Gatornationals 2012

Please see the information and driving directions for this year's Gatornationals event. If you are interested in participating in the fundraising event on March 10th and 11th, please contact Mike Grantham.

February 13, 2012 Band Booster Meeting Minutes

Meeting began at 7PM.

Approved minutes from prior meeting.

Band Director Update

• Saturday, 2/25, 11:30am - Canadian Brass at UF – it is free. Mr. Pirzer strongly encourages all to go.
• Indoor drum line and color guard: both are off to a great start, scoring high in competitions thus far. If you want to see the Color Guard, they will perform at 8pm at solo and ensemble. Indoor Drumline remaining performances include Fleming Island, Osceola, and Daytona (state championships). None of these are close by but if you would like to attend, spectators are most welcomed.
• This Friday, 2/17 – 13 students will be trying out for drum major positions. It will be a tough competition as all of the students trying out are quite good.
• Tuesday, 2/21 – 6pm at Kirby Smith – school board will recognize our marching band. Drum majors will attend on behalf of the band. All are welcomed to attend. Recognition is at the beginning of the meeting so you can come and go quickly.
• Friday, 2/24 and 2/25 – Solo and ensemble at Buchholz
• Thursday, 3/1 – Pre-festival concert at GHS. Will last approximately one hour.
• Thursday, 3/15 – district concert festival at Eastside. Concert band will perform at 5:30, Symphonic band at 8:30.
• Saturday, 3/24 – March of Dimes – more information to come on this event.
• Friday, 3/30 - Color Guard Finals
• Saturday, 3/31 – Indoor Drumline finals – Both will be held at the Ocean Center in Daytona
• Monday, 4/2 – state solo and ensemble – during spring break
• Friday, 5/18 – Sunday, 5/20 – Daytona Beach trip. All fair share must be paid up by the end of February, trip must be paid by end of March
• Band Camp 1 – 6/11 – 6/14, Band Camp 2 8/4, and 8/6-8/10
• Saturday, 6/23 – DCI is having a show in Orlando. Very worthwhile to go see. Tickets on sale at ticketmaster and dci.org. This event will be held in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
• Thursday, 5/3 – state concert at USF (Tampa)

Competition season next year

Sat 10/13 – Showcase

Sat 10/20 – Nease HS

Sat 10/27 – FBA at Williston or Lake City

Sat 11/10 – North Marion

Sat 11/17 – State Prelims and Finals

HS football schedule is not out yet.

99.97% chance we are going to be a 4A band next year. Class sizes have been re-evaluated. 1As 2As 3As and 4As are smaller, 4A – 63-80. We should have a good size freshman class – good thing since we have 40 juniors who will be seniors.

Concert Season:

All students need to have a white tuxedo shirt (white ribs down front). Concert Band – black pants must be worn by all. Symphonic – boys wear black pants, girls are fitted for black skirts, boys are fitted for suit jackets.

Dress for Solo and Ensemble – just dress nicely, or can wear their symphonic band uniforms.

Congratulations to all of the All-County band participants. The performance was incredible!

Next Friday – 4:40pm – 6^th period percussion class is doing an ensemble performance for solo and ensemble at Buchholz.

Next year’s show

Mr. Pirzer let those who attended the booster meeting in on some of the top secret details of next year’s show. If you want to know more, come to the next booster meeting. And start sending in paper towel rolls (without the paper towels attached)!

Treasurer’s report

Slow fair share – only $7800 has come in since Dec 1. Still have $13000 of fair share due and not paid.

Fundraising

Cookie dough fundraiser will start now and will end 3/12.

Gatornationals

3/10 and 3/11 – need 40 volunteers each day. May also need people on Thursday and Friday. Mike Grantham is in charge and will send a detailed information paper out very soon.. Sign up sheets are available now. Work hours for the weekend are 5am to noon. Volunteers get into the races for free after working, but no seats. Students help to guide the cars to park. $50 per person per day, and can be put towards the Daytona trip. Siblings can also help - age 14 and higher. Need to physically be able to stand for 5 to 6 hours.

Uniforms

Concert and symphonic fittings are currently taking place and are almost complete. Will be in contact for volunteers for uniform alterations for marching band.

FMBC Videos

Several parents had problems getting their complete, correct orders, although the corrections are beginning to come in. Mr. Pirzer suggested sending complaints to FMBC website.

Senior parents

14 parents wanted to go in on senior page for the yearbook. Mrs. Grantham has only received checks from 7 of the 14 who expressed interest. Need the $$ from the remaining 7 quickly.

Next meeting: Monday, March 12.

Meeting adjourned approximately 8pm.

GHS BAND BOOSTER MEETING 12/05/2011

Prior Meeting Minutes were approved.

Band Director Report:

• Bill Pirzer thanked the parents for helping to make this marching season a wonderful success. He also wanted to let everyone know how important each persons role was.
• Tuesday, December 6^th: Indoor Percussion gets underway. Rehearsal will be from 5:30 – 8:30. Mr. Pirzer will hand out all specifics to the interested students. The cost is $150.00 in addition to the regular fair share. Students must have $425.00 of their fair share amount paid in order to participate. We are happy to have Steve Prendes and Davide back on staff with us again this year.
• Wednesday, December 7, 2011: All County auditions are being held at GHS. We have 38 students auditioning. Results will be posted on Thursday.
• Friday, December 9^th: Westwood Middle School Concert @ 7:00 pm.
• Tuesday, December 13^th is our annual Holiday Concert. The band will play the entire marching show and also some holiday music.
• We will not have a band booster meeting in January. The next scheduled meeting is February 13^th.
• Solo and Ensembles will be held at Buchholz High School on 2/24 and 2/25/12. Information sheets will be handed out on 12/6. There is a $10.00 entry fee. We will be having a brass, woodwind and a 22 piece percussion ensemble this year. If an individual or group rate a 4 or 5 on their music piece, they will qualify for State which is held during spring break.

Volunteer Coordinator Report:

• Gator Nationals will be held on 3/8-3/11/2012. Discussions are being held with Jim and Dave from Santa Fe High School regarding working with their school on Thursday and Friday.
• Sometime in January volunteers will be needed to clean out the Johnny trailer. They will also clean the outside.

Treasurer Report:

• We have had a lot of expenses. $19,000.00 in bills was paid out. We need to collect fair share money. Emails will be sent out to parents to let them know what the remainder amount is on their child/children’s account.
• Ms. Sickon felt we need to educate the parents on what is involved with the band throughout the school year. There are still a lot of activities and responsibilities after marching season is over. For example, we have indoor percussion and indoor guard, all county and all state, solo and ensembles, concert band and symphonic band.
• Ms. Sickon would like the students to be reminded that they can utilize the patron letter to help with their fair share amount.
• Mrs. Sickon also expressed how much she has enjoyed working at GHS because of its diversity in its student body. The band program brings these kids together to

Fundraising Report:

• There will be a chance drawing for baskets at the Winter Holiday Concert. An email has gone out with a list of the items needed for the baskets. You may also send in monetary donations toward the baskets. The money will be used to buy items that might be needed to finish filling a basket.
• Ornaments are being made to sell at the concert also. There will be “Illusion” themed ornaments and personalized ones.
• If you would like to help make baskets or ornaments, parents are getting together at the school on Friday 12/9 at 5:30.
• We have 24 white poinsettias for sale after the Holiday concert. The plants are being used to decorate the stage. They will be sold for $12.00 each.
• Gator concessions brought in $5,826.00. Each person that worked will get $69.00 towards their fair share for each game worked.
• $250 dollars was made at the Zaxby’s family night. There will be another family night being held next Monday (12/12)
• We have extra wreaths and miniature trees for sale. Please email Mr. Pirzer if you would like to have one.

Uniform Report:

• There is nothing to report right now

Other:

• After 12/16/2011, Dr. Dixon will be retiring. Please take the time to email your appreciation for what he has done for the school. There will be a reception honoring Dr. Dixon on 12/14 for students and parents to attend. Please try to make it.
• David Shellnut, the vice principal from Buchholz will be replacing Dr. Dixon. He comes very highly recommended.

The meeting was adjourned.

Band Booster Minutes - 11/14/11

Meeting began at 7PM.

Approved minutes from prior meeting.

Band Director Update

Mr. Pirzer thanked all parents for their help for the past month.

For this coming weekend:

See one-page summary for parents – State FMBC 2011 Itinerary (Parents) – attached.

All Students need to pack 2 bags – the overnight bag (don’t need until hotel check-in), then a carryon for easy access. Friday’s lunch – needs to be carried on.

One big difference from other competitions – not allowed to bring water jugs.

When students arrive – should be wearing one of the purple competition shirts, black G shorts, and black shoes/shorts.

· If they don’t have extra G shorts, wear the black shorts they wear to practice.

· If they don’t have an extra purple travel uniform shirt, Mr. P. will give them one.

Please do not wear the same thing on both days.

Weather prediction for both days - mid 70s on Friday/Sat, low to mid 60s at night.

Pack plenty of sunblock.

Friday –

· Students will practice a King High School – same place we practiced last year.

· Westfield Countryside Mall Friday night.

· Saturday morning – breakfast provided at hotel.

· Bring lunch own lunch for Saturday.

Stapled handout with detailed information was given to students today, as well. Please ask them for it and read it in its entirety.

Students need to bring $$ for meals/mall

Videos of the performances– more expensive than the standard competition, higher quality. They can be purchased at the competition or afterward, online.

Itinerary is on back page of the stapled handout. It is included with this document, as well.

Admission to prelims - $14, Finals is $20 – No cash on site, and no credit cards, so bring your cash.

Parents, we need to bring more snacks than the usual competition as the students will be hungry over the 2 day period and they likely will not bring enough food. We need donations of water, crackers, and fruit (apples, bananas, and grapes). Please bring non-perishables Thursday instead of Friday. Fruits – bring Friday early AM (before 7:30, or Thursday night).

We will be loading trucks Thursday night.

If you are driving and leaving car here, park at upper end of Hurricane Lane, and best to get here BEFORE 7:15am.

Preliminaries:

We are the last band to perform at prelims …

Check the website below for lots of detailed information about this event.

www.floridabandtournament.com

Sixteen 3A bands – we must finish in the top 5

Performance order is random at finals, and we won’t know placement in prelims.

Caption awards are given, however.

Different judges for prelims and finals

We will start a carpool list for people who are driving to the event(s) on Saturday who are interested in sharing rides. Please be on the lookout for a separate email.

Treasurer report – Susie Hummel

Current fair share balances are hanging on the back of Mr. P’s door.

Still have FSU game to do for Gator concessions, have been making approx $60 per game, per student. Will reconcile after the last game.

· Collected $336 for chicken dinners

· Collected $600 trailer sponsors, so far, and have received commitments for more.

· Approx $4000 in fair share account.

· Approx $10,000 bank account balance – will spend most of that this weekend.

Still have 6 spots available to ride busses – must tell the hotel tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

Fundraising – Laura Netardus

Will be making holiday baskets for holiday concert – stay tuned for further communication after state competition.

Wreaths will be in the week of November 28.

· Will need help sorting on the day they come in – will send out message when we know the exact day.

· Will be at least $5 per item (wreath, centerpieces, sprays, and trees) to go to student’s fair share.

· 113 items were ordered in total, including those that are to be sent – similar to last year – collected $3115.

Volunteer Coordinator Report – Mike Grantham

Pit crew is set for the weekend and corresponding directly with Mike.

Still working out the ice situation for Saturday.

Gatornationals parking fundraiser … more info in January

Uniforms – Susie Hummel

The sections assigned to help with uniforms on Monday afternoon are drum major, and props. This will occur right after school – 3-3:30 – Susie and Adela will confirm.

Miscellaneous

Between now and next meeting, we will launch into concert season.

38 students have turned in forms and money for all county band – auditions on Dec 7^th.

Will have 5 new music pieces of music for holiday concert. Plenty of work to do over Thanksgiving.

Dec 6 first indoor meeting.

Next meeting, Monday, December 5^th.

Meeting adjourned approximately 8:11pm.

Band News and Notes - Week beginning 11/14/11

Parents and students,

Another very successful weekend is behind us and now just one more week to go. There is a lot happening this week and we hope that you will be able to join us for the State Championships.

On Monday night, we are having a fund raiser night at the Zaxby's on 43rd St. Come out between 5:00 and 8:00 PM. (From Carolyn: For those of you going to the booster meeting, this would make a great "pre-booster meeting meal!") The band will earn 10% of all sales that Zaxby's collects for this time frame.

There is a large amount of information to be given out regarding State. Join us at Monday's Booster Meeting for all of the information.

I have a few seats left on the bus for State. Please let me know ASAP if you plan to ride the bus and spend the night with us at State.

See you all at the Booster Meeting tomorrow (Monday) night at 7pm.

Competition Date Nov 12 2011