GHS Band & Guard "Spirit Night"

GHS Band & Guard SPIRIT NIGHT

Gainesville High School Band and Guard will be hosting a “Spirit Night” at Texas Roadhouse on Wednesday May 29^th.  They have graciously offered to give us 10% of the sales from  11:00 am. until 10:00 pm.

Attached are “Spirit Night” cards to be given to your waiter/waitress.  Put a name of your favorite band member/section on the back of the card so we can see which section has the most Spirit!!!

*Texas Roadhouse, 3830 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608

GHS BAND BOOSTER MEETING 5/13/2013

Minutes taken by Cindy Mason

Meeting was opened at 7:05.  Minutes from prior meeting were approved.

Band Director Report:

The Band Awards and Senior Recognition will be held on Friday 5/24 at 7:00.  We have 36 seniors graduating!

Graduation is on June 1, 2012.  Friday 5/31 is the first early release day.  There will be a full band practice on that Friday from 1:45 until 2:45 to rehearse the music for graduation.    The trailer will be loaded after practice. 

The underclassmen need to be at the school at 8:00 am sharp.  Please dress nice for the ceremony (Sunday best).  Students will be transported by bus to the O’Connell Center and will arrive at 9:00 am.

Seniors need to be at the O’Connell Center no later than 9:00 am to check in.  They must meet Pirzer at 9:15 am for warm up.  Be aware that parking will be an issue.

Graduation starts at 10:00 am and the students should be back to the band room by 12:00 noon.

Band Camp 1 is June 10^th – 13^th from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm.

Band Camp 2 is August 3^rd  and August 5^th – 9^th from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm

There are 5 home football games scheduled:  9/5, 9/13, 10/11, 10/24 and 11/7.

We will be doing 4 competitions this year:  10/12 – Showcase @ Santa Fe High School; 10/19 – West Port, 10/26 FBA Districts @ Williston High School and State will be on 11/23 at Tropicana Field.

The practice times for the Pit, Battery, and Guard (P/B/G) on Tuesdays and the Full Marching Band (FMB) on Thursdays have been changed to 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. (instead of 5:30pm to 8:30pm as it has been in previous years). 

The Indoor Percussion and Guard competition dates are not available yet.

• The Daytona trip is this weekend (5/17-19).  All the students going to Daytona were given an itinerary and a flyer containing information on what is allowed and what is NOT allowed on the trip.  Please read the information and go over it with your student.  The information was discussed in class.  We have 78 students going on the trip.
• Please check your students’ luggage/bags before bringing them to the school.  Please label all bags.   Please do not bring shaving cream or Red Bull.  The bags will be left in the band room in a designated area and will not be allowed to be opened by the student until it is time to have his/her bag checked by a parent/chaperone.  All prescription medications will be written down by the chaperone.  Student will keep their medications with them.  If bringing over the counter medication (ibuprofen, etc), please make sure it is in a sealed (new) container.  All bags will go directly to the trailer after being checked.
• Students are allowed to bring Xbox, Playstation 2 and other electronics.  They are responsible for these items.  Bring at your own risk!
• Please send money for meals (2 Breakfasts – 2 Lunches – 2 Dinners).  There is a restaurant at the hotel.  The students may bring breakfast type food for both mornings and lunch on Saturday.  Students are allowed to bring a cooler with drinks and cold items.  All drinks must be in sealed containers.  No glass please.  Most students try to coordinate what they are bringing in food/drink items with their roommates.
• Friday we will be having dinner at the Food Court at the Volusia Mall.  Saturday we will be going to the Daytona Beach Boardwalk for dinner, where the students will have a variety of restaurants to choose from. We will stop on our way back to Gainesville for lunch on Sunday at the Volusia Mall.
• The buses will be back on Sunday at 3:00 PM.  Parents need to be at GHS at that time to pick up their student.  DO NOT BE LATE!
• Chaperones are needed to ride on bus 2.  Please let Pirzer know if you are able to do this a.s.a.p.
• Drivers need to meet at the Volusia Mall to help chaperone the students.
• Chaperones will be given a schedule with their duties when we arrive in Daytona.

Volunteer Coordinator Report:

Frank Mason will be sending out an email to parents regarding volunteering at Band Camp 1.

Treasurer Report:

We have $3500 in the bank.  The money from Gator Nationals has not come in yet.  We still have other expenses to be paid.

Fundraising Report:

• The Spring Concert Basket fundraiser went very well.  Thank you to all who donated and participated.  We raised $909.
• The Zaxby’s Family night that was held on 4/22 went well also.  We raised $212.  We will be doing a Family night in at the Main Street Zaxby’s again in June and July.  An email will be sent with the final details.
• A report on our H R Block tax program was also given.  The band received a check for 800 dollars.
• We will be hosting a Family Night at Texas Roadhouse this month.  An email will go out, as soon as the date is finalized.
• The Domino’s Pizza Cards are still available.  The cost is $10 and $9 goes to fairshare.  Please see Mr. Pirzer if you are interested.
• Cindy Mason is still collecting aluminum cans. We have made $30 so far and have collected more cans to be cashed in.  If you have any to donate, please contact her at suncyn@cox.net.
• We will be holding “Hat Drop” Fundraisers over the summer at various stores around Gainesville.  Each section will be asked to set up tables at local businesses (Publix, etc) to ask for donations for the band.  Details will be given to our new section leaders, captains and Drum Majors.

Uniform Report:

Thank you Sharon Sailor for volunteering to be the uniform co-chair and work with Susie Hummel. 

Hospitality:

• Awards night and Senior Recognition will be held on Friday, May 24^th at 7:00 pm.  Lea Musselwhite is looking for volunteers to help put together the senior gifts after school on Wednesday 5/15 and Thursday 5/16 (if needed) at 3:30 pm.  She has also asked for donations of candy and small items to go in the senior gift bags.  (36 seniors)
• Lea has purchased 4 purple linen table cloths to be used for any band functions.    If anyone needs to use them, please contact her at lea_musselwhite@casjax.com

Other:

Board Nominations:

Frank Mason reported that the Board met two months ago and discussed potential board members and officers.  The By Laws allow for 9 members and board recommended the flowing slate of Board members:

• President – Lea Musselwhite
• Vice President – Julie Tricky
• Secretary – Amy Wagner
• Treasurer – Susie Hummel
• Co-Treasurer – Marlene Thomas
• Bill Pirzer
• Mary Ann Sickon
• Frank Mason
• Amy Palmer

Frank Mason called for a vote and the slate was approved unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned.

Band Booster Meeting Minutes - 4/8/13

Meeting began at 7:03  PM.

President’s Report

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

Band Director Update

• Congratulations to Guard state champions – 1^st championship won by the guard in a very long time (early 90s).  Very proud.  12 will be returning to the program.
• Indoor drumline – finished 11^th in their class in state championships.  But, they improved tremendously since the beginning of the season.
• State -  11 events, 8 superiors (4 of those distinguished), and 3 excellents. 
• Daytona Beach Trip - Friday, 5/17 – Sunday, 5/19.  Anyone interested needs to sign up ASAP.  Students must have fair share paid and then must pay for trip in order to go.  Highly encourage parents to go. Cost is $125 per student and $125 per parent.  Need to have at least 10 parents.  See Mr. Pirzer if you are interested.
• Dallas Brass – only about 2.5 weeks ago.  Less than 100 (of 900) tickets remaining.  Running an ad in Sunday’s Gainesville Sun, and will go on the SBAC website.  It will sell out.
• Need a handful of volunteers to guard the doors to ensure people don’t come in without a ticket.  Susie, Marlene, and Carolyn will take tickets.  Need a few bouncers (5).
• Need 2 people that will be willing to sit at intermission and afterwards to sell Dallas Brass merchandise (for Dallas Brass).
• Nadine is working on getting food, etc. for Dallas Brass – email went out for people to sign up.  Almost everything has since been covered, but take a look at the list to see if anything is left.  Texas Roadhouse is also going to help out with the Dallas Brass members.
• Spring concert 4/30, starting at 6:30 pm (instead of 7pm) due to performance by superior solo and ensemble performers, indoor guard and drumline performance, and so forth.
• Band awards night – May 5/24, takes approximately 2 hours – cake and punch afterward.  Fair share needs to be paid to receive awards.  See Susie for any updates on balances. 
• Section leader auditions and color guard auditions 5/6 – 5/10
• Graduation – Saturday, 6/1 – meet here at 8am, ceremony starts at 10am
• Band Camp 1 – June 10-16

Treasurer’s report  - Susie Hummel

• Bank balance:  $1,303.09
• Outstanding Fair Share:  $15,755.95 – Updated list was put on Mr. Pirzer’s door at end of booster meeting.  Please contact Susie Hummel (thehummels@bellsouth.net) if you have any questions.
• Upcoming Expenses:  Buses to Daytona
• Outstanding Expenses:
• Bus Bills - $3,000 (from the fall = football games, competitions)
• Neff - $3,000
• Also, awards need to be ordered and there will be the final staff checks for the indoor staff.

Fair Share

Some thoughts to improve the situation for future years –

• Carpool to Showcase? Can we get 30 parents to bring students?
• We can go and get Commercial Driver Licenses and go pick up busses and drive  ourselves, and just pay mileage.  Mr. P is considering doing this.
• Silent Auctions – virtual and actual.
• Donors Choose – www.donorschoose.org
• Mr. Pirzer and others will research each of these and see what can be done.
• Transportation costs are killing us – very expensive to get the band where it needs to go.
• Discussed several different options, which Mr. Pirzer will take under consideration.

Fundraising-  Cindy Mason

• Spring Concert baskets – communication went out already.  Items were suggested by marching band section, but feel free to send other things.  Everything due by April 24^th.  Need to beat Oak View (Lori Pirzer’s school), who had 54 baskets at their holiday concert.
• Family night at Zaxby’s on 4/22 – see flyer.  Only the Main St. location – NOTE, NOT 43^rd STREET!  Monday night has a good meal deal.
• Dominos pizza cards still available – Send handout for this!  Pay $10, $9 goes to fair share.
• Cans are still being collected for recycle.
• Tax program – 32 GHS-related people have had (or signed up to have) taxes done through the H&R Block program.  Approximately $640 will get donated to GHS Band as a result.

Uniforms – Susie Hummel

No Report

Hospitality – Lea Musselwhite

Lea has the materials to make the items for senior night - 5/24.  Anyone that wants to assist putting things together after 4:30pm on May 13, it would be appreciated.

Next meeting:  May 13, 2013

Meeting adjourned approximately 8:15 pm.

Band Booster Meeting Minutes - March 11, 2013

Meeting began at 7:03  PM.

President’s Report

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

GatorNationals

• Weekend of 3/16 and 3/17 – all volunteer slots have been filled.
• First and foremost, all volunteers need to pay attention.  All need to stay on their feet, not sitting or laying down.
• Handouts will go out tomorrow (Tuesday) to those who are participating, but here are some highlights:
• Entrance at Gate C for volunteers is the only one that will be open in the morning.
• Need to be at the meeting area at 5am.
• Only drink Coke products.
• Don’t leave an assigned area before officially released.
• Don’t talk to, or reach out to, drivers in the cars coming in for parking.
• Will be finished right around noon.
• See handout.

Band Director Update

• Thursday, 3/14 - FBA District Concert Festival – 7pm Concert Band, 8:30pm Symphonic band at Eastside.  Students will travel there and back on the buses.  Free and open to the public.  Wear purple.  See attached itinerary.  Should be back by 10:15. See handout.

• Saturday, 3/16 - Both Indoor Drumline and Color Guard - Fleming Island.  See attached drumline itinerary. See handout.

• Saturday, 3/23 - Color Guard performs at Fletcher HS
• Saturday, 3/23 March of Dimes – morning performance at annual walk.  More details to follow – participating students get 12 volunteer hours.
• Monday, 3/25 – State Solo and ensemble performances for those individual students who made superior ratings – Westport High School in Ocala.  This is during spring break.  Have 12 people going – they received their times today.
• Friday, 4/5 and Saturday, 4/6 Indoor state competition– Ocean Center in Daytona Beach
• Color guard – Friday, 4/5
• Indoor – Saturday, 4/6

• Thursday, 5/2 - State concert Festival at USF, Tampa. In order for the bands to go, they must earn superior ratings at the FBA District Concert Festival
• Friday, 5/17 – Sunday, 5/19 – Daytonal Beach Trip. See handout.

Next Year competition dates:  Tentative - Same as reported last booster meeting.

• 10/12 Showcase– Gators at LSU
• 10/19 Westport (Ocala) – Gators at Miss
• 10/26 FBA Districts Columbia (tentative location) – no Gator game
• 11/9 North Marion – Gators playing Vanderbilt – homecoming
• 11/23 State Competition

GHS will probably remain as 4a, but not sure.

As was communicated at last booster meeting, haven’t finalized GHS football schedule yet.  Football team moved up to 7a from 6a, and will have a new coach.

Website has been revamped, everything has been updated.

Dallas Brass Tickets

Less than 200 tickets (of 900) remain available.  We haven’t really gone public yet.  Probably won’t have to.  Doubt there will be any tickets available to sell at the door.

Treasurer’s report  - Susie Hummel

• $4200 current balance
• $2150 balance after indoor guard uniforms and staff payment
• Still need to pay indoor drumline staff, and expenses associated with state concert festival.
• $10,000 remains due from students owing fair share.  Updated balances are posted on Mr. Pirzer’s door.

Fundraising-  Cindy Mason

• Dominos pizza cards still available
• Cans are still being collected for recycle.
• Tax program – 17 GHS-related people have had (or signed up to have) taxes done through the H&R Block program.  Approximately $300 will get donated to GHS Band as a result.
• Orange and Blue game – 4/6 will need concession workers.  This will be a great opportunity to get $$ for Daytona trip.  Note that the state championships for indoor will be on that day, so they will not be able to participate.  Lea M. will let us know more when the person who owns the concession lets her know how many volunteers are needed.

Uniforms - Susie Hummel

No Report

Hospitality – Lea Musselwhite

No Report

Band Booster Business

Secretary, President, Volunteer Coordinator, and an apprentice Treasurer spot are open for next year’s band booster positions.  If you are interested, please contact Frank Mason or Mr. Pirzer in order to be considered for the slate, which will be presented to and voted on at the May band booster meeting.

Next meeting:  April 8, 2013

Meeting adjourned approximately 7:40pm.

GHS Band News and Notes - 2/21/13

Parents and Students,

 

I just wanted to give some updates to you about our upcoming events over the next few weeks.

 

First of all, time is running out to buy discounted Dallas Brass tickets.  Orders are due to me by Thursday, February 28th to receive the discount.  I have attached the order form to this email.  Please do not miss the chance to see this world renowned group live in the GHS Auditorium on April 26th.  Visit www.dallasbrass.com to see some videos and learn more about the Dallas Brass.

 

Next, we are taking sign ups for Gatornationals Parking.  The event days are Saturday, March 16th and Sunday, March 17th.  Students will earn $50.00 per person per day and we can sign up family members, friends or anyone middle school age and older to work.  Money made from this event can help pay off fair share, rental fees or the Daytona trip.  Please have your student come see me in the band office to sign up, spots are becoming very limited.  I will be passing out detailed information to those who sign up next week. 

 

Speaking of Daytona, our annual beach trip is scheduled for May 17th - 19th.  The cost of the trip is $125.00 per student or adult.  To be eligible to attend, students must have all of their fair share, instrument rental fees, indoor drum line or guard fees paid in full before they can go on the Daytona trip.  You may use the Gatornationals as a way to raise a lot of money for this.  Last year, we had one family raise $500.00 just by parking cars at Gatornationals.  (See notes above).  Feel free to send in Daytona money at anytime.  A fresh fair share list will be posted on Friday.

 

Here's whats coming up event wise over the next few weeks.

 

Friday, Feb 22.  Solo and Ensemble at Buchholz HS.  Many of our students are participating throughout the evening.  The guard will be perfroming at 7:10 PM in the BHS gym.  Admission is free and this would be a great chance to see our girls perform close to home.

 

Thursday, Feb 28:  Pre-Festival Concert for the Concert and Symphonic Bands, 7:00 PM in the GHS Auditorium.  Students will need to report by 6:15 PM.  This is a great opportunity to see how the judges evaluate the bands at District Festival.  We will have numerous band directors from other schools with us to evaluate and critique our performances.

 

Thursday, March 14th:  FBA District Concert Festival at Eastside HS, Concert Band performs at 7:00 PM and Symphonic Band performs at 8:30 PM.  Admission is free!

 

Saturday, March 9th:  Indoor Drum Line Show at Nease HS, times TBA

 

Saturday, March 16th:  Indoor Drum Line and Guard Show at Fleming Island HS, times TBA

 

 

That's all for now.  As always, feel free to email me at pirzerb@gm.sbac.edu if you have any questions.

Band Booster Meeting Minutes - 02/11/2013

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

• Wednesday, 2/13 – drum major auditions - 3pm in band room.  Probably will not announce the new drum majors until next week.
• Friday, 2/22 - Solo and ensemble - Preliminary times have already been given to all who are participating, and has been no indication at this point that those times have changed.
• Thursday, 2/28 - Pre (district) festival concert - 7pm in GHS auditorium.  Will have guest judges.
• Thursday, 3/14 - FBA District Concert Festival – 7pm Concert Band, 9pm Symphonic band at Eastside.  Students will travel there and back on the buses. 
• Saturday, 3/9 - Indoor drumline performance– Nease High School
• Saturday, 3/16 - Both Indoor Drumline and Color Guard - Fleming Island
• Saturday, 3/23 - Color Guard performs at Fletcher HS
• Saturday, 3/23 March of Dimes – morning performance at annual walk.  More details to follow – participating students get 12 volunteer hours.

The remaining dates were not discussed at this meeting but I pulled them off of last month’s minutes to keep everyone aware:

• Monday, 3/25 – State Solo and ensemble performances for those individual students who made superior ratings – Westport High School in Ocala.  This is during spring break
• Thursday, 5/2 - State concert Festival at USF, Tampa. In order for the bands to go, they must earn superior ratings at the FBA District Concert Festival
• Indoor state competition– Ocean Center in Daytona Beach
• Color guard – Friday, 4/5
• Indoor – Saturday, 4/6

Next Year competition dates:  Tentative

• 10/12 Showcase– Gators at LSU
• 10/19 Westport (Ocala) – Gators at Miss
• 10/26 FBA Districts Columbia (tentative location) – no Gator game
• 11/9 North Marion – Gators playing Vanderbilt – homecoming
• 11/23 State Competition
• GHS will probably remain as 4a, but not sure.

Haven’t finalized GHS football schedule yet.  Football team moved up to 7a from 6a, and will have a new coach.

First concert for symphonic and concert band – 7pm, 2/28, at GHS

ALL students, regardless of what band they are in, must have a white tuxedo shirt.  Please try on before the day of the concert and make sure it fits properly.

• Concert band – all must wear black dress pants, shoes, socks
• Symphonic band - boys – must wear black pants, will be fitted for concert jacket provided by the band, and must wear black shoes and socks
• Symphonic girls – will be fitted for concert skirt provided by band, and must wear black shoes and socks

Mens Wearhouse by Toys R Us has tuxedo shirts for $20

Dallas Brass Tickets

Don’t wait to get your tickets as the event will likely sell out.

Dallas Brass will perform at GHS on April 26^th. GHS students and families may pre-purchase tickets for $9 (see handout).  Need to receive payment and orders by February 28 to receive discounted rate.  Everyone (including students and parents) will need to purchase a ticket to come to the concert except for members of the symphonic band, who will be performing with the Dallas Brass.  We are expecting a sell-out before the night of the concert.  Tickets at the door will be $15 if there are any available.  Please don’t wait.  Get these in as soon as possible.  Make checks out to GHS band boosters.  Check or cash.  Once we go out to general public, tickets will be $10 each, and a PayPal option will be available on the website, but there will be  $2 service charge.

Starting March 1^st, we will have a new GHS band website and we will be able to use PayPal for fair share, among other things.  Mr. Pirzer will let us know when that site is ready and the web address will be communicated at that time.

Treasurer’s report  - Susie Hummel

$2,914.20 – bank balance, still have approximately $20,000 in fair share outstanding.

Known upcoming expenses:

$1000 indoor drumline uniforms

$750 indoor drumline staff

$1,164.20 – ending balance after expenses

Fundraising-  Cindy Mason

Only fundraiser right now is Domino’s (see attachment).

H & R Block Fundraiser (see attachment).

Gatornationals –

Weekend of 3/16 and 3/17

Need 40 people – 8 students, the rest parents or other family members.  Each person earns $50 per day to go towards fair share. First 40 people who sign up on the list get the opportunity to work.  Once you are done parking cars, you can go in and watch.

Indoor drumline has a performance on 3/16, so they will not be able to participate on that day.

Sign up list to go up end of this week in the band room

Volunteers must be middle school aged and older.

Uniform Report – Susie Hummel

Almost done fitting symphonic uniforms.

Marching Band Uniforms need to be cleaned before putting them up in storage for this school year.

Hospitality – Lea Musselwhite

Will be meeting with Mr. Pirzer after this booster meeting.  More info to come.

Next meeting:  March 11, 2013

Meeting adjourned approximately 7:20pm.