Band Booster Minutes - April, 2008
Orientation Performance (5/6/08) – The Symphonic Winds class have been asked to perform at the Orientation for the incoming sixth grade students. This performance will be on Tuesday, May 6th. The students will stay afterschool and rehearse for the performance, eat dinner and then perform. The performance is at 6:00pm and we anticipate the students being finished by 6:30pm. The uniform for the performance is the Bishop Band polo shirt, blue jeans and sneakers. Parent help is needed to serve pizza to the students and to bake cookies/brownies to go along with the meal. Please let Ms. Beres know if you are able to help out.
Spring Concert (5/8/08) -
BISHOP BAND UPDATE 3/20/08
Alachua County Honor Band Concert
The Alachua County Middle School & High School Honor Band will be performing at the Phillips Center for Performing Arts on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 7:30pm. The Bishop Bands have 26 representatives in the Middle School Honor Band….the most out of all of the middle schools in the county. As an assignment for band class, ALL BISHOP BAND MEMBERS are expected to attend the performance on March 25th. Being exposed to live performances is a vital part of becoming a good musician. Make plans to attend now and arrange carpools if necessary. Students are to check-in with Ms. LaVay or Ms. Beres upon arrival to verify attendance at the concert.
End-of-Year Trips
The Blizzard Beach Trip (5/13/08) and the Orlando Competition Trip (5/16-18/08) will be here before we know it! We still have students who have not turned in their trip contracts. Please understand that we need the contract back from EVERY STUDENT. If your child will not be participating in either of the trips, simply check off “NO” on the contract and return it with the appropriate signatures. Those students who are in Concert Band or Symphonic Winds have the option of participating in just the performance portion of the competition trip. If you are interested in that option, please contact Ms. LaVay or Ms. Beres. The total cost of the Blizzard Beach Trip is $75.00 per person. The total cost of the Orlando Competition Trip is $300.00.
Fair Share/Fees
Last week, each student was given an individual statement of their fair share account. If you have any questions about the statement that you should have received, please contact Stuart Cullen, our band booster treasurer at stuartcullen@cox.net. The band directors do not have the information necessary to answer questions related to individual fair share accounts. If your child uses a school-owned instrument, make sure that you have submitted the school instrument maintenance fee of $35.00 per semester/per instrument. Personal payments are accepted. All checks should be made payable to: HOWARD BISHOP BAND BOOSTERS
SCRIP Orders
The next SCRIP Order Turn-In Date is March 27, 2008. Order forms are available in the bandroom. Please make sure to turn in order forms and payment by this date. SCRIP orders from last month should be ready for pick-up by Friday. If you are still unsure of what SCRIP is, it is a year-long fundraiser where band parents (and anyone they give order forms to) are able to purchase gift cards to hundreds of national retailers at their full face value and the Bishop Band earns a portion of the face value of every gift card purchased. This is a very easy way to earn fair share without having to purchase a bunch of items you may not really need! If you have questions about the SCRIP fundraiser, please contact Lillian Swanger, SCRIP Chairperson at lwswanger@cox.net.
Spring Concert/Center for Performing Arts
All of the Bishop Bands will be performing at their Spring Concert on Thursday, May 8th at 7:30pm. Our students will have the opportunity to perform their Spring Concert in the Curtis M. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. Performing in this state-of-the-art venue is a very special experience for our band members. The opportunity of performing at the Phillips Center comes at a price. We are asking our band boosters and other supporters to help us in obtaining some corporate sponsorships to cover the cost of renting the Center for Performing Arts. The anticipated cost of renting this facility will be around $2400.00. It will be well worth the work necessary to obtain sponsorships from the local community. If you are able to assist us in obtaining sponsorships, please contact Ms. LaVay or Ms. Beres
Chaperones
Chaperones will be needed for both End-of-Year trips. If you are interested in chaperoning either the Blizzard Beach trip or the Orlando Competition Trip, please make sure to check off that designation on your child’s permission form. We will also need chaperones to assist with the Spring Concert. More details regarding those chaperone duties will be forthcoming. If you know you are available to help on May 8th, the day of the concert, please contact our chaperone coordinator, Lillian Swanger at lwswanger@cox.net.
Band Wish List
The following are the band’s most urgent needs at the moment:
¯ 8 units of heavy duty wire shelving ($150.00 for each unit at Sam’s Club) – for storing instruments in the old bandroom.
¯ AAA Batteries
¯ BLACK dry-erase markers (NOT colors ….. we have plenty of those, just black ones!)
Any questions or concerns, please visit the band website at www.howardbishopband.com or e-mail one of the directors at howardbishopband@aol.com (Ms. LaVay) or bishopband2@aol.com (Ms. Beres)
HOWARD BISHOP MIDDLE SCHOOL
BAND BOOSTERS
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 4, 2008
Opening
The meeting was called to order by Band Booster President Amy Tackett at 7:00
p.m. Present were Board members Amy Tackett and Treasurer Stuart Cullen, Band
Director Kathy LaVay and Assistant Director Amy Beres, Band Intern Lalaine Papel, and
a number of band parents. Minutes were recorded by Liz Brown.
The following agenda and other items were addressed.
FBA District IV Solo and Ensemble MPA
Ms. LaVay reported that HBMS Band members earned 39 “Superior” and 8
“Excellent” ratings at the February 1-2 MPA’s.
Fundraisers
(1) Red Apple Morley: The next fundraiser will be the Red Apple Morley product
sale. Brochures were being sent home on 2/5/08 and are due back on 2/20/08. The
Band earns 40% of product sales. Volunteers may be needed to assist with compiling
orders for submission to Red Apple, and with distributing orders. The orders arrive prepackaged
for distribution to the students.
(2) Gators Dockside Pancake Breakfast: The breakfast is scheduled for
Saturday, March 15, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Band Booster member Sandra Reichert is
the contact with Gators Dockside. Band Booster members Jeri Rogers and Michelle
Walker volunteered to co-chair the event. The Co-Chairs will coordinate printing,
numbering, and distribution of tickets, and will collect and turn in money. Ms. Beres will
inquire whether the School Board printing office can print the tickets at a reduced cost.
This will be the last opportunity for band members to earn fair share money for
the Spring band trips. It was suggested that the Band Boosters increase ticket prices
from $5.00 to $6.00, but a majority of parents present at the meeting were not in favor
of an increase. It was decided that the first 15 band students who volunteer to work at
the breakfast will be eligible to have the “tips” earned at the breakfast allocated to their
fair share accounts. For each ticket sold, the selling student will receive $2.00 fair
share credit and .50 will go into the “tip” pool for the student workers. The restaurant
receives the remaining $2.50. If we sell more than 600 tickets, Gators Dockside will
provide the cooks for the event.
2
(3) Scrip: Scrip chair Lillian Swanger reported that the next Scrip order deadline
is February 28.
FBA District IV Middle School Concert MPA
The District IV assessment is March 6-8 at Bradford High School in Starke.
Concert Band and Symphonic Winds will participate. The Band directors have
requested Friday March 7 as our assessment date. The date will be announced as
soon as the directors receive it. There may be transportation problems as school buses
may not be available depending upon the assessment time.
Year End Trips
The performance competition trip for Concert Band and Symphonic Winds is
Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18, 2008, in Orlando. Permission and volunteer forms
and were sent home last week. The directors noted that additional parent chaperones
are needed. The Blizzard Beach trip for students who are not attending the competition
trip is Tuesday, May 13.
Ms. Beres noted that chaperone fees must be paid at the same time as student
fees. Payments can be made toward the trip costs. All instrument rental fees must be
paid up in order to be eligible for the trips.
Ms. LaVay advised that more information as to final trip costs for students and
chaperones will be available in the next week or so. She is awaiting additional
information from the festival organizers.
Ms. LaVay also emphasized that all 7
expected to participate in the competition trip and that all members are necessary in
order to have a successful competition.
Fair Share Report
Band Booster Treasurer Stuart Cullen stated that an updated fair share report, to
include the most recent Scrip order, will be posted in the band room soon. The fair
share complete payment is due by the end of April. A summary will be prepared
showing fair share amounts for each student.
Band Wish List
(1) Acoustical tiles: Band member Travis Swanger is coordinating the installation
of acoustical tiles in the band room for his Eagle Scout project.
(2) Batteries: The directors stated that the band needs donations of AAA and AA
batteries.
th and 8th grade band members are3
Other Business
The band directors introduced intern Lalaine Papel. Ms. Papel will be with the
band until February 22, and assisted many band members in preparing for Solo and
Ensemble. She served as an accompanist for many students.
It was announced that the Spring band concert will be on May 8, 2008. Booster
President Amy Tackett noted that the band program is functioning very well this year,
and commended the directors.
Adjournment and Next Meeting
President Tackett adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. The next meeting will be
Monday, March 3, at 7:00 p.m.
Howard Bishop Bands
UPDATE
12/12/07
Don’t forget to visit www.howardbishopband.com on a regular basis to keep track of updates as well!
Winter Concert Information
The Winter Concert FOR ALL BAND MEMBERS is on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2007 as was stated in the 11/13/07 band update. The concert begins at 7:00pm and will be in the Gainesville High School Auditorium. Admission is free. Students must report to the GHS Auditorium and be in their seats, in uniform, with their instrument & music NO LATER THAN 6:30pm. The uniform for this performance is the FORMAL ATTIRE as stated in the yellow band information booklet.
Early Morning Rehearsals
Remaining REQUIRED Early Morning rehearsals for the Concert & Symphonic Bands are as follows:
Concert Band Rehearsal Dates Symphonic Winds Rehearsal Dates
Thursday, December 13, 2007 Monday, December 17, 2007 – additional rehearsal
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Winter Concert Poinsettia Sale
We will be decorating the stage for our Winter Concert with large, red poinsettia plants. These plants are available for advance purchase. The cost for each plant is $10.00 and includes a one-line dedication in the concert program. At the conclusion of the concert, those parents who purchased plants can come to the stage to choose their plants & take them home to enjoy! Order forms went home last week with your child & were also e-mailed home. Checks should be made payable to Howard Bishop Band Boosters. Cash is also accepted. Please turn in all orders to Ms. Beres by Friday, December 14th.
Winter Concert Silent Gift Basket Auction
We will be having a silent auction of various themed gift baskets at our Winter Concert on December 18th. Each section of the band was assigned a theme and is asked to bring in NEW items related to their theme to contribute to the basket. Volunteers will be needed to help assemble the baskets on Friday, December 14th at 2:00pm. If you are able to help, please contact Joanne Leopold at jkoontz_leopold@hotmail.com. A flyer regarding the silent auction went home about two weeks ago & was also e-mailed home. We especially need items for the ENTERTAINMENT, KITCHEN ITEMS & SPA DAY baskets.
Band Uniform Distribution
Uniforms will be distributed to those students who have turned in their uniform payment on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13th. When your child gets the uniform home, please have them try it on and also make sure that the shirt and pants/skirt are nicely ironed and hung up…. NO WRINKLES PLEASE! If you haven’t sent in payment for your child’s uniform yet, please do so immediately. Girls need to remember that they are responsible for providing their own black pantyhose & flat black dress shoes (no high heels). Shoes can be obtained at Walmart for less than $10/pair.
Academy Open House Performance
The Symphonic Winds will be performing at the Howard Bishop Academy Open House on January 23, 2008. We will perform from 6:20-6:40pm. Attire for this performance will be the Bishop Band Polo Shirt, Blue Jeans (NOT shorts) & Sneakers. This is an extremely important performance as it will help determine who our future band members will be! Attendance is required for all Symphonic Winds members. Please mark your calendars now. More details will follow when we return from Winter Break.
Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment
All band students have the opportunity to prepare a solo or participate in an ensemble for the Florida Bandmasters Association Solo & Ensemble Music Performance Assessment. This involves your child learning a piece of music that they will play by themselves along with a piano accompanist. Ms. LaVay & Ms. Beres will help your child pick an appropriate song. The event itself will be held at Kanapaha Middle School on February 1-2, 2008. However, the entry forms & $5.00 entry fee per event are due to Ms. Beres by Tuesday, December 18, 2007. Please e-mail one of the directors if you have any questions.
Band Parent Meeting
We will be having a Howard Bishop Band Parent Meeting on Monday, January 7th at 7:00pm in the bandroom. Parents are needed to help our students be successful! Please be involved however you are able!
QUESTIONS or CONCERNS? Ms. LaVay & Ms. Beres are here for your children. Please give us the opportunity to address any questions or concerns that you may have. We can be reached at (352) 955-6996 or by e-mail at howardbishopband@aol.com (Ms. LaVay) or bishopband2@aol.com (Ms. Beres). Many of your questions can also be answered by visiting our website at www.howardbishopband.com . YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE WEBSITE!
Howard Bishop Bands
UPDATE
12/12/07
Don’t forget to visit www.howardbishopband.com on a regular basis to keep track of updates as well!
Winter Concert Information
The Winter Concert FOR ALL BAND MEMBERS is on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2007 as was stated in the 11/13/07 band update. The concert begins at 7:00pm and will be in the Gainesville High School Auditorium. Admission is free. Students must report to the GHS Auditorium and be in their seats, in uniform, with their instrument & music NO LATER THAN 6:30pm. The uniform for this performance is the FORMAL ATTIRE as stated in the yellow band information booklet.
Early Morning Rehearsals
Remaining REQUIRED Early Morning rehearsals for the Concert & Symphonic Bands are as follows:
Concert Band Rehearsal Dates Symphonic Winds Rehearsal Dates
Thursday, December 13, 2007 Monday, December 17, 2007 – additional rehearsal
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Winter Concert Poinsettia Sale
We will be decorating the stage for our Winter Concert with large, red poinsettia plants. These plants are available for advance purchase. The cost for each plant is $10.00 and includes a one-line dedication in the concert program. At the conclusion of the concert, those parents who purchased plants can come to the stage to choose their plants & take them home to enjoy! Order forms went home last week with your child & were also e-mailed home. Checks should be made payable to Howard Bishop Band Boosters. Cash is also accepted. Please turn in all orders to Ms. Beres by Friday, December 14th.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Winter Concert Silent Gift Basket Auction
We will be having a silent auction of various themed gift baskets at our Winter Concert on December 18th. Each section of the band was assigned a theme and is asked to bring in NEW items related to their theme to contribute to the basket. Volunteers will be needed to help assemble the baskets on Friday, December 14th at 2:00pm. If you are able to help, please contact Joanne Leopold at jkoontz_leopold@hotmail.com. A flyer regarding the silent auction went home about two weeks ago & was also e-mailed home. We especially need items for the ENTERTAINMENT, KITCHEN ITEMS & SPA DAY baskets.
Band Uniform Distribution
Uniforms will be distributed to those students who have turned in their uniform payment on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13th. When your child gets the uniform home, please have them try it on and also make sure that the shirt and pants/skirt are nicely ironed and hung up…. NO WRINKLES PLEASE! If you haven’t sent in payment for your child’s uniform yet, please do so immediately. Girls need to remember that they are responsible for providing their own black pantyhose & flat black dress shoes (no high heels). Shoes can be obtained at Walmart for less than $10/pair.
Academy Open House Performance
The Symphonic Winds will be performing at the Howard Bishop Academy Open House on January 23, 2008. We will perform from 6:20-6:40pm. Attire for this performance will be the Bishop Band Polo Shirt, Blue Jeans (NOT shorts) & Sneakers. This is an extremely important performance as it will help determine who our future band members will be! Attendance is required for all Symphonic Winds members. Please mark your calendars now. More details will follow when we return from Winter Break.
Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment
All band students have the opportunity to prepare a solo or participate in an ensemble for the Florida Bandmasters Association Solo & Ensemble Music Performance Assessment. This involves your child learning a piece of music that they will play by themselves along with a piano accompanist. Ms. LaVay & Ms. Beres will help your child pick an appropriate song. The event itself will be held at Kanapaha Middle School on February 1-2, 2008. However, the entry forms & $5.00 entry fee per event are due to Ms. Beres by Tuesday, December 18, 2007. Please e-mail one of the directors if you have any questions.
Band Parent Meeting
We will be having a Howard Bishop Band Parent Meeting on Monday, January 7th at 7:00pm in the bandroom. Parents are needed to help our students be successful! Please be involved however you are able!
QUESTIONS or CONCERNS? Ms. LaVay & Ms. Beres are here for your children. Please give us the opportunity to address any questions or concerns that you may have. We can be reached at (352) 955-6996 or by e-mail at howardbishopband@aol.com (Ms. LaVay) or bishopband2@aol.com (Ms. Beres). Many of your questions can also be answered by visiting our website at www.howardbishopband.com . YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE WEBSITE!
Howard Bishop Bands UPDATE 1/14/08 Don’t forget to visit www.howardbishopband.com on a regular basis to keep track of updates as well! Early Morning Rehearsals The Concert Band & Symphonic Winds are now preparing for their District Concert Music Performance Assessment. Early Morning Rehearsals are an integral part of our preparation. Rehearsals run from 8:15-9:10am. The dates of REQUIRED Early Morning rehearsals for the Concert & Symphonic Bands are as follows: Concert Band Rehearsal Dates Symphonic Winds Rehearsal Dates January 17, 2008 January 15, 2008 January 24, 2008 January 22, 2008 January 31, 2008 January 29, 2008 February 7, 2008 February 5, 2008 February 14, 2008 February 12, 2008 February 21, 2008 February 19, 2008 February 28, 2008 February 26, 2008 March 6, 2008 March 4, 2008 Academy Open House Performance The Symphonic Winds will be performing at the Howard Bishop Academy Open House on January 23, 2008. Students will be staying afterschool for rehearsal & 30 minutes of homework time. We will be feeding the students pizza, cookies/Little Debbie Snacks and drinks. This is an extremely important performance as it will help determine who our future band members will be! Attendance is required for all Symphonic Winds members. Students will be dismissed from the bandroom at approximately 7:00pm. The uniform for this performance is the Bishop Band Polo Shirt, Long Blue Jeans and Sneakers. Help Needed for Academy Open House Performance Volunteers are needed for the following:
Donations Needed for Academy Open House Performance (can be dropped off at the bandroom at any time!)
Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment Students who signed up to do a solo or ensemble at FBA Solo & Ensemble should have contacted a piano accompanist by now if the music selected calls for one. Piano accompanists are not optional. If you have yet to locate a piano accompanist for your child, here are a few names of accompanists you can try: Russ Irish (lives in Alachua) - (386) 462-2066 Ms. Papel (Bishop Band Student Intern) – (Call the bandroom for more info.) – (352) 955-6996 Band Parent Meeting We will be having a Howard Bishop Band Parent Meeting on Monday, February 4th at 7:00pm in the bandroom. Parents are needed to help our students be successful! Please be involved however you are able! Bandroom Wishlist
Band End-of-Year Trips Plans for the Band End-of-Year Trips are now finalized. The Beginning Band will be traveling to Blizzard Beach on May 13th. The cost for each student for the Blizzard Beach trip will be $75.00. Payment #1 ($25.00) will be due on January 31st. The Concert Band/Symphonic Winds will be traveling to Orlando to participate in a performance competition and then go to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. The cost for each student for this trip is $300.00. Payment #1 of $75.00 will be due on January 31st. Please note that fair share must be met and any band fees must be paid in order to be eligible for this Band Booster sponsored trip. Trip packets (contract, medical forms, etc..) will be posted on the website and sent home shortly. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ | <><><><><>
Howard Bishop Bands
UPDATE
11/13/07
Don’t forget to visit www.howardbishopband.com on a regular basis to keep track of updates as well!
Winter Concert DATE CHANGE!
The Winter Concert that was originally scheduled for Thursday, December 13th will now take place on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18th.
We have been invited to present our Winter Concert together with the bands at Gainesville High School this year. This should be considered an honor for our students to share the spotlight with such a fine band program. This also helps us to save on the cost of renting a facility to perform in. Mark your calendars and note the new date!
Early Morning Rehearsals
Early morning rehearsals will begin the week after Thanksgiving for the Concert Band & Symphonic Winds. Rehearsals begin at 8:15am and are REQUIRED of Concert Band & Symphonic Winds members. As was mentioned in the yellow band information book, points are deducted for being late to/missing rehearsals.
Concert Band Rehearsal Dates Symphonic Winds Rehearsal Dates
Thursday, November 29, 2007 Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007 Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007 Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Band Apparel
We have plenty of 2007-08 Bishop Band T-Shirts and polo shirts IN STOCK! If your child still does not have a polo shirt or if you plan on chaperoning any band activities this year, you will need to purchase one. Polo shirts are $18.00each (Youth Medium-Adult XXL) and T-Shirts are $10.00 each (Youth Medium –Adult XXXL). GET YOURS TODAY and display your BISHOP BAND PRIDE!
PRISM Concert Field Trip
The PRISM Concert Field Trip is almost here! Don’t forget that those students/chaperones who have paid will be attending the PRISM Concert in Tallahassee on Thursday, November 29th. Your child will be excused from 6th period class to board the buses. We plan on departing HBMS at approximately 2:45pm and we will return at midnight. The required attire for this field trip is the Bishop Band Polo Shirt, Blue Jeans & Sneakers. We will be stopping to eat dinner before the concert. The meal is NOT INCLUDED in the trip cost. Your child should need no more than $10.00 in spending money as there are no souvenirs to purchase. Please make sure to be prompt in picking up your child as it will have been a long day for everyone. Students who are not attending the trip will be attending their regular 6th period class.
Band Parent Meeting
We will be having a Howard Bishop Band Parent Meeting on Monday, December 3rd at 7:00pm in the bandroom. Parents are needed to help our students be successful! Please be involved however you are able!
Practice Records / Student Progress
Please continue to help your child remember to submit their practice records every Monday. Practice records are band “homework” for the nine-weeks. Also, if you ever want to drop us a quick e-mail to find out how your child is doing in band, don’t hesitate to do so! Our contact information is listed below.
Winter Concert Silent Gift Basket Auction
We will be having a silent auction of various themed gift baskets at our Winter Concert on December 18th. Each section of the band will be assigned a theme and will be asked to bring in NEW items related to their theme to contribute to the basket. Specific details will be sent home as soon as we return from Thanksgiving vacation. Volunteers will be needed to help assemble the baskets. Be on the look-out for more information to follow.
QUESTIONS or CONCERNS? Ms. LaVay & Ms. Beres are here for your children. Please give us the opportunity to address any questions or concerns that you may have. We can be reached at (352) 955-6996 or by e-mail at howardbishopband@aol.com (Ms. LaVay) or bishopband2@aol.com (Ms. Beres). Many of your questions can also be answered by visiting our website at www.howardbishopband.com . YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE WEBSITE!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Howard Bishop Bands
UPDATE
10/11/07
Don’t forget to visit www.howardbishopband.com on a regular basis to keep track of updates as well!
Alachua County Fair Performance
As per tradition, members of the Concert Band and Symphonic Winds will be performing at the Alachua County Fair on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. Students must arrive at the fairgrounds and be in their seats no later than 6:30pm. The performance begins at 7:00pm and students should be released somewhere around 8:30pm. The required uniform for this performance will be the official Bishop Band polo shirt, plain blue jeans, socks & sneakers. If your child still does not own a Bishop Band polo shirt, we still have some available for purchase (see ordering information below). Students may also borrow a polo shirt (as long as it is in good condition) from someone who was in the Bishop Band last year or from a parent who is not using theirs. The polo shirt is the same this year as it was last year.
Alachua County Fair Fundraiser
WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS TO WORK A SHIFT AT THE FAIR! IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP YET, PLEASE CONTACT MRS. BURGESS ASAP TO HELP THE BAND OUT…..WE NEED YOU DESPERATELY!
The Alachua County Fair Fundraiser is THE most important and the easiest fundraiser for the Bishop Bands! We man the ticket booths at the entrance gate and sell admission tickets to patrons coming to the fair. Fair workers earn between $5-7 per hour worked. We are asking that each family sign up for at least one shift to work at the fair to help us make this fundraiser a success! Please help us by doing your part. The chairperson for the Alachua County Fair fundraiser is Rebecca Burgess. She can be reached at burgessrc@gmail.com.
Polo Shirts/Band Apparel
Polo Shirts ARE IN! We still have polo shirts available (mostly youth medium & youth large) for $18.00 each. All members of Concert Band & Symphonic Winds are required to have a band polo shirt. Members of Beginning Band are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to purchase a polo shirt as well. If you ordered a band t-shirt for your child, we anticipate those to be delivered to us sometime around October 18th. Jackets will be in sometime after that.
Cookie Dough Delivery Date
If your child participated in the Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough Fundraiser, cookie dough will be available for pickup on Wednesday, October 24th from 3:00pm-7:00pm. If you know that you have a large order, please make arrangements to get it picked up. It would help the band parents out a lot if you were able to e-mail Amy Tackett or Liz Brown, cookie dough chairpersons to give them an estimate as to what time you plan on picking up your cookie dough so that they can ensure it is ready for you. Mrs. Tackett can be reached at amyrt524@yahoo.com . Mrs. Brown can be reached at barney4liz@cox.net.
Smart Music
If you have yet to order your child a subscription to Smart Music, your child is really missing out! We have been using Smart Music in class EVERYDAY and have begun to give the class assignments that will necessitate your child having Smart Music at home. The cost of a subscription is $25.00 for the entire year (365 days from the time you order it), $15.00 for the Smart Music microphone & $4.95 for shipping & handling. Simply go to www.smartmusic.com and when prompted for your school’s code, enter howardbishopband1. This code entitles you to the special reduced subscription price. If you do not feel comfortable using your personal credit card for an internet transaction, feel free to send in the money to school and Ms. LaVay or Ms. Beres would be happy to take care of it for you….. WE BELIEVE IN THE VALUE OF THIS PROGRAM THAT MUCH! At the beginning of the year, it was stated that Smart Music was optional, however now that we have seen the benefits of having Smart Music and how it helps our students, we really want every student to have it. If you do not have internet access at home or need assistance obtaining Smart Music, please contact Ms. LaVay or Ms. Beres.
PRISM Concert Field Trip – SOLD OUT!
We reserved 3 buses and ordered a total of 160 tickets and are currently ALL SOLD OUT! Remember, the total cost of the trip is $40.00. Don’t forget that the remaining balance (for those parents who have only turned in the deposit) is due by October 31, 2007. Students who do not have the remaining balance paid by the deadline will forfeit their seat to someone else who comes up with full payment. Students who do not pay the remaining balance due by the deadline WILL NOT be eligible for a refund for any deposits paid.
Band Booster Board Meeting
We will be having a Howard Bishop Band Boosters Board Meeting on Monday, November 5th at 7:00pm in the bandroom. Parents are needed to help our students be successful! Please be involved however you are able!
QUESTIONS or CONCERNS? Ms. LaVay & Ms. Beres are here for your children. Please give us the opportunity to address any questions or concerns that you may have. We can be reached at (352) 955-6996 or by e-mail at howardbishopband@aol.com (Ms. LaVay) or bishopband2@aol.com (Ms. Beres). Many of your questions can also be answered by visiting our website at www.howardbishopband.com . YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE WEBSITE!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Howard Bishop Bands
UPDATE
9/26/07
Don’t forget to visit www.howardbishopband.com on a regular basis to keep track of updates as well!
Symphonic Winds Open House Performance
As per tradition, the Symphonic Winds (5th period) will be performing at Open House for HBMS. Open House is on September 27, 2007 (TOMORROW!). The students will be expected to stay afterschool for rehearsal. Pizza will be provided to those performing for dinner. The performance begins at approximately 6:00pm and students will be released as soon as the performance is over and equipment has been put away. Attire for this performance will be the official Bishop Band polo shirt, blue jeans and sneakers. Thank you to those parents who contributed money to cover the cost of pizza and/or drinks to help us feed the students!
Cookie Dough Fundraiser
Congratulations to Jarrod Clarizio & Beth Volante for being the top sellers for our Cookie Dough Fundraiser! Both Jarrod & Beth sold over $600 in cookie dough each earning them a free trip to Blizzard Beach! Overall, we sold 1049 tubs of cookie dough (MUCH MORE than last year’s sale)! Great job Bishop Band Family!!!!!!!!!! Cookie Dough is expected to be delivered somewhere during the week of October 22nd or October 29th . The week of October 29th is more likely to be the date. As soon as we are given an exact date for delivery, it will be passed on to you. Cookie Dough is usually available for pick-up between 2:00-5:30pm on delivery day.
Alachua County Fair Fundraiser
The Alachua County Fair Fundraiser is THE most important and the easiest fundraiser for the Bishop Bands! We man the ticket booths at the entrance gate and sell admission tickets to patrons coming to the fair. Fair workers earn between $5-7 per hour worked. We are asking that each family sign up for at least one shift to work at the fair to help us make this fundraiser a success! Please help us by doing your part. The chairperson for the Alachua County Fair fundraiser is Rebecca Burgess. She can be reached at burgessrc@gmail.com.
PRISM Concert Field Trip
Due to the OVERWHELMING response to the PRISM Concert Field Trip opportunity, we reserved a third bus for this trip. We ordered a total of 160 tickets and only have SIX TICKETS REMAINING! If you still haven’t turned in your permission form or if you are a parent who would like to chaperone and haven’t let us know yet, get your permission form and $20.00 deposit turned in so one of the remaining seats can be yours! The total cost of the trip is $40.00. Don’t forget that the remaining balance (for those parents who have only turned in the deposit) is due by October 31, 2007.
Class Materials
We are doing a much better job of having all of our materials for class, however many of our brass players are forgetting to bring their spit rags with them everyday. Having a spit rag in class for each child not only prevents the bandroom carpet from getting dirty and stained; it also prevents the spread of germs between students (and directors! J ). Each brass player was given a spit rag so there should be no reason that a student is without one. Please help your child remember to wash their spit rag each week to keep it clean! Thanks for your help!
Smart Music
If you have yet to order your child a subscription to Smart Music, your child is really missing out! We have been using Smart Music in class EVERYDAY and will very shortly be giving class assignments that will necessitate your child having Smart Music at home. The cost of a subscription is $25.00 for the entire year (365 days from the time you order it), $15.00 for the Smart Music microphone & $4.95 for shipping & handling. Simply go to www.smartmusic.com and when prompted for your school’s code, enter howardbishopband1. This code entitles you to the special reduced subscription price. If you do not feel comfortable using your personal credit card for an internet transaction, feel free to send in the money to school and Ms. LaVay or Ms. Beres would be happy to take care of it for you….. WE BELIEVE IN THE VALUE OF THIS PROGRAM THAT MUCH!
Band Booster Board Meeting
We will be having a Howard Bishop Band Boosters Board Meeting on Monday, October 1st at 7:00pm in the bandroom. Parents are needed to help our students be successful! Please be involved however you are able to …… Topics of discussion include: cookie dough fundraiser wrap-up, Alachua County Fair Performance/Fundraiser, & Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser.
QUESTIONS or CONCERNS? Ms. LaVay & Ms. Beres are here for your children. Please give us the opportunity to address any questions or concerns that you may have. We can be reached at (352) 955-6996 or by e-mail at howardbishopband@aol.com (Ms. LaVay) or bishopband2@aol.com (Ms. Beres). Many of your questions can also be answered by visiting our website at www.howardbishopband.com . YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE WEBSITE!
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Howard Bishop Bands
UPDATE
9/6/07
We are ending Week #3 of school and things are continuing to get better and better! A few things on the calendar/previous updates have changed so make sure to read everything on this update very carefully! Don’t forget to visit www.howardbishopband.com on a regular basis to keep track of updates as well!
Cookie Dough Fundraiser
WOW! Our cookie dough sale is off to a fantastic start! We have already sold over 400 tubs of cookie dough and the count is rising everyday! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND SELL THAT COOKIE DOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Band Orientation Night
The Band Booster Board has decided to change the format of the Band Orientation Night. Band Orientation Night will be on Tuesday, September 18th at 7:00pm and will be an informational meeting and the opportunity to sign up for committees. Band Orientation will provide parents with all the information that they will need regarding band activities, policies and procedures and topics such as band fees, fair share, performance requirements, etc. At least one parent of every band member is expected to attend this meeting. Students are welcome to come with their parents, but it is not required. We ask that if students do attend with their parents that all electronic devices are left at home. We look forward to seeing all of you on Tuesday the 18th!
Band Dance
On Thursday, September 20th, the Band Student Leadership Committee is holding our first band dance of the year! Band members are invited to come to the bandroom for an afternoon of music and dancing! The dance will be from 3:45-6:00pm. Your child is allowed to bring one friend who is not a band member. All students attending the dance must have a signed permission form. There is a $5.00 per person charge to enter the dance. Snacks and drinks will also be sold. If you are available to chaperone this activity, please call or e-mail Ms. LaVay or Ms. Beres. We must have enough parents volunteer to be chaperones for the band dance or it will have to be cancelled.
PRISM Concert Field Trip
The Bishop Bands have a fantastic opportunity to travel to Tallahassee on November 29, 2007 for a performance of the PRISM Concert, sponsored by the Florida State University School of Music Band Department. This concert is absolutely incredible! Students and parents alike will be amazed to hear this performance. You won’t want to miss it! The cost of this trip for students and chaperones is $40.00 per person. Tickets sell out very quickly! In order to attend, your child will need a signed permission form and a $20.00 deposit turned in to Ms. Beres no later than 9:00am on Thursday, September 13, 2007. We currently have approximately 80 seats remaining but remember that the Bishop Bands have almost 170 students so those seats will go quickly!
Symphonic Winds Open House Performance
As per tradition, the Symphonic Winds (5th period) will be performing at Open House for HBMS. Open House is on September 27, 2007. The students will be expected to stay afterschool for rehearsal. Pizza will be provided to those performing for dinner. The performance begins at approximately 6:00pm and students will be released as soon as the performance is over and equipment has been put away. Attire for this performance will be the official Bishop Band polo shirt, blue jeans and sneakers.
Class Materials
Please remember that in addition to the instrument-specific supplies needed, every band member should have a black 1” binder with page protectors, pencil, highlighter, red or green pen and their Standard of Excellence Book (Vol. 1 – red cover for beginners and Vol. 2 – blue cover for Concert Band and Symphonic Winds). We still have several students who are coming to class unprepared. Please make sure that your child has all of these materials/supplies by Monday, September 10, 2007. After that point, parents will be contacted and students will start losing points off of their grade for not being prepared for class. If you need assistance obtaining any of these items, please don’t hesitate to speak with Ms. LaVay or Ms. Beres. We are here to help you!
Tuners
Hoggtowne Music (352) 271-4772 has made available a portable tuner with a clip-on pickup for a special price of $20.00 each. This is a great deal for such a useful piece of equipment. We encourage every band member to have one for use at home. You will not find a tuner and pickup cheaper than this price. Make sure to stop by Hoggtowne Music and get your tuner today if you don’t have one already!
QUESTIONS or CONCERNS? Ms. LaVay & Ms. Beres are here for your children. Please give us the opportunity to address any questions or concerns that you may have. We can be reached at (352) 955-6996 or by e-mail at howardbishopband@aol.com (Ms. LaVay) or bishopband2@aol.com (Ms. Beres). Many of your questions can also be answered by visiting our website at www.howardbishopband.com . YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE WEBSITE!
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Howard Bishop Bands
UPDATE
The first two weeks of school have been absolutely great for the Bishop Bands! We sense the excitement of the students and the parents already and can only imagine how fantastic this year is going to be! You should be receiving an update similar to this one on a weekly to bi-weekly basis throughout the year. The update will be sent home in hard copy, available on the band website and sometimes e-mailed to you as well.
Cookie Dough Fundraiser
Yesterday, all band members received an Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough brochure. This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. Everyone loves this cookie dough….IT SELLS WELL! Students are to take orders and collect money up front. All orders and payment are due by Monday, September 17th. Additional brochures, order forms & payment envelopes are available in the bandroom.
Beginning Band
We had a wonderful instrument night this past Tuesday. Don’t forget that we will be starting on our instruments on Tuesday, September 4th. Make sure that you have your instrument and all of your supplies by this date!
Band Orientation Night
Our traditional Band Covered Dish Orientation Night has been changed from September 13th to September 18th due to a conflict with the Rosh Hashanah holiday. It is important that every band family has a parent attend the orientation so that you are acquainted with the policies & procedures of the Bishop Bands. Orientation begins at 6:30pm in the HBMS cafeteria. Look for an update about Orientation Night the week of September 4th. Hope to see all of you there!
Band Dance
On Thursday, September 20th, the Band Student Leadership Committee is holding our first band dance of the year! Band members are invited to come to the bandroom for an afternoon of music and dancing! The dance will be from 3:45-6:00pm. Your child is allowed to bring one friend who is not a band member. All students attending the dance must have a signed permission form. There is a $5.00 per person charge to enter the dance. Snacks and drinks will also be sold. If you are available to chaperone this activity, please call or e-mail Ms. LaVay or Ms. Beres.
All-State Band Auditions
All-State auditions will be on Saturday, September 22nd at
Early Morning Practice
Students have been given a laminated pass that allows them to come to the bandroom from 8:30-9:10am on Monday-Thursday for early morning extra help. Students who come for extra help in the mornings will be expected to remain in the bandroom once they enter. They must be practicing during this time or they will be sent to their designated area.
Students MUST have their pass with them in order to be able to come to the bandroom in the mornings to practice.
Bishop Band Apparel
We are getting ready to place our order for shirts, backpacks & jackets. If you have not turned yours in yet, please make sure to get them to Ms. LaVay or Ms. Beres immediately! Every band member needs the 2007-2008 Bishop Band T-Shirts. Students who are in Concert Band & Symphonic Winds are required to have the polo shirt as well. Beginning Band members are highly encouraged to purchase the polo shirt, but it is not required of them.
School Shirt Day
Every Wednesday is School Shirt Day at Bishop! Bishop Band members who wear their band t-shirt or band polo shirt will receive extra credit points for showing their Bishop Band spirit! It is up to the student to show the directors that they are wearing their band shirt to receive the extra credit points.
QUESTIONS or CONCERNS? Ms. LaVay & Ms. Beres are here for your children. Please give us the opportunity to address any questions or concerns that you may have. We can be reached at (352) 955-6996 or by e-mail at howardbishopband@aol.com (Ms. LaVay) or bishopband2@aol.com (Ms. Beres). Many of your questions can also be answered by visiting our website at www.howardbishopband.com . YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE WEBSITE!
Howard Bishop Bands
UPDATE
Don’t forget to visit www.howardbishopband.com on a regular basis to keep track of updates as well!
VERY IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ THIS UPDATE IN ITS ENTIRETY!!!!!!
This Friday,
Students will follow an altered schedule on Friday. An itinerary was sent home with the schedule last week. We will leave HBMS between 2:30-3:00pm and will return at approx. 10:00pm . Members of Symphonic Winds will need to bring lunch FROM HOME on Friday due to the altered schedule. All other students will be able to attend their regularly scheduled lunch period.
VERY IMPORTANT! Students need to bring their formal band uniform (pants or skirt, tux shirt, shoes, cummerbund, bowtie, etc) ironed & on a hanger in plastic or a garment bag to the bandroom on Friday morning before school to hang it up. Please make sure your child’s bag is clearly marked on the outside with their name. During the school day, students are to wear their Bishop Band polo shirt w/jeans & sneakers. Students will change back into this after their performance.
Each student will be given a bagged snack as they get on the bus to tide them over until after their performance. It will consist of: bottle of water, peanut butter & jelly sandwich (please let us know if your child has any nut allergies), chips, little Debbie cake & an apple or banana.
Remember that part of the music performance assessment experience is to listen to other bands. With that in mind, please understand that students will not be dismissed until 8:30pm .
Upon our return to HBMS,
Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Ticket sales for the March 15th pancake breakfast at Gator’s Dockside are slow going. This was a very profitable fundraiser for us in the fall. Please help us to make it profitable in the spring too! Tickets can be checked out from the band office in increments of 10 as long as Ms. Beres has received a parent e-mail or signed parent note saying it is ok to send tickets home with your child. We know that parents are asked to help with many school fundraising projects throughout the year, but we really need your help on this one! Please contact Michele Walker at himalone4me@windstream.net if you are able to help the morning of the breakfast.
Concert Band/Symphonic Winds End-of-Year Trips
The Concert Band & Symphonic Winds will be participating in a music performance competition in
As a reward for meeting fair share and instrument fees, all band members are eligible to attend the
Band Pictures
On Thursday, March 13th, each band member will have individual portraits taken with their band instrument. This will take place during your child’s regularly scheduled band class. Students will need their formal band uniform (tux shirt, pants/skirt, black shoes, cummerbund, bowtie, etc…) for these pictures. The uniforms should be brought to the bandroom ironed and on a hanger marked with your child’s name before school on picture day. There is no obligation to purchase pictures, however everyone’s picture is taken for the composite photograph that gets hung up in the bandroom. If you do wish to purchase pictures, proofs will be sent home with an order form a few days after the pictures are taken.
Fair Share Statements
In the next day or so, your child will be receiving an envelope from the Bishop Band Boosters with a statement of their fairshare account. It will show you how much you earned from each fundraiser & any personal fair share payments that have been turned in. If you met the minimum fair share of $100 and exceeded that amount by raising over $150, the statement will also show you how much money you have earned that can be applied toward your band trip. If there are any discrepancies or questions about the fair share statements, please contact our Band Booster Treasurer, Stuart Cullen at stuartcullen@cox.net. The band directors are not authorized to discuss financial questions, nor do they have the information to provide the answers you are looking for.
Bandroom Wishlist
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