President's Report

Greetings and welcome back to what is the busiest time of the year - there is always so much to do and the concert is approaching rapidly!

First, though, I'd like to look back over the last few months. Towards the end of third term Presentation Evening took place and it gave us all a chance to not only see how well the dancers are progressing, but also to congratulate them for the outstanding results in the exams. Special congratulations go to our award winners as well as a big thank you to our hard working and dedicated teachers led, very much by example, by our Artistic Director. The after party at Wyreena gave everyone a good opportunity to relax after a hectic period.

During the term holidays our competition group performed at Hi-Point and they are to be applauded for their efforts and results. Equally commendable were the efforts of the students who entered the choreographic competition. Students performed their own creations and a great deal of talent was on display.

The focus for the rest of this year is the concert and I'm pleased to see such a positive response thus far. The costume working bees during the holidays were well attended and productive - a big thank you to all those who came along. So far, we've also managed to see most of those who offered to help with scenery and backdrops, and many thanks. For those who haven't made it yet, please come along - Monday night is backdrop night and work on the scenery continues on Saturdays. However, I'm still a bit short of help for scenery moving, both to and from the combined rehearsals as well as to the theatre and back. Not many have put their hands up for stage crew at the concert either. If I haven't caught up with you and you can help in these areas, please get in touch!

Thanks to one of our parents, we're hoping that the ticketing this year will be easier and more efficient. Mark Goodall has put a lot of time and effort into designing and implementing a computer ticketing system specific to our needs, and if all goes as planned, we'll be in full swing for our first main ticketing day on Sunday 11 November. This day has been chosen as it is a 'quiet' day before the combined rehearsals start and we can devote our full resources to selling tickets. We're hoping most families will purchase their tickets on this day as it will allow us to direct our resources to more pressing areas during the final weeks.

The next few weeks will indeed become much busier as preparations for the concert proceed and there is always a lot to do. Once again, could I urge you to become involved as much as you are able. Every bit of assistance helps and is always appreciated.

Finally, while it is a very busy time of the year, I always find it to be very enjoyable as well. That enjoyment comes from working alongside and getting to know a much wider group of parents, feeling the 'buzz' around the school as dances are learnt, costumes made and scenery appears, then seeing it all come together when we go to the theatre. The concert is a wonderful finale to the year and the delight it brings makes all the effort worthwhile.

Regards, Geoff Kitchen (president@ringwoodballet.org.au)