School Board 12/13/2022

Attention parents and musicians!

An exciting opportunity has presented itself to the 7th Grade Chorus.  We've been asked to perform two songs at the December 13th, 2022 School Board meeting at R2i2!

Here is some information that I need everyone to understand before we perform:

• Like our Winter Concert on December 6th, this performance will also be at 6:30pm.
• This performance is not at E. L. Wright Middle School, but at R2i2.  This means that transportation will not be provided and will be the responsibility of the student.  Please make arrangements in advance.
• Because this performance will be for the entire School Board and the community, we want to make the best impression possible.  Students will need to wear concert black.
• Students need to arrive at R2i2 no later than 6:15pm.  They will then need to meet me in the main lobby beside the staircase.  The School Board convenes on the second floor at the top of the stairs - if parents want to get a good seat.
• We will perform promptly at 6:30pm for the School Board, audience, and livestream.
• When we are finished, we will meet once again on the main level at the bottom of the stairs for pictures.

Permission slip packets have been give to our 7th graders and need to be returned by Friday, December 9th.  Please get it in to me as quickly as possible so I know who will be participating.

It is easy to get to R2i2.  It's in the Sandhills shopping area off Fashion Drive.  Just type "R2i2" into Google Maps and it'll bring you there 😁  Below is a map that I annotated, just in case.

This is a very big deal for us and to be acknowledged in this manner means everything.  

As always, email me if there are any questions: brafuse@richland2.org 🤗

Benjamin Rafuse

Director of Choruses

E.L. Wright Middle School

 

Winter Concert 2022 - 1 week!

 

 Attention parents and musicians!

ONE week and counting!

That's right, our Chorus' Winter Concert is only 1 week away!  Please take the time to double-check that everyone is ready for the performance.  Here's a reminder of what was sent out over the past couple of weeks:

• 🎵 The concert is on December 6^th in the E. L. Wright Gym.  The performance starts promptly at 6:30pm, but students are required to be here by 6pm, properly dressed and ready.
  
  
• 🎵 This is a mandatory concert as outlined on page 5 in the Chorus Syllabus.
• 6th Grade Syllabus
• 7th Grade Syllabus
• 8th Grade Syllabus 
  
  
• 🎵 All chorus students are required to wear solid black on top and solid black on bottom.  That is, a black shirt and black pants, skirt, or dress.  There should be no designs, logos, advertisements, words, etc. on the students' concert clothing.  These students have been working very hard to learn their music for this concert and we want to project an air of professionalism.
  
  
• Because there will be so many people in the gym for the concert, comfort is paramount.  Please consider wearing a simple, black t-shirt and a black pants with no rips, tears, cuts, etc...
  
  
  
  
• Shoes do not have to be black, but I would like you to please consider comfort and safety.  Comfort, because the students will be doing a lot of standing.  Safety, because there be a bit of walking.  I've seen way too many students, over the years, slip, trip, and fall in the middle of the concert because they just had to wear heels, slides, Crocs, or flip-flops.  Whatever a student wears on their feet needs to not only be comfortable, but also secure.

• 🎵Be sure to arrive early!  Between the construction and limited parking, parents have had to circle the block multiple times just to find some place to park.  Our lot in front (by the portables), the lot in front of the new school building, and the church across the street will be available for parking.  If you do park on the side of the road, please pull over far enough so traffic isn't interrupted.
  
  
• 🎵Following the concert, I could really use help bringing the keyboard and risers back to the Chorus room, as well as general cleaning up of the gym.  Any help will be greatly appreciated 💜

I cannot thank everyone enough for a fantastic start to this school year.  I'm wicked excited for our future concerts in the new building and the Carowinds competition for the 7^th and 8^th graders in May.  

As always, email me if there are any questions: brafuse@richland2.org 🤗

Benjamin Rafuse

Director of Choruses

E.L. Wright Middle School

Winter Concert 2022 - 2 weeks!

 

 Attention parents and musicians!

TWO weeks and counting!

That's right, our Chorus' Winter Concert is only 2 weeks away!  Please take the time to double-check that everyone is ready for the performance.  Here's a reminder of what was sent out last week:

• 🎵 The concert is on December 6^th in the E. L. Wright Gym.  The performance starts promptly at 6:30pm, but students are required to be here by 6pm, properly dressed and ready.
  
  
• 🎵 This is a mandatory concert as outlined on page 5 in the Chorus Syllabus.
• 6th Grade Syllabus
• 7th Grade Syllabus
• 8th Grade Syllabus 
  
  
• 🎵 All chorus students are required to wear solid black on top and solid black on bottom.  That is, a black shirt and black pants, skirt, or dress.  There should be no designs, logos, advertisements, words, etc. on the students' concert clothing.  These students have been working very hard to learn their music for this concert and we want to project an air of professionalism.
  
  
• Because there will be so many people in the gym for the concert, comfort is paramount.  Please consider wearing a simple, black t-shirt and a black pants with no rips, tears, cuts, etc...
  
  
  
  
• Shoes do not have to be black, but I would like you to please consider comfort and safety.  Comfort, because the students will be doing a lot of standing.  Safety, because there be a bit of walking.  I've seen way too many students, over the years, slip, trip, and fall in the middle of the concert because they just had to wear heels, or Crocs, or flip-flops.  Whatever a student wears on their feet needs to not only be comfortable, but also secure.

• 🎵Be sure to arrive early!  Between the construction and limited parking, parents have had to circle the block multiple times just to find some place to park.  Our lot in front (by the portables) and the church across the street will be available for parking.  If you do park on the side of the road, please pull over far enough so traffic isn't interrupted.
  
  
• 🎵Following the concert, I could really use help bringing the keyboard and risers back to the Chorus room, as well as general cleaning up of the gym.  Any help will be greatly appreciated 💜

I cannot thank everyone enough for a fantastic start to this school year.  I'm wicked excited for our future concerts in the new building and the Carowinds competition for the 7^th and 8^th graders in May.  

As always, email me if there are any questions: brafuse@richland2.org 🤗

Benjamin Rafuse

Director of Choruses

E.L. Wright Middle School

Winter Concert 2022

 Attention parents and musicians!

Three weeks and counting!

Can you believe it?  The Winter Concert is almost here and we have just three weeks to go!  In order to be sure all of our students are prepared, please read through the following list of expectations:

• 🎵 The concert is on December 6^th in the E. L. Wright Gym.  The performance starts promptly at 6:30pm, but students are required to be here by 6pm, properly dressed and ready.
• 🎵 This is a mandatory concert as outlined on page 5 in the Chorus Syllabus.
• 6th Grade Syllabus
• 7th Grade Syllabus
• 8th Grade Syllabus 
• 🎵 All chorus students are required to wear solid black on top and solid black on bottom.  That is, a black shirt and black pants, skirt, or dress.  There should be no designs, logos, advertisements, words, etc. on the students' concert clothing.  These students have been working very hard to learn their music for this concert and we want to project an air of professionalism.
• 🎵Be sure to arrive early!  Between the construction and limited parking, parents have had to circle the block multiple times just to find some place to park.  Our lot in front (by the portables) and the church across the street will be available for parking.  If you do park on the side of the road, please pull over far enough so traffic isn't interrupted.
• 🎵Following the concert, I could really use help bringing the keyboard and risers back to the Chorus room, as well as general cleaning up of the gym.  Any help will be greatly appreciated 💜

I cannot thank everyone enough for a fantastic start to this school year.  I'm wicked excited for our future concerts in the new building and the Carowinds competition for the 7^th and 8^th graders in May.  

As always, email me if there are any questions: brafuse@richland2.org 🤗

Benjamin Rafuse

Director of Choruses

E.L. Wright Middle School

One week!

 

Attention parents and musicians!  

That's right - we have one week until our Spring Concert is here!

Before reiterate some concert information, I need to clarify that the Carowinds Chorus is only for the 28 7th/8th grade Chorus students who are involved.  These students paid money upfront for uniform, tickets, and registration.  They also have given up 2-3 afternoons every week after school for rehearsals.  If none of this sounds familiar, your child isn't involved.

• 🎵 The concert is on May 17th in the E. L. Wright Gym.  The performance starts promptly at 6:30pm, but students are required to be here by 6pm to be ready.
• 🎵 This is a mandatory concert as outlined on page 5 of the Chorus Syllabus.
• 6th Grade Syllabus
• 7th Grade Syllabus
• 8th Grade Syllabus 
• 🎵 All chorus students are required to wear black on top and black on bottom.  That is, a black shirt and black pants, skirt, or dress.  Please keep in mind that your child has grown since the Winter Concert and probably will not be able to fit in the same clothes they originally wore.  Please see page 5 of your student's syllabus for clarification.
• Only the 4 Honor Choir students will be wearing their 2022 Richland 2 Honor Choir t-shirts with black pants.
• Only the 28 Carowinds students will be wearing their 2022 Carowinds Competition t-shirts with black pants.
• 🎵 Be sure to arrive early!  Between the construction and limited parking, parents have had to circle the block multiple times just to find some place to park.  Our lot in front (by the portables), the CFK lot, and the church across the street will be available for parking.  If you park on the road, please pull over far enough so traffic isn't interrupted.
• 🎵 Following the concert, I could really use help bringing the risers back to the Chorus room and general cleaning up of the gym.  Any help would be greatly appreciated 💜

On Saturday, May 21st, 28 7th/8th grade Carowinds Competition students and chaperones will be leaving E. L. Wright to go up to Carowinds for the choral competition.  All students and chaperones need to know:

• 🎵 The bus is leaving E. L. Wright at 9:30am.  Please be dressed in school appropriate shorts and the assigned Carowinds Competition t-shirt.  This is the same t-shirt that these students were required to wear at our Spring Concert on the 17th.
• 🎵 Carowinds is now cash-less.  There will be ATM-like machines around the park for students to put money on a card.  These cards can be used for food and souvenirs.  Please remember that while admission is included, food is not.  I recommend that students bring at least $20 with them so they don't go hungry.
• 🎵 Our competition time is at 11:45am.  Leaving school at 9:30am will give us plenty of time to arrive, park, casually wander toward to the Plants VS Zombies Auditorium (where we're performing), warm-up, and wow the judges.  After our performance, we'll be ushered out of the auditorium and wait approximately 10 minutes for our results.  Let's shoot for a SUPERIOR rating 🤞🏻
• 🎵 The students and chaperones will then be dismissed to have fun at the park.  Don't forget your sunscreen!
• 🎵 We'll reconvene at the busses by 4pm so we can be back at E. L. Wright by 5:30pm.  I'll have the students call/text you when we're leaving so you can plan accordingly.

I cannot thank everyone for a fantastic school year.  I'm wicked excited for our upcoming concert and competition.  

As always, email me if there are any questions: brafuse@richland2.org 🤗

Benjamin Rafuse

Director of Choruses

E.L. Wright Middle School

Spring Concert 2022 and Carowinds Competition!

Attention parents and musicians!

Less that two weeks and counting!

Can you believe it?  The school year is almost over and we have a little less than two weeks to go before our Spring Concert is here.  In order to be sure all of our students are prepared, please read through the following list of expectations:

• 🎵 The concert is on May 17th in the E. L. Wright Gym.  The performance starts promptly at 6:30pm, but students are required to be here by 6pm to be ready.
• 🎵 This is a mandatory concert as outlined on page 5 of the Chorus Syllabus.
• 6th Grade Syllabus
• 7th Grade Syllabus
• 8th Grade Syllabus 
• 🎵 All chorus students are required to wear black on top and black on bottom.  That is, a black shirt and black pants, skirt, or dress.  Please keep in mind that your child has grown since the Winter Concert and probably will not be able to fit in the same clothes they originally wore.
• Only the 4 Honor Choir students will be wearing their 2022 Richland 2 Honor Choir t-shirts with black pants.
• Only the 28 Carowinds students will be wearing their 2022 Carowinds Competition t-shirts with black pants.
• 🎵Be sure to arrive early!  Between the construction and limited parking, parents have had to circle the block multiple times just to find some place to park.  Our lot in front (by the portables), the CFK lot, and the church across the street will be available for parking.  If you do park on the road, please pull over far enough so traffic isn't interrupted.
• 🎵Following the concert, I could really use help bringing the risers back to the Chorus room and general cleaning up of the gym.  Any help would be greatly appreciated 💜

On Saturday, May 21st, 28 Carowinds Competition students and chaperones will be leaving E. L. Wright to go up to Carowinds for the choral competition.  All students and chaperones need to know:

• 🎵The bus is leaving E. L. Wright at 9:30am.  Please be dressed in school appropriate shorts and the assigned Carowinds Competition t-shirt.  This is the same t-shirt that these students were required to wear at our Spring Concert on the 17th.
• 🎵Carowinds is now cash-less.  There will be ATM-like machines around the park for students to put money on a card.  These cards can be used for food and souvenirs.  Please remember that while admission is included, food is not.  I recommend that students bring at least $20 with them so they don't go hungry.
• 🎵Our competition time is at 11:45am.  Leaving school at 9:30am will give us plenty of time to arrive, park, casually wander toward to the Plants VS Zombies Auditorium (where we're performing), warm-up, and wow the judges.  After our performance, we'll be ushered out of the auditorium and will wait approximately 10 minutes for our results.  Let's shoot for a SUPERIOR rating 🤞🏻
• 🎵The students and chaperones will then be dismissed to have fun at the park.  Don't forget your sunscreen!
• 🎵We'll reconvene at the busses by 4pm so we can be back at E. L. Wright by 5:30pm.  I'll have the students call/text you when we're leaving so you can plan accordingly.

I cannot thank everyone for a fantastic school year.  I'm wicked excited for our upcoming concert and competition.  

As always, email me if there are any questions: brafuse@richland2.org 🤗

Benjamin Rafuse

Director of Choruses

E.L. Wright Middle School

Attention parents and musicians!

For the 40 students that are going to Carowinds with us on May 21st, rehearsals begin next week!

Yes, that's next week!  

I'll be sending a paper copy home with your students, this week, but below is a digital copy for your convenience.

Please remember that every Tuesday/Thursday rehearsal is mandatory for your child to attend.  If there is a conflict, Wednesdays are set aside for make-up rehearsals.  As explained in the permission slip packet that went home back at the end of January, three missed rehearsals qualify as expulsion from the competition. Refunds are not an option because this competition is organized by a 3rd party vendor.  It's only hosted at Carowinds, not run by Carowinds.

Plan on picking students up behind the 700 Building (driving around the new school construction) promptly at 3:30pm.  Any student remaining by 3:45pm will be waiting for you at Wright Care.

As always... if there are any questions, I'm just an email away 🤗

Benjamin Rafuse
E. L. Wright Middle School
Director of Choruses