Southern York County School District
Band Boosters Meeting
November 2, 2009
Attendees: Christian Poole, Tina Pelensky, Donna Schriver, Matt Schriver, Donette Yeilding, Angela Mays, Sherry Soltes, Brandon Soltes, Lynne Hood, Jill Sechrist, Debbie Auberger, Megan Strott, Bethany Meyer, Michelle Spurlock, Tammy Simmons, Jackie Walker, Janet Hagel, Jason Hagel, Tedd Wheeler, Linda Wheeler, Chelesy Hicks, Karen Vatral, Joanna Voltaggio
Secretary’s Report Minutes from October meeting approved.
Treasurer’s Report The current balances are: $8,738.00 in the general fund; $8,989.00 in the student accounts. Most invoices have been paid, the invoice for the marching shoes, which was just received, is pending.
Director’s Report This is our last meeting before marching season is over.
§ Symphonic band is about to start up—we have 88 musicians this year.
§ Jazz Band auditions started today and will finish up this week. Practices will start soon and the practice schedule will be adjusted to accommodate sports and other activities of the students.
§ We will be recruiting for indoor drum line heavily—we’ll encourage players of all instruments to join. This activity really helps with musicianship.
§ Fri, Nov. 6—The marching band will be competing at Nationals at the Naval Academy. We will be leaving school at 1:30 as rehearsal time earlier in the day was denied. The marching show scores of other bands were shared—competition is stiff this year. We have been listening to judges’ tapes all season long. The comments have helped our show.
§ Our new trophy and banner are on display from state championships. We are, once again, the state champions. We are proud but we were the only band in our class, so we’re not bragging too loudly. J
§ So many great things have happened this season…….we’re doing quite well considering 51% of our band students have never marched before—we only have a few seniors. Thank you to parents for pushing your kids out the door for yet another practice…..it’s hard sometimes but it’s really worth it. We’ve gone to 1 evening rehearsal/week, many other schools do 2. It has worked out well. We’re also doing one competition less than last year, so that’s one more weekend the kids have. These changes are hopefully creating a balance and making marching band a little more desirable for students.
Immediate Needs
Thursday’s Preview Night: Please come out and help us send the band off to Nationals. We would like to serve refreshments, so please let us know if you would be able to provide baked goods. The seniors will be honored on Thursday as we will not be performing at the last home football game. We need time for senior night, pictures, performance, etc. We will start at 8:30. (Parents of seniors should be ready to go by 8:15). Please bring cameras and share your pictures.
Also, please bring in baked goods Thurs. to be served both Thurs. and Fri. evenings.
USSBA National Championships Food: we’ve discussed grilling or ordering pizza. Grilling was fun, but it’s dark and it’s a lot of work. Pizza would be easier. Most present agreed. We’ll try pizza this year and see how it goes. Papa John’s will deliver right to your band trailer. We have enough chaperones, but we could use more people to help the pit crew. Mr. Poole will check into passes/wristbands required.
Mr. Poole will find out how tall the tunnel at the stadium is to be sure our cubes can fit through.
End-of-Season Party @ Springfield Lanes Sunday, Nov. 8, 3-5:30. We also need baked goods for this party.
Updates on Upcoming Events
Battle of the Bands Jan 9, 2010 Brian Furio and the Silvas are working on getting the word out and attracting area bands. This is in the planning stages—more news to come.
Basket Bingo Jan. 31, 2010 We will have baskets and Vera Bradley bags. We will need basket sponsors, small games of chance license paperwork is underway.
KIDA Show March 6 Michelle Spurlock will attend a KIDA organizational meeting and share info with us which should help us plan our show. More to come…
New Business
Pellman Cakes and Pies….we’ll run a sale in the Spring and include the order for Jazz Fest. We have info and some people who have already volunteered to help.
Fundraising We’ve got some good things going, but we’re always looking for other ideas. One such idea: Expand the No Hassle fundraiser to local businesses. We would ask them once for a donation. Anyone with any ideas along this line, please let Tina Pelensky know. Also, please let us know if you have any connections with any local businesses. We would like to make personal connections wherever possible.
True Value Ladies Night Out, Nov. 13 and 14 They help us a lot, and now they’ve asked for our help. They’re having a Ladies’ Night Out on Nov. 13 and 14. They’re looking for some volunteers to wrap gifts and help ladies shop for gifts for men. Please encourage your student to help out—we always appreciate the support we get from True Value. Please contact Tina Pelensky at tpelensky@earthlink.net if you or your student can help.
District Band Auditions: December 5 We will be taking a school bus this year. About 100 students will be chosen to represent their schools in the district band. This leads to Regional Band and then All-State band. The audition music is very difficult. The auditions are blind, students are given numbers, there is no communication between judges and students. The band practices and performs all in one weekend. This is a fantastic opportunity for students.
Shrewsbury Christmas Tree Lighting—Dec. 6 Jazz band will perform.
New Freedom Christmas Tree Lighting Nov. 28 Jazz band will perform.
Jazz Band will rehearse Tues. and Thurs. 3-4:30 until sports kick in, and then we’ll adjust as necessary.
Next Meeting: Monday, December 7 at 7pm in the SHS band room. All band parents and students are welcome and encouraged to attend.