This year we are going to stop sending everyone a printed newsletter in the mail. Instead, all the information that we usually put in the newsletter will be put on the website (layafette-orchestra.tripod.com).

If you still haven't visited the website this year, please go take a look.

If you are not able to use the website and want to receive the newsletter information, please call Connie or Dave Coovert at 224-3505.

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Sept 26, Candy Fundraiser begins

Sept 27, Parent Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

October 25, Parent Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

October 28, Playathon

November 6, Allstate auditions at SCAPA

December 10, Winter Concert

Each orchestra family is asked to join the membership association and pay an annual fee of $50. This money is used for instrument repair, equipment purchases, and other assorted costs associated with orchestra activities.

If you haven\x{2019}t paid yet, please send the fee to school with your student. Make checks payable to Lafayette High School Orchestra Association.

The Lafayette High School Playathon will take place on Friday, October 28, at 5:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Elementary and middle school orchestra students will perform with our high school string musicians at this lively "open invitation" event. This year\x{2019}s Playathon features guest conductors George Zack, of the Lexington Philharmonic, and William Briggs, of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra. Local music teachers will be on hand as well. The theme will be "MOVIES, MOVIES, MOVIES!!!" and many students and volunteer directors will perform in costume.

This event is also a fundraiser for the orchestra. There will be a silent auction of items donated by families and area businesses. People who come to listen to the music can bid on these items. All proceeds from the auction will go into our general fund and be used to defray orchestra expenses, such as transportation, music, instruments, and repair.

Pizza, chili, soft drinks, and baked goods will be available, so please plan on eating at the Playathon.

This year we will also have a Cake Walk.

Making this evening successful will take all 100 orchestra families working together. The committees listed below need your help. Please contact the committee chairpersons.

The contacts are:

Pizza & chili \x{2013} Michelle Young, 269-9970

Dessert table \x{2013} Becky Womack, 948-6674

Cake Walk \x{2013} Diane Rotramel, 223-4235

Setup, Cleanup, Ushers, Door persons \x{2013} Connie Coovert, 224-3505

Feeder school workers (organize participants) \x{2013} Connie Coovert, 224-3505

Silent Auction \x{2013} Lu-Ann Farrar, 268-1894

The Playathon Silent Auction is a great fundraiser for the orchestra. All profits from the auction will go to the orchestra \x{2013} our students. You will have an opportunity to get some great stuff. We\x{2019}ve got gift certificates from area businesses, plus donations of their various products or services.

If you are looking for a really easy way to help, we would love to include your donations. Please do not wait for a committee member to call. We would appreciate it if you\x{2019}d give us a call or an email.

Do you have a business? We\x{2019}ll pick up anything you\x{2019}d like to donate that needs to be collected \x{2013} gift certificates, products, etc.

By buying a Kroger Bucks card from us and using it every time you pay for groceries, prescriptions, or gas at Kroger, you contribute 4% of the total sale to the orchestra! This is our easiest and least painful fundraiser and provided with about $2,500 last year.

We hope to include orchestra parents and their friends, families, and neighbors in this effort. Please call Diane Rotramel at 223-4235 to order a card, or see her at any parent meeting or orchestra event.

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A huge thank-you to Sam Humphries for building shelves in the Instrument Room. A great job, Sam!

Thanks are also due to the students who came in on their day off and helped clean the orchestra room and catalog the music library. They are: Lindsey Bardo, Tom Coovert, Chris Menard, Asri Mumpuni, Claire Ramsay, Jonathan Stevens, Casey Tate, and Adam Wolffbrandt. Thanks to the parents who helped, too: Susan Menard, Marianne Reber, and Diane Rotramel.

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