pops

POPS is beginning its 16th year, and it will be another exciting one for us and the Coginchaug music department. First of all, this will be the year of the Coginchaug musical performance. Every other year, the music department puts on a well-known musical. This year, “Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum” will be performed. The Destiny Africa Children’s Choir will be performing at Coginchaug and other schools in District 13. The choir is comprised of orphaned Ugandan children who will be performing throughout New England this year, and we are fortunate enough to have them come to our towns. Another extremely exciting event for POPS this year is a permanent structure at the Durham Fair! We have a new home built by volunteers from POPS as well as the kind citizens of our towns. We will be selling our cotton candy, candy apples, cider and caramel apples at our new home on Canfield Lane so make sure to stop by or sign up to work a shift at this year’s Durham Fair, September 25, 26 & 27.

Some POPS facts:
WHO we are: POPS was originally formed by a group of parents 16 years ago to raise money for uniforms. We are the parents of students who are currently in one or more choirs and bands at Coginchaug who are continuing to work hard to raise money for the needs of the music department.
WHAT we do:
We work along with Lisa Larsen and Dean Coutsouridis to organize fund raising activities and provide parent power for events that directly benefit our children and the music department.
WHEN we do it: Every chance we get! If you see someone selling cookies, cakes, and drinks at intermission during a concert; that’s us! Throughout the school year we help with fundraisers such as the Annual Craft Fair, wrapping paper and citrus sales as well as providing coffee, donuts and water on the green during the Memorial Day parade.
WHY we do it: Because it’s fun and it benefits our children and our music department. We have assisted the high school music department with buying instruments, equipment and subsidizing field trips for our kids. We even offer a college scholarship to students who have participated in the music program at Coginchaug.

HOW you can help: Your active support can take many forms; bake cookies, work at the Durham Fair Booth, make phone calls to recruit help or assist with a fundraiser event. You can be involved as much or as little as you like, but your participation is important to maintain the high standards our wonderful music department has achieved.
WHERE we meet: Meetings are usually held the 2nd Wednesday of each month in the Teachers’ Lounge at Coginchaug at 7 pm unless otherwise announced. This year’s POPS meetings will be held on:
10/14/09, 11/18/09, 12/9/09, 1/13/2010, 2/10/2010, 3/10/2010, 4/21/2010, 5/12/2010. June TBA.
If you would like more information about POPS, please contact Kari Kuehnle, 349-3896 or Janet Donovan, 349-0686.
Also, check out the Coginchaug Music Department website at: www.crhsmusic.com.