Concert Week is Coming!

Hello band and orchestra students and parents,

We can't wait for these upcoming events!

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. - HS Band/Orchestra Fall Pops Concert

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m. - Veterans Day Assembly - symphonic band

Friday, Nov. 14, 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Swingin' the Night Away

1. Students should arrive in uniform to HCHS by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the concert is at HCHS in the auditorium. Invite friends and family!

2. Please sign up here if you can help out with greeting, distributing programs, taking offering, serving refreshments.

3. Sign up here if you can help out at Swingin' the Night Away at the event or if you can bring a dessert or two!

4. We are raising money for Florida 2026 by selling concessions at the musical. We would love it if you could donate some candy or water and/or help sell concessions at the musical performances. Use these links below if you can help out.

Candy Donations for Musical

Musical Concession Help

5. Florida first payments of $475 (unless you did fundraisers) will be due on Thursday, November 6. The other payment is due Friday, January 9. I have the spreadsheet of student fundraiser earnings at school and kids can check in on their total during class.

6. The Holland Christian Jazz Bands and the Old Timer’s Jazz Band are proud to present  Swingin’ the Night Away in the HCHS cafeteria on Friday, November 14, from 6:45 to 9pm. Admission is $5 (cash only) and goes to support our music programs at HCS. New to swing  dancing? No worries! The Hope College Swing Club will be on hand from 6:45 pm-7:30 pm to teach  us the basic steps of swing, so the evening can be enjoyed by novice and experienced  dancers alike. Not in the mood for dancing? Come socialize, indulge in some delicious  desserts, punch, and enjoy the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington  and more.

7. Need a concert for honors points or want to enjoy some great music? Mr. VB conducts the Calvin Community Symphony on a concert on November 1 and you are invited to attend! The concert is at 2 p.m. in the Calvin University Covenant Fine Arts Center and admission is free. More details on our website. https://www.calvincommunitysymphony.org/concert-calendar

Thanks,

Mr. VB

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Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"

A busy week and your help is needed!

Dear band and orchestra students and parents,

This is a busy week!

1. Band students have Florida letter writing in class tomorrow.

2. Orchestra members are taking pictures on Wednesday. Have appropriate footwear for tux/dress. The last blog post has details.

3. We need your help with retreat this week. Consider donating or helping with the items in this sign up genius. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4EA8AC2EA3FE3-59321891-2025#/

4. There is pizza for all band/orchestra students in the band/orchestra room on Friday at 6:00 p.m. We have bussing to get kids to the retreat after the football game on Friday. Please send me an email if you would like to have your child drive themself to Camp Geneva. Parents should pick up students after the retreat on Saturday is at 11 a.m. and will be at Camp Geneva Pines at 17000 Quincy St, Holland, MI 49424. 

Here is the retreat information, packing list, and consent form. 

5. Pep band (all band students) will play on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and through the half time. After half time students will put away instruments and go back into the game again for free.

6. Thank you to Steve VanDyk, Kim Blaker, Ella Vanden Berg, and Katy Westra who will be chaperoning alongside myself for this year's retreat. 

Thank you!

Mr. VB

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Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"

October Fun!

Dear band and orchestra students and parents,

I hope you are doing well! Please note these reminders and announcements.

1. We are doing Florida letter writing on Monday and Tuesday next week during class.

As part of an effort to keep this trip affordable for all students we will be sending out letters requesting donations in class on Monday/Tuesday Oct. 6/7. This is a group fundraiser and the donations are shared between all students and will go to help offset the cost of the trip for all students. In order to facilitate this process, all Florida bound students, please complete this address letter form by Friday, Oct. 3. Each student will need 3 or 4 names and addresses. Here is a copy of the letter we will send. Students who are unable to attend the Florida trip won't need to send letters or provide addresses, but can help with the process. It will just be a portion of the class time.

2. We have new band/orchestra picture dates due to unexpected conflicts with previous dates. Pictures will happen during class and/or family flex.

Orchestras will have pictures taken on Wednesday, Oct. 8

Bands will have pictures taken on Thursday, Oct. 16

Did you know that band/orchestra students are getting fitted for their band/orchestra uniforms during their class periods? Guys will wear a tuxedo, vest, shirt, and tie and girls will wear a black dress. A special thanks to Carol Redder who has headed this up for many years! 

We will keep your uniform at school for you for pictures, but students should take the uniform home after pictures are done. All students will need to provide their own footwear appropriate to be worn with a tux or dress. Guys will need black dress shoes and socks and girls will need black flats or other appropriate dressy black footwear. No tennis shoes or white socks.

3. Did you know that it is time to think about and start signing up for Solo and Ensemble Festival even though it doesn't happen until January 31? Mr. Vanden Berg will be talking about this in class this week. It is good to start planning for this now.
Here is the form that you can use to sign up.

4. We need chaperones for the band/orchestra retreat next weekend! Please let me know if you can help out. 

5.  I highly recommend taking lessons on your instrument this year, it is a great way to grow as a musician. You can do it for the year or just for a season. Here are a number of excellent musicians who are willing to share their expertise!  Mr. Veenstra, Mrs. Kruizenga, and I give lessons here at HC and we also have wonderful people to suggest to you. Some of these instructors give lessons right here at HCHS. Don't hesitate to reach out and ask if you have any questions or if we can help in any way.

6. HC Music Boosters offers a lesson scholarship and will pay for 8 lessons with highly qualified instructors. 

Thank you!

Mr. VB

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Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"