Talent Show Fundraiser
Friday, April 11, 2025
What is this event and when is it happening?
Over the years, many students have asked for an event to happen at Rockheights, which showcases students' work in solo and small group performances, in essence, a "talent show"! This is the year to do it, so a time is set for 7pm on Friday, April 11th, 2025 here at the school!
What will it be like?
I envision having two intimate performance spaces, each set up like in a cafe atmosphere, with colourful, but low, lighting, seating and potentially tables depending on the number of attendees expected. These would be in the large music room, and the other in the library. Each space will have a small "stage" area with rhythm section instruments such as piano, amplifiers, drum-kit, microphone and whatever else students need for their performance.
What can students do for their performance?
Any Rockheights student or alumni student can showcase any type of talent. Ideas could include solo and small group musical acts, dances (space permitting), magic shows, stand-up comedy, scenes from live or musical theatre, poetry, live painting, pet tricks, or any other ideas they may bring forward. They will be asked to audition in the week before Spring Break, to be sure that they are highly prepared. Lively music will be given preference over slow ballads, to keep the evening moving. I can guide students in their preparation, but students should expect to do the majority of preparation on their own. It is optional to participate.
Is it mandatory to participate?
No. It's optional to perform in this event. However, all students in the music program and their parents are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in this community-building and fun evening! There will be many non-performing jobs to do, such as setting up and taking down equipment and decorations, making and putting up posters, selling tickets, etc. If only a few students express interest in performing an act, we may have school ensembles perform, such as the Jazz Band, Intermediate Strings and Choir. These events are easily the most memorable and fun for students, and are a great way for parents to get involved.
How will this event raise funds?
Here are some fundraising ideas that have been highly successful at other schools, which I think could work for us:
1. Charging a small admission fee to attend.
2. Hosting a marketplace where local farmers, artists and craftspeople rent a table to sell their goods. Sellers would keep all of the money made from selling their products, and the Rockheights Music Program keeps the money from renting tables. We could also have a student mini-marketplace for students to sell their own hand-made goods (and earn money to keep!)
3. Selling coffee, tea and food.
What would this money go towards?
Money raised at this event would become "seed money" for events in the 2025 2026 school year, such as a trip. Last year, students had the opportunity to travel to Vancouver, for example. Having some money in the bank to pay for initial deposits for a hotel and bus, for example, goes a long way towards making a trip happen again.
What can parents do to help?
Parents are needed to take the lead on the fundraising aspect of this event, namely, running the marketplace. We would need parents to:
If it sounds like fun to you, please get in touch with me at [email protected] and let me know how you'd like to be involved. There will be a parent meeting at 6:30pm, Wednesday, January 8th in the Large Music Room to gather initial ideas. Please join us!
Over the years, many students have asked for an event to happen at Rockheights, which showcases students' work in solo and small group performances, in essence, a "talent show"! This is the year to do it, so a time is set for 7pm on Friday, April 11th, 2025 here at the school!
What will it be like?
I envision having two intimate performance spaces, each set up like in a cafe atmosphere, with colourful, but low, lighting, seating and potentially tables depending on the number of attendees expected. These would be in the large music room, and the other in the library. Each space will have a small "stage" area with rhythm section instruments such as piano, amplifiers, drum-kit, microphone and whatever else students need for their performance.
What can students do for their performance?
Any Rockheights student or alumni student can showcase any type of talent. Ideas could include solo and small group musical acts, dances (space permitting), magic shows, stand-up comedy, scenes from live or musical theatre, poetry, live painting, pet tricks, or any other ideas they may bring forward. They will be asked to audition in the week before Spring Break, to be sure that they are highly prepared. Lively music will be given preference over slow ballads, to keep the evening moving. I can guide students in their preparation, but students should expect to do the majority of preparation on their own. It is optional to participate.
Is it mandatory to participate?
No. It's optional to perform in this event. However, all students in the music program and their parents are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in this community-building and fun evening! There will be many non-performing jobs to do, such as setting up and taking down equipment and decorations, making and putting up posters, selling tickets, etc. If only a few students express interest in performing an act, we may have school ensembles perform, such as the Jazz Band, Intermediate Strings and Choir. These events are easily the most memorable and fun for students, and are a great way for parents to get involved.
How will this event raise funds?
Here are some fundraising ideas that have been highly successful at other schools, which I think could work for us:
1. Charging a small admission fee to attend.
2. Hosting a marketplace where local farmers, artists and craftspeople rent a table to sell their goods. Sellers would keep all of the money made from selling their products, and the Rockheights Music Program keeps the money from renting tables. We could also have a student mini-marketplace for students to sell their own hand-made goods (and earn money to keep!)
3. Selling coffee, tea and food.
What would this money go towards?
Money raised at this event would become "seed money" for events in the 2025 2026 school year, such as a trip. Last year, students had the opportunity to travel to Vancouver, for example. Having some money in the bank to pay for initial deposits for a hotel and bus, for example, goes a long way towards making a trip happen again.
What can parents do to help?
Parents are needed to take the lead on the fundraising aspect of this event, namely, running the marketplace. We would need parents to:
- sell tickets to the event at the door (some will be available online as well);
- contact local sellers and ask them to rent a table;
- help sellers with administrative tasks, such as using the school WiFi, finding electrical outlets, etc.; and
- find donated coffee, tea, water and treats and sell them.
If it sounds like fun to you, please get in touch with me at [email protected] and let me know how you'd like to be involved. There will be a parent meeting at 6:30pm, Wednesday, January 8th in the Large Music Room to gather initial ideas. Please join us!
