Conservatory Lab
Charter School
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| Family Notes
June 5, 2015
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Dear Families,
It continues to amaze and delight me that every time we set our mind on a goal, develop the strategy and work hard together, we achieve it and sometimes even overachieve!
This edition chronicles, as many others before have, examples of what I mean. As an organization we have the habit of stepping forth into the community and making every effort to leave a positive imprint. These activities demonstrate our desire and impetus to share what we learn and do at this school with the greater community for everyone's benefit.
A major achievement this week was the accomplishment of reaching the $100,000 goal to have us complete $5,000,000 or the 1st half of the $10,000 campaign for our new school building. Many of you supported us in this venture and I am most appreciative!
Have a happy weekend!
Warmly,
Diana Lam
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Take Note
- Please be on the lookout for all pertinent information regarding the Wednesday afternoon YMCA program available for the 2015-2016 school year. This packet has been sent out by both email and by student backpack. Both the Brighton Y and the Dorchester Y are working with us to make this enrichment program interesting and fun for all who wish to participate in it.
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Breaking Ground Campaign Reaches Goal of $100,000!
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Breaking Ground campaign a HUGE success!
We are now at $5 Million of our $10 Million goal and have the funds to put the shovel in the ground.
We couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for being a part of Conservatory Lab's family.
Red Sox ticket winners will be chosen Monday!
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Big Day, Big Energy, Big Performance!
Thirteen programs, eighteen performances, four hours, and one reason to go: last Saturday, the Third Annual El Sistema Showcase was bursting at the seams with polished performances and lots of energy! The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra teamed up with our school to produce a day-long celebration of El Sistema programs from all over Massachusetts (including one from Rhode Island).
In the morning, young musicians from eight different programs gave it their all, performing everything from Brahms to music from The Lord of the Rings to Camptown Races. They weren't just enthusiastic, however - these young musicians thoroughly impressed the audience with their musicianship, poise, and nuance. The last performance of the morning session was Conservatory Lab's own Abreu Orchestra, who blew everyone away with their renditions of "Prelude from the Apollo Suite" and "Hiawatha."
The older musicians followed in the afternoon, with bold choices and brassy swagger. From Michael Jackson to Georges Bizet, the older El Sistema groups brought wonderful arrangements of songs from all genres to the stage, and ensured that the day ended on a strong note. The Dudamel Orchestra punctuated the afternoon session with their now-famous performances of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Music from the Incredibles."
At the end of each session in the morning and afternoon, all eight of the featured ensembles came together onstage to perform two songs together. This huge performance symbolized how unifying El Sistema is, and showed that although each group that performed that day was a little different, their commonalities - a passion for music, the willingness to keep practicing, and respect for other musicians - are what's truly important.
Congratulations to all students who performed that day, and to our Abreu and Dudamel Orchestras! |
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Budding Astronomers!
Grade 4 visited the Museum of Science as part of their Expedition "What's Up There?" Using a Scavenger Hunt as their guide, students explored how humans create technologies, and learned about the types of information scientists have learned from the different space related instruments. They participated in a Planetarium Show, at which they "visited" Venus and Jupiter. At a Design Station, they worked cooperatively to construct trampolines.
From the journal of Se'Kaiyah Gomes: "Today I went to the Museum of Science. I did a lot of cool stuff. I have two top favorite places: 1st, my favorite place was the Planetarium. I loved it when the mc told Chuck to land us on a specific planet and he made the room feel like it was a rocket, because Chuck used sounds effects to make the room a spaceship. My 2nd favorite place was the indoor playground. There were so many activities, I couldn't count! I want on a seesaw with my friends, I went on the swings, and I took a picture of my shadow. This day was awesome!"
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Dudamel Brass Delight and Entertain at Rooftop Party
 On Wednesday evening, eight Dudamel Brass musicians braved cold temperatures and fierce winds (and a fear of heights) to do what they do best: entertain a crowd with a musical performance. Long time Conservatory Lab trustee Andy Snider invited friends and neighbors who had asked to learn more about the school to a roof deck gathering at his apartment in the Back Bay. Fifth graders Raini Toribio-Rosario and Kailyn Dubuisson on trumpet were joined by 6th graders Anthony Vega (French Horn), Ajarae Walcott (trombone), 7th grader Arianna Rodriguez (French Horn) and 8th graders Brandon Volel (trumpet), Vivian Tang and Zakiya Lomax (trombone). Led by Resident Artist Chris Schroeder, the students wowed the crowd with two pieces: Siboney, a classic Cuban song, and the theme from The Incredibles soundtrack, arranged by Mr. Schroeder for the Dudamel Brass and Wind Ensemble.  Before and after the performance students mingled with the guests alongside Head of School Diana Lam and other staff and trustees answering questions and explaining various aspects of our school. These young people have grown to be wonderful ambassadors of our school! Special thank you to Andy Snider and his wife Jody for hosting the event.
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8th Grade Will Rock the House of Blues
Come hear our 8th graders perform at House of Blues next Saturday, June 13!
They will be performing a short blues song featuring original music and excerpts from their poems about a Harlem Renaissance musician, artist, or writer who inspires them. There will also be performances by four other schools or community groups.
Date: Saturday, June 13 Time: Seating begins at 10:00. Performance begins at 10:15 AM and ends at 11:45 AM. Place: House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston The recital is free and for all families and friends.
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A Summer Opportunity for Students
The Community Music Center of Boston invites students in the 2nd thru 8th grade at Conservatory Lab Charter to review their summer program offerings. It is a 4 week program from June 29th through July 24th. Check out their website: http://cmcb.org/programs/summermusic/Also further detais are as follows: The daily schedule:
8:45 Drop-off at Josiah Quincy Upper School
9:00 Large Ensembles (String orchestra and Wind Ensemble) rehearse. Younger students who are not ready for the larger group will rehearse in a separate ensemble and then will be melded into the larger ensembles.
10:00 Chamber music/Classes - Students will either go to chamber music groups or will go to a group of three rotating classes (Traditional theory, Rhythm classes and a theory class incorporating eartraining and note-reading via a music software program.
11:00 Lunch and Recess
12:00 Chamber music/Classes - The students who had chamber music in the morning now have classes and vice versa.
1:00 - 1:15 Dismissal and pick-up
The cost is $400 for students through grade 6 and then $200 for students in grades 7-8. Financial Assistance is available. We can work things out with the families.
The older students can be CITs which means they have some responsibilities such as helping with set-up of chairs, et cetera. The Center has high school student musicians who are Junior and Senior Counselors as well.
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