WASO
King, Simon
Dear Parents, WASO members,
Welcome to those returning and to all our new parents, WASO members! It has been a great start to the year and to have so many new musicians in the ensembles and many who have progressed to the next ensemble is rather exciting and we are looking forward to how they year progresses.
Time is already ticking away and after this week’s rehearsal we only have another 6 rehearsals until the winter concerts which brings me on to the concerts, could you please make a note in your diaries of the following concerts listed by ensemble:
WYO - Weds 26th Nov 2025 - Thornden Hall, Weds 25th March 2026 - Rose Theatre, Weds 1st July 2026 - Thornden Hall.
WASTO - Weds 26th Nov 2025 - Thornden Hall, Weds 18th March 2026 - Thornden Hall, Weds 1st July 2026 - Thornden Hall.
WAYSE - Weds 26th Nov 2025 - Thornden Hall, Weds 18th March 2026 - Thornden Hall, Weds 1st July 2026 - Thornden Hall.
Concert Band - Thurs 27th Nov 2025 - Thornden Hall, Thurs 19th March 2026 - Thornden Hall, Thurs 2nd July 2026 - Thornden Hall.
Wind Band - Thurs 27th Nov 2025 - Thornden Hall, Weds 18th March 2026 - Thornden Hall, Thurs 2nd July 2026 - Thornden Hall.
Introductory Band - Thurs 27th Nov 2025 - Thornden Hall, Weds 18th March 2026 - Thornden Hall, Thurs 2nd July 2026 - Thornden Hall.
If you are unable to attend any of these dates you need to inform us asap otherwise, we will expect you to be there. Similarly we expect full attendance at rehearsals, if you are unable
to make a rehearsal then could you please let us know emailing
wa...@hms.hants.gov.uk putting your name and ensemble so the information can be forwarded on to the right member of staff.
Winter concert tickets buy here:
Tickets for Wednesday 26th November, WASTO, WAYSE, WYO
Tickets for Thursday 27th November, CONCERT BAND, WIND BAND, INTRODUCTORY BAND
Waiting room
"The Friends of WASO" have booked a waiting room which is in the Prague building opposite the concert hall should you wish to wait on site while rehearsals are ongoing, the room is currently available between 5-8pm which is the earliest the room can be booked from. Please do pop in and say hello to other parents perhaps you may be able to help out with "the friends of WASO".
Car Park
When picking up, dropping off for rehearsals it has been highlighted that it has been very busy and causing some hold ups. Whilst it is further discussed with Henry Beaufort could I please ask that in the meantime you allow extra time, please use both the top car parks as illustrated on the map. Please do not park around the entrance/exit to pick up drop off as this will cause further problems. Health and safety is the top priority.
Behaviour on site
This week I received a message from Henry Beaufort regarding a safeguarding issue that took place on 24th September, three males were running around unsupervised on the school field, when they were approached by the security team they ran back to the concert hall. Although this may not have involved anyone from WASO I would like to ask parents to remind students that they are there to rehearse, we have hired rooms in which we do so and no-one should be wondering off around the school site unsupervised. Thank you in advance.
Residential
Information will be out soon about the up incoming residential so keep an eye for the email.
Finally
The “Friends of WASO” parents association is looking for your support and new members.
The WASO ensemble pyramid is the biggest in Hampshire, and the Friends Association play a vital role supporting the ensembles.
I'm writing today to ask if you would be willing to put your name forward to be a part of the Friends Association and be on the committee.
Your HMS conductors and assistants do an amazing job, providing your children with an outstanding musical experience, but they can't do it alone - and they can't be part of the Friends Association.
I might be able to help, but what would this look like?
It wouldn't require a lot of your time, and we would be able to mainly communicate via email / WhatsApp group with the occasional short meeting during rehearsal times. When possible, you would help organise various 'behind the scenes' things that help make WASO tick, and you would of course have a say on how best to support the groups. Most importantly, you wouldn't be committing yourself to a weekly commitment!
Please could you have a think about whether you might be able to help, there is a WhatsApp group which you can join using the following link or qr code:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/G0YgUsFRr1KGx150aQXleR
and a Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1142879690563370/
Thanks again for reading to the end and for considering helping WASO do the best for your children!
Here are some of the ways you might be able to help:
- Help with the uniforms. Parents would order online via a form. An eye would need to be kept on stock levels of new / pre-loved polo tops so that spares can be ordered when needed. We have a card machine to make taking payment from parents easy
- A couple of people to become authorised signatories on the Friends bank account.
- Organising and running the tuck shop.
- Organising ushers/chaperones. (Again sign-ups for this online).
- Continuing to help sort music.
Please feel free to email me further, WA...@HMS.HANTS.GOV.UK
Kind Regards,
Jamie 🎺