October 20th,
2020
Jazz Band
Update from the Director

The following is a message from Mr. Gillespie about progress in Jazz 1 & 2:

We had our first playing assignment due for Jazz 1 and Trevor (Parrish) and I were super impressed. The kids sounded great! They played Groove Merchant by Jerome Richardson and we just started working on the minor modal Herbie Hancock tune Maiden Voyage. Garry Hammond was able to join Jazz 1 again so the kids were all excited about that. He is such a wealth of knowledge and a really cool guy.

Jazz 2 is working on Blue Seven, a blues tune by Sonny Rollins and will be diving into Little Sunflower, a minor modal piece by Freddie Hubbard. Modal pieces are unique in that they only have a few chords in the whole song so the improviser can take a lot of liberties in how they improvise over them. Jazz 2 has their first playing assignment due Tuesday and if it is anything like Jazz 1, they are gonna be great!!! 

Trevor and I are super impressed by the kids dedication so early in the morning!  
Theatre
Greater Tuna cast announced

Congratulations to the recently announced cast of Greater Tuna (in no particular order):

Hadley Mollman, Elijah Graham, Bridget Donnelly, Maisy Clunies Ross, Matthew Wilbur, Milo Palmer, Lydia Hayes, Nathalie Stanley, Will Shepard, Lydia Van Kley, Maggie Stowell, Ella Papineau, Izzy Rampersad, Vee Ashmun, Maylie Gardner, and Elsa Wirth.

The Theatre Department will stage the comedic play Greater Tuna, set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, the "third-smallest" town in the state. The play is both an affectionate comment on small-town, southern life, and attitudes and a withering satire.

This play will be rehearsed completely via Microsoft Teams. Students will work through a couple of Teams rehearsals on their character with Mr. Riley, provide a costume, and then work with the filming schedule and our tech expert, Gustavo, in October to record their part.

To keep track of production updates, go to https://www.ballardperformingarts.org/theater
General Information
Performing Arts Fundraiser

In lieu of the Spotlight Auction, The Ballard Performing Arts Booster Club will be running a direct giving campaign this fall to support the needs of BPA programs. 

The School District only funds Director salaries, and the annual class fees we collect are applicable to specific program expenses. This year, these fees will be used for sheet music and software to support online learning & virtual performances. 

The BPA Boosters Club raises additional money for everything else, from coaching, instruction and support for extracurricular groups, to administrative costs and much more. 
 
While much remains uncertain about this year, the Boosters are committed to supporting current and future needs so that we can make the best of remote programming and set the stage for a strong and vibrant return. We will be in touch with details next month. Thank you in advance for your support of BPA!

Virtual College Summit + Audition Workshop

Seattle Jazz Ed is hosting a virtual college summit and audition workshop November 1, 2020. Open to grades 9-12, all instruments, including voice

Participating schools:

Visit Seattle Jazz Ed for additional details.

Program Fees are Due

Still need to pay your fees? Visit Program Fees on the BPA website.
Thank You To Our Sponsors:
Interested in becoming a BPA Sponsor?
Contact Russ Laurier at bpabsponsorships@gmail.com to learn about levels and benefits
Ballard Performing Arts
 Ballard Performing Arts Booster Club
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