Refunds, SmartMusic performances, and a year end like no other.

Dear band and orchestra students and parents,

I hope you are doing well and staying healthy. It is cliché at this point, but I will say it again, I miss making music with you and seeing you all. Seeing you in Zoom meetings over the last weeks has truly been a blessing.

I wanted to update you on a few things.

1. Our audition/application to perform at Disney World next year was successful! See my last post, this phrase is needed here: Deo volente.

2. We have not yet received our refund from Disney World. I have been in contact with them and the refund is coming, but we won't be able to send out checks until HCHS receives the refund. At this point I will continue to be in contact with Disney, but I do not know what the timing will be. 

3. I will reach out to you when we are able to move forward with refunds for those who would like this. Our hope is that those who will likely go on the trip next spring will keep their money in their school account. The refund will not include money that was fundraised. It looks like ticket costs for 2021 will only be $13 higher.

4. I am looking forward to students sharing a performance at home with parents this week and then creating a video to share with someone whose day could use some brightening next week. Parents, please verify your child's home performance on this form. I am so proud of how students are progressing on their projects, they are sounding great. 

5. I will have more information to share with you about senior celebrations, uniform drop offs, instrument drop off, music drop off.....and more. But for now I am going to say that we will deal with that on another day. :)

Deo volente,
Mr. VB

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	Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian Schools 956 Ottawa Ave. Holland, MI 49423  web: hollandchristian.org  blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com school: 616.820.2805 | cell: 616.212.8867 Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ

Deo volente

Hello band and orchestra students and parents,

I hope you are healthy and I pray that you have a special measure of God’s peace in this time.

I really miss making music with you all. Our art is so physical and so communal that the impact of this isolation on what we do is significant. I hope that as a musician in this time you are able to hone your skills and your craft with the goal of sharing it with others, even if right now the “others” are your family members.

In addition, today many of us were supposed to leave for Florida. It is disappointing not to be on a bus headed to 80 degrees and sunshine. This global pandemic has made me think that perhaps I should include the Latin phrase Deo volente (God willing) to my blog posts, emails, and performance calendars. Perhaps I am learning through this to hold my own plans loosely. 

Here is my suggestion for you today: read a Psalm, spend time in prayer, take a walk, sing a few Disney tunes at the top of your lungs, and then take a virtual ride on the Disney World ride, It’s a Small World . :) 

Looking forward, I am in the process of completing the application for our trip to Florida for next year, for March 31 to April 5, with an itinerary much the same as this year’s. Because of the calendar next year this means we will observe Holy Week in Florida and celebrate Easter with congregations in Florida. We will also invite next year’s freshman to join us and will very much miss this year’s seniors who won’t be able to join us. 

I will have more information and announcements in the coming days and weeks related to expected announcements from our Governor.

Deo volente,

Mr. VB

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	Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian Schools 956 Ottawa Ave. Holland, MI 49423  web: hollandchristian.org  blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com school: 616.820.2805 | cell: 616.212.8867 Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ