Kootenay Orchards Music Program
1301 20th Avenue South V1C6Y7 Cranbrook, BC, Canada

Thank you to the group helping to move props today. We were done by 3:25 which is record time. We even had four former KO students helping out! Hoping to get the same help and support following the performance Thursday evening.

The Kootenay Orchards production of "Elf" is so famous, the troupe is currently in Tokyo on their Japan tour. Be sure to catch them at the Key City Theatre on Thursday evening at 6:30 as they swing through Cranbrook on their way to Montreal. Vive les elfes de Noel!

This is the set we need moved after school on Wednesday. With enough people and vehicles, we could be done by 4:00pm. Meet us outside the KO gym at 3:00pm if you are able to help.

Thank you to everyone who put in their DVD orders. We now have enough sales to cover the cost of recording the performance. We can still take orders up until Friday. We also have more seating available for Thursday evening (6:30 - 8:00pm). Please let Cathy know if you would like extra tickets.

NEWS FLASH! Miss Thomson and Miss Schadeli were arrested outside Kootenay Orchards Elementary School, Monday, December 13th shortly after 3:30pm. While few details of the arrest have been made public, we are told more information will be provided at the Key City Theatre on the evening of Thursday, December 16th. Get your tickets now to be the first to find out why the accused are in jail. Stay informed, stay safe!

We have DVD's for all the performances over the last 8 years. It would be a shame if we missed this one. If you were planning to order a DVD or USB, please do so this weekend.

Just a reminder, tonight's float route (Thursday) has changed. We will go to 21A Ave/16 St and Staple Crescent. We will NOT be going to Staple Drive. This is the last night for our float. Hope to see you there!

It was just brought to my attention that I mixed up my stops with the float last night. I am so sorry to any parents that were waiting on Staple Crescent for us. Tonight's stops will take place as scheduled, and Thursday will be adjusted to replace Staple Drive with Staple Crescent. Again, my sincerest apologies for this mixup. If anyone missed seeing their child, please PM me and we'll see if we can fit him/her on another float.

Some information on the annual KO Jingle Bell Walk Food Drive. https://youtube.com/shorts/AyqfVdE3rzo?feature=share

Important Update: With the lifting of capacity restrictions in the interior, we are able to accommodate a larger audience at our Christmas production on December 16th. If you were holding out on asking for additional tickets, or if you are a family with kids in primary that would like to come and watch the performance, you are welcome to request tickets directly from Cathy in the KO office. It would be nice for our kids to be able to perform for a large audience. (Vaccine a...nd mask requirements are still in place.) Although capacity restrictions have been lifted for performance venues, school restrictions remain unchanged and as a result we are still not able to place our primary classes into the show. Instead we will see you next week from our float. Cheers, Mr. Lutz

Costumes for Intermediate Christmas Concert: Thomson/Schadeli Students will take on 2 roles: Elves & Jailbirds. Jailbirds are the main role. ... Elves= white tops, dark bottoms. Elf collars and hats will be provided by the school. Elves will also need one toy and one tool as a prop (building toys in Santas shop) Jailbirds = Rough look such as leather jackets, ripped cloths, unkempt hair, pocket chains, dew rags, etc. Several students have been asked to be shoppers. They will just need their nicest winter coats, mittens and scarves. Halldorson Students will take on 2 roles: babies and business people. Business people are the main role. Babies: Tight t-shirt, dark bottoms. Onesies will be provided by school. Props such as soothers, stuffies, etc. Business People= try to look as mature as possible. Nice clothes such as suits, white shirts, ties, skirts, etc. Black and white are good colours. Props such as briefcases, ipads, notebooks, calculators, etc. C. Potter Some students are part of our business team as mentioned above with Halldorson's class. Most students also have roles which require specific costumes. We have discussed possible costumes in class. If you have questions, feel free to message me.

November 24th Update The KO Music Program has been buzzing with excitement as we put the finishing touches on our upcoming performances. I wish I had a camera in the music room so you could see the older students working with our younger grades and helping them with their songs. It feels like a giant family again. The leadership in this year's Grade 6 class is exemplary. 1. The primary float and travelling concerts will take place over 3 evenings (Tuesday, December 7th throu...gh Thursday, December 9th) Detailed information about class scheduling and performance locations will be coming out at the beginning of next week. Students should wear warm clothes and decorate themselves in the Christmas spirit (Christmas hats, battery powered lights, garland, etc.) 2. I am hoping to livestream the intermediate concert over this page on Thursday, December 16th. If it cannot be livestreamed, it will be recorded and posted on this page the following day (Friday). Performing at the Key City Theatre is new for us and I am not sure about internet connections. 3. We have a HUGE amount of props which need to be moved between the school and the theatre. Please message me if you have a truck and are able to help bring items to the theatre after school on Wednesday, December 15th, and also bring the same items back to the school following the performance on Thursday, December 16th (about 8:00pm). We probably have about 4 truck loads. 4. I am also looking for about 4 parent helpers on Thursday, December 16th from 8:00am to 9:00am to help move props and setup the stage. 5. Tickets for the evening performance at the Key City Theatre can now be reserved online. Please get your orders in early as there is a huge demand for tickets this year. The KO student body is beyond excited to perform for you this year. See you in 2 weeks. Mr. Lutz

2 years ago, KO held its first talent show at the Key City Theatre, 1 year ago, KO held its first ever online talent show, and coming this May, KO will hold its first ever Outdoor Talent Show. Now your kids will have something to do over the Spring Break. Information will be sent home with the students this week.

KO Grade 1 Class playing "Rodeo" on their Melodian Keyboards.

For families with students in Mrs. Adams and Ms. Boss's classes, I will be opening the Music Room door at 8:30 on Wednesday and Thursday due to the excessive cold. Please bundle up your kids warmly. (Mr. Lutz)

The BC government has updated its guidelines for keeping children safe in schools. Students are not required to wear masks during Music, but are welcome to do so if they choose. We are lucky at KO to have a large room with fresh air from the outside and a medical grade air purifier. The schedule has also been created to allow for over 45 minutes of air exchange between the different cohorts using the room. I have been teaching in a mask full-time since September and will con...tinue to do so until the pandemic subsides. There are a few Band students who are missing their masks on their instruments. These will now be mandatory and I will work with the students to make sure they are in compliance. It is highly unlikely we will have any in-person performances this year. Instead, we are looking to create some virtual performances in the spring to highlight the students' musical accomplishments. See more

Miss Cross's class playing "What time is it, Mr. Drum?"