Our next meeting is Thursday,...
October 4th in the SHHS Cafeteria, starting at 7PM, the agenda will include information for fall schedules, the kickoff of our annual Fruit Fundraiser, tryout information for grades 8-12 bands, schedules for the winter, and discussion about 2008-2009 changes in our program. These meetings are for every parent who has a child in the band. Come on!
The Fruit sale is ready!
Our annual fruit sale has been going in Johnson City for many decades. It is the primary fundraiser that is used to support our kids on their major trips every other year. This is how it works: Sell fruit using our sales sheets distributed at our October 4th meeting. All orders (and any money already collected) are turned in at our next meeting on November 1st. The fruit arrives in JC on December 1st. You come by the Epic plant (formerly Siemens), pickup, and deliver your own fruit. The average student sells over $600 in fruit with 1/3 of this money going into their individual account and with two years to save, the cost of our trip can be cut in half very easily.
Car wash a big success!!!
With the great leadership of the Casey and Edgeworth families and some beautiful weather, we washed 956 cars in only 8 hours. Thanks to our many kids and parents who worked so hard to make this a success.
The Concessions Stands needs your help!!!!
With bigger crowds attending the games, we are struggling to keep up with the need for help in the concession stand. The money from the concessions goes into the general fund and reduces the cost for being in the Topper Band about $100 for each kid. If every parent works one game, this is a success for everyone. Please contact Cuddy Austin through our website and commit to helping in the concession stand for one home game. Phone is 928-8848, email is CuddyAustin@hotmail.com. With playoffs a probability, this can make a huge impact on our budget for this year!
The pledge money and travel fair share are due by Thursday, October 4th.
The travel amount for each competitive band member is $200.00. This amount covers all bus transport to the contests, food that we will serve the kids on these trips, and other expenses such as truck and contest fees. Please note that the many other costs of staff, transportation, flag fabric, and the multitude of other items it takes to make this program work comes from other sources such as the concession stand.
Thanks to every parent who contributes to the band program with their service and commitment. Without the efforts of committees like the sewing committee, uniform committee, and concession stands, the cost for each kid in our program would increase by over $500.00 per child.
October 12th game guidelines:
If you will be out of town, a note from parents will excuse you from this home game. We will be playing in uniform from the stands. No field show for this evening.
Come to the contests!!!!!
As we have seen in some contests, the parents from various groups choose to not support the performance of each band in the misguided idea that this helps their child. We want to encourage each parent to attend, to support all groups, and of course to support our kids the loudest. We hope you can join us in a healthy form of competition that supports all of these hard-working kids. Ticket costs are usually under $10.00 per person.
Auditions for chairs
Information goes home next week for chair auditions. Every child on every instrument is required to audition in early November. This will give them a major test grade and can change their band schedule for the spring semester. Practice at home is an expected part of this process. Let us know if you need help finding a quality private instructor.
The Eighth Grade Band...
is having an awesome start. With 3.0 directors available, we have been able to supply a lot of individual attention for each child. Their performance at our annual homecoming game was fantastic and we look forward to each of these kids continuing in the ‘Topper Band.
Drum line Serenade...
had a great first night at six local drum lines performed on September 18th at the Goulding Ampitheatre at Winged Deer Park. A beautiful evening included great performances and input from Dr. Rande Sanderbeck from ETSU. Thanks to MSHA and Charter Communications for hosting this first-ever event.
Travel plans
Following last years’ fabulous trip to NYC and performances at Carnegie Hall, the band staff is considering several opportunities for the 2008-09 school year. We will let you know as soon as we know what plans are. The Fruit Sale is your first chance to start socking away funds for your kids travel in 08-09. Every child in our band (8-12) can participate.
Rehearsal Attendance
Kids get sick, we understand. However, we are having real concerns with appointments that are scheduled during band rehearsal. Please help us on this. Since each rehearsal is a class where we teach new skills, this is a major concern for us and your child. We do not have rehearsals on Wednesdays so you have time for these other events. Please help us on this matter.
Thanks...
to the efforts of our school system, the Topper Band is now practicing on a grass field that is closer to our band room, does not require crossing a 4-lane road, has immediate cover available when lightning strikes, and is cooler. Special thanks to our new head of school maintenance, Tim Buck, for his efforts on completing this task
A free concert for all SHHS Band and Orchestra students will be presented on Friday, October 12th at 1PM in the SHHS Auditorium. The Ahn Trio will be presenting a one-hour program that is fantastic. Check out their website for more information: www.ahntrio.com.
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