Mr. Goodman's Retirement Alumni Bash Information Page

WHEN: the concert is Tuesday (5/16).  It starts at 7 (like always) and your part will be last.

ATTIRE: If you have any old WHS (or WMS?!) Orchestra shirts…or just school shirts… that might be neat: school and orchestra pride!  If you have recycled them/turned them into a quilt/had a bonfire of high school stuffs, then just something nice would work.

WHAT: We are playing Carol of the Bells.  Don’t forget your instrument!  (We do have a few extra instruments floating around if you need it…just let me know)

ORDER OF EVENTS: (times are approximate but should be close):

7:00 – Concert Orchestra
7:15 – Symphonic Orchestra
7:35 – Full Philharmonic
7:50 – Senior performance and (short) slideshow
8:05 – Philharmonic
8:20 – CAROL OF THE BELLS

Here’s were the details come into play.

Mr. Goodman is going to be playing guitar on 1 song for each orchestra.  This means he (and a few other ‘rock band guys’) will be in the wings for the entire orchestra concert.  We have to be somewhat sneaky.

The current students will be meeting in the orchestra room like usual at 6:15.  I am hoping the alumni (yous guys) can meet in the BAND ROOM around the same time: 6 or 6:15.  (there is a small chance it might be the Commons instead… I will send a message to confirm ASAP!)

Unfortunately, I cannot bi-locate and be at both places at once for a big rehearsal.  I will come in and say hi, but then have to wrangle the teenagers.

Fortunately, one of the other Zumwalt orchestra teachers will be there… Well, she’s not quite the teacher yet, but she will be next year: Leanna Conrad (WHS graduate of Class of 2015)!  She is going to be taking over Orchestra duties at North Middle/High next year when Ms. Kenessey moves from North to take Mr. Goodman’s position.

Leanna (Ms. Conrad!) will help to run through the piece a couple of times (and maybe help with some tunings and fingerings) so everyone is ready to go.

The orchestra kiddos will head down to the stage/seats around 6:55.  The concert starts at 7.

Alumni Cellists and Bassists should put their instruments in the band room hallway behind the stage around 7.  Violinists and Violists can do the same (if you are sitting back stage) or keep their instruments with you (if you are watching the concert from the audience).

If you want to watch the full concert (cool!), I would head up to the top of the auditorium and enter through the doors like a “normal” person – not someone who is a part of the show: I think if Mr. Goodman sees 1 or 2 alumni, he will think it’s neat.  If he sees 12+, he will know something is afoot.

My thought is: after the Philharmonic plays “Jump,” it looks like the end of the show.  Before I dismiss everyone, I am going to invite all of the orchestra students back on stage and say a few words about Mr. Goodman.

As I wrap up my little speech, I will invite some “very special guests” (or something like that) up to the stage as a way to visualize all of the lives that he has impacted.

At that point, we will have all of you come up to the stage.  It would be a cool effect if we had some people coming from back stage (cellists/bassists) and people coming straight out of the crowd (violinist/violists) so it looks like the stage is being swarmed by Goodmanites.

My vision is that most of the current orchestra students will be seated on stage and you will be surrounding them – like a big hug of Goodman orchestral legacy.  We simply don’t have enough chairs for everyone, so Chin Folks (violin/viola) will stand and the Pin Folks (cello/bass) will have some seats out in the front.

Since it’s a surprise, I don’t know if Mr. Goodman would want to play….or conduct… or just watch… but either way, we will do the Carol of the Bells and I’m sure the place will go crazy.

After that, I’m sure it will be hugs and cheers and tears and all of that great stuff.

I’m excited.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

OH BOY!!!