Italian Dinner
Friday, February 7, 2020
ATTENTION: This site is not longer taking reservations. Tickets are still available, but you must contact MHS Orchestra Booster President Karla Hegde to purchase them. Call (715-497-3709) or email (hemanthegde3476@msn.com) immediately. Thank you for your support of the MHS Orchestra Italian Dinner!
MHS Orchestra Italian Dinner 2020
It is with great pleasure that we announce our 22nd Annual Italian Dinner! This amazing event will be held at The Florian Gardens in Eau Claire on Friday, February 7th. The Florian Gardens is a beautiful facility that hosts many events, including weddings and our Memorial High School Prom. We're excited to return for a second year! Doors open at 5pm. Dinner starts at 6pm. Entertainment is provided by the Memorial High School orchestra players. Maestro Nobu Yasuda will be the keynote speaker. WEAU's Meteorologist Darren Maier will be the guest emcee. A silent auction and 50/50 raffles round out this special musical event.
Although it's called the Italian Dinner, the music focus is much more international. You'll hear familiar tunes as well as some new favorites. From the moment the doors open until the end, you'll enjoy a variety of beautiful string music from outstanding Memorial High School student musicians.
This year's meal consists of a delicious Italian dinner buffet for adults and students. A gluten free and vegetarian option will be available. Dessert, coffee, and water are included. Children receive a plated meal including pasta and marinara sauce. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for students, and $10 for children under 10.
NOTICE TO PARENTS: Remember to purchase a ticket for your MHS orchestra student to eat with you and your family at the event.
A yearly fundraiser: The money raised by our parent boosters during this event is very important. It allows the orchestra program to purchase instruments and equipment, supplement trips, assist students with uniform fees and scholarships, and provide enriching experiences with the best clinicians, tutors, and accompanists. We want our orchestra students to have all the help they need to meet their musical goals. Our immediate goal is to increase the number of students receiving top scores at our solo ensemble festival, as well as increase the number of students auditioning for honors orchestras, university orchestras, national competitions and enrichment experiences. All orchestra students benefit from your investment in the MHS Orchestra Parent Booster Club.
There's more to come. Details about student performance times, arrival times, and opportunities to volunteer (for both students and parents) will be posted in January.
Ticket Information & Reservations
We will offer online ticket sales with a credit card option again this year! Online cash and check payment options are available, too. Tickets for the dinner are $25 for adults, $15 for students, and $10 for children under 10. There are 300 seats available. This year's event will be open to the public (after an initial offering to orchestra families), so we expect tickets to sell fast. Reservations and payment should be made right away! We encourage ALL orchestra families to support the sale of four tickets (each table holds 8-9 guests).
Select your payment method [links above] to process your online reservation. Mail checks to Memorial High School Orchestra, 2225 Keith Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701, payable to MHS Orchestra Boosters. No tickets will be mailed. Simply check in when you arrive at the event.
Paper registration forms are available, but please DO NOT complete BOTH paper version and an online form. Thank you!
Silent Auction & 50/50 Raffles
This year we're having a silent auction. We will accept cash, checks, and credit cards for silent auction winnings. Cash only for the 50/50 raffles.
Our goal is to collect about 30 baskets/items for the Italian Dinner silent auction. We're asking each orchestra family to donate a silent auction basket/item, new items to combine with other baskets, or money to use for purchasing silent auction items. All money must be received in Soma's classroom no later than Tuesday, February 12. Mark your envelope 'Raffle', and send directly to Soma. Make checks payable to MHS Orchestra Boosters. A Silent Auction Coordinator will purchase the items if you aren't able to. Coordinators include Jacque Rentzepis (715-456-5230; mrentzepis9122@charter.net), Anne Ryan (715-210-7006), Alyssa Larson (217-417-1239), and Karla Hegde (715-497-3709; hemanthegde3476@msn.com). Contact a coordinator if you have questions.
To donate a silent auction basket or item . . .
(1) Sign up for a themed basket to create OR add your own theme idea to the bottom of the list. Click on the link below. Be sure to include your name and contact information.
(2) Collect new items for your basket.
(3) Create an attractive display. Wrap it in clear cellophane.
(4) Email a description of the contents and estimated value to Jacque Rentzepis (715-456-5230; mrentzepis9122@charter.net) by Tuesday, Feb 4.
(5) Deliver your finished baskets or individual items on Friday, Feb. 7 (at The Florian Gardens) between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Volunteers & Required Forms
We encourage all families to volunteer before, during, or after this event. We need your collective help to make this event a true success! Although this event is primarily managed by our awesome orchestra students, we still need parent volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help with the silent auction, ticket sales, event check-in, and breakdown. The SignUp Genius link will be sent to parents via Skyward in January.
Contact Karla Hegde if you have questions. We appreciate your support. Thank you very much!
Every adult volunteer at Memorial High School must complete the Volunteer Agreement every year. If you are uncertain when you last completed this form, please complete another. Print the PDF, complete & sign page 2, and send to Val Logan (MHS Partnership Coordinator) or Karla Hegde via Soma or the MHS attendance office. Pick up hard copies at the attendance office, if necessary.
The following Disclosure Statement form must be completed every three years by individuals volunteering in the school. If you are uncertain when you last completed this form, please complete another. Print the PDF, complete & sign both pages, and send to Val Logan (MHS Partnership Coordinator) or Karla Hegde via Soma or the MHS attendance office. Pick up hard copies at the attendance office, if necessary.
Questions or Comments
MHS Orchestra Instructor: Soma Pierce-Smit, 715-852-6364 (school voicemail), spiercesmit@ecasd.us
MHS Orchestra Booster Club, president: Karla Hegde, 715-497-3709 (c), hemanthegde3476@msn.com
MHS Orchestra Booster Club, treasurer: Lisa Burrell, 715-214-9477 (c), binaishi@hotmail.com
Italian Dinner Silent Auction Coordinators: Jacque Rentzepis, Anne Ryan, Alyssa Larson, Karla Hegde