Arts Matters September 2009

Welcome and welcome back!

Hello everybody and welcome back to the new school year. I am very excited to be returning to Clearwater Bay School, and to be teaching your children, some of whom I remember from year 1 and Year 2, just a few years ago! I would also like to introduce Kim Elwell-Sutton to our team. Mrs Elwell-Sutton will be teaching music classes and directing Senior Choir and Training Orchestra. She has taught at Quarry Bay School and in Oxford, UK. Mrs Elwell-Sutton was a student at the former Boundary School – a Clearwater Bay School Alumni!

Looking at our calendar, we already have many performances and events booked for the term and indeed the year, and we can expect another busy and rewarding term for the Arts at Clearwater Bay School!

***Change of Rehearsal times for Senior Choir, Junior Choir and CWBS Orchestra***

As from Monday, September 7, Senior Choir, Junior Choir, Training Orchestra and CWBS Orchestra will revert to lunchtime rehearsals to accommodate students who are unable to attend after-school practices due to other commitments. Below are the days and times for each group’s rehearsal:

I hope that this does not cause any inconvenience to parents who may have rearranged their after school schedules.

It is still possible for students to join the Choirs, Orchestras and Rock Bands at school. Please email me if you would like your child to participate in one of these ensembles at the new times. david.jacquier@cwbs.edu.hk .

Whole School Assembly, Friday August 21

Thank you to Aparna Nair, who performed beautifully on the piano at assembly in week 1, and also to James Shepherdson, Celine Castagnet, Alison Dias, Bonnie Qu, Isabella Cranwell, who after one short rehearsal, were prepared to be risk takers and perform an African rhythm on the djembe as walk on music. Thank you also to Mrs Elwell-Sutton who also performed on the djembe.

Art Competition for the PTA Directory Cover

I would like to announce an Art Competition. The competition is to design a cover for the PTA Directory, which will be published this term. The competition is open to students in Year 5 and Year 6, and the closing date for entries is Friday, September 18, 2009. Please bring your designs on A4 size paper to the music room on or before that day. The two winning students (front and back covers) will receive pizza and movie tickets and will be announced shortly after the closing date.

CWBS Senior Choir to perform at the International Conference for Climate Change 2009

Even before the Senior Choir sings a note at the first rehearsal next Tuesday, we have booked our first performance at the Convention Centre, singing a song specifically composed for the opening of the International Conference for Climate Change on October 7. It was a privilege to be asked to perform at this event, and we look forward to the day with anticipation. More details about this event soon.

Community Choir

A number of parents have asked whether we will run a Community Choir this term. I am very pleased to offer this opportunity again, leading to the Christmas Concert in December. I propose that we begin rehearsals on a Wednesday evenings from 6pm-7pm, commencing the first week after half term break (October 28) and continuing for seven weeks until the Christmas Concert. The Community Choir would be open to parents, friends and former students of Clearwater Bay School. Please email me if you are interested in joining this new choir (david.jacquier@cwbs.edu.hk).

Clearwater Bay School Instrumental Teachers

We would like to encourage your child to learn a musical instrument while at Clearwater Bay School. CWBS offers students in Y2 – Y6 the facility to learn to play an instrument, in addition to those they learn in their music lessons in school. The lessons are conducted by visiting instrumental teachers and are held during lunch break and between 2.35pm and 6pm on school days.

Students may be taught in groups (maximum 4) or individually. Please note that standard market music tuition fees are set and billed by the visiting instrumental teachers, and all tuition arrangements are negotiated directly between the teachers and parents. Please contact the instrumental teacher directly to organize the lesson time and location. Lesson fees should be paid directly to the teacher concerned.

For instrumental lessons commencing August 31, 2009, we are able to offer tuition in the following instruments: FLUTE, GUITAR, PIANO, TRUMPET, SAXOPHONE, CELLO, and CLARINET. We are currently looking for a violin teacher and I will publish details when we have secured the services of one. Should you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Clearwater Bay School Instrumental Teachers 2008 - 2009

Piano: Ms. Cherry Ho Tel: 9384 5626
Mrs Kim Elwell-Sutton Tel: 95044454
Mrs Susan Denham Tel: 97303649
Cello: Mr. Patrick Sohn Tel: 98376970
Guitar: Mr. Mike Carrington Tel: 9151 6401
Flute: Kim Elwell-Sutton Tel: 95044454
Ms Veron Lau Tel: 27917770
Clarinet and Saxophone: Shane O’ Neill Tel: 61922967
Clarinet: Mr. Walter Wong Tel: 94709163
Trumpet and French Horn: Mr. Supreeti Tel: 90482504