents updated but assume we are going forward as scheduled unless otherwise notified.


Sept 16 - 1st Football Game


We're excited to be heading to our first football game of the year on Sept 16. Kickoff is at 5 pm so students will be preparing and leaving directly after school to bus to Memorial Stadium. 


Tentatively, we have also scheduled Senior Night for Sept 16 so we hope all Senior parents can make it. 


To learn more about Ballard High’s Marching Band program and student expectations, please head to our website


Photography assistance for Senior Night Photos

We're looking for a photography lover, amateur or professional, to photograph seniors and their families on Senior night. If you're interested in assisting, please contact BPABBandRep@gmail.com.


Jazz Band Auditions


September 8 & 9

7:30 am


Every student interested in participating in Jazz Band this year is encouraged to show up for Jazz Band auditions. All instruments are welcome!!


We'll have three jazz band groups this year:

  • Jazz Lab – Practices Mon-Fri at 7:30 am
  • Ballard Big Band (including Brass Band) – Big Band practices Mon-Thurs at 7:30 am; Brass Band practices Fri at 7:30 am.
  • Jazz Combo – Practices Mon-Fri during the second half of lunch


Jazz Combo & Brass Band Performance


September 18

2-4 pm

Jazz Combo will perform from 2:00-3:00

Brass Band will perform from 3:00-4:00 


Location:

NYBA (Northwest Yacht Brokers)

901 Fairview Ave N SUITE A190

Seattle WA


Ticket info: Mr. Gillespie has requested 30 tickets so parents can also enjoy the show! Tickets will be available at will call on the day of the show.

Choir


Thank you, Chaperones!


Thank you to all who have volunteered to chaperone choir camp! Your support is appreciated! Please be on the lookout for further information via email regarding confirmation of your availability and other requests pertaining to the trip! 

Orchestra


Chaperones needed for Orchestra camp


Chaperones are needed for our overnight orchestra camp, scheduled Sept. 16 – 18 . Please contact Connie Kelleher at bpaborchestrarep@gmail.com if you can help. Be sure to complete volunteer paperwork ASAP using the district's online portal

Theatre


Auditions for the fall play The Burial at Thebes will be held Wednesday, September 14 at 4:00 pm in the PAC. 


No experience needed. Pick up an audition packet from the FORMS board in the Black Box (NE 224) or download from the Performing Arts website. 


Performances are October 20, 21, 22 & 27, 28, 29 @ 7:30pm.


Synopsis: In this outstanding translation, Seamus Heaney exposes the darkness and the humanity in Sophocles' masterpiece Antigone. Sophocles' play stands as a timely exploration of the conflict between those who affirm the individual's human rights and those who must protect the state's security. The play is an example of a powerful female who stands up for her beliefs courageously because the consequences are so great. The Heaney version of the story also takes aim at modern society, as Creon’s burial decree is like President George W. Bush’s “you’re either with us, or against us” mantra after the 9/11 attacks. Sadly, this mentality has reared its ugly head again with the Trump presidency. A person in power who refuses to listen to wise counsel or refuses to admit wrongs or won’t change when all the signs are saying ‘It’s a good idea to do so’ will cause tragic results. The BHS production will be set in 2016 during the Women’s March in Washington DC, bringing Sophocles’ 5th Century BC drama to the forefront of American politics and battle for human rights yet again.  


Students interested in being part of the technical crew for the year should pick up an application on the forms board in the Black Box (NE 224). NOTE: Each production will not need the same amount of support, so if you are not asked to be part of the fall play it DOES NOT mean that you cannot be part of the musical or the spring play. The Stage Manager will contact you if you are selected!


See the website for important audition documents.


Want to know what's coming up for the 2022-2023 theatrical season? See the 22-23 season flyer.docx.

Help Fund Our Programs

The district only pays for the BPA teachers’ salaries; everything else we have to raise or donate.

Mark Your Calendar: Goodwill Fill-a-Truck, October 8th

Every year we have two Goodwill special events to “Fill-a-Truck” with your donated items. Please save your items for our first event of the school year, on Oct. 8th from 9 am-12 pm in the north parking lot of campus. For every trailer we fill, our programs receive $600 (there are two trucks at each event). 


Volunteers are needed for this event.


Students can earn service hours and parents are encouraged to participate. Tasks include sorting, unloading cars, and traffic control. Our second event of the school year will be held on March 18, 2023. 

Help Wanted

Event Planner Needed!


Do you have a knack for planning events? We need your special skill for our Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser in February! It’s a great community celebration featuring all the different music groups, and it raises funds to support our high-quality performing arts program.

We have many eager volunteers ready to pitch in at the ground level, but we need a chairperson to help organize and run the event. 


Interested in learning more? Email bpabsecretary@gmail.com.


Fundraising Communications Coordinator Needed


Have some killer communications skills and want to help support our fundraisers by writing copy and content for newsletter and website articles and other promotions? Contact Rachel at bpabcommunications@gmail.com.

Featured Video

Get back in the groove by reliving some of our greatest performances last year! 


Check out past performances anytime on our YouTube and Vimeo channels

Community News

Service Learning Hours available: Whitman Middle School looking for high school Students for their play and musical


Whitman Middle School Performing Arts is looking for volunteers for the following positions: 

  • Assistant Director(s) (2-3)
  • Meeting Supervisors
  • Vocal Coaches (Spring Musical)
  • House Manager
  • PAW Web Consultant 


Time commitment is Wednesdays from 2:30–4 pm.*


  • Sept 21 – Nov 3, 2022 | Fall Play: Nov 3 and 4 from 5-6 pm
  • March 22 – May 17, 2023 | Spring Musical: May 11 and 18 from 5-6 pm


*Due to the high school bell schedule, volunteers may only be able to attend one hour of rehearsals


Contact Email: kellybrereton@yahoo.com See the Club’s PAW website for more information.

Passive Giving

Give While You Do Your Everyday Shopping!


Did you know that every time you shop at Amazon, Bartell's, or Fred Meyer you can be giving back to Ballard Performing Arts without spending any extra money? Check out the details here: https://www.ballardperformingarts.org/passive-fundraising

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Thank You to Our Sponsors

Interested in becoming a BPA Sponsor?

Contact Cynthia Kemp at bpabsponsorships@gmail.com.

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