Dear Orchestra Parents and Students,
You are invited to participate in the West Orchestra Silent Auction, to be held (tentatively) during parent-teacher conferences on March 26th and 27th outside the West/Romig school library.
The orchestra is raising money to purchase instruments and music and we are kicking off our fundraising for the upcoming West Orchestra out-of-state trip next year! (More information about this will be coming shortly.)
The more money we can raise now, the greater the likelihood that every West Orchestra student that wishes to attend the out-of-state trip will be able to come.
You are welcome to donate both goods (in good condition) and services that can be collected on a case-by-case basis (individual scheduling with whomever wins the service).

Donation Ideas Include:
Goods
Handmade Items such as rugs, pillows, or scarves, pottery, glassware, designer paper, jewelry.
Household Items in good condition such as vases, lamps, fondue kits, cookware; specialty items such as crepe griddle, slow cooker, crock pot, waffle iron.
Gift Certificates to restaurants, spas, movie theaters.
Hotel Reservations (a night at the hotel)

Services
Personal Chef Services such as cakes, pies, ethnic food, or specialty foods at a time agreed upon by the buyer and seller (offer to make a custom cake, to be made at customers order, etc)
For Kids: Chamber music— a “voucher” for an hour (two hours, half hour, etc) of chamber music at a time and place agreed upon by the buyer and seller (probably at parties, etc)
Automotive Work or Snowplowing/Shoveling Services
An hour tour of Denali (or other) in a small plane
A hip-hop intensive (for older folks?) taught by someone familiar with the art of hip-hop
Use of a private cabin for a day (a weekend).
A guided hike
Calligraphy / Stamping / Card making / Painting lesson(s)
Foreign language (French, Chinese…) lesson
Custom Caricature / Painting
Private music lesson
The possibilities are endless! Any profession/hobby parents and students are involved in can provide a service for the silent auction! Do something that follows your interests!

Parents: You can also volunteer to help out at the silent auction! Parents are needed to:
Pick up gift certificates and other donated items before the auction
Supervise the auction tables in shifts: keep an eye on merchandise and answer questions
Follow up after the auction (call highest bidders, deliver items, collect money)

Students: You too can help out!
Help assemble baskets before the silent auction (possibly during practice club??) **WORTH 1 PROJECT POINT (1/2 PROJECT)!!!**

If you would like to make a donation, please fill out the donation form (below) and return to Mrs. Willis. If you would like more than one, send your student to ask Mrs. Willis before or after class.
If you (as a parent) would like to volunteer, please email Mrs. Willis at Willis_Gabrielle@asdk12.org. Students who wish to volunteer should contact Mrs. Willis by email (above) and/or speak to Maddy Amodio in class (second period), or email Maddy at fitzmodio@acsalaska.net
Thank you so much for your support!

Concert Orchestra Officers:
President: Roger David
Vice President: Penina Fatuleai
Secretary: Alice Wong
Treasurer: Kayla Eichholtz
Artist in Residence: Ariel Evans
Artist Apprentices: Marika Roberts, Lauren Roberts
Co-Librarians: Myrlin Barber (“Biblio-lad) and Lilly Tatka (Biblio-lass)
Instrument Coordinator: Bryson Andres
Webmaster: Dylan Baker
Master of Post: Jari Piper

Chamber Orchestra Officers:
President: Maddy Amodio
Vice President: Micaela Hyams
Treasurer: Olin Blackmore
Secretary: Chelsey Beardsley
Co-artists in Residence: Mariah Falkenstein and Cayton Cox
Music Librarian: Angel Fellows
Instrument Coordinator: Jeremy Gaunt

Published in Anchorage Daily News on 7/28/07:
Lifelong Alaskan Brandon Scott Cope, 17, died July 20, 2007, at Mile 155 Glenn Highway in a four-wheeler accident.
A celebration of life will be from 3 to 11 p.m. Aug.4 at the Knik River ashes over the river are planned.
Brandon was born Nov.14, 1989, in Anchorage to Scott and Tammie Cope.
His family wrote that Brandon was an intelligent, strong-willed individual with a sense of self that was well beyond his years. He was blessed with an ear for music and a highly creative mind: He played the viola and wrote poetry, exploring the world in which he lived, describing it in great detail from this perspective. He had an enduring love for hockey, as a player and referee, and especially enjoyed the Mites he refereed for. He also enjoyed soccer and loved four-wheeling. His smile and sense of humor were infectious to those around him. He touched many lives, most by being the unique individual he was and others by simply listening.
Some will remember Brandon as a young man whom would choose the “hard way” just because it was an option given. Others will remember the white knight who would charge to their defense when no one else would, while still others will remember Brandon as the philosopher expounding and examining ideas that only another “old soul” would understand or appreciate. Regardless if you remember Brandon as the gifted student  excelling in West High, the class clown, brother, son, nephew, or friend, remember him and smile, for he now lives on in each of us, As in life, in death he gave hope for others for being a donor, so for some he will literally live in them.
Donations may be sent to his family to benefit West High Orchestra.
Condolences may be sent to 8140 Seaview St., Anchorage 99502. Call 248-8053. 
A few messages from West High Students: 
“Though I did not know Brandon very well, I find it easy to say he was the most enthusiastic violist I have ever met. He had his own interesting way of doing things. For this reason, I respected him deeply. We were lucky to have such a strong addition to our group.”
-Winter Powell, violist 
“I may not have known him for very long, but in orchestra class I got the chance to talk, joke, and laugh with him. Even now I remember the time we spent together. I miss Brandon.”
-Gina Genne, violinist 
“I knew Brandon rather well. He had been in orchestra with me since I started in the 6th grade. He was my first friend in middle school and he was a great person. He was the brother I never had. We’ll all miss him greatly.”
-Kirsten Tobey, cellist 
“Brandon and his memory will always live on through West Orchestra. He definitely made a fabulous impression on everybody and there was nobody more into playing their viola than he.”
-Quinsey Jorgenson, violinist 
“We all miss Brandon, especially here in the violas! We all remember his mid-chorus rock-outs and head bops! Brandon was a great person and I think of him every time I pick up my viola.”
-Lilly Tatka, violist 

Congratulations to West orchestra senior Tapa'aufanua Fatuleai for winning 1st prize in the State Russian Olympiada competition! Not only is Tapa an excellent violinist, but an accomplished Russian speaker. He will travel to Russia this summer with other winners from around the United States. We love you Tapa!

Congratulations also to West orchestra senior Justin Birchell for his excellent performance as Gregorio in Anchorage Opera's recent production of Romeo and Juliet. You might remember Justin from his memorable performance as John Lennon in the February West Orchestra concert. We appreciate his talents as both a vocalist and cellist!