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SUGGESTIONS FOR
A YEAR-ROUND CALENDAR
FOR LOCAL YOUTH AND/OR JUNIOR BRANCH
by
David E. Robinson, III
String Orchestra Instructor
Leslie J. Steele Elementary School (678) 874-9161
Founder & Director of Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia of
Metropolitan
Atlanta, Inc.
This is an
example
of how a
year-round calendar
for a local youth and/or junior branch can look. Some of the
activities can be scheduled on the same day of the branch’s
monthly meeting (if on a Saturday or a Sunday). In its first
year of existence, it may not be feasible to have an activity
every month on the calendar until the branch is well-established
with committed members, parents, and adult branch sponsors. The
beginning of the year for youth and juniors should take place in
the month of
September
which is the beginning of the school year. Whenever the branch
is formed, it can start at any time.
September
-
Recruitment Drive:
send
invitations
and
flyers
to
schools, churches, music stores, arts centers,
etc., and
advertise
in
newspapers, magazines, radio
and
television
(make sure that all information such as phone numbers, contact
persons, and directions are
correct)
-
Monthly Meeting:
a special
orientation
and
reception
to receive new members, elect new officers, make committee
appointments, make the calendar, etc. (each monthly meeting, new
members should be received and given a short “orientation” by
some of the officers, adult sponsor, and/or committee chair)
October
-
Monthly Meeting
-
Fall Carnival Fund Raiser
(include a
flea market, fish fry, barbeque,
etc.)
November
-
Monthly Meeting
with a
Thanksgiving Luncheon
or
Dinner
-
Mini-Recital
of branch members (could take place at the meal)
December
-
Monthly Meeting
(may be postponed if meeting date is in the middle or end of
each month_
-
Christmas Concert
of the branch’s ensembles: chorale, orchestra, dance troupe,
etc.
-
Attend
a Christmas Concert of the adult branch, local college, symphony
orchestra, ballet company, musical, etc.
January
-
Monthly Meeting
-
Mid-Season Recruitment Drive: flyers, advertisements,
special
orientation
and
reception
could take place at the
February
Meeting
February
-
Monthly Meeting
(with new members orientation and reception)
-
Black History Month Concert(s):
could also take place in any other month (because Black History
Month is
every
month)
-
Make plans
for the upcoming
NANM Conference
(select mode of transportation, begin collecting Conference
registrations, etc.)
March
-
Monthly Meeting
-
Music Workshop for Young Musicians
-
College Fair/Scholarship Workshop
(can be a part of the music workshop)
April
-
Monthly Meeting
-
“Stars of Tomorrow” Contest
to recruit new members. A special
orientation
and
reception
can take place in
May’s
Meeting (possibly in preparation for
Summer Camp)
-
Spring Break Performance Tour
(once the branch is well-established)
May
-
Monthly Meeting:
prepare for the
summer
leading up to the NANM Conference trip, Summer Camp, etc.; hold
a special orientation for new members who have joined at the
“Stars of Tomorrow” Contest
-
Social Activity: picnic, amusement park, ball game,
etc.
-
Fund Raiser: car wash, fish fry, barbeque, bake sale, flea
market,
etc.
-
Awards Program
(Banquet, Luncheon or Picnic)
-
Spring Concert
June
-
Monthly Meeting
(after school is out; some of the May activities could occur in
June at the close of school)
-
Pre-Planning
for
Summer Camp
and
NANM Conference
(finalize
hotel,
transportation,
and
Conference registration
of
current members;
make arrangements for anticipated number of students who join
NANM during the Camp and would like to go to the Conference)
July
-
Monthly Meeting
(during
Camp)
-
Summer Camp
-
NANM Conference Preparation:
meetings with members, adult branch members, and parent
chaperones
August
-
NANM Conference
-
Monthly Meeting
(after the Conference):
plan
for the upcoming year
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