Pre-Concert, News, More!

This morning, it was so beautiful to see Christmas lights shining through the fog.  Even though it's not snow, it put me in the mood for a Christmas concert, which is tomorrow!

On a personal note, I'm proud of all of the work that we've put in for this concert already, and I'm sure it's going to be a giant success.  Reminder that we're meeting to rehearse today from 1-3.  I'll be getting there plenty early to set up the stage.  We had to meet in the afternoon today because of building usage/conflicts at Lima Senior High School, which is fine.  

Our Cadet Orchestra has had some great positive responses.  But I feel like we definitely need some more sign-ups.  If you are even considering it, please sign up for it.  If you know of a younger player with maybe just a year of playing experience, please send them the way of the Cadet Orchestra.  

Oh, and here's us in the news: https://www.limaohio.com/news/487677/lima-area-youth-orchestra-concert-scheduled

For our concert tomorrow, tickets will be available at the door: $10/adults, $5/students and seniors.  The concert will begin at 5:00 PM on the stage of Lima Senior High School.  For our wonderful members, Dr Waters put it best in her email.  I can't remember the exact words, but she described it beautifully: something about formal with some festive accents.  Personally, I'll be wearing a black suit with a reindeer tie, and festive Christmas tree socks (not that you'll really be able to see them...).

Also, I'm going to begin putting together the next concert.  We've got some Beethoven, which will be fun.  If you want to prep, go listen to Beethoven Symphony 5 (that's arguably the most famous one), and I would recommend the last movement.  Hopefully we'll be looking at the Bacchanale from Samson & Delilah by Saint-Saens, I would definitely recommend putting that on your playlist.  We're also hopefully going to be looking at the Waltz from Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky - again another that I would recommend listening to.  That might sound like a "heavy" concert, but I assure you it'll be great.  It's music that you'll be almost 100% guaranteed to fall in love with!  I'm going to try to have new music posted around the 17th of December.

Speaking of next concert, our members will need a LAYO shirt!  It's a beautiful black polo-style shirt.  We put our *new* LAYO logo embroidered on the left chest, and members get their choice of embroidery on the right sleeve (we recommend either a first or last name, or an instrument).  Before you write a check, let me check on the price.  It was $17.  Honestly, it's a great shirt that holds up well, and I feel like it's a good price.  They will be available in a "regular" cut (which works well for just about everyone), a "youth" cut (which is great if you're younger), and a "ladies" cut (it's slimmer on the sides and has shorter sleeves).  That will be something that we discuss in January.

And speaking of January, if there's an issue where we need to cancel a rehearsal due to weather, it'll be right here in the "News" section, I'll try to put it on our "front page" and I'll try to shoot out an email.  It's been a few years since that's happened, so, fingers crossed!

Finally, the Youth Orchestra is looking for new sponsors.  If you know of anyone, or would like to donate to our cause, that would be much appreciated.  We'll take any amount, but $50 gets you listed in the program and a custom message.  $300 gets a 1/4 page in the program.   For $750 you get 1/2 page and you get to name an honorary chair in the program.  And, for $1000+ you get a full page in the program, custom message, and 4 free tickets.  If you or someone you know is interested in donating, please make your check payable to "Lima Community Foundation" and put "Lima Area Youth Orchestra" in the memo line.  You can get a donation to me to turn in, or you could mail it to: Nanci Carroll - LAYO Treasurer, C/O Lima Noon Optimists, PO Box 428, Lima, Ohio 45802-0428.