taylororchestratest Mr. Engelmann
James E. Taylor High School Taylor Orchestra
Taylor High School Orchestras
20700 Kingsland Blvd.
Katy, Tx. 77450
281-647-3126

Dear 2001/2002 Taylor High School Symphony Orchestra Members and Parents,

I hope you have enjoyed a fun-filled, restful summer! I am very excited about our 2001/2002 concert season. I am appreciate of the support and approval we have been given to pursue our performance in Carnegie Hall in New York on March 29, 2022 by Dr. Leonard Merrill, Katy ISD Superintendent ; Dr. Ron Jetton, Katy ISD Deputy Superintendent, Mr. McDonald, our principal and Mr. Robert Bryant, our Katy ISD Music Supervisor. Performing at Carnegie Hall and exploring the sights of New York City will be a wonderful experience for all of us.

It is my hope that we hit the ground running this Fall and to maintain the momentum and good communication throughout the year (see website address on page two). To that end, your attendance is respectfully requested on Thursday, August 23, 2001 in the Taylor High School Commons at 7:00p.m. After a brief string orchestra concert, we will enjoy a pot-luck dinner for the 2001/2002 THSSO members and parents (only please - we want to make sure we have enough to feed all! ). We will discuss our fundraising projects and the calendar. Please see list below to determine what you should bring:

Determine your food offering by the first letter of your last name.
Thank you!

Last names ending in A - G: Please bring a Dessert that would feed 12 people

Last names ending in H - L: Please bring a Side Dish that would feed 12 people

Last names ending in M- N: Please bring two dozen rolls/bread

Last names ending in P - Z : Please bring Main Dish that would feed 12 people

Thank you for your down payment that you made this past Spring to secure your airline reservation. It is critical that all participants make their New York trip payments on or before each of the payment dates listed below. To assist with promptness of payment, we will provide frequent reminders prior to each date via newsletter, announcements in class, email (where possible) and a phone tree. As you may recall, your next New York trip payment is on Wednesday, August 15th (First day of school!!!) for $225.00. Please make your check payable to T.O.P.A. and deliver it directly to Mr. Engelmann.

New York Payment Schedule: (Make all checks payable to T.O.P.A.)
Wednesday, August 15, 2001 $225.00
Wednesday, September 12, 2001 $225.00
Wednesday, October 10, 2001 $225.00
Wednesday, November 14, 2001 $225.00
Wednesday, December 12, 2001 $225.00
Wednesday, January 9, 2002 $225.00
Wednesday, February 1, 2002 $100.00


Parent Fundraisers: We are asking that parents of the participating students to participate in the the parent fundraisers organized by T.O.P.A. throughout the school year. Any monies raised by the booster club will be globally applied to lowering costs of all students equally. We need time and talent from all of our parents to make this a successful endeavor. At each of our concerts, we will be asking for donations from our audiences as well as support of our T.O.P.A. General Store which will feature varied food and gift items. Feel free to offer other fundaising ideas that would help us raise more funds.


Student Fundraisers:
You are invited (not required!) to participate in the two Taylor Orchestra student fundraisers. All profits you earn will be accounted for individually and used to defray (or if possible) cover your New York trip costs. (If for example, you raised $225.00 with the Varsity Gold Card project, you would not have to make a payment on September 12th.) The goal of these fundraisers is to provide you an additional means of raising the funds for your trip. You will be allowed to transfer any overages you have with your band fundraisers (monies beyond your band trip costs) to your orchestra trip. Reminder: Fundraised monies can not ever be refunded because they were raised with the understanding that they were to be used for our orchestra trip. Check payments may be refunded (following the refund policy described in the commitment letter).

1) Varsity Gold Cards - Friday, August 17, 2001 - August 31, 2001 Varsity Gold Cards are discount cards which offer our customers discounts from local merchants. The card costs $10.00 and each the seller earns $5.00 per card sold. Last year our high salesman raised over $300.00 profit for his account. The signup sheets will be available for pickup on Friday, August 17th (Your brief informational meeting will take place at 7:00a.m. that same day.). You will be asked to canvas your friends and families during the first week, taking orders with order forms. On Saturday, August 25th we will have our THS attendance Blitz effort from 9:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.. You will go door to door, wearing THS Orchestra identification badges selling your cards. This is the day when you can more than double your sales total. Don’t miss!
2) Friends of Taylor Orchestra Pages: The Friends of Taylor Orchestra Pages is a fundraiser where student participants go door to door visiting with local merchants and inviting their contributions to the the 2001/2002 THS Orchestra. In the past, students have also received donations from their doctors, dentists, lawyers, family owned businesses and friends as well. This fundraiser will commence on Monday, September 24th (Your brief informational meeting will take place at 7:00a.m. on the same day.) Our top salesperson with this project raised $700.00 (for her trip to Orlando, Florida).

I realize that we have set a high financial goal for ourselves. We will all have to stretch beyond our comfort zones at times to make our New York trip a reality. Please do your fare share. This trip will happen because everyone (not just a faithful few!) work to fundraise. With many hands involved, no one should feel overwhelmed. The joy of preparing of terrific full orchestra literature will be greatly enhanced by the honor of playing in such a fine concert hall.


Sincerely,

George Engelmann
Taylor High School
Orchestra Director


Last updated  2008/09/28 05:34:35 PDTHits  263