Youth concert Friday

Under the direction of Marguerite Keller, the Salisbury-Rowan Symphony Society presents the Rowan Youth Orchestra for their first public concert of the season on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at First United Church of Christ, 207 Horah St. The concert is free to the community.

The concert begins with “Cello Squadron” by Richard Meyer, featuring the cello section, a group that has been powerful and enthusiastic for several years. Next are two pieces performed solely by the middle school division: “Coventry Carol” arranged by G. F. McKay followed by “Wassail Song” arranged by Joseph McSpadden. Then the high school division takes the spotlight with the holiday classic “Christmas Song” by Mel Torme and Robert Wells.

Both orchestras join forces once again for a movement from the “Christmas Concerto” by Arcangelo Corelli. Concluding the concert are two songs from the medley of Michael Jackson hits arranged by Larry Moore: “Man in the Mirror” and “I’ll Be There.”

The Rowan Youth Orchestra is divided into two groups: middle school and high school. The Rowan Youth Orchestra is an auditioned group open to anyone who has completed two years of the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra’s Afterschool Strings program or has had at least one year of private instruction. For more information on this, Afterschool Strings and Summer Strings Camp, contact Lynn Bowes, Education Director (lbowes16@catawba.edu).

Cavalier Christmas

North Rowan High School will hold a Cavalier Christmas event Saturday Dec. 17. The event, hosted by the School Government Association offers food, music, toys, booths and fun for children. Each parent or guardian attending will receive one gift for each child grade five and under attending while supplies last and one small food box per family present. Each child will also receive one ticket entry in a raffle drawing for a new bicycle and helmet.

The event begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Those wishing to eat lunch must complete a registration form and return it to the North Rowan High School office by Dec. 12.

Knox Center for Accelerated Studies information sessions

While next school year might seem far off in the distance, it is time to start thinking about student options for the 2017-2018 school year. Knox Middle School started a magnet program this school year and is now known as the “Knox Center for Accelerated Studies.” The program is open to all students who reside in Rowan County in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. This program allows students to earn up to five high school credit courses while in middle school including: world history, math one, English one, earth and environmental science and Spanish.

The school will hold a series of information meetings where staff will discuss the program and answer questions. The application window for the program opens on Jan. 24 and closes on March 10.

Meetings at Knox Middle: Dec. 8 and Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.

Regional meetings: Jan. 12 at Granite Quarry Elementary, Feb. 2 at Millbridge Elementary and Feb. 7 at China Grove Elementary at 6 p.m.

All meetings are open to any students and families interested in the program, regardless of where they currently attend school.

If you have any questions, please contact Knox Principal Dr. Mike Waiksnis at 704-633-2922.

Applications sought for Youth Legislative Assembly

Leaders of the North Carolina General Assembly invite North Carolina high school students to apply for the 47th Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA).

The Legislative Services Office, under the North Carolina General Assembly, is now accepting applications for the conference to be held March 31 – April 2, 2017, in Raleigh. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 20, 2017.

The assembly teaches high school students about the laws governing North Carolina’s citizens as well as the lawmaking process. Students draft, debate and vote on mock legislative bills while developing skills in research, interviewing, group facilitation and policy writing. As the bills are debated, the students get a chance to practice communicating their ideas, opinions and experiences in a team-building environment.

At the conclusion of the three-day program, the participants have a better understanding of the lawmaking process as well as enhanced written and oral communication skills. The assembly provides the opportunity for North Carolina’s youth to engage with peers from across the state in a structured, positive, youth-focused environment. The program is open to students in North Carolina who are in good standing at a public, private, charter or home school.

Students can access the application at http://www.ncleg.net/ncgainfo/YLA.html. For more information please email Coordinator Erica Gallion erica.gallion@ncleg.net or call 919-301-1372.

Play group for families with special needs children

Partners in Learning is offering a free play group on the second and fourth Thursday of every month for families of children with special needs. The play group runs from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Partners in Learning location at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, 519 Best St. The group features activities for parents and children.

Contact Tonya Jenkins Correll for more information at tonya@epartnersinlearning.org or visit http://epartnersinlearning.org/play-group.