Combo is an independent group and communication is sometimes rocky. No one
intends to leave us out of the food chain, but sometimes everyone assumes
the kids bring home information... the black hole of the backpack wins
every time. Be patient and persistent!
Things to do that can help with the communication:
Collect the names, email addresses and phone numbers of the kids & their
parents at the beginning of the year. This is your key list.
(Be aware that sometimes a Combo kid is just a Combo kid -- he or she
isn't in band or orchestra, so he/she doesn't get any other information
except through Combo. You'll want to tap everyone for Jazz Festival too.)
Send that group email list to the TOC/Choral parent and request Combo kids
receive ALL emails going to TOC, whether they think they are relevant or
not. Tell them we'd rather have more information than less.
Tell the TOC/Choral parent that YOU are the point of contact for Combo.
Ask them to pass that information along to their Treasurer too. They'll
love you!
Tell Glenn Cockrell that YOU are the point of contact for Combo --
notices, updates, money collection, etc. Make a big sign and put on his
desk... no,just kidding. Just be sure he knows who you are.
Talk with Glenn and suggest a parent meeting for Combo parents at the
beginning of the year so expectations are clear on: number & length of
rehearsals, costs of trips (any extra recording sessions?), calendar for
the year. Glenn relies on students to bring information home; be proactive
and get the information directly from him. (Remember that black hole back
pack.)
Keep in contact with the TOC parent. Ask questions, ask questions, ask
questions. Keep in contact with TOC parent. Ask questions, ask questions,
ask questions. (Yes, that is repeated intentionally!)
The kids have a lot of fun, learn a great deal and enjoy working with
Glenn. But, as we know from Band Boosters, it's parents that keep the ball
rolling. With a little bit of information flow, everything will be great.
It is a wonderful learning experience for the kids to learn to accompany
singers and dancers -- and with absolutely no modesty, I can say TOC is
very fortunate to have a live Combo of the caliber of our kids (and vice
versa) -- the TOC parents are grateful too and do not ask anything from
the Combo parents (thus, we sometimes are left off of emails because they
are soliciting for "helpers" and don't want to burden us... meanwhile we
don't get notices of events! Yipes!)
Call with any questions! Jean and Nikki
I just made sure I was on the same page as Glenn Cockrell and got all info
to me.
Find out who the parent(s) coordinator is for Touch of Class (it may be
someone different depending on the event) and get in contact with that
person.
I forwarded that parent all the email addresses for the combo.
That really worked out well.
Whatever fundraisers choir did, Jazz Combo was included.
Cheesecakes were handled by Gail Cope, coordinator from Choral.