BPA Featured in "Rant & Rave" in The Seattle Times

“RAVE to the music faculty and students at Ballard High School for their excellent performance of Chichester Psalms, a difficult and gorgeous piece for chorus and orchestra. Additional rave to all of the faculty and students participating in music programs in our public schools. They bring joy to each other and to the public even with limited resources.”

-Anonymous reader of The Seattle Times, Lifestyle Section, Dec 24, 2023

Buy Tix for 65th Annual Spaghetti Dinner | Sat Feb 3

The 65th Annual Spaghetti Dinner: Night at the Movies is coming up on Sat, Feb 3, 2024, 5:30-8:30 pm.

All Ballard Performing Arts groups will provide us with live entertainment throughout the evening. Please join us for a magical night of food, community, and performances at our biggest event of the year. Now available! You can purchase your spaghetti dinner here or use the QR code on the postcards that should be arriving in your snail mailbox. Consider signing up to volunteer for the event or donate concession stand treats here. Get ready for a great raffle this year! Prizes include tickets to Taproot Theater, Seattle Symphony, Choral Arts NW, Majestic Bay, and Seattle Theater Group!

Wed Jan 31st | Yearbook Photos for ALL Music Groups!

On Wed, Jan 31st, all music groups will have their photos taken for the yearbook during the school day. Students MUST bring their entire concert uniform to school that day, all of it - black shoes, ties, black socks - whatever is needed for the complete look. (They can hang it on a rack in the hallway by the uniform room in the morning.) And then…they MUST take their uniform back home at the end of the day. Grown ups - thanks in advance for your help in reminding your students!

Want Your Student to Raise $ for Spring Trip?

Chocolate Sales are coming back on Jan 29th…just in time for Valentine’s Day and Mid-Winter Break!

We've estimated that each trip will cost at least $400 per student for transportation and lodging. Encourage your student to check out a box of chocolates and sell them to teachers, classmates, family, friends, office colleagues and neighbors before and during mid-winter break.

How does it work?

1. Students fill out this check out form. 
2. Checkout will be at the uniform room door. Jill will be available for checkout most mornings (starting 1/29) before school starts (8:15 to 8:40 am). A completed form is required to get a box.
3. Students sell the candy for $1 bar, and then turn in $60. For each box sold, the student receives $24 credited to that student's account. Those funds can be used for spring trip, camp payments (due in July), or program fees in the fall. Unused funds can even be transferred to a younger sibling when a student graduates (or donated to BPA general fund).

*Students are responsible for turning in the full cost of the box of chocolate, $60, whether they sell it all or not. They cannot turn in coins; all money must be bills or checks (payable to BPA).

All money will be due Feb 29th.

Band

Upcoming Dates

Mark your calendars for these band events (note that not all students are needed at all pep band events):

Jan 17th - Pep Band at basketball game, 5:15pm call time

Jan 26th - Pep Band at basketball game, 7:00pm call time

Jan 30th - Pep Band at basketball game, 7:00pm call time

Jan 31st - Bring dress clothes to school for yearbook pictures

Jan 31st - Pizza and Pep Band night, 5:30pm

Feb 3rd - Spaghetti Dinner, 5.30-8.30pm, all bands will perform; all families are invited

Feb 6th - Wind Ensemble to PNW Band Festival

Feb 8th - Prospective family night, 6:00-8:00pm; call time 5:30pm

Feb 10th - EMBEA Solo and Ensemble Contest

Feb 14th - Small group orchestra and band performances at Ballard Elks Lodge, 6pm

March 1st - Wind Ensemble to CWU Windfest 

Band Trip to Portland June 7-9

We are still looking for male chaperones for the band trip to Portland. Chaperones will pay the same cost as students. Please let the band rep know if you're interested in chaperoning, or sign up here. Information about upcoming payment dates will be coming soon.

Basketball Games for Pep Band - Pizza and Pep Band Night January 31st

The band will be playing for various boys and girls basketball games until the end of January. Each student needs to attend five games plus the pizza and pep band night (which is mandatory), and they can sign up for which games they would like to attend on the signup sheet in the band room. They wear their band t-shirts to these games. We will also need one or two parent volunteers to be around the band room area while the game is going on. Please sign up here. Thank you for helping out! 

The Pizza and Pep Band night will be January 31st this year. This is a mandatory game and 8th grade band members from nearby schools will be invited to attend to see what BHS Marching and Pep band is like. This event is a great way to promote the band program with rising freshmen. Pizza will be provided and chaperones will be needed. Students will meet at 5:30 pm to rehearse the pep band songs, have pizza at 6:30 pm, play pre-game music at 7:10, and the game starts at 7:30 pm. If you know of 8th grade band students who are considering Ballard, please encourage them to join in on the fun. Please sign up to chaperone here. Chaperones will help with pizza handout and cleanup as well as directing families to the gym. Please plan to be there 5:00 to 7:30 or 8 pm.

Jazz Band Trip | Payment was Due Yesterday! Please Pay ASAP!

Jazz 1 & 2 are headed to Reno April 25-28!

$150 deposit was due Nov 17! Deposits must be paid with cash or check (made out to BPA). Drop in the secure box in the band room or send to Ballard Performing Arts, PO Box 17774 Seattle WA 98127.

The remaining payments can be paid on our website or with cash/check (made out to BPA).

$257 due Dec 15

$257 due Jan 15

$ due Feb 15 (still TBD)

*Email bpabtreasurer@gmail.com if you'd like to apply your student's fundraising credits toward the upcoming trip payments. 

Choir

The registration deadline for Solo and Ensemble has passed. If your student is singing a solo, or in a duet or small group, they need to pay Ms. Rowley and/or Serena. Ms. Rowley and Serena will take care of registrations. Please pay them in cash or check (payable to Ballard Performing Arts), $22 - solo, $16 - for each singer in a duet. Fees for Vocal Jazz, Tenor Bass Ensemble, and the Chamber Singers (Chamber Choir) are covered by BPA. You will also need to pay your accompanist (information was handed out in class about this).

Sign up for next year’s school classes is ongoing NOW. Please encourage students to sign up for choir and direct any questions to Ms. Rowley.

Upcoming Dates

Wed Jan 31st - All ensembles and choirs are having their photos taken for the yearbook. Bring your choir uniform to school, including shoes, ties, black socks - whatever is needed for the complete look. Be sure to take your uniform home at the end of the day. 

Sat February 3rd - Spaghetti Dinner, 5.30 - 8.30 pm,. All choirs will be singing and all families are invited. 

Thurs February 8th - Prospective Families Night, 6-8 pm. All small ensembles will be singing.

Sat Feb 10th - Solo and Ensemble, at Chief Sealth International High School (schedule TBD).

Thurs February 29th - Concert Choir will be attending a Choir Festival at Pacific Lutheran University, during the school day. Chaperones needed! (but not drivers this time). Please contact Sally bpabchoirrep@gmail.com if you are able to chaperone.

Thurs May 23rd - Sat May 25th - Save the date! Advanced Chorale and Concert Choir, trip to Portland, OR. Details about deposits and details will be coming soon. Nine chaperones are needed. Please contact Sally bpabchoirrep@gmail.com if you are able to chaperone. 

Orchestra

Upcoming Dates

Jan 31st - All groups are having their photos taken for the yearbook. Bring your orchestra uniform to school, including shoes, ties, black socks - whatever is needed for the complete look. Be sure to take your uniform home at the end of the day.

Feb 22-25 Wintergrass Festival

The Wintergrass Festival format is changing and only interested students will perform, not the entire orchestra. Contact Mr. Valdez if you're interested in performing at the festival.

March 9 CWU Orchestra Festival

Chamber Orchestra is confirmed; Symphonic Orchestra is waitlisted.

April 2 NW Orchestra Festival

Whitman Middle School

May 24-26 Orchestra Vancouver B.C. Trip

The $150 deposit check was due 1/12. Future payments will be online and will be about $650/person total (including the deposit).

Trip details:

• Dates – 5/24-5/26
• Activities: Adjudicated Festival Performance and clinic, Dinner and awards banquet, Grouse Mountain tour
• Included in cost: Charter bus travel, 2 nights hotel stay
• Not included in cost: Meals outside of banquet dinner (hotel may have breakfast—will confirm).

More details will be coming soon, along with an information night sponsored by the festival on a date TBD. Students planning to attend this trip must have a passport and/or Real ID that will allow them entry to Canada.

Theatre

Addams Family

Rehearsals for The Addams Family are full steam ahead! 

Our wonderful musicians have begun practice for the orchestra pit and our cast is already diving into some new numbers. We’re also happy to report that Drama Tech students are busy working on set, lights, props, and sound designs. Our posters and t-shirt designs are almost complete and we’ll be ordering them both right away. Also, heads up: All musical participants will be asked to sell 2 ads for our program in the weeks ahead! This is an important way to help fund our complex and sure-to-be-fabulous show. Info is forthcoming from Ms. Miller about how you can help.

Questions? Email Ms. Miller at mashor@seattleschools.org.

The district only pays for teachers’ salaries; everything else we have to raise or donate.

Support BPA! Buy Tix for 65th Annual Spaghetti Dinner | Sat Feb 3

Ticket Sales are LIVE for the 65th Annual Spaghetti Dinner: Night at the Movies on Sat, Feb 3, 2024, 5:30-8:30 pm! 



Please join us for a magical night of food, community, and performances at our biggest event of the year. While admission is free, you can support BPA by purchasing tickets for a delicious spaghetti dinner featuring our famous sauce, fresh salad, yummy garlic bread, and a small dessert. (Gluten free pasta and vegetarian sauce available.) 

Chocolate Sales are coming back on Jan 29th…just in time for Valentine’s Day and Mid-Winter Break!

We've estimated that each trip will cost at least $400 per student for transportation and lodging. Encourage your student to check out a box of chocolates and sell them to teachers, classmates, family, friends, office colleagues and neighbors before and during mid-winter break.

How does it work?

1. Students fill out this check out form. 
2. Checkout will be at the uniform room door. Jill will be available for checkout most mornings (starting 1/29) before school starts (8:15 to 8:40am). A completed form is required to get a box.
3. Students sell the candy for $1 bar, and then turn in $60. For each box sold, the student receives $24 credited to that student's account and those funds can be used for spring trip, camp payments (due in July), or program fees in the fall. Unused funds can even be transferred to a younger sibling when a student graduates (or donated to BPA general fund).

*Students are responsible for turning in the full cost of the box of chocolate, $60, whether they sell it all or not. They cannot turn in coins. All money should be bills or checks (payable to BPA).

All money will be due Feb 29th.

All Hands on Deck for Spaghetti Dinner on Feb 3!

We have a wide variety of big and small jobs starting several days before the event and going all the way until after the event. From ticket sellers and takers to concession treat and spaghetti makers, please sign up for a job here. Students, family members, alums…all are welcome! The performance schedule will be posted soon so you can time your shift around student performances. 

Lots of Available Volunteer Positions!

Please check out the list of available volunteer positions. Email bpabpresident@gmail.com with any questions. 

Check out our YouTube Channel to see videos from the Winter Concert Series.

Check out past performances any time on our YouTube and Vimeo channels.

Cornish's Summer@Cornish Music Program

Our program is very accessible to all stages of development for teens.  Our music foundations program is modeled after our Cornish undergrad musicianship program which combines theory, ear training, and singing - ideal for any student interested in songwriting or composition. Teens can mix and match electives in other artistic areas in the afternoons. Additionally, we have unique electives in music such as music for games, vocal ensemble, piano lab, and even taiko drumming!

Learn more at summer.cornish.edu/music.

*Scholarships are available and parents can access this simple form here: https://apply.cornish.edu/register/extensionscholarship

*Info session for parents - first session in January: https://apply.cornish.edu/register/Summer2024Jan