GHS Band Booster Meeting Minutes - 12/10/12

Meeting began at 7:10  PM.

President’s Report

Approved minutes from prior meeting.  Motion made and seconded.  All in attendance approved.

Band Director Update

Holiday Concert is this Thursday, 12/13/12, at 7pm.  Students need to be there at 6pm, in their travel uniforms.  Parents who want to help with setup – please arrive at the auditorium between 4:30pm and 5pm.

GHS Football State Championship game is this Saturday, and 53 students will be going to play in the stands.  Those students need to meet at GHS at 8am Saturday, and they will be taking a charter bus to the game, which is at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.  The game begins at 1pm.  They will return around 7ish.  They will need to wear their travel uniforms, and they will wear their marching band uniforms during the game.  Please pack a lunch, but understand they will not be able to bring food into the stadium.  Food inside the stadium will likely be expensive.  Be sure to provide $$ if your student will be buying food.  Note:  These students will have a short practice this Friday from 3-4 pm.

Indoor Percussion and Guard – last practice before holiday break is this Tuesday, the 11^th.  Practice originally scheduled for 12/18/12 has been cancelled.   First performance is 1/12/13 for Guard, and 2/2/13 for Percussion.  Mr. Pirzer will put an updated calendar out after the holidays.  Percussion has 4 shows this season, Guard has 5.

All County Honor Band – 12 GHS students made this band, which is 4 or 5 more than made it last year.  Congrats to them!  Julie Bailes, Stephanie Hargrave, Kyle Nipper, Nathan Fisher, Rachel Brown, Chris Berry, Michael Dodge, Levi Riley, Megan Booth, Victoria Williamson, Michael Perez-Hill, and Ashton Mason.  The concert is on January 29^, 2013.

Daytona Trip – dates are 5/17/13 to 5/19/13.  Cost is $125 per student.

Treasurer’s report  - Susie Hummel

Bank account has approximately $1500.  Most bills have been paid.

If you have overpaid fair share and would like to apply it to your student’s $150 to participate in indoor drumline, please send an email to Mr. Pirzer or Susie Hummel stating that.

Fundraising-  Cindy Mason

There are a few sprays left over from the wreath fundraiser.   Will take $20 each with no credit to fair share.  These will be brought to the concert and made available for sale there, as well.

H&R Block will donate $20 to the band fund for every new client they serve that brings in the attached referral form.  Thanks, Anna Fisher, for bringing this to our band!

VP/ Volunteer Coordinator Report – Mike Grantham

No report.  Will need volunteers for Indoor Percussion/ Guard.  Will coordinate once it gets closer to the dates.

Uniform Report – Susie Hummel

Final wearing of marching band uniforms will be at State Championship game.  Given that there are only 53, students and a small number of parents can help with the final process.

Hospitality – Ruth Dean

No report.

Other business

Dallas Brass will be performing on April 26^th.   Susie Hummel, Mike Grantham, Carolyn Lukert, and Nadine Moretta will be working on the coordinating, advertising and marketing, and hospitality for this event.  More details, and perhaps the need for additional support, will be forthcoming after the new year.

Next meeting:  January 14, 2013

Meeting adjourned approximately 7:30 pm.

Poinsettias Available - Holiday Concert

We still have poinsettias available to reserve for the Holiday Concert.  These are beautiful white poinsettias in silver pot covers, accessorized with a special Realm-themed decoration.  Only 13 left!!  Plants are $20 each.  Payment can be made at the concert.

These make great gifts for family, friends, and co-workers.

Those who have reserved plants so far are:  Brown (2), Caudle (1-paid), Giudice-Teller (1), Kantner (1), Mason (1), Sailor (2), Sellers (1), Thomas (1), Williams (1).

Please email me if you would like to reserve a plant.  We really need to sell all of them!

Thanks,

Liz Brown
barney4liz@cox.net

State Championship Football Game

Parents and Students,

If you have not heard yet, GHS won tonight and are headed off to the State Championship game next Saturday at 1:00 PM at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.  We will be taking a pep band to the game.  I have selected a group of about 50 upperclassmen and they will be invited to play in the pep band.  What I need all Juniors, Seniors and drum line members to do is to check their calendar for December 15th and make sure they can go.  I will post my list of invitees in the band room on Monday.  We will not be needing a trailer as Mr. Shelnutt has told me that he will provide us with a charter bus.  All parents and underclassmen are encouraged to come to Orlando if they like, but they will need to pay the $12.00 admission into the game.  I have to submit a roster of students to the FHSAA so I am going to only submit the names of the students that we are taking on our bus.  Please understand that this game comes with a whole different set of rules for bands and I must follow them to the letter.  

I will have exact details as I receive them from our football people on Monday.

I hope to see everyone at the booster meeting Monday Night and at our concert on Thursday.

Have a good weekend,

Bill

Band Booster Meeting Minutes - 11/12/12

Meeting began at 7:05  PM.

President’s Report

Approved minutes from prior meeting.  Motion made and seconded.  All in attendance approved.

Band Director Update

• Thanks to all for everything that has been done to support the band.
• Don’t know what to expect for Saturday.  Very competitive class.  If we don’t make finals, we leave right after preliminaries.  In our class, there are 6 bands who have won state championships in last 2 years.
• On Friday, students need to be here at 7:45am.  Parent, please drive students to school and be patient with the whole bus process.  If students drive and are leaving their cars overnight, park on the upper end of Hurricane Lane.  Same with parents who want to leave their cars overnight. Do not park in the dirt lot.  Student car keys will be locked in Mr. Pirzer’s office so they don’t get lost in Tampa. Parents are welcomed to leave their car keys there, as well.
• Students need to be dressed in blue/ red shirts (preferably the sector shirts).  Price is now $5, so if you don’t have a sector shirt, now is the time to get one.
• For those parents riding the bus, please be here at 8am, as well, as you will be helping with the bag-checking process.
• If kids bring energy drinks, they will be thrown away.  All drinks must be in sealed containers.  No candy.
• All parents, please pack good food for your students and yourselves for Friday lunch.  We will not be stopping anywhere to eat on the way to the high school for afternoon practice.  We will be going to the mall for dinner.
• Saturday – you may want to pack lunch and dinner food for Saturday, as well.  We will be warming up 11:30, perform 12:26, and there will not be time for students to go into the Dome to get any kind of food before prelim performances.   
• We will not be leaving the Dome at all after we arrive – so you will need to provide $$$ for food (for after prelims and finals), or pack enough food for those meals.
• Student clothes – they need their practice uniform (with sector shirts, purple shirts, and shorts), mall clothes, sleeping clothes.  No need for multiple suitcases per student.
• Dr. Berry will be with us the whole time.  Also have parents who are nurses.  Students can handle their medication needs, but must let Dr. Berry know they have medication in the event of emergency.

All students received a multi-page handout with specifics for the competition trip.  Please ask your own child for it and read it.

Competition Parking

Only busses and trailers can park together.  All others must park in a designated spectator area.  Fees (CASH ONLY) are as follows:

• $10 parking
• $14 for prelims, under age 6 free.
• $20 for finals, under age 6 free.

 Awards for preliminaries will be around 1:15pm.

Go to www.floridabandtournament.com and click on Regional Events to see the complete preliminary schedule.

For Finals, the order is picked randomly.

2 different judging panels from prelims to finals.  Theoretically, the finals judges don’t know the scores and placement from preliminaries.

90% of judges have not seen any of these shows.

Thursday’s Rehearsal and Trailer Loading

• Thursday’s rehearsal is different than other Thursday’s – 4pm-7pm, then load trailers.  Trailers will be loaded in place, so no need for drivers to pull them out.
• Friday – We have to wait until busses clear before we can hook trailers up – around 8:30am.

Miscellaneous State Competition Info:

• At Tropicana, be sure to cheer in the beginning.  It was noticeably silent at north Marion.
• Don’t clap on the chant- it confuses the band.  Yell, hoot, and holler, just don’t clap.
• Everyone reiterated that the show is the fan favorite, and it has been a great experience creating and supporting everything that has to do with the show.  Students and parents have really pulled together, and students have shown great pride in their parents’ participation.
• Will get driving directions and any other specific instructions out mid-week, so be sure to check your email.  One piece of advanced notice – please be sure to leave early enough in the morning to get to the Dome on time.
• No videotaping allowed.  Professional videos will be available for order afterward. Takes a month or so to get the videos.

 Student Pictures

Students got their pictures last week, orders are due this Thursday.

Treasurer’s report  - Susie Hummel

Bank account has $1800, which will not cover all of our upcoming expenses.  Please pay fair share.

Fundraising-  Cindy Mason

• Susie H.  Picture buttons – Mr. Pirzer will have them in his office until Friday.  $10 for the first 2, then $5 for each individual one ordered.
• Wreaths – grossed $3,800, will make approx $1,000 to fair share accounts.  Holiday wreaths will come in week of 12/3.
• Domino’s pizza cards are $10 each - $9 goes to fair share – must pay in advance to get the cards.  These are only good at local Domino’s.
• Baskets for holiday concert – Will send out an email with additional details.
• Other ideas for holiday fundraising are welcomed.

Concession Report – Ruth Dean

Made $6,448 so far in concessions/ 37 people participated. We have grown to 6 stands.  A couple of families worked many games … Very impressive to see students and families working to make their fair share payments.  Our students worked so hard on showing the purple pride.  We got close to $100 in tips each game.

VP/ Volunteer Coordinator Report

Mike Grantham wasn’t in attendance.  A follow up email will come to pit crew with any further instructions.

Uniform Report – Susie Hummel

Nothing new. Will load up Thursday night.

Hospitality – Ruth Dean

Nothing to report.

Other business

Football team has made the playoffs. Will most likely win and we will send a pep band the day after Thanksgiving, and maybe future playoff games if school will pay the expenses.  Students who are not in town the day after Thanksgiving will not be expected to attend.  Note:  Marching season ends on Saturday, so the band will not be marching.  They will only be playing in the stands.

Next meeting: December 10, 2012

Meeting adjourned approximately 8:20 pm.

Parents and Students,

The end is very near.  This is our last week of marching band and it is also the most important week of marching band.  I encourage all of you to attend our booster meeting tomorrow night for all of the information about our trip this weekend.  At this point, I have one male and one female spot left for the bus and rooms for the trip.  I hope everyone will have the chance to make it down to State this weekend.  Remember that parking is $10.00 at Tropicana Field and Tickets are $14.00 for prelims and $20.00 for Finals.   They only accept cash for parking and tickets so please be prepared for that.

Here is what's coming up this week:

Monday:  Full Band 3:00 to 5:00,  Booster Meeting, 7:00 PM

Tuesday:  Horns 3:00 to 5:00, Pit/Battery/Guard  5:30 to 8:30

Thursday:  4:00 to 7:00 followed by the ceremonial loading of the trailers

Friday:  Students report by 8:00 AM and buses leave at 9:00 AM

Saturday:  Prelims time 12:12 PM

Remember, come to the Booster meeting on Monday Night.

Items needed for State Competition/ Booster Meeting Monday Night

Greetings all ...

Just sending a note to ask for donations for our final competition of the season, which is the big one, of course!  The band needs small bottles of water (8oz size is best), and bananas.  The waters can be dropped off at the band room any time this week up until just before we leave Friday morning, and bananas on Friday morning only, please.

Also, reminder that there is a band booster meeting tomorrow (Monday) at 7pm.  At that time, Mr. Pirzer will be sharing all of the details relating to next weekend's competition, so it is an important meeting to attend.

Finally, the band picture pins were quite the hit yesterday.  If you didn't pick yours' up yesterday, they will be available at the booster meeting.  They are $10 for the first 2, then $5 for each one after that (orders for these additional buttons will be taken at the meeting, as well).  Remember that the photographer has generously donated much of the proceeds of these sales to the general band fund so you not only get a great product ... the band also benefits.

Hope to see you at the booster meeting tomorrow ...

The Week Ahead - Week Beginning 11/5/12

Parents and Students,

 

I hope everyone had a restful weekend off.  We are now down to two weeks left in the marching season and only 6 rehearsals.  There are still quite a few changes and adjustments coming to the show.  I hope that everyone will be able to join us at the North Marion competition this weekend.  I have attached the itinerary to this email.  Tickets are $10.00 for adults for the whole day.

 

I still have a few seats left on the bus for State.  I have also attached that form to this email. 

 

Here is a look at the week ahead..

Monday:  Full Band 3:00 to 5:00 PM

Tuesday:  Horns 3:00 to 5:00, Pit/Battery/Guard  5:30 to 8:30

Thursday:  Full Band 5:30 to 8:30

Friday:  No School, No Rehearsal:  On the calendar it says that we have a 3:00 to 6:00 Full Band Rehearsal scheduled.  This is a typo.  I never intended to have a rehearsal on this day, but somehow I put it on the calendar.  Very sorry for the confusion.

Be Sure to join us at the Band Booster meeting on Monday, November 12th at 7:00 PM.  I will have all of the details about the State Trip.

The week ahead - Week beginning 10/29/12

Parents and students,

Thank you once again to everyone for another very successful weekend.  We look ahead now to a well deserved weekend off.  With that said, we are down to our final 9 rehearsals before State Championships.  There are still a lot of things to fix and change to maximize our show.  Each rehearsal is extremely important as we work to perfect as much as we can.  As the weather gets cooler, students may wear sweatpants or warm up pants to practice.  NO JEANS.

We are wanting to put together some incentives for the students as we make the final push to the end of the season.  We would like to ask donations of  $5 or $10 gift cards to places like Starbucks, Moe's, Coffee Culture, Subway, the movies, Godfather's, or any place that you think the students would like a small gift card to.  Details are forth coming, but students will be able to earn opportunities to be entered into a drawing for one or more incentives.

Fund raising reminders.....  I have Domino's Pizza Cards available for $10.00.  For each one you sell, $9.00 will be credited to your fair share.  

Wreath fund raiser money and orders are due in next week.

All County Band:  Applications and money are due to me by this Friday.  Forms and info can be found at http://www.achonorband.webs.com/  As of right now, I have only had one student turn in a form.  Folks, our students need to be auditioning for this band so our program is well represented in the county.

Here is our schedule.

Monday:  Full Band  3:00 to 5:00

Tuesday:  Horns 3:00 to 5:00, Pit/Battery/Guard 5:30 to 8:30

Thursday:  Full Band 5:30 to 8:30

Thanks,

Bill

The week ahead - week beginning 10/22/12

Parents and students,

Congratulations to everyone on a great weekend at the Nease show.  We accomplished all of our goals and have put ourselves in a great position for State.  I have received a lot of questions about how things worked at the competition Saturday and what does block really mean.  So I will do my best to explain.

 

Question #1;  How could Fleming Island win so many best in Finals awards and finish 3rd?

In Finals, they earned best Visual, Drum Major, Percussion and Guard.   There are only 3 captions that count towards the overall score, Music, General Effect and Visual.  There are 6 judges that evaluate those captions and their scores are added together to make up the final score.  The drum major, percussion and guard scores are more of a courtesy to those individual sections and do not reflect in the final Full Ensemble score.  With that said, I want to take a moment and give our color guard a huge congratulations.  They lifted their score from a 72 last week at Showcase to an 86 this week at Nease.  Awesome job.

So, we won best music, Santa Fe won best GE and Fleming won best visual.  When you add all of that together, you get the results that happened on Saturday.

 

Question #2:  What does block mean and why do we make such a big deal out of it?

This one is a little more complicated to explain, but here it goes.  Block has everything to do with the order in which we perform at State Semi-Finals on November 17th.  The way the Florida Band Tournament works is this....

Bands can send in their registrations for State at anytime throughout the Spring, Summer or Fall and assign the band a seeding number based on the order in which they receive the registration and full payment.  Your seeding number determines the order of performance at State prelims with early entries going last and late entries going first.    However, the FMBC collects any registrations sent in before April 1st and puts all of those into a pot.  On April 2nd, any bands that sent in their stuff before April 1st are randomly drawn out of the hat and given a seeding number, this year, our number is #18.  This year, 55 bands sent in their registrations before April 1st, so I am very pleased with being drawn #18.  Our seeding number has NO reflection on a bands class size (1A, 2A, etc) nor does it have any reflection on their ability(This is not college football).

So, this determines how the schedule is lined up for prelims.  Is this fair?  Depends on your point of view. 

Anyway, the FMBC then sets a high score for each each week of the season called Block Score.  If you achieve a block score at a show, you get to go to the end of the line for the State Prelims Schedule.  All bands that block in a particular class are then placed in the order of the seedings. 

 

By us blocking on Saturday, we moved from having to go 7th or 8th from last at Prelims to getting to go second from the end.  The advantage to going later is that the judges get to see everyone else and then if we do our job correctly, they can rank us very accurately.  At State, there will be 17 bands in our class alone. 

 

I hope this explanation helps.

 

We are in the midst of two fund raisers right now, Christmas wreaths and Dominos Pizza Cards.  Both are going out to the students today.

 

This week is a much easier week for us

Monday:  Full Band 3:00 to 5:00 PM

Tuesday:  Horns  3 - 5 PM  Pit/Battery/Guard 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Thursday:  Full Band 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Friday:  Full Band 1:00 - 5:00 PM  (No school)

Saturday:  FBA District Festival at Columbia HS, itinerary attached

 

The ACT is being given here at GHS on Saturday morning, we are not starting until the ACT is over.

 

Have a good week,

Bill

The week ahead - week beginning 10/15/12 and Nease Itinerary

Parents and Students,

First, a big thank you to everyone who made Showcase a success.  I encourage you to visit www.floridabandtournament.com to follow scores and schedules, but to also see sample judges tapes as well as to see the criteria as to what the judges are looking for.  In a nutshell, our show is not quite clean enough yet to earn us maximum points.  We will be working very hard over the next few weeks to clean as much as we can and wrestle every point out of the show that we can.

 

Friday night is Senior night for GHS.  Senior Band Parents should meet us by 6:30 at the field to escort your senior across the field.  The seniors will be receiving information sheets tomorrow for senior night.

 

Below is the itinerary for Nease, and here is a look at the week ahead.  At this point, we have plenty of snacks and water for this week's show.  Thank you so much for your generous donations.

 

Monday:  Full Band 3:00 to 5:00 PM

Tuesday:  Horns 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Pit/Battery/Guard 5:30 to 8:30 PM

Thursday:  Full Band 5:30 to 8:30

Friday:  Football Game, report at 3:30 to load.  Dinner provided by Harvest Time

Saturday:  Competition at Nease, see attached itinerary.

Southern Showcase Itinerary

Band Booster Meeting Minutes - 10/8/12

Meeting began at 7:02  PM.

President’s Report

Approved minutes from prior meeting.  Motion made and seconded.  All in attendance approved.

Band Director Update

• Since last boost meeting, have had only one full rehearsal without rain.
• Thanks for being flexible with the schedule this week.  We need the extra time to practice.
• This Friday is the homecoming game against Buchholz.  Both bands will play after the game, Buchholz first, GHS second.  Will send the students back to school as soon as instrument trailers are loaded.  Will not unload trailers Friday night.  Student need to be back Saturday morning between 9:30am and 9:45am for practice before Showcase.

• Trailers need to be hooked up by 11AM.
• Admission to Showcase is $10.
• Preliminary performance is at 4:30pm.  Finals time will be determined based on preliminary performance.  The better the performance in preliminaries, the later the finals performance.

• There will be 20 bands competing on Saturday.
• Buchholz, Fleming Island, and Nease are also in our class (4a).
• Preliminaries perform against same class.
• Finals top 10 – then compete open class.
• Floridabandtournament.com has the competition schedule.

Next week – normal rehearsal schedule.

Next competition at Nease, 10/20 – just GHS and Fleming Island in 4a.

Students will need to be here at 830am.

Districts, 10/27- 8:15pm performance – one and done  (meaning no preliminaries, just one performance).

Students (Parents, please help here) need to pack healthy food for all competitions.  The snack-bar fare is not the best for competition digestion … please keep that in mind.  Students have enough to deal with without having to worry about … ahem … digestive issues.

Please make sure they eat breakfast before they come here for the competition.  And that does not mean drive through at McDonalds.

Electronic devices … leave them at home!  They are a distraction.  Enough said.

To block score – need to get an 82 at this competition.

The tournament sets a score each week.  If we achieve that score, we get to go later in the state preliminaries.  Later is better.  Only have two chances to block – this week and Nease … blocking has to be done at least two weeks before state.

Mr. Pirzer has fair share list as of 10/3/12.  Please pay your September installment if you have not done so already.

Also, section t-shirts are currently for sale for $8.  Please buy them and wear to the competitions and games.

Huge thank you to everyone … especially to Roberta’s sweatshop …. The sweatshop is almost closed! 

Treasurer’s report  - Susie Hummel via Frank Mason

Bank balance is 17k … after deducting checks not cleared, 10k balance.

Fundraising-  Cindy Mason

Pancake – 113 people.  Turnout was decent.  $$ have not been calculated just yet. 

VP/ Volunteer Coordinator Report – No report

Uniform Report

All is fine. A few last minute alterations for missing and loose buttons are necessary.  Thanks to all who washed bibbers.  Email to follow later this week regarding sections to help for weekend activities.

Other business

Lea M. – need 19 parents in total to work concessions on the Nease game.  If you are wiling to participate and have not yet registered with UF, please go on the website and do so.  Please contact Ruth Dean or Lea M. (or just send a note to ghsbandnews@gmail.com) for additional info.

State competition parent bus.  Leaves the Friday before state (11/16). Package gets you a seat on the bus and one spot in a double occupancy room Friday night.  Cost will be around $90 per person. First come first served.  Will have less space on the bus for parents this year, given the increased size of the band.  Same hotel as last year.  Different name.  Paperwork will be coming soon.  Entry fee – prelims $12/  finals $19.  Cash only.  Friday …. practice at King High School 2-3 hours in afternoon, then back to hotel, and then to mall.  It is fun for all involved. Really.

Next meeting: November 12, 2012

Meeting adjourned approximately 7:40 pm.

Schedule Changes - Week Beginning October 8

Parents and Students,

Due to the unbelievable amount of time lost because of rain, Ms. Sickon and I have been forced to extend our rehearsals for this upcoming week as we prepare for Showcase next Saturday.  In a given season we typically lose 2 to 4 outside rehearsals because of rain.  So far this season, we have had 15 outside rehearsals interrupted or outright lost because of rain, including all four this week.  Next week looks better for the weather so we hopefully can get the show done for Showcase.

Here's our updated schedule....

Monday:  Full Band 3:00 to 6:00

Tuesday:  Full Band 3:00 to 7:00

Thursday:  Full Band 3:00 to 6:00

There will not be a 5:30 to 8:30 rehearsal for pit/battery/guard on Tuesday.  We desperately need full band time outside.  We are very sorry for the last minute changes, but our success at Showcase and beyond relies heavily on the work we can get done next week.  

We will still have the Booster Meeting at 7:00 PM on Monday.

Don't forget that Red and Blue Sector shirts are still available, but going fast.  Don't be left out of the Realm!!!!

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding.  Showcase is just 7 days away.

Bill

--
Bill Pirzer
Gainesville High School Band
1900 NW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32609
352-955-6707
www.gainesvillehighschoolband.com

The Week and a Half Ahead - Week Beginning 10/1/12

Parents and Students,

The T-Shirts are here!!!  We have had t-shirts made for the red and blue teams as well as a green shirt for the guard and a black shirt for the drum majors.  All shirts are $8.00 each and are on a first come first served basis.  These shirts are dress code approved for school and practice.  They are also dress code approved for the most spirited parents at any competition.  Please make any checks payable to the GHS Band.

 

Competition season is upon us, so here is what the next week and a half look like.

 

• Thursday 10/4:  Full Band 5:30 to 8:30
• Friday 10/5:  Full Band 3:00 to 9:00
• Monday 10/8:  Full Band 3:00 to 5:00  Booster Meeting 7:00 PM
• Tuesday 10/9:  Horns 3:00 to 5:00, Pit/Battery/Guard  5:30 to 8:30
• Thursday 10/11:  Full Band 3:00 to 5:00 PM  (Due to Stormwarning)
• Friday 10/12:  Homeoming Games vs.  Buchholz  We will perform the show after the game.
• Saturday 10/13:  Southern Showcase of Champions at Santa Fe HS , Our prelims time is 4:30 PM.  Students will report to GHS at 10:00 AM for practice.  Our finals time will not be known until after prelims.  We will return to GHS around 11:30 PM.

 

Admission to Showcase is typically around $10.00.  For new parents, these competition days are day long events so the students will be with us from 10:00 AM all the way to midnight.  We take buses to and from the events.  If you have never been to a competition, be sure to come observe what marching band is really all about.  Be sure to wear your purple or choose your allegiance with a red, blue or green shirt.

 

See you at the Booster Meeting on Monday,

Bill

Bibbers need washing AND Uniform Assembly Schedule

Hi Parents:

 

We would like to send the bibbers home to be washed this Friday September 28th, after we return from the game. We will have separated into groups of 10,  if  you can help us out by taking a group of them,  that would be great. There are hangers available if you would like to send them back on hangers, not necessary, they can be folded neatly and sent in. 

 

We need to have them returned to the bandroom by Thursday October 4, so we have time to match them back up with the jackets.

 

Also, below is the uniform assembly schedule by section for the rest of the season.  Please note the date for your section's participation.

• Sunday 9/30 at 2:00 p.m. will be the Clarinets
• Saturday 10/13 – time to be announced will be the Drumline, we will assemble uniforms Saturday a.m. October 12^th to load for Showcase
• Sunday 10/13 at 2:00 p.m. will be Guard and Drum Majors
• Saturday 10/20 – time to be announced will be the Mellos, we will assemble uniforms Saturday a.m. to load for Nease Competition.
• Sunday 10/21 at 2:00 will be Pit
• Sunday 10/28 at 2:00 will be Sax
• Sunday 11/11 at 2:00 will be Trumpets
• Last but not least -- Sunday 11/18 – time to be announced (depends on return time from State) will be the Flutes and Tubas.

If you are not able to help on your section day, you are welcome to come on another day.

Thank you to everyone for your help!

Pancake Breakfast $$ Due Now

Attention all Band Students/ Parents:

Please turn in all of your Gator Dockside ticket $$ and/or unused tickets to Mr. Pirzer as soon as possible.  Reminder:  The breakfast is this Saturday, 9/29.

Sewing Assistance Needed

From Band Parent Roberta Teller ...

Hi Parents, Boosters, and Students,

We are in the final weekend of sewing the overlays for the band students and we really need parents with sewing machines to help finish.  Your help would be very, very appreciated.  We will be in the band room from 10 am until at least 6 pm, and maybe 8 pm on Saturday, and from 10 am -6pm on Sunday.

We began the process of fitting students Monday and will continue during the week at class time if we need a second fitting or did not get to a student.  We will need to see some students this weekend, as described below.

 

Both the pit and the bass drum line will need to be seen over the weekend because their uniforms are a more  complex fitting.

We will be scheduling appointments for this. Mr. Pirzer would like all uniforms  completed for next week so he can see the visual and students can begin the process of learning how to remove the  uniforms.  All uniforms have been custom made and are a garment. Approximately 20 hours have gone into each piece.  We, the SEWING DIVAS,  would ask you to treat the unforms with care, which means: do not place them on the ground and do not rub your instruments on the uniform, which will get them dirty before the first show.

 

If you have any questions, please contact me directly at:

drroberta@gmail.com

3522465739

 

Thank you

The Week Ahead - Week Beginning 9/24/12

Parents and Students,

Thanks to everyone for their help at our game Friday Night.  The show is slowly starting to come together.  I can't imagine how dangerous we could be if we actually had a full week of practice with no rain. 

Speaking of rain, we need to make up some lost time so here is what we are planning to do.  On Friday, October 5th, we are going to extend our 3 to 6 PM rehearsal to a 3 to 9 PM rehearsal.  The students will have a break from 5:30 to 6:00 for dinner.  We will take this break on the field and if you plan to bring your student something to eat, please have it here by 5:30.

 

The Gator's Dockside Pancake Breakfast is this coming Saturday, September 29th from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.  I need all money and unsold tickets returned to me ASAP.  I will be signing students up to volunteer to serve and bus tables. 

 

The Red, Blue, Lime Green, and Black special sector T-Shirts should be in this week.  The cost is $8.00 per shirt and I have pleny of each size.  Students can wear these to school and practice.  Also, parents are encouraged to buy one for you as well.  I am selling these on a first come, first served basis.

 

Here's a look at the upcoming week...

Monday:  Full Marching Band  3:00 to 5:00

Tuesday:  Horn Line  3:00 to 5:00 PM,  Pit/Battery/Guard  5:30 to 8:30 PM

Thursday:  Full Marching Band  5:30 to 8:30

Friday:  Football game vs Eastside,  All students report at 3:00 for Practice

 

Special Note about the Eastside Game:  We are the visiting team for this game so we will be sitting on the visiting side of the stadium.  When you come into the game, please make sure you enter at the visiting gate.

Well, that's all for now, Have a great week.

Gator's Dockside Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Attention all band parents, students, and boosters,

The pancake breakfast tickets are now available for the students to checkout and begin selling.  Mr. Pirzer has the box with the envelopes containing 10 tickets in each envelope, along with the sheet where they sign them out, and a volunteer sign-up sheet.  For those of you who may not have participated in this previously, the student signs out the tickets, sells them for $6 each, and brings the money (and any unsold tickets) back to Mr. Pirzer prior to the event.  Money and unsold tickets are due back on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 25th.  Then, the people who bought the tickets show up at the event (Sept 29th, 8am to 10am, Gator's Dockside) with their tickets, and have breakfast.  

We also need volunteers to work - so far, only 2 parents have signed up.  We need at least 5 parents, and 8-10 student volunteers.

Please contact band parent Sandra Reichert if you have any questions, or would like to volunteer.  Her contact info is:

Phone:  258-0365

Email:  sarsqueak@aol.com

GHS Band Booster Meeting - 9/10/12

Meeting began at 7:05 PM.

President’s Report

Approved minutes from prior meeting.

Band Director Update

Handouts

• Band letterman jackets – orders are due by Friday 9/21. Should be in by early to mid Nov.
• One MILL FOR OUR Schools – 4 years ago, county approved 1 mill increase in property taxes for school programs.  On Nov ballot, this is up for renewal. If its not passed, could impact middle and high school band programs in a big (bad) way.  We would appreciate promotion of this. Encourage all to Vote YES.
• Open house for GHS was moved to Wednesday 9/19.  If you attended this booster meeting, no need to come to band at open house.  We will be discussing the same things.
• Student pickup – some students are not being picked up on time after practices and games.  We feel obligated to stay until everyone is picked up.  Please make sure you are here on time.
• Band homework.  We ask them to practice 20 minutes per day outside of class.  Need parents’ help.  Students need to be working on things they can’t play, so if they sound good while practicing, they are practicing the wrong things!
• Dot books – several students were not prepared with their dot books today.  Mr. P. will start sending folks home if they don’t have their dot books.  Please remind your children.
• This week, send your students with water jugs and snacks.  Some kids are not eating lunch.  Need to fix that.  We have had more problems with upperclassmen than ENACS this year.  This is disturbing.  The extra hour on Fridays will be a problem if kids aren’t properly hydrated and nourished.
• We have lots of shirts (polos, sweatshirts, etc.) available.   Please order through Mr. Pirzer.
• Also, will be making other shirts available in the colors of the teams.  All in attendance at booster meeting said they are interested in ordering (for students and parents), so he will be ordering many.  More info to come on how to get these shirts once they are available.
• Next football game is Friday, Sept 21.  It is also middle school night.  We will have many middle schoolers in attendance.  Ruth Dean will coordinate the making of goody bags for these kids.  Please contact her if you are interested in helping.  Her email is ruthie_dn@yahoo.com.
• Sept 28 game – against Eastside.  We are the “away” team.
• Competition days  Oct 13, 20, and 27.
• Students can take ACT on the 27^th, if they want. We won’t be leaving for the competition until after ACT is done.

Treasurer’s report  

As of today $3,800 balance … we are in the negative if we count expenses incurred but not yet paid.

Fair share is in decent shape.  Next $ due Sept 26, but anyone who would like to pay earlier is more than welcomed to do so.

Fundraising

• BRAX Cups – Deliveries for 1^st order are due in Sept 28.  We can do a second order if we do it soon.
• Candle orders are due now.
• Recycle cans – need to find a spot for them at school, outside of the band room. Mr. P will see if he can secure a locked area outside.  Can also save tabs. Cindy Mason will prepare an additional communication on this topic, so stay tuned for more info.

• Anna Fisher – will supply flyers if we refer people to go to H&R block … first time users will generate $25 donation which the band will receive next year.
• Today, 1^st day of Gator Dockside fundraiser.  Will send flyer out shortly.  We encourage each band student to purchase 10 tickets at $6 each.  Need to return $ or unused tickets by Sept 2__.  This is a fair share fundraiser  . … half of each ticket goes to the individual student’s fair share.  Parents will work in kitchen, students will serve the food.  Mr. Pirzer has a volunteer sign up sheet .
• Nadine Moretta asked if we would do spirit nights at restaurants that have been providing food for football games.  Nadine will get some dates together and give them to Mr. Pirzer, who will communicate from that point.
• Ms. Palmer brought up the idea of doing a yard sale for indoor guard and percussion floors. Need a trailer to store goods. Mr. P offered one of the band trailers for this purpose after marching season.  More to come on this topic

• SCRIP is a fundraiser that involves purchasing gift cards from many different vendors, and receiving a percentage of that gift card amount to go to the individual student’s fair share.  Percentages vary, but as an example:  if you buy a $100 gas card to Marathon, for example, and you get a 3% rate, $3.00 goes to your fair share.  This could really add up if you typically buy gift cards for the holidays, or perhaps you have a major purchase at Home Depot or Lowes … you were going to spend the money anyway … why not get that extra credit to your fair share?  There is a new form with updated vendors.  Susie Hummel is working on getting the form and we will make it available as soon as it is ready.  
• Gator Concessions – ice cream and italian ices have been added to the product offerings.  This has made the booths much busier, and has resulted in higher profits. $50 per game per person (on average) is credited to fair share at the end of the season.  Can work about 15 people per game.  Will try to give everyone a chance.  Have a lot more participation this year than last.

VP/ Volunteer Coordinator Report

• All is good.
• Need a successor, though. 

Uniform Report

• Need some freshman parents to start learning the process. 
• Will start the laying out/ reassembling the uniforms by section.  Will communicate section assignments before next game.  Thanks to all who volunteered this past weekend … many hands actually do make light work!

Other business

• Mr. Pirzer thanked everyone who helped with game last Thursday
• Thanks to Nadine for getting donated dinners for the entire season.
• Thanks to Roberta and the sweatshop gang for working very hard on the extra uniform pieces for this show.
• Thanks to props crew, and specifically to the Honeycutts and Tellers for coordinating the construction. 
  Thanks to All.

Absenteeism is going ok  … please try to give note in advance for absences. No more Wednesday practices.

Next meeting: October 8, 2012

Meeting adjourned approximately 8:15 pm.