It's That Time of Year!

Spring has sprung and so have the 2017 BC Choral Federation Raffle Tickets.  Please don't stop reading!!!  Except for the Boston Pizza and Return-it casual fundraisers, the BCCF raffle is the only fundraiser the board is asking you to participate in this year.  It can generate $1200 for the ROCA coffers.  All money goes into the general account to benefit both chorus and orchestra. The prizes are great!  Cool, hard cash of $3000, $2000, $1000 and 10 prizes of $100 each. 

ROCA is given 100 books to sell and we must sell all of them or pay a penalty for those not sold. WE CANNOT JUST RETURN UNSOLD BOOKS. 

Please consider buying at least one whole book (only $20) for yourself.  And then buy one as a birthday or Mother's Day gift.  Buy one for someone as a thank you.  Buy one for your neighbour who raked up all your leaves while you were away last fall (that one's for me!). 

An anonymous donor has already bought 2 books for us to give away as prizes.  One goes to the person who sells the most (3 or more). Anyone selling 2 or more books will be entered into a draw for the second book.  A few years ago, one of these prize tickets won a big cash prize, $2000 I believe. 

Karen has the chorus tickets and Robert has the orchestra tickets.  Please get yours on Tuesday and sell, sell, sell!!

Thanks

Cathy

Fundraisers: Boston Pizza and Encorp Return-It

Dear Members,

A new section has been created in the Member's Zone with information about our on-going ROCA fundraisers with Boston Pizza Ackroyd and Encorp Return-it.  Please take a look!

Boston Pizza Ackroyd - Earn Back Program

Encorp Return-It Express

Rising Stars 2017 - E-newsletter

Today we will be sending out an e-newsletter regarding the upcoming Rising Stars concert on February 25, 2017.  As Fraserview is a very large venue to fill and we would like to make this a great experience for our young musicians, therefore we would appreciate it if you could forward the e-newsletter to your friends and family.

Copy and paste the text below in your email and send it off to your friends when you forward the e-newsletter.

---

"Dear Friends,

As you may know, I have been involved with the Richmond Orchestra and Chorus for some time and it is one of Canada’s finest community music organizations.

I am forwarding this email to let you know about our upcoming concerts “Rising Stars 2017” on February 25, 2017 at Fraserview MB Church that will feature winners of the Richmond Music Festival performing with the Richmond Orchestra and conducted by artistic director, James Malmberg. 

If you would like to purchase tickets for this event, please visit www.roca.ca or if you prefer to order your tickets by phone, feel free to call our administrator, Meghan Verdejo at 604-276-2747 and she can take your order over the phone.

I hope to see you there!"

Chorus Retreat February 4th

Hello everybody,

Please email Brigid by Friday, January 6th if you cannot attend the retreat on February 4th.  The deadline is very important as we need to book the venue as soon as possible. The approximate times would be 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Thanks 

Cathy

It's Party Time! Dec. 20th 6:30PM

Dear ROCA Members,

‘Tis the Season!

Thank you for the beautiful music this month… we will continue to bring joy to others through our music this week and next. Then, it’s time to get together and CELEBRATE!

Please note some additional details below regarding our annual party. Thanks, Cathy for adding this to the blog! Again this year we will gather at the Edgewater Park complex and enjoy some food and fun.

When: Tuesday, December 20th 6:30PM

 Where:  Edgewater Park Recreation Centre, 3031 Williams Road, Richmond (enter from Williams Rd, last driveway on the right as you head towards the west dyke; follow the driveway over the speed bumps and park in the visitor spaces near the centre complex- you’ll see a fenced pool area and it is quite obvious; OR park on Williams and walk in.)

What to bring:  

something yummy to eat and share: either sweet or savoury—please consider what utensils will be needed too… finger food is best. Thanks! (an oven is available)

your favourite beverage to share (please bring your own mug or glass if possible, so we have less waste

if you'd like to participate in the annual Christmas present exchange, please bring a wrapped gift, $10.00 max. value  

NOTE:  the most popular gifts to steal are those uniquely wrapped or shaped! (gift exchange likely to happen around 7:30pm)

lots of Christmas Cheer! Santa hats and other sillies if you like! (Chorus- please bring red carol binders and weather appropriate attire for caroling!)

We are grateful to our musical leadership… this is a time to thank Brigid, James, Toby, Larissa and Meghan and Cathy! Extra hugs!

We will present small gifts and give a toast to these wonderful people during the party; let us know if you have any performances or songs to share and entertain with!

With holiday spirit,

Laura, Jenn, Doris of the Chorus

Message from Brigid to the Chorus

BIG thanks to all of you for a great week of concerts - yesterday afternoon felt very good!

Day off today - and then tomorrow (Tuesday) is

• caroling for Concert Realty - I have (S) Anna & Doris, (A) Cathy B & me, (T) Graeme & Don (B) Rick & Bill     - 8-10am at 5811 Cooney Road; dress Christmassy!   Remember to return stuff from the concert to your caroling folders.  Anyone else want to join us?  This venue has space (and a great acoustic) - and lots of tasty breakfast pastries!
• Orchestra concert at South Arm United, 7:30pm - admission by donation, with all proceeds to the Food Bank - there'll be at least the two Carols for Choirs versions of O Come All Ye Faithful and Hark the Herald - sopranos ready with descants. If you can come, wear your ROCA button, and dress Christmassy

Thursday 15 Dec: caroling for Concert Realty - quartet only: Anna, me, Graeme, Rick (there's minimal space!); 8-10am at 1190 Hornby Street, Vancouver

Monday 19 December - traveling carols:  I've made a decision that we won't stop for lunch - we'll just keep going, so bring something to munch between gigs or stick it out till 2pm. If you're only doing one or the other half, join us according to the schedule. There's a fair bit of wiggle-room in it - some places we sing longer or shorter...

• 10am - Richmond City Hall (park there)
• 10:30am - we walk over to Long & McQuade
• 11am - we walk over to The Caring Place
• back to pick up cars, and then
• 11:30am - Richmond Food Bank (5800 Cedarbridge Way)
• 12:15pm - Cat Sanctuary (3380 No 6 Road - turn in at Phoenix Perennials & right to the back).  I have some Catmas Carols for this
• 1pm - Shelley Morris (ROCA office) 10691 Shellbridge Way - we sing O Chanukah here....
• 1:30pm - Rotary Hospice House - 6460 No 4 Road (best to park on Alberta Road) - done by 2pm

• morning shift:  (S) Laura, Anna, Karen T   (A) Liz, Jennifer, Kate, Glenda   (T)  Graeme, Paul    (B) Bill, Rick, Brian
• afternoon shift: (S) Laura, Susan, Ruth   (A)  Liz, Jennifer   (T) Graeme, Paul, Barry   (B)  Brian   

It would be lovely to have another alto and another bass for the second shift.  Let me know if you can join us.

And then the party on Tuesday 20 December!   And a Christmas break.  And back to work on Tuesday 3 January...   If you can't make any of the caroling or the Christmas party, have a wonderful Christmas, and some rest and relaxation before we start again in the New Year.

Thanks again for the weekend past!

Orchestra and Chorus Christmas Party Dec. 20th

Mark your calendar for the annual ROCA Christmas party

Where:  Edgewater Park Recreation Centre, 3031 Williams Road, Richmond

NOTE:  Parking is limited so best to either carpool or park on Williams Road and walk into the Recreation Centre

When: Tuesday, December 20th 6:30PM

What to bring:  Santa hats; something yummy to eat, either sweet or savoury; your favourite beverage; lots of Christmas Cheer!  (Chorus also bring red carol binders)

Christmas Present Game (optional):  if you'd like to participate in the annual Christmas present game please bring a wrapped gift, $10.00 maximum value.  NOTE:  the most popular gifts to steal are those uniquely wrapped or shaped.

Volunteers Still Needed!! Sunday, Dec. 11

Meghan still needs at least 2 more volunteers to help out at the concert on Sunday at Gilmore United. 

Concert starts at 3:00PM but volunteers will need to come a little earlier.

If you have a family member or friend who could help out with this and see a fantastic concert for free please have them contact Meghan at roca@roca.ca

Chorus Dates - December rehearsals, concerts, etc.

Here are the chorus dates and times for dress rehearsals, concerts and sing outs in December:

• Tuesday 6 December, All Saints Ladner - 6pm rehearsal for 7:30pm concert, formal concert dress
• Saturday 10 December - 10am rehearsal - probably only to 11:30am, but will depend on how Tuesday went.  7pm call upstairs in the choir room - formal concert dress
• Sunday 11 December - 2:30pm upstairs, unless there is a concert disaster!
• Tuesday 13 December - 8am-10am singout at 5811 Cooney Road, Richmond - I have Anna, Doris, Kathy / CathyB & me / Graeme & Don /Rick & Bill - Christmas singout wear
         7:30pm optional at the Orchestra's concert for the Food Bank - South Arm United Church
• Thursday 15 December - 8am-10am singout at 1190 Hornby St - quartet only - Anna, me, Graeme, Rick
• Monday 19 December - "singing card" to friends and supporters. Begins 10am at City Hall - Christmas singout wear
• Tuesday 20 December - ROCA party at community room at Edgewater Park

CHORUS RETREAT - SAVE THE DATE - February 4th, 2017

The date for the Chorus retreat will be Saturday, February 4th between  9:00am to 4:00pm.  Times are approximate, but please save this date in your calendar.  More details to come!