This year's All-County Choruses are taking shape at last!  Elementary Chair Jennifer Sheldon of White Plains and Intermediate Chair Jeremie Peace are working hard on the preparations. The conductors and programs are as follows:

Elementary Conductor:  Flora Metrick

"Ma Navu," arranged by Audrey Snyder
"For the Beauty of the Earth" by John Rutter
"From a Railway Carriage," by Rinker
"The Storm Is Passing Over," arranged by Baker, and
"One," from A Chorus Line, by Hamlisch/Eilers
Flora provided excellent rehearsal notes, which were mailed out with the music.  Please note that some students were asked to switch parts on "The Storm Is Passing Over," to achieve proper balance of parts.  If you got a note to this effect with your music, please be sure to reassign your singers!

Intermediate Conductor:  Pamela Simpson

"Skye Boat Song," arranged by Thomas Rodgers
"Blue Skies," by Berlin/Emerson
"Lift Your Voice," by William Boyce
"How Can I Keep From Singing?"  arranged by Gwyneth Walker

  At the first rehearsal, students should have received ticket order forms and more detailed schedules for the February 28 concert date.

Please let all your parents and students know the following Board Policy for absences at festivals:
In the interest of maintaining the integrity of the rehearsal process and performances, all participating students will be allowed to miss no portion of any rehearsal or performance day activities for any reason, including, but not limited to:  family emergencies, illness, prior commitments, and doctor's excuses. There are no exceptions to this rule.  The student will not be replaced.
Condolences go to Jill Weiss, Scarsdale Schools and Ron Weiss, Stephanie Merkado-Weiss' husband, on the passing of their father.
The School Music News, the official publication of the New York State School Music Association is looking for NYS writers for the magazine. Thomas Gellert, Editor
There is a county link, Zone 11, on the NYSSMA.org website as well as a chat link.  Please check it out.  Scott Goldstein, Web Editor.
Coming in January, online All State applications will be available.
The Summer Conference is Saturday, August 8-11, 2004, Buffalo, NY.   The Keynote Speaker is Bob McGrath.  Mini-Technology Conference, August 7-8, 2004 Buffalo Convention Center.
Please note that beginning next year, the Winter Conference will run from Thursday to Sunday, December 2-5, 2004.