...from the Kalamazoo Children's Chorus


Jeanie 14-15
Welcome to the Kalamazoo Children's Chorus 2016-2017Concert Season!  We are looking forward to a new season in song with you!

This is the first of many electronic newsletters you will receive this season.  In the summer months, the member newsletter only goes out once a month except this month - you can expect to see a second newsletter about choir camp.  Once the season starts, the newsletter will come out weekly.  It's filled with news and information to keep you informed about what's going on at KCC - and beautiful pictures of your talented kids! 

You'll also find links (always underlined, in bold italics) to important websites, e-mail addresses and documents like the new KCC Registration and Medical Release Form.  This form needs to be turned in before the first rehearsal, so please download it, fill it out and send it in with your next tuition payment - most first time KCC members have already filled it at auditions - only returning KCC members need to fill out a new form for this season. 

Like our FaceBook and Twitter pages for special announcements.  For last minute announcements like cancelled rehearsals, send Leona your cell phone number and the name of your cell phone carrier so we can send you text messages. 

Trinity & Myisha in Hairspray A great feature in the newsletter is The KCC Spotlight!  This column highlights fun things members, staff, volunteers & alumni do in and outside of KCC.  We'll highlight stories like this one:  The Civic theatre's recent production of Hairspray starred the KCC mother-daughter team of Myisha Crayton and Trinity Posey in the roles of "Motormouth" Maybelle Stubbs and Little Inez!  If you saw it, you caught an absolutely terrific performance!

To get in The KCC Spotlight! click this link:  KCC Spotlight! to send Leona information and a photo for the spotlight!  Remember to include your child's full name and choir on all correspondence.  
Choir Camp - which do you prefer?

KCC's traditional fall retreat has been moved to August 19-21.  It just makes more sense!  We've come up with two options for that weekend and would like your opinion on what you'd prefer to do.  If you are available that weekend, please click on the option you'd prefer your child to do August 19-21.  Please send in your vote right away - we will be announcing the decision by Tuesday, June 21.

Option 1: Van Buren Youth Camp 
  • VBYC counselors, swimming, archery, canoeing, campfires and choir rehearsal too.  The cost for camp will be around $95-$100, due by July 10.  Parents are not needed to chaperone or spend the night - VBYC counselors will do that.
  • $95 if paid by check or cash, $100 if paid for online by July 10.
  • I vote for overnight camp at Van Buren Youth Camp
 Option 2: Day Camp At Milwood
  • A traditional day camp from 9am to 1pm at Milwood for all choirs and less money but would dependent on parent volunteers.  Payments would be due by July 10. 
  • Please note, if you choose this camp, you are also agreeing to volunteer.  That can mean anything  from bringing snacks to making lunches, working at check-in or check out and volunteering for a whole day.   
  • Price to be determined, but significantly less than $95-$100 for sleepover camp.
  • I vote for day camp at Milwood
Art Van Charity Challenge

Charity Challenge KCC joined the Art Van Charity Challenge in May.  Its a fundraising campaign launched by Art Van Furniture to benefit organizations supporting children, health and human services in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.  A total of $300,000 will be given away and the organization that raises the most will receive a $100,000 donation. Second place gets $50,000, third gets $25,000 and fourth through tenth also get Challenge grants.

This Weeks Bonus Challenge starts at 2pm:  $50 = $100  
The first 300 online donations of at least $50 get a $50 match. Start time: June 14 at 2:00pm ET
End time: June 22 at 1:59:59pm ET or when the matches are gone. 

This is the last Bonus Challenge in the 2016 Art Van Charity Challenge and this one is all about being fast. That means if you give fast, your donation could double. So amazing and so great for our organization. 
 
How You Can Help
Charity Challenge Please consider making a donation and joining our team as a fundraiser - it's definitely not too late. By reaching out to your network of supporters, you can help us make an even bigger impact over the next 8 days.

How To Set Up A Fundraiser   
It takes less than five minutes to set up a fundraiser. All you have to do is Go Here, to our CrowdRise page and click "Fundraise for This Campaign."  It's the same place to go to make a donation. 

Add some fabulous pictures and a great story to tell the world why you're one of our biggest fans.  If you have any questions at all, please email  CrowdRise, our fundraising platform, and they'll help solve everything.

If for some reason you can't fundraise for our campaign, we hope you will be willing to give to our cause. Every donation makes a difference, no matter how big or how small.  You'll be supporting important work in our community like the Eastside Neighborhood Choir, and new initiatives like the Spanish Choir (fall 2016), Musical Harmony = Social Harmony Choir Camp (summer 2017), Chinese cultural classes (fall 2016) and an affordable Concert Tour of China (2018).

Thank you in advance for your support of the Kalamazoo Children's Chorus - "Building Our Community, One Voice At A Time
Scholarship & Tuition

Lisa Colgren is the Financial Director for KCC.  Lisa is happy to answer your questions about tuition and scholarship. You can reach her by e-mail at lisa@kalamazoochildrenschorus.org.  

Scholarship applications were due on June 1.  If you applied, awards will be announced later this month.  KCC will contact you directly regarding the award. 

KCC encourages and appreciates it when you can pay your tuition in full.  However, if that just isn't possible, a payment plan is available and if you chose that route, we remind you to send in your payment of at least $50 on July 1.  For current members, the July 1 payment represents your third payment to KCC (Hold-My-Spot and June 1).  For new members, the July 1 payment represents your second payment to KCC since making your Hold-My-Spot payment in June. 

Please remember to include your child's full name and choir on all payments!

You can also pay your tuition online, conveniently and securely through PayPal.  Just click the PayPal box below and indicate in your child's name and choir in the  "notes" section of your payment. 
                                                   
                                                      Click Here to Pay

Tuition payment schedule is as follows:
  • July 1 - $50 minimum payment  
  • August 1 - $50 minimum payment
  • September 1 - $50 minimum payment
  • October 1 - $50 minimum payment
  • November 1 - $50 minimum payment
  • December 1 - Remaining Balance Paid In Full
Important Dates At-A-Glance 

Tuesday, June 21, at 7 pm - New Orleans Choir Farewell Concert at Millwood.  KCC members who ordered Spring Concert DVDs or group photos are encouraged to pick them up at this time. 

Tuesday, August 30, 6 pm - Mandatory Parent Meeting at Milwood United Methodist Church, 3919 Portage Ave. in Kalamazoo.  Every KCC parent is a member of the Parent League.  This is the most important parent meeting of the year.  It's also a new member orientation and a chance to meet the staff, learn KCC policies regarding safe pick-up and drop-off, highlights of the season, and other important things you need to know. You'll also vote on new board members for the KCC Board of Directors and get updates on exciting announcements and other surprises!  

*Eastside Choir parents are welcome to attend this meeting but are not required to do so since you will be having your own parent meeting at the first rehearsal on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 5 PM.     

Tuesday, September 6 - First Milwood Campus rehearsal!  Milwood United Methodist Church, 3919 Portage Ave. in Kalamazoo. 
 Spring 2015  

 

The rehearsal schedule is as follows: 

  • Prep Choir from 6 pm to 7 pm
  • Treble Choir from 6 pm - 7:30 pm
  • Bella Voce from 6 pm - 7:30 pm
  • Touring from 6 pm - 7:30 pm



Monday, September 12 - First Eastside Choir rehearsal from 5 PM to 6 PM at St. Mary's Church, 939 Charlotte Ave. in Kalamazoo. There will be a parent meeting at the beginning of rehearsal.

Please note that KCC staff are usually in on Tuesdays and if you want to reach us by phone, that is the best day to get through.  We do check the messages each week, but you may find e-mail is quicker. 

Upload a Save-the-Date Form and you're all set for now.  Enjoy all the joys of summer.   We look forward to seeing you in the fall! 

Sincerely,

Fred's Signature
Fred Sang
Kalamazoo Children's Chorus
PO Box 50414
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49005
269-547-7183