Band Camp II Volunteer Request

Yes, it is I, the GHS Band volunteer coordinator, the one you were afraid you would hear from, the one who imminent email signifies something that you know all too well is coming at you like a train through the tunnel,BAND CAMP II.

And yes, I need volunteers to work with the kids, especially the new ones, to make them feel welcome, to keep them cooled off, to make sure they get to where they need to be, to make sure they have something to eat, to keep Pirzer straight (wait a minute, I think that is Ms. Sickon’s job this year). The veterans know what to do, and I need some of you new parents to come along side of us to learn the ins and outs of how to help at Band Camp, what to do, what not to do, etc….

Volunteering at Band Camp is fun; it helps you understand how the band operates, what is involved with putting on a marching season that constantly ranks in the top three in the state, you get to know the kids, you get to know other parents, you network, you sweat, you learn to appreciate air conditioning, you get to know the staff, you figure out the shortest path from the GHS cafeteria/band room to the baseball field, and above all else, you get to witch your own kid grow up a little.

Band Camp II (referred to as BCII) will run from 9am to 9pm everyday starting August 6^th (Saturday) through August 12^th (Friday) with the exception of Sunday the 7^th. The end of BCII on Friday will culminate in a very informative band booster/parent meeting (more info to come on that) and a performance on the baseball field (remember, you found out how to get there). A typical day at band camp starts on the field, coming into the cafeteria for the hottest part of the day for sectionals and then back out to the field in the late afternoon/evening. Accordingly, volunteering at BCII gives you the option of helping out in one of seven areas, or more, depending on your time constraints. The areas are: set-up (starts at 8 am) , 1^st shift from 9 – 1, lunch help, 2^nd shift from 1 – 5, dinner help, 3^rd shift from 5 – 9 and then laundry help every night (wash/dry towels).

Set-up – Get here between 8 and 9 am and set out chairs, pop-up tents and mister tent. Prep ice, water, Gator-Aid, towels in ice water and snacks. Help kids get equipment down to field.

1^st shift – Monitor kids as they practice, build new friendships with other band supporters. Perform typical parental supervision and problem solving. Make sure kids get plenty of ice/water, cold towels, and sun protection.

Lunch – One or two parents to monitor lunch and wipe down tables afterwards.

2^nd shift – Sectionals do not require as much parent involvement as field work so this is a lighter shift, 1 or 2 volunteers required.

Dinner – One or two parents to monitor dinner and wipe down tables afterwards.

3^rd shift – Similar to 1^st shift except night shift will also help with tear down and storage of equipment in band room for next day. Empty coolers, bag used towels, help get equipment back to band room.

Laundry – Volunteer to take a bag of wet towels home, wash (no Clorox), dry and bring back the next day. Do not fold, just put them back in a bag and send ‘em back, clean.

Contact me at the number or email listed below to let me know where to plug you in at. CALL NOW, the lines are open. You can also talk to me about the infamous PIT CREW and how you can get plugged into this elite team. We have a few openings so do not hesitate, remember, I have awesome bling for PIT CREW members.

More information about dinner every night of Band Camp 2 will be posted on the band blog - http://ghsbandnews.blogspot.com/ – your connection to long and short range plans for the band. Log on day and night to keep up with this ever changing, moving, active group of band students and parents.

Contact: Mike Grantham, Volunteer Coordinator – mgrantham@clayelectric.com or 352 373 2866

So you want to know what’s going on; you want to know who is who, VOLUNTEER and get connected. That’s how you find out how other parents have survived this thing we all love call band season.

Band Camp 1 Paperwork

Band Camp 1 - Initial Announcement

Parents and Students,

It's hard to believe that another year has passed and it is already time to start Band Camp #1. Band Camp #1 will run from June 7th - 10th, 4:00 to 9:00 PM each day. We will have a parent meeting on Friday night at 7:00 PM in the GHS Auditorium and will follow that with a brief presentation of what the students have been working on throughout the week. I have attached a Band Camp Reminders list, an invitation to our meeting and performance , and a Medical form that will need to be turned in next week.

At Camp #1, we ask for the first $100.00 towards your students' fair share, checks can be made payable to GHS Band Boosters. Color Guard members are asked to also bring their first $100.00 for their accessories (rifle, sabre, bag, etc.)

It is going to be very hot next week. Please make sure you send your student with plenty of sun block, water, gatorade, healthy snacks, a hat and everyone needs to have a bath or beach towel. Horn line members need to have a towel to place their instrument on when we put them on the ground. We will also need some donations of snacks for the week.

Mike Grantham is looking for parent volunteers to help out throughout the week. You can contact him at mgrantham@clayelectric.com if you would like to help.

Please send any other questions to me at pirzerb@gm.sbac.edu.

See you all on Tuesday,

Bill

Photos for the Band Awards Ceremony

Hi Band People!
Remember that awesome slideshow at the awards night last year? Well to make that happen again, I need photos! So far I have received photos from exactly one person, and the big night is Friday, May 27. I would love to have your pictures from anything band related, whether it's band camp, practices, football games or competitions, Indoor Percussion or Guard, concerts, fundraising events, Daytona, or even sectionals. Please send them as attachments to greta.pallack@yahoo.com or if it is easier, bring a disc to Greta or Sophie at school. The sooner the better! Thank you. - Greta Pallack

GHS Band Booster Meeting minutes 050911

Prior Meeting Minutes were approved.

Band Director Report:

• Bill Pirzer thanked the parents who chaperoned on the Daytona trip. All the kids behaved and it was a very successful trip.
• Colored Guard Auditions are this week - 5/9 – 5/13. 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Leadership Camp will be 5/16 – 5/19. 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
• The students will write an essay and have an interview with Mr. Pirzer. Auditions will be held on 5/23 & 5/24. It is not open to the public or other students.
• Awards night is on 5/27 at 7:00 pm in the auditorium.
• 6/3 is the first early release day (1:25 pm). Students will have practice to go over the graduation music from 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm
• GHS graduation is on 6/4. Students should be at GHS at 8:00 am. They should be back to the school by noon.
• Band Camp 1: 6/7 – 6/10 from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Ruth Dean is putting together a “Welcome Bag” (goody bag) for the new band members (enacs) to be handed out at Band Camp 1.
• There will be a band booster meeting on Friday 6/10 for all parents (new and old).
• The drum line and pit will have rehearsal on Tuesdays starting 5/10/2011 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
• The tentative 2011-2012 calendar was handed out. A revised calendar with any necessary changes will be handed out at Band Camp 2.
• Band Camp 2 will be held on 8/6 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm; 8/8 -8/12 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
• There will be only 5 football games with one being on a Thursday night in September.
• 9/17 – All State Auditions @ Buchholz
• 10/8 – Middleburg competition
• 10/22 – FBA District Marching Festival @ Williston
• 10/28 – Senior Night
• 10/29 – Showcase @ Santa Fe
• 10/31 – 11/4 Homecoming week. No late rehearsals – 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• 11/4 is UF’s homecoming also
• 11/12 North Marion Competition
• 11/18 – 11/19 FMBC State Competition in Tampa/St. Pete
• Spring Changes: State Concert Festival 5/3 – 5/5/2012. TBA. State is being reconsidered due to the cost of the trip. It will depend on where the competition is held.

The CD’s from state are being preordered. The orders are due by 5/11/2011. The cost is $16.00 per CD. Please make your checks out to Gainesville High School Band.

You may also purchase a CD of the Spring Concert. The recording was made by John Netardus. The cost is $10.00.

Treasurer Report:

There is $7,000.00 in the bank. The Daytona buses still need to be paid for. We made $194 on the baskets at the Spring Concert.

Fundraising Report:

We made $194 on the baskets at the Spring Concert.

Volunteer Coordinator Report:

We need volunteers for both band camps. Mike Grantham will be sending out a request by email. New parents will be asked during band camp 1.

Uniform Report:

The guard uniforms need to be cleaned. If anyone would like to volunteer to take some home to wash, please let Adela know. The guard members are responsible for cleaning their uniforms at the end of marching and indoor seasons.

The Marching band sections will be asked to take shifts to help with the uniforms after the football games and competitions.

There was also a discussion to find more space for the uniforms.

Elections:

Susie Hummel was elected as co-treasurer and will be working with Suzanne Clark to learn the ropes.

We still need a co-fundraiser chairperson.

Other:

The Band Picnic money is due by Friday 5/13. The forms are located in the band room.

Mr. Pirzer will be in a “Dunk Tank”.

There is a baking contest between the sections. The dessert must be home made without the help of a parent or any grown up.

Band Booster Meeting 4/11/11

Band Director Update Important Dates coming up:

April 26 - Spring Concert, 7pm

April 29 – State competition, Tallahassee

• Students need to be here at 5am.


• A few seats left on charter bus if any parents are interested.


• Itinerary out next week. Please be on the lookout.

May 6 – 8 - Daytona trip

Cost of Trip: $120 per student (4 to a room), $120 per parent (2 to a room). Still need chaperones.

Treasurer report – Suzanne Clark

• Have $$ in the bank.


• Have $1200 in bills to be paid.


• Approx $5000 outstanding in fair share


• Staff has been paid.

Non-fair share fundraising – Frank Mason

Met last Monday. Ideas listed below.

• Logo’d merchandise – looking at having GHS band specific items made and making them available for sale at open house, games, competitions, band camp.


• Alumni focus – Roberta has been searching yearbooks for alumni, will do some specific activities targeted at alumni. Possibly adding an alumni picnic to our agenda.


• Telephone campaign – parents calling other parents, review operating rules, fair share reminders.


• Alumni tent at showcase (possibility)


• Promote GHS band on Facebook


• According to Bill, there is already an alumni Facebook site.


• Can we honor our band alumni at football game? Need to run by administration …


• Liz Brown – wrote letter to new GM for Oaks Mall welcoming her to Gainesville, and introducing the band to her. Can use that letter as a guideline for others.


• Researched grants to find out what is available for H.S. bands. Roberta found a few


• Discussed advertising spots on the band trailer.


• Next meeting of this committee is 5/2.

Fundraising – Laura Netardus

• All fundraisers are done. Cookie dough will be here Thursday, 1pm. If you have ordered cookie dough, please pick it up between 3pm and 4pm on Thursday afternoon. We have nowhere to store it.


• We may do the raffle gift baskets at the spring concert. Laura will let us know.


• Susie has offered to help with the fundraising next year. Hope to get at least one more volunteer.

Uniforms – Adela

• $$ have been loaned by John H. ($4,992) and jackets have been ordered.


• We have a total of 125 uniforms to start off with and an additional 20 coming.


• Capes need to be re-done for next season

Tentative dates for next year:

• Oct 8 – Middleburg


• Oct 22 – Districts at lake city


• Oct 29 – Showcase


• Nov 12 – North Marion


• Nov 19 – State

VP Volunteer Committee report – Mike Grantham

We’re Done!

Time to start thinking about new officers for next year. Only one parent leaving (Susan Weinstein). Susie Hummel is taking her role. Also need assistant treasurer – particularly important since Suzanne will be leaving after next year. Speak with Suzanne if you are interested. Technically, we vote next meeting. Will need to vote on Susie and anyone else.

Awards night – Ruthie Dean

May 27^th in auditorium. 1 senior cake, the remainder cupcakes. Need help with senior gifts (creating the big senior boards for each senior), set up and tear down. Contact Ruthie if interested in helping out.

Meeting adjourned 7:55 pm.

the Week Ahead - Week beginning 4/4/11

Parents and Students,

Spring Break is over and it is full steam ahead for the band for the rest of the year. April is our last busy month and here are the highlights...

****Daytona Money ($120 per student, and $120 per parent chaperone) is Due this Friday, April 9th. Student Fair Share must be paid in full to be eligible for the trip.****

Symphonic Band will continue to meet on Tuesday's from 3 to 4:30 and Concert Band on Thursday's from 3 to 4:30.

Band Booster Meeting: Monday April 11 at 7:00 PM

Band Spring Concert: Tuesday, April 26th @ 7:00 PM

State Concert Band Festival: Friday, April 29th @ Lincoln HS in Tallahassee. Concert Band Performs at 9:00 AM and Symphonic Band at 11:30 AM.

Have a good week!

Bill