March 26 meeting info

For the meeting next Monday at 6:30, the students need to bring (if they haven't already turned in):
1. Medical Form (notarized, or if not, we will have a Notary there)
2. Release Form (the paper that says they read the rules and regulations. The student and a parent of the student have to sign this one. Chaperones do not get this form.)
3. Picture of themselves (we will have a camera there to take their picture if they don't have one).

Chaperones need to bring the Medical form.

I am pairing up a lot of the chaperones since we have so many on this trip (believe me, this is very good!). For each pairing of chaperones, there will be between 3-6 students. At the meeting, for each pairing chaperones, I plan on having a folder with the following included:
1. Copy of the Itinerary
2. Cell phone number list
3. Chaperone Responsibilities paper
4. Rules and Regulations paper
5. Room List
6. A copy of the Medical form (with attached picture) of the student(s) they are chaperoning. I will keep the original Medical Forms in another folder. *This will be added to the folders later.
7. I will add the bus list later.

Chaperones will also sign up for a seat on the bus. I only ask that you try to spread out over the buses - not everyone on the front, please. This will help us keep a good eye on all the students.

See you Monday at 6:30!

New York Announcements

1) We are looking at getting Hoodies for all the students so that we are uniform when we play at the Statue of Liberty. Mrs. Hicks is working with a company she has used before, and it looks like the cost is going to be around $20. The students going to NY must get them, but the Adults going on the trip have the option. If you want one, send me your size by Thursday and when I get the final price from Mrs. Hicks, I will let you know.
2) I have started passing out medical forms for the trip. Everyone going needs to fill this out - students, adults, and teachers. They need to be returned to me, not Thomas Tours. Also, they need to be returned signed and Notarized! Don't worry, if you cannot find a Notary, I will have one there at the March 26 NY meeting at 6:30 pm in the Cafetorium.
3) At the March 26 meeting, I will have a list of behavior expectations for students and chaperones, and also a list of responsibilities for the chaperones. That way you will know what you need to do as a chaperone. Hopefully, by then I will also have a list of which students you will be chaperoning.

Announcements 3/6/12

The students who went to Solo and Ensemble this weekend did really well! Everyone who signed up for the event showed up, and everyone who showed up received a medal - meaning they received either a (I) superior rating or a (II) excellent rating. And there was more than one judges form that mentioned how polite and well-dressed the student was. I could not have asked for better representation from our band and school.
1) Butter Braid pastries will be delivered this Thursday around 1:30. I will be here all that afternoon for you to pick them up and get them delivered to the customers.
2) We will have a Booster meeting this Thursday at 6:30 to discuss the logistics of the Beauty pageant, among a few other things.
3) Remember that Parent/Teacher conferences have been changed to this Thursday from 3:30 to 6:30.

Band Camp Dates

I will let you know exact times later. They will pretty much be the same as last year, except I will change up the half week just a bit. I will also let you know details of the summer rehearsals later on. But here are the dates for band camp this summer:
July 18-20 (Wed. - Fri.)
July 23-27 (Mon. - Fri.)

Announcements 2/6

1) Since I was at the All-West Honor Band last Thursday, the booster meeting had been changed to tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6:30. Don't forget, and I hope to see you there.
2) The Ensemble concert is coming up quick on Feb. 23. We are working on those ensembles now, and I think it will be another year of solid songs and players.
3) Remember, we have had to change the Solo and Ensemble date to Saturday, March 3. Solo and Ens is optional, costs $7 per ensemble, and the students will have to find their own ride to Northside High School. But it is a great event for them, and a rare time to showcase their individual skills.

Announcements 1/31

Things are starting to come together in class as we prepare for the numerous performances of the Spring. That's what makes this semester so exciting! We have more than a field show and a Christmas concert - we have the Ensemble concert, Solo and Ensemble, honor bands, Jazz Band, a performance in New York, the Spring Concert, Basketball games, parades, Concert Festival, and for the first time, the Graduation ceremony. It's going to be a busy, but productive, semester.
1) The Booster meeting has been pushed to next Tuesday, February 7 at 6:30 because I will be out of town for All-West Honor Band this Thursday.
2) The Butter Braid fundraiser will begin next week. This will be our last major fundraiser for a while, so please sell what you can even if you are not going to New York, because we need to start preparing for next year already.
3) If you are still on the fence about going to New York, please make your decision. We are coming up on some major cancellation deadlines, and we also need to finalize room assignments and bus assignments.
4) The ensemble concert will be February 23 at 7 pm in the Cafetorium. All students in class have at least one performance in this concert. This is a chance for them to play in smaller ensembles (and even solos) with music that they choose. It is a throwback to the Chamber music days of long ago....

Announcements 1/17

We had a good time at the Black Light Zumbathon this past Saturday night. The band students were there having a good time, and the people who showed up to Zumba got treated to some glow in the dark fun! I think it is a great event, and a great way to involve the community in our fundraising efforts.
1) Half of the band is playing in the Basketball game Tuesday night, January 17, and the other half of the band will play at the Jan. 31 game. I have a sign-up list, and the students got to choose which game they wanted to play at. They had the option of signing up for both games if they wantedReport time for both games will be 5:45. We will dismiss after halftime of the boy's game, which will be approximately 8:30 pm. Students need to wear school colored clothing.
2) Students are choosing solos and ensembles for the Ensemble concert on Feb. 23 at 7 pm in the cafeteria. Mark this date on your calender
3) Jazz Band will start next Monday, January 23. It will meet every Monday afternoon from 3:15 to 4:30. This is optional for anyone who wants to expand their horizon and play some good Jazz music. They will play in our Spring concert.