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4/18/25

Calendar Updates & Costumes & Sign Ups (Oh My!)

This message was sent via email on 4/18/25

Hello, Choir Families – 

Yesterday marked just TWO WEEKS until The Wizard of Oz! This email is packed with information; please make sure to read through everything carefully.

Summary of Email

• Updated Calendar

• Dress Rehearsals

• Costume Changes

• Sign up to help supervise

Updated Calendar

We have three rehearsals left, so please mark your calendars! 

• Wednesday, April 23^rd, 7:30-8 AM (regular rehearsal)

• Thursday, April 24^th, 6-8 PM (new date - dress rehearsal)

• Wednesday, April 30^th, 6-8 PM (dress rehearsal – on original calendar)

There is no rehearsal the morning of Friday, April 25^th or Wednesday, April 30^th. 

Dress Rehearsals

The dress rehearsal originally planned for Saturday, the 26^th is NO LONGER happening; that date has been changed to the 24^th. Because of the less-than-a-week-before-notice for the 24^th, I understand that some may be unable to attend that rehearsal. 

Please try to be at all three rehearsals and let me know in advance if you are unable to attend. The performance is Thursday, May 1^st, at 5:30 PM. 

Costumes will be required on the 24^th, 30^th, and 1^st. I sent an email earlier to those I have yet to get costume pictures from. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. 

Costume Changes

Most cast members have a costume change during the performance. Because of this, we want to make sure that everyone feels as safe and comfortable as possible. The current plan is as follows: 

• boys change in the boys bathroom that’s in the same hall as the Music Room

• girls change in the Music Room

  • windows will be covered

  • girls that would like extra privacy can change in my office or in the storage room in the classroom

  • a base layer can be worn under costumes to provide extra comfortability when changing (example: leotard, shorts and tank top, etc)

• have parent volunteers supervise/be available to help

  • see sign up below

If you have any questions or concerns regarding costume changes, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. If you are uncomfortable with your child changing in a shared space, we can work together to find an alternative space for your child to change their costume.

Sign Up to Supervise

There are various moments throughout the show that several cast members are not on stage. This also includes costume changes. To ensure students are safe and comfortable, we are asking for a few parent volunteers to help supervise. So that you don’t miss the show, volunteers have the ability to sign up for half shows and attend dress rehearsals.

Please check out the signup (linked below) and consider helping out with supervision. I will be in the Gym for the entirety of the performance and rehearsals, so I will only be able to help off stage in emergencies.

Supervision/Dress Rehearsal Attendance Sign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48A5A92BA7FFC43-56393125-wizard

Thank you for your continued dedication towards your child’s interests and success. This show would not be possible without you all. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. 

Thank you and have a great weekend,

Ms. Anna Featherston

4/7/25

Costumes, Props, and More!

This message was sent via email on 4/7/25

Hello, Choir Families! 

We’re getting closer and closer to our May 1^st performance! I am so proud of the work the students have been doing! This weekend, I put mood boards together for the various character costumes. The goal is for you to be able to build (at least the majority of) the costumes from what you already have in your closet. 

Please see the emailed files to access the list of costumes needed and mood boards. Once you have acquired the costume(s), please send me a picture so that I know you’re ready to go. Please send pictures by Friday, April 18^th.

We also have an Amazon Wishlist for some needed props! We thank you very sweetly for your generous donations! 

Find the list here: 

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2E1N12HE0ZJ4F?ref_=wl_share

We're also looking for: 

- a refrigerator box that can be turned into a green telephone booth 

- a black bike to borrow 

- a few quiet bubble machines to borrow

If you have any questions or need help getting items, please do not hesitate to reach out to me!

Thank you,

Ms. Anna Featherston

2/3/25

Calendar Update

The Wizard of Oz rehearsal calendar has been updated. Go to the Wizard of Oz page on the website for specifics.

1/8/25

Upcoming Rehearsal Schedule

It’s time to start thinking about this semester! As stated at the beginning of the school year (and in the Choir Contract), we will be doing a musical for our Spring performance. All Choir members will be in the musical. There is no audition requirement; those who do not audition for specific roles will automatically be cast as an ensemble member. Unless stated otherwise, rehearsals will continue to take place from 7:30 - 8:00 am on Wednesdays (5th Graders) and Fridays (6th Graders).

All 5th & 6th Graders will be required on the following dates. Please mark your calendars now.

• Friday January 17th

  • I will announce the musical at this rehearsal! I will also pass out audition materials :)

• Friday, January 31st

  • reveal and start learning finale song

• Friday, February 14th

There will be no rehearsal for anybody on the following dates.

• Friday, January 10th

• Wednesday, January 15th

• Wednesday, January 29th

  • no regular rehearsal this date, see audition info below

• Friday, February 7th

Auditions are required for those wanting lead roles. Auditions will take place on 3 different dates/times. Those interested in auditioning for a lead will only need to sign up for one of the three dates. Those auditioning will be expected to stay for the entire listed time. Please look ahead at your calendar now so that you know when your child could audition if they want to.

Audition Options:

• Monday, January 27th

  • 3:30 - 4:30 pm

• Tuesday, January 28th

  • 5:30 - 6:30 pm

• Wednesday, January 29th

  • 7:30 - 8:00 am

I will hold two optional “Audition Workshops.” I strongly encourage anybody considering auditioning for a lead to attend these rehearsals. I will use these times to teach the audition materials and answer any questions students may have about auditioning. Please mark your calendar with these two dates. Both will take place from 7:30-8:00 am.

Audition Workshops

• Wednesday, January 22nd

• Friday, January 24th

The cast list will be sent out, via email and text, by 8:00 pm on Friday, January 31st.  A calendar for February and on will be sent out once the show is announced.

12/9/24

Friday 12/13 Field Trip Info

This upcoming Friday,December 13th, is our Retirement Community Tour! I’m so excited to share our amazing ensemble with smaller communities within our own! Here’s what you need to know:

What Students Need to Bring

• Water bottle

• Coat/weather appropriate jacket

• Packed lunch (students can purchase one from school if needed)

What Students Need to Wear

• Choir t-shirt

• Blue jeans (no rips, holes, or tears)

• Casual shoes

• Optional: holiday accessories

Schedule

• 8:30 am - chaperones arrive at OPC, check in the office, & go to the Music Room

• 8:45 am - students meet in the Music Room

• 9:00 am - bus to first destination

• 9:15 - 10:00 am - The Forum at Overland Park

• 10:15 – 11:00 am - The Atriums Senior Living

• 11:00 – 11:45 am - lunch and park break*

• 12:00 – 12:45 pm - Novel Place Overland Park

• 1:00 – 1:45 pm - Brookdale Overland Park 119th

• 1:45 pm - bus back to OPC

Other Information

• At each community, we will be singing and then mingling with community residents.

• Permission forms MUST be turned in to participate.

• Any student that comes to school without a packed lunch on December 13th will purchase one from the OPC cafeteria.

• * Weather permitting, we’ll be at Indian Creek Recreational Center (Marty Park) for lunch. If it is too cold, we will return to OPC and eat together there.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate in asking. Performing for and interacting with these communities is such a fun experience for all involved!

11/30/24

Rehearsal Attendance Statistics

As we head into our final rehearsal of the semester, I thought it would be interesting to share some statistics. Let’s aim for 100% in attendance, 0 tardies, and 0 unexcused absences for both grades in December!

For required rehearsals, we averaged:

% of Members in Attendance:
- 5th Grade = 89.9%
- 6th Grade = 86.4%

% of Members Tardy to Rehearsal:
- 5th Grade = 14.2%
- 6th Grade = 9.5%

% of Absences that were Unexcused:
- 5th Grade = 68.5%
- 6th Grade = 74.9%

For optional/non-required rehearsals, we averaged the following percentage (%) of members in attendance:
- 5th Grade = 20%
- 6th Grade = 10%

The above shows us that 5th Grade had more present at required and optional rehearsals and less unexcused absences.
However, 6th Grade had less tardies/more on time to required rehearsals.

*an absence is excused if notice is given within 24 hours of the missed rehearsal*

11/22/24

Winter Music Practice Files

For any that would like to practice our Winter music over break, the link is in the navigation bar of the website!

10/25/24

South Area Choral Festival Details

This upcoming Tuesday, October 29th, is the South Area Choral Festival! Here’s what you need to know:

• Students will need to be at school at the normal 8:10 am time

  • Students will need to wear their Choir uniforms (red Choir shirt, casual shoes, blue jeans with no rips or holes).

  • We will take a bus to SM-South at about 8:20 and return by 11:30 am. 

  • Students will eat lunch at their regular lunch time with their classes at OPC.

• Tuesday night, all are welcome to attend the Festival performance!

  • The performance is at 7:00 PM in the Shawnee Mission South Gymnasium. 

  • Choir members will need to be in their seats by 6:45 PM, wearing their Choir uniform.

  • Admission is free. 

  • Most of the seating is the Gymnasium bleacher seating. 

    • There will be some folding chairs on the floor for those that have a hard time with stairs. If you are needing the seats not on the bleachers, I suggest getting there early.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

10/16/24

PRACTICE - South Area Choral Festival

South Area Choral Fest is coming up fast! With just two rehearsals left, we’re pressed for learning the music! I told the Choir Members that I would upload the music and practice tracks so that they could work on it at home. Please think of this as regular homework. Let me know if you have any questions!

10/3/24

UPDATE for 10/8

Update to this morning’s announcement…

For Tuesday, please wear an OPC/red shirt. This will help keep our large group together. Thanks!

10/3/24

DETAILS: October 8th & 9th

We have TWO Field Trips next week for the SMEF Breakfast! The details are below. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

October 8th - SMEF Breakfast REHEARSAL
- Choir Members will meet in the OPC Music Room at 11:45 am. We will load the busses at noon.
- Once we arrive at the Overland Park Convention Center (OPCC) , we will eat lunch together. Please make sure you’ve filled out the survey regarding your child’s lunch for the 8th.
- Rehearsal will go until about 2:00 pm. We will load the busses and head back to OPC at that time.
- There is no dress code for this event. (Update - please wear an OPC/red shirt)

October 9th - SMEF Breakfast
- Choir Members will need to meet at OPC at 6:15 am. Drop off students at the Music Room (Door 18).
- We will leave for the OPCC at 6:30 am.
- Once at the OPCC, we will make sure everyone is warmed up and ready to go.
- After performing at the Breakfast, we will be fed breakfast and be attending the event.
- The event should be done by 9:00 am. We will go head back to OPC at that time for the rest of the school day.
- DRESS CODE: Choir Members will need to wear their OPC Choir shirt, blue jeans (with no rips, holes, or tears), and casual shoes. Shirts are to arrive this week, and will be distributed by Tuesday, October 8th.

OPC Office Staff and General Classroom Teachers has received notification of this schedule along with the list of Choir Members.

10/1/24

October 8th Lunches

The October 8th Field Trip is quickly approaching for Choir. Please fill out the form linked in the button below by October 3rd so that we can make sure every Choir Member has a lunch for that day.

9/25/24

Chaperones Needed - SMEF Breakfast

We are looking for chaperones for our October 8th and 9th Field Trips. If you are interested in helping, please fill out the form using the button below. You will need to already by MVP certified. If you are unsure about your MVP certification status, please contact OPC Secretary Mrs. Dawn Foster. Please fill out the form by October 1st. Ms. Featherston will contact you on October 2nd if you are needed.

9/16/24

Calendar Change

My sister got the news that she passed the Bar! She is getting sworn in on Friday, September 27th. Instead of having two separate rehearsals that week, we will have a combined rehearsal on Wednesday, September 25th. 5th AND 6th Graders are expected to be at this rehearsal.