Getting Desperate for Concert Band Rehearsal Space

[trickycoolj]

I posted about a month ago, but I wanted to start a new thread with some more details that might help our search.

I am a member of the Boeing Employees’ Concert Band, we are a 501C3 non-profit all volunteer concert band comprised of Boeing Employees, Retirees and family formed in 1979 that play concerts around the community. We are also affiliated with the Orchestra of Flight and Boeing Stage Band. Our current rehearsal space at Zion Preparatory is slated for demolition in 2014 and we must vacate the building by the end of the year. (Less than two months away!) We are frantically searching for a new rehearsal and storage space as the initial lead we had with the new Aviation High School did not work out (as a STEM school they have no gym or music facilities and they aren’t even unpacked all the way). If we are unable to find anything our season will be cut short after the Holidays and the band may end for good.

Here are the basics of what we are looking for:

3 Weeknights of Availability for 2 hour rehearsals (Currently Mon/Tue/Thur 7-9pm but flexible)

Practice Space: 25′ X 35′

Secure Storage: 15′ X 20′ (for percussion instruments and music library)

Rent: $3000/year (this is our current budget, less is better, we can possibly sustain a little more)

Within Seattle City Limits

Possible options include: Elementary/Middle Schools (private or public), Parks & Rec Facilities, Churches, Community College, or any other large facility that rents space.

If anyone has any connections to a facility, school or church that may be able to get us in contact with someone in charge or general ideas around West Seattle or beyond please please drop me a message. julia (dot) hanke (at) hotmail

One of our board members does intend to reach out to Youngstown but we don’t have a specific contact.

We’re trying every avenue of contacts we have, so I’m hoping just maybe WSB can open up some additional possibilities for us to look into in order to continue our concert season.

For more information about the band and our current 2013-14 concert schedule: http://becb.org/

For more information about the orchestra: http://flightorchestra.dreamhosters.com/

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[trickycoolj]

Thank you SO MUCH to those of you who have forwarded this information on! We have started getting new leads for rehearsal space!

I do want to mention our two upcoming concerts that are closest to West Seattle if anyone would like to come out and watch us, they are both at the Museum of Flight near Boeing Field.

Monday November 11th, 11am for the Veterans Day Ceremony

http://www.museumofflight.org/event/2013/nov/11/veterans-day-recognition-and-ceremony

Saturday December 14th, 2pm for Santa’s Landing Party (I also see Caspar Babypants will be playing around 10:30!)

http://www.museumofflight.org/event/2013/dec/14/santas-landing-party

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[celeste17]

Did you try the American Legion or the VFW or the Masonic Hall? Or what about the Seattle Public Schools such as the STEM at Borden?

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[MercyMoi]

I’m hoping the K-5 STEM at Boren is on your list to contact. It makes sense to have Boeing retirees using our space.

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[trickycoolj]

I think K-5 STEM would be a great option, I don’t personally know much about leasing space from SPS however. Can anyone provide us with a contact person that could help us get the ball rolling in terms of discussing the possibility? Maybe PTA or the principal?

My preliminary research on the SPS website looked like the application for leasing space asks for how many children and ages you plan to serve, like it was geared towards day-cares or rec sports. It also requires an supporting signature from the school principal whom we would need to get in contact with. Our band VP has been great reaching out to many of the contacts I’ve received from WSB members so as long as we could get a specific person to reach out to we would definitely look into the possibility.

Personally my largest concern with Boren specifically is with all the school reconstruction in West Seattle I could imagine there will be lots of shuffling around as Boren is used to house other buildings simultaneously with STEM. Though the building looks huge when I drive by!

I do however like the idea that with STEM looking to expand to K-8 I would love it if our presence provided some interest in the students to go to Aviation HS.

Also I have to say, the great responses I’ve gotten so far actually made one band member say they’d reconsider visiting West Seattle more often, they had no idea how tight knit this community is!!

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[HMC Rich]

Email your request to . . . president@k5stempta.org The PTA President’s name is Robin. She can then talk with Dr. McKinney. They have a great school style band area which could be beneficial to the school and your organization.

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[HMC Rich]

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[MercyMoi]

I don’t mind serving as a K5 STEM ground person to help facilitate this. I’d just be a parent willing to help make this smooth – no real power. Please do email Robin at the president@k5stempta.org address (thanks, HMC Rich!). I will send an email to our principal, too.

I can be reached at merudevi (at) gmail.

Let’s check this out!

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[trickycoolj]

Thanks for all the enthusiasm! We have rehearsal tonight from 7-9pm so I will get your contact info to the board members of the band and have one of them get in contact with you!

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