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  VMA practice times this fall will be the same as last year:
   
       AJA   Wednesdays 4:15 - 6:30 beginning October 15.
       CSC   Fridays        3:00 - 4:30 beginning October 17
       WWE Fridays        4:00 - 6:00 beginning October 17

VMA members from the Fall/Spring 2007/2008 program have from September 1st to September 14, 2008 to register to reserve their seats.

Open registration for unfilled spaces will begin September 15 for prospective members.

Auditions for new members will be held by appointment between October 1 - 10.  Spaces will be offered on a "rolling" basis as qualified applicants are identified.  Audition times will be schedueld in the order their registrations are received beginning September 15.

Chapel Square Combo is considering invitations from Istanbul and Paris for a possible Holiday Tour.

Stay tuned for more information!

The VMA Summer 2008 session begins Monday, June 30 and runs through July 25.  Please check the events calendar for important dates.  Click on an event listing for additional details.

Participants please send in your registration forms and tuition fees.

AJA performance at 12:00 pm at the GU Jazz Fest is on!  Join us at Copley Lawn on the campus of Georgetown University for an afternoon of Jazz.

Information on the Summer 2008 program is now on the website.  Returning member have registration prefernce until May 5. 

Returning members should submit an online registration form and registraion fee to reserve their place. 

New prospective members may submit an online registration form and registration fee, and will then be contacted to schedule an audition where necessary.

Welcome the Annandale Jazz Ambassadors home from their tour to the Rpublic of Turkey and celebrate the music of the Wakefiled Wind Ensemble and the Chapel Square Combo at this rare Monday evening concert.  Start time is 7:00 pm at the Ernst Theatre on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale campus.  Tickets available from band members, or by sending an email to jeff@vamusicadventures.org

Concert Day Timeline for April 7:

THERE IS NO FFX COUNTY SCHOOL THIS DAY:

2:15 - Tech crew at Jeff's for Load Out
3:00 -  Call for Technicians, All Percussionists, & Rhythm Section at NOVA - Meet at Loading Dock #1 - Set Up Staging
4:30 -  Musicians Call – cases back stage/green room warm up
5:00 -  WWE on stage, warm up – sound check, final notes
5:30 -  CSC on stage – sound check, final notes
6:00 -  AJA on stage – sound check, final notes
6:15 -  Box Office Opens
6:30 -  Ushers arrive – places- concessions open
6:40 -  House Opens
7:05 -  Go
9:15 -  End

Dress:
All performers - Black from the waist down, white from the waist up - blue bow ties provided.

Reception:
Because it is a school night (there is school the next day) we will not hold our traditional end of season recpetion after the concert.  We will plan to hold that Saturday evening, April 26 at 7:00 pm following AJA's final performance of the season at the Georgetown Universtity Jazz Fest.

Notes/Reminders:
Musicians/technicians - wear casual clothes to set up - change later
Dinner provided prior to performance (pizza and soda backstage)
Remember to perform your clean up/load out duty before leaving for the evening.

Begin checking the Media section of the Web Site beginning March 21/22 for "postcards" from AJA in Turkey!!

Please view the Events section fo the web site for updates on WWE, CSC, and AJA events for the remainder of the session.

WWE will rehearse as follows

3/7  - 3 PM - 5:15 PM
3/12 - 4:30 - 6:30 PM
3/14 - NO REHEARSAL
3/21 - NO REHEARSAL
3/28 - NO REHEARSAL
4/4   - 3PM - 5:30 PM

AJA will rehearse Monday, 3/3 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM and Wednesday 4:00 - 7:00 PM this week.
CSC will rehearse at the regular time Friday, 3/7 from 4:00 - 5:30 PM
WWE will rehearse early Friday 3/7 as it is First Friday.  Rehearsal will run from 3:30 - 5:30 PM

Join Virginia Music adventures for an exciting evening of food, drink, music, prizes, & fun!

There will be dozens of items to bid on in the Silent Auction. Enjoy sumptuous appetizers celebrating the tastes of Turkey prepared by the Annandale High School Culinary Department. Enjoy brief performances by the Wakefield wind Ensemble, the Chapel Square Combo, and the Annandale Jazz Ambasssadors as you munch and bid. An be on hand for the final drawings in the VMA 2008 Fine Dining raffle!

Location: The Forum @ Ernst Cultural Center on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.

Combo will rehearsae at the Church at 1:00  today

WWE - Wind ensemble rehearsal will be from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Today.

An extra rehearsal has been scheduled for AJA on Monday, 2/18 from 4 - 7 pm at the church.

3:00   Set Up Crew arrives @ Jeff's
4:00   Advance Crew Arrive Ernst Center (Loading Dock #2)
                Tech Crew
                Caterers
                Auction Set up
                Bar Set up
5:00   Musicians arrive, Set up stage
5:45   WWE Sound Check
6:05   CSC Sound Check
6:25   AJA Sound Check
6:45   Clear stage - Final Prep
7:00   Doors Open!

Rehearsals are as normally scheduled this week.

Admission Tickets to Fireside at the Forum! gala benefit and silent auction have all been distributed.  Each family should have received 4 tickets to sell ($25.00/pp includes food).  If you need more please let us know; if you will not sell all yours please let us know. Space is limited and we want to sell as many tickets as possible.

Raffle Tickets are all out - please sell !

Combo - there is still talk of performances and skiing next week - stand by and watch your email - a final decision will be made by Tuesday.

On the new Web Site:

• Look for the Auction catalogue updates.

• Check out the new interactive calendar (which will become more interactive as we learn how to program it better!)

• Check out the news page more frequently as we will be able to post announcements there more frequently as well.

• Review the updated FAQ page which is easier to navigate and ahs some updates.

• Watch for future enhancements such as a members log in area, the ability to pay tuition, purchase CD's and pay other fees with a credit card online, and summer session information and registration forms.

Rehearsals - All rehearsals are at regular times and locations.

Auction tickets are coming home with students this week.  Each family is being sent 4 tickets to sell.  Request more as necessary.

Raffle tickets have been distributed - PLEASE SELL!

Spring Tuition is past due.  Please send it in if you have not.

Reminder that there is NO WWE rehearsal this week (1/25) as we are all on tour with
the Combo.  The next WWE rehearsal will be next week (2/1) which is a "First Friday"
so it will run from 3:30 - 5:30 pm.

AJA and CSC Rehearsals 1/30 and 2/1 are at the regular time

Raffle tickets will be coming with kids next week to begin selling.

Aileen Mak will be at the Church each Wed and Fri going forward to accept auction
donation items.  If you have not already, please make your plans to donate something as
a family and solicit something from one of your favorite local businesses.

If you have not already done so, please mail in your second semester tuition checks (AJA
& WWE - $250.00 - CSC $200.00) to:

VMA
8235 Toll  House Road
Annandale, Va 22003

Concert Day Timeline:
3:15 - Tech crew at Jeff's for Load Out
4:00 -  Call for Technicians, All Percussionists, & Rhythm Section at NOVA - Meet at
Loading Dock #1 - Set Up Staging
5:30 -  Musicians Call – cases back stage/green room warm up
6:00 -  WWE on stage, warm up – sound check, final notes
6:30 -  CSC on stage – sound check, final notes
7:00 -  AJA on stage – sound check, final notes
7:15 -  Box Office Opens
7:30 -  Ushers arrive – places- concessions open
7:40 -  House Opens
8:05 -  Go

Dress:
All performers - Black from the waist down, white from the waist up - bow ties provided.


Reception:
At Jeff and Janet's following the performance - please feel free to bring family, friends,
and special guests - directions available in the box office.  Rhythm Section and
Woodwinds please bring a savory finger food to share (cheese, chips and dip, veggies,
warm apps)- Brass please bring a dessert to share (cookies, brownies, etc).  

Notes/Reminders:
Musicians/technicians - wear casual clothes to set up - change later (changing rooms
provided)
Dinner provided prior to performance (pizza and soda)
Remember to perform your clean up/load out duty before leaving for the party.

AJA
Wed 1/ 9 - 4:15 - 7:00 pm

CSC
Fri 1/11 4:00 - 5:30 pm

WWE
Fri 1/11 3:30 - 6:30 pm

Please remember to sell tickets to the concert.  Please turn in any ticket revenue and
(hopefully not many) unsold tickets by next Wednesday 1/16.

Weekly Announcements!

Rehearsals this week:
CSC -Wednesday 12/12 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Church

Performances this week:
AJA Performance Wednesday 12/12 for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Inauguration will be held at:
-Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, 703-324-2321

Time Line for band Members:
3:00 pm - Technician's Call - Load at Jeff's House
4:00 pm - Band members Call Little River United Church - Load Bus
4:15 pm - Depart for Governmental Center
4:45 pm - Arrive - load in, set up sound check, change
5:55 pm - Performance
6:25 pm - Break down, pack up, load out, change
7:15 pm - Depart Governmental Center for Church
7:45 pm - Arrive back at Little River United Church - unload bus
8:00 pm - Parents pick up

WWE, AJA, and CSC Performance for Dinner Dance 12/14 will be held at:
-The Forum at Ernst Cultural Center 8333 Little River turnpike, Annandale
703-323-3159

Time Line for Band Members:
3:00 pm - Technician's Call - Load at Jeff's House
4:00 pm - Rhythm Section & Percussionsist Call - Load in at Ernst Loading Dock
5:00 pm - All Musicians Call - The Forum  - Set up, Sound Checks
7:00 pm - Doors open
10:30 pm - Event ends - clean up and load out

Next Week:
AJA performance with Poe Middle School Jazz Band 12/17 will be at:
-Poe Middle School  7000 Cindy Lane, Annandale, VA 22003 703-813-3800

Time Line for Band Members:
4:30 pm -Technician's Call - Load at Jeff's House
5:30 pm - All Musicians Call, Poe Middle School Cafeteria -set up, sound check
7:00 pm - Concert
8:15 - break down and load out

All - Regular rehearsals 12/19 and 12/21

Rest of the Month:
All - No rehearsals 12/26 and 12/28 - Happy Holidays

On the Horizon:
-WWE, CSC, AJA Winter Concert January 18, 2008 at Ernst Theatre
-CSC Tour to Punta Cana Domicina Republic 1/25 - 1/28 2008

Weekly Announcements!

Welcome to Concert season - below is December's active schedule.
Tickets & Flyers to the Dinner dance have been distributed - please sell!
Travelers should have paid their tour fees and submitted their passport copies.  If you
haven't, please do so immediately

DECEMBER SCHEDULE:

AJA Rehearsal 12/5 Regular time
WWE Rehearsal 12/7 MODIFIED TIME - 3:30 - 5:30 for First Friday
CSC Rehearsal 12/7 - CANCELED - Stand by for Make up info
AJA Rehearsal Sun 12/ 9 1:30 - 4:30 pm
AJA Performance Wed 12/12 4 pm - 7 pm for Ffx Co Board of Supervisor's
Inauguration
ALL Performance 12/14 at Ernst Cultural Center 5pm - 11 pm
AJA Performance Monday, 12/17 6pm - 8 pm at Edgar Allen Poe Middle School
AJA Rehearsal 12/19 regular time
WWE, CSC Rehearsals 12/21 Regular time
ALL Week of 12/26-12/29 No rehearsals

Regular rehearsals resume this week.

AJA second tour payments are now due, and AJA Passport copies are due this week.

Everyone please review the email you should have received Sunday from Jeff regarding
upcoming activities - let Jeff know if you didn't receive it.

Please begin to talk up the Dinner Dance the 14th.  Tickets are coming home this week
to sell.

Gobble Gobble.

Rehearsals are at their regular times and locations this week.

Tour fees for both bands are now past due.  AJA's next Tour fee payment is due
December 1.

A meeting of the Holiday Dinner Dance Committee will be held Thursday morning at
9:00 AM at Jeff's Tyson's office.   Contact Jeff if you would like to participate.

There are no rehearsals next week, the week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 21 & 23).   

Rehearsals are all at their regularly scheduled times this week.

AJA - 4:15 - 6:30  Wednesday at the church
CSC - 4:00 - 5:30  Friday at the church
WWE - 4:30 - 6:30 Friday at the church

Tour payments for AJA and CSC are now past due.  If you haven't mailed your payment yet, be sure to bring it to rehearsal this week.

An updated itinerary has been posted that includes information on the possible Central
European Tour.  Please CLICK HERE for information.

AJA rehearsal is TUESDAY (10/30) from 4:15 - 6:30 pm this week only.  No rehearsal
Halloween.

WWE rehearsal is an hour earlier this Friday (11/2) from 3:30 - 5:30 pm to
accommodate a church program.

CSC rehearsal is regular time this Friday from 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Rehearsals begin this week.  If you have not already, please send in your tuition and
Emergency Health Care Forms.

Also please review rehearsals policies on our FAQ page.

Reminder - AJA Rehearsal is Tuesday next week, not Wednesday.

The "Welcome Home/Spring Final Concert" has now been scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2008 at the Ernst Theater on the Annandale Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College.  Please make a note of it.

Please Click Here for Information and to Register

Pre-registration for returning musicians is underway and will continue through September 9, 2007.  Former musicians with questions should contact jeff@vamusicadventures.org.
Open registration for the Fall/Spring sessions begins on September 10, 2007.

Just a quick update that the band is on schedule for a 9:00 PM return tonight.  We'll see you then!

Click Here for more information about this exciting event.

Rehearsals

• AJA rehearses daily 4:00 - 6:30 pm
• WWE rehearses daily 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Emergency Care Forms needed
If you have not done so THIS SUMMER, please turn in your emergency care form ASAP!  Emergency Care Form Click Here to download a copy.  Our insurance company requires us to collect a new form each session for each child to insure accurate health information and contact numbers.  We are not supposed to allow a student to participate without one on file.

Summer Tuition Due
Please be sure to send in your tuition payments with your students on the first day if
you have not already mailed it in.

• For AJA Fall tuition is $300
• For WWE Fall tuition is $250

Rehearsal Location
Rehearsals are held at the Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River
Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.  Please consult the information board immediately
inside the main doors each week to be directed to the room we are rehearsing in - it
sometimes changes.  Remember we are guests at the church - conduct yourselves
accordingly.

A few notes about rehearsal structure during the summer
Dress in light, comfortable clothes - it is hot in the church in the summer.  Bring a snack if you need one - there are water fountains at the church.

The listed start times are anticipated down beat times.  Please arrive early enough to
set up your personal equipment and be ready to play by start time.

Similarly, listed end times are anticipated ending times.  Please be prompt in picking up.  
If you will be more than 10 minutes late please call and let us know.  We pledge
not to be more than 10 minutes late in return (except for dress rehearsals - see below)

The number to call for any emergencies or messages is 571-236-1792 to reach Steve and/or 703-477-9666 to reach Jeff.   As we can not always hear the phone during rehearsal, know that we listen to message at the break and at the conclusion of rehearsals.  

If you are running more than 15 - 20 minutes late to pick up, you may find we
have packed up and left.  Our agreement with the Church sometimes requires us to vacate.  Unclaimed children are available for pick up from Jeff's house
should you get stuck in a traffic nightmare at any time.  We will always wait at the church
for at least 15, but will in no circumstances leave students by themselves.  
Call if you're unsure where to go.

If a student can not attend a rehearsal and has made prior arrangements to be
absent or is critically ill and can not come, their music folder must still be sent in or
dropped off.  All music must be in each rehearsal each week.  Make sure to make
arrangements to send it in and get it back.

The rehearsal immediately before any performance is considered a dress rehearsal
(students do not need to wear uniforms).  Dress Rehearsals require attendance by
all musicians from beginning to end, and sometimes run over.  Be sure to plan
accordingly - there is no flexibility in this requirement.

Open Registration for VMA's Summer Programs has begun.  Auditions times for AJA and seats for open positions for WWE will be scheduled and filled on a first come basis until openings are filled.

GU Jazz Fest is On!!
Call time for AJA is 11 am.  
Noon - AJA performance
1:00 pm Georgetown U band plays (Aaron conducting),
2:00 pm Aaron's own R&B group plays with Aaron singing and Jon Laine playing drums.  
3:00 pm the Afro-Bop Alliance plays (great improv and percussion), and 4:00 pm he Navy jazz/rock band the Next Wave performs (as in all service bands, they're totally tight).

AJA Students should bring:
Khaki and blue uniform, instrument and music (we will collect at the end) clothes pins for windy music issues, a change of clothes to hang out on the lawn and enjoy the other concerts, a bag lunch or money (or both) to buy something from the GU stand (band CD's and T shirts will also be for sale), sunscreen, water.

Current WWE and AJA members will need to re-enroll by May 15 to hold their spots.   After May 15 positions will be filled first come first come served.  Entry into AJA for new members is by competitive audition.

We will be emailing you a link by the end of the weekend.  When you follow that link you will be able to register to return.  This online registration plus your registration fee (mailed to us) will secure your spot for the summer.  Returning members do not need to audition.  Beginning May 16 we will begin filling open positions.

Summer Session:  July 9 - July 27
Rehearsals:  Daily.  WWE 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm AJA 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Location:  Little River United Church of Christ
AJA Beach Performance Tour - Weekend of July 20 - 22
Final Concert for All - July 28
Registration Fee:  $35.00
Tuition:  WWE $250/pp; AJA $300/pp
Minimums:  WWE - 12; AJA -16
Tour Fee:  Estimated at $250.00 per person

As noted in earlier emails, there will only be a single performance for AJA this Saturday, April 28 at the Georgetown University Jazz Fest.  We will plan to stay on the GU campus and enjoy Aaron's band's performance.  Stay tuned for more details.

Rehearsals this week:

Both groups have their dress rehearsals for our upcoming
concert Saturday night. Both rehearsals will run a little late as we have technical issues to integrate - plan on a 6:45 - 7:00 pick up.  This Friday will be the Wind Ensemble's final rehearsal of the season - AJA has one more rehearsal next week.

Concert Day Timeline:
5:00 pm Technicians Call -Jeff's for load out
6:00 pm Rhythm Section and Percussionists call - Ernst Theatre Loading Dock
6:30 pm All Wind Players call - Ernst Theatre - Set Up
7:00 pm WWE Sound Check
7:20 pm AJA Sound Check
7:50 pm House Opens
8:15 pm Curtain
10:30 pm Reception at Jeff and Janet's