Harrisonburg High School Band Boosters
Monday, March 10, 2014
HHS Band Room
Call to Order (Clark Upton, President)
Secretary’s Report (Brooke Blankenship) – February meeting minutes approved with the following corrections:
Band Fees – A motion was made and a vote passed to raise band fees to $150 per child for the 2014-2015 school year.
Leadership for Next Year – The current timeline in our bylaws requires that we submit nominations for the board in March and hold the election at the May Band Booster meeting.
These corrections will be italicized in the February report.
Treasurer's Report (Louise Pierson, Michele Cavoto)
Louise noted a few changes to add line items for Exposure Manager and 2014 New Fundraiser Lines
Golf Cart expenses are now under Marching Band Vehicles/Transportation (out of Misc. expenses)
We are currently under budget with the upcoming expenses for the remainder of the school year:
* Popcorn Machine
* Uniform/gown cleaning
* Scholarships
* Middle school expenses
* End of Year Picnic
* Spring Concert Reception
* Middle School Awards
Michele Cavoto reported that there are no outstanding marching band fees from Fall 2013.
Old Business
Bob Adamek (father of Jack, ’14) updated us on Performance Manager, the online photo service we are using to house current marching band photos for sale to friends/families. In addition to the shots he has already taken, he will also be combing through band and concert photos to upload, offering more pictcures to family and friends and additional revenue to Band Boosters. Bob presented an offer to take photos of students in concert dress (i.e., at the Spring concerts).
New Business
Visiting Artist/Clinic/Live Performance (Bob Adamek) - We have the opportunity to have Bonerama, a professional three-trombone jazz/funk/rock and roll band from New Orleans, visit HHS and hold a student clinic. The band is not only known for their out-of-the-box brass band performances but also their enthusiasm to share hands-on interactive learning experiences with students in a group setting. Bonerama would piggyback this event with a master class at JMU and a live performance at Clementine. The group will be in the area on Monday, March 31st. The HHS event will be open to Fine Arts students and parents. The fee to have the group come will be split between HHS, JMU and cover charges from Clementine. Bob requested that we consider subsidizing the cost from Band Booster Funds. A motion was made, voted on and approved to bring in the group, pull $200 from the booster Summer Band Camp Scholarship budget and replenish it with proceeds from the Applebee’s fundraiser to be held on April 5th.
Director Report (JR Snow)
Mr. Snow updated us on upcoming events:
District Assessments (March 14)
Tiny Tots (March 18-20)
District Jazz Band (March 19)
All-State Band, hosted at Virginia Tech (April 3-5)
Director Report (Ian Richard)
Mr. Richard reported that he will be accompanying our two HHS students (Abe Nouri, trombone and Hollyn Sluykheis, trumpet), who auditioned and were selected to participate in this year’s All-State Band Weekend. This is a premier event showcasing the best high school musicians from all over Virginia. Abe and Hollyn auditioned among hundreds of students.
Director Report (Daniel Upton)
Mr. Upton coordinated a trip last summer for students to attend/observe a Drum Corps International (DCI) competition in Salem, Va. The trip was so successful that Mr. Upton would like to coordinate a return trip this year. The competition is scheduled for July 29. More information is to come.
Band Fees
Our directors and band boosters rely heavily on knowing the number of committed student marchers before the beginning of the next school year. Directors need numbers for such things as selecting and arranging music, creating drill and special effects, competition commitments and travel. The boosters need to be able to accurately forecast costs for concessions, uniforms, transportation and volunteer support. It was recommended that we require a non-refundable commitment “down payment” by May 27 for students to reserve their spot in competitive marching band. This includes fees for both returning new students. A recommendation for the following was discussed:
Band Fee: $150 with $75 paid by May 27. Families with more than one child in band will get a discounted rate of $100 with $50 paid by May 27.
Since these fees cannot be placed in the Band Booster account before July 1, the beginning of Fiscal Year 2014-2015, Louise recommended that we opening a savings account to deposit these funds and then move them to the regular band booster account after July 1.
A motion was made, voted on and approved to assess and collect a commitment fee for the figures listed above, due by May 27.
Committee Reports
Concessions (Amy Labarge)
Amy confirmed that the broken popcorn popper indeed belongs to the band. We have the option to replace it with a larger one. Amy is investigating pricing for a new machine. Clark Upton noted he has a contact that can provide us the opportunity to offer kettle corn as a concession item as well.
Uniforms (Sharon King)
Funds for new uniforms have been approved by the city and uniforms are now on order.
Transportation (Marty Doss)– Marty and Hector Bosch are assembling volunteers for a building day on the band truck. We are still looking for a driver. Marty has two individuals he is working with to see if they would consider driving for us.
Fundraising (Clark Upton) – The Applebee's pancake fundraiser is coming up on April 5th. Each student is required to sell at least four tickets at $5.00 each. Payment by check can be payable to the HHS Band Boosters. Ticket money will be turned in to Michele Cavoto. Student Leadership is coordinating volunteers (servers, clean-up) and distributing tickets for students to sell. The timeline is as follows:
Week 3/10 – Prepare and print tickets
Week 3/17 – Students distribute and sell tickets
Week 3/24 - Spring Break
Week 3/31 – Students will turn in money. The event will be held on Saturday, April 5th.
Student Leadership (Michael Knapp)
Michael Knapp came to the meeting to represent the Student Leadership team in requesting funds for composition and recording resources in the band room. He presented a Band Audio Request (see handout). Highlights include:
$200 MIDI keyboard for composition and recording for Finale and Garage Band (software programs)
$126 Headphones (2nd priority)
The team also requested a vacuum for band use only as foot traffic significantly exceeds that of other classrooms at HHS. The cost would run between $100 to $200. Michael is going to do some research (i.e., Costco Online) on pricing.
A motion was made, voted on and approved to provide funds up to $400 out of the Student Leadership Materials Fund to purchase a new keyboard and vacuum. We will hold on purchasing headphones for now.
Nominations of Officers
Proposed Slate of Officers - vote in April
President - Dawn Ruple
Vice President - Greta Willis
Treasurers - Louise Pierson (helper during band camp - Michele Cavoto, Jackie Rohrer)
Secretary - Brooke Blankenship
Scholarship Committee (Michele Cavoto)
Michele reported that applications for our booster college scholarships will go out to students in April with the scholarship to be awarded in May. There will be more details to follow at our April meeting.
Tiny Tots (Amy Labarge)r
Pre-K students from city, county, JMU Young Children's Program and other organizations will be visiting HHS to hear our bands perform and get live instrument demonstrations.
Next Meeting: Monday, April 7, 2014 at 7PM in the band room. Please note: Our June Booster meeting will take place on May 27 from 6pm to 8pm, in the HHS auditorium. Parents and students (current and rising freshman) are invited to attend.
Submitted by Brooke Blankenship