Dear EVYS Families,
The EVYS Board of Directors and Conductors are pleased to announce exciting changes coming to EVYS! EVYS has enjoyed being affiliated with Campo Verde High School since the school opened in 2009. As part of our affiliation with Gilbert Public Schools, we have been grateful to use the facilities at a minimal cost to the Symphony. Unfortunately, we were notified at the beginning of our current season that, due to the new zero based budgeting initiative at GPS, the district would start charging EVYS a significant amount for facility usage beginning with the 2015/2016 school year. Due to our desire to keep tuition as low as possible, we began a search to explore other options available to EVYS.
Today we are thrilled to announce that Higley Unified School District has shown a strong desire to be affiliated with EVYS and we will be moving rehearsals to Higley High School beginning with the January 8, 2015 rehearsal. This move also offers EVYS the unique opportunity to be affiliated with the Higley Center for the Arts!
Important items for you to know during this transition include: Rehearsal times will still be from 4:30 to 6:00 for Concert and Chamber orchestras, and 6:15 to 8:15 for Symphony orchestra. December 4th will be the final rehearsal at Campo Verde HS. Due to previously scheduled activities at the Higley Center for the Arts, we will still hold our 2014/2015 concerts as currently scheduled at Mesquite Jr. High on November 21, and Campo Verde on February 27 and May 1.
We believe this move is a great opportunity for both EVYS and HUSD and will help EVYS to keep tuition low, while forming a new relationship with HHS and the Arts Center that will endure for many years to come. At the same time, we will be incurring some incremental costs as part of this move and will appreciate any donations you are able to make. EVYS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so donations are tax deductible. We are happy to provide receipts for tax purposes.
Thank you so much for your support during this transition. We will do our best to communicate clearly throughout this move and continue to provide an excellent experience for all musicians. If you have any questions, please feel free to talk with any board member or conductor.
Your EVYS Board