June 2017
Welcome to all New and Returning Band Boosters!
The Amherst Band Boosters’ charter is to support the Amherst High School Instrumental Music Department. The Boosters financially support band camp activities, senior night, sheet music purchases, music scholarships, student awards and more. In addition, we support the band program by donating our time as band camp volunteers, committee members, fund raisers, and chaperones.
The Booster organization is open to parents, grandparents, family and friends, and there is no membership fee! See the Amherst Band Booster Registration Form for a complete list of volunteer opportunities.
Amherst Band Boosters meetings:
Date: 4th Tuesday of the month, year round (no December meeting)
Time: 6:30 pm (June Open House 6:00pm)
Location: Amherst High School Band Room.
Summer Highlights:
- June 27: Band Orientation & Booster Open House. Come join us from 6:00 – 8:00 pm in the Amherst High School Band Room. Incoming freshmen and new band members will need to be fitted for their marching band uniform. Fittings are from 4 – 5:30 pm this day only. (band lobby)
- Band camp volunteer signups begin. Needed: lunch & dinner servers.
- July 2, 9, 16: Our first fundraiser of the band season is the summer car washes. Students are expected to attend at least one car wash, preferably as assigned, because these fund the Band Camp Lock-in. NOTE: The car washes are before July rehearsals begin, so be sure to mark your calendars now!
- July 30-August 4: Boosters supply desserts Sunday. Students are asked to bring desserts as follows: Monday – Sophomores; Tuesday – Juniors; Wednesday – Freshmen; Thursday – Seniors
- August 17: Band Lock-In.
- September 23: Steak Fry. 5 – 10 p.m. As information becomes available, it will be posted on our website. Look under the “Booster, Fundraising” tab.
For all booster forms and announcements, visit our websiteat .
If you have questions, feel free to email us at or contact a booster board member directly. We look forward to working with you this year!
2017-2018 Amherst Band Booster Executive Board:
President:Jeff
Vice President:Jean
Treasurer:Valerie
Recording Secretary:Nancy
Corresponding Secretary:Amy
2017 Summer Car Wash Fundraisers
@ Tuffy
101 North Leavitt Road, Amherst
Sundays, July 2, 9, 16
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
All band members are asked to attend at least one car wash. The money raised will help fund the Band Camp Lock-In on August 17th. If you cannot attend your assigned car wash, come to another one. Attendance will be taken and band members not attending at least one car wash will be on cleanup duty for lunch or dinner during band camp week.
This year we will be offering pre-sale tickets. Tickets will be available at the orientation meeting and by contacting Joe Houghtland at .
July 2Baritones, Percussion, Tubas
July 9Trombones, Guard, Saxophones
July 16Trumpets, Mellophones
(Drum major must attend each car wash.)
Invite your family and friends!!
______
Hat Drive / Rain Coats Update
On March 6th, 2017 we kicked off the Hat Drive to raise $9100 in funds to purchase 140 new hats at the Festival of Bands. The news spread quickly, with donations coming in, we were able to secure enough funds to purchase 140 new hats along with 140 new boxes for the hats on March 25th. We are excited to hit the fields this fall, proudly, with our new hats. We currently have collected over $5000 in the uniform fund. This money is money that we have raised at many of the flower sales throughout the year and the money that was above and beyond the goal for the hat drive. Thank you all for your support. We still have 20 or so of the old hats still available. For a $65 donation you will still receive one of the old hats and we will be placing a label inside one of the new hats with your name for future marching comets to see. Any and all of the money raised will be put towards the much needed new rain coats for the band members. You can make online donations at or contact Jeff Rakar at or 440-752-2458 for more details.
FAQs for Parents/Guardians:
How do I stay up to date with band information at home?
Our website is updated with all relevant information. Additionally, there is an informational group on Facebook that is managed by Mr. Barbaro. ‘Like’ us at Amherst Marching Comets – Amherst Bands.
Throughout the year, students are sent home with itineraries for upcoming events. If you haven't seen an information sheet in a while, check with your student or look to the web for information.
What are band fees and how do we pay them?
There is an Amherst Schools Pay to Play fee of $400 that must be paid in full by August 23rd, checks payable to the Amherst Board of Education.
All deposits made to the band need to be accompanied by a deposit slip. Deposit slips are available in the band room or can be downloaded from the website. Students paying fees from their accounts must also complete a deposit slip. All fees are to be turned in to Mr. Barbaro.
Is there a Band Banquet?
After the marching season is over, the Boosters sponsor a band banquet to recognize our students for all their hard work. All students and their parents are invited to attend. This year’s band banquet will beSunday, November 12, 2017.
FAQs for Students:
What are sectionals? When do they meet and are they required?
Over the summer upper classmen may schedule student-led music rehearsals. This is a great opportunity for all members to begin learning new music and to get to know each other prior to the start of band camp. These student-led rehearsals are not required but highly recommended. It is important that all students are familiar with the music before the start of band camp on July 30th.
What happens if I have to miss a rehearsal?
If your child is ill during band camp, contact Mr. Barbaro immediately. All other conflicts need to be put in writing and submitted to Mr. Barbaro immediately. Because there is such little time to rehearse, attendance is mandatory and counted toward participation.
How do I get my sheet music?
Music can be downloaded from . In the students’ Amherst Marching Band information packet, Mr.Barbaro supplied each student with the user name and password to access to the ‘Members Only’ page of this website. Here students can download and print the music for the 2017 - 2018 marching season.
Band Camp FAQs:
What happens during band camp? What do we need to bring? What do we need to know?
Band camp begins the week of July 30th and consists of 2-a-days on Sunday and Wednesday, and 3-a-days Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri. The camp takes place at Amherst Steele High School. During camp, students will learn the music and marching routines, along with how to work together to be successful. Students will stay at the school the entire day. Lunch and dinner will be provided on the 3-a-day days, and dinner on 2-a-day days.
The second week of band camp consists of 2 a-days. Rehearsal is from 8 am - 3 pm with an hour break for lunch. Students may bring a lunch or go home during lunch break.
The third week of band camp consists of two evening rehearsals, 6 – 9 pm, and one afternoon rehearsal from 1 – 4pm, to review and prepare for the first football game.
Students should plan on bringing the following to all band camp rehearsals:
Music downloaded from
Lyre and music flip folder
Shoes with shoelaces(No sandals or flip flops)
Sunscreen is a MUST!!!! (Reapply often)
Sunglasses and/or hat
Thermal water jug (64 oz)
Healthy snacks for breaks.
Short sleeve shirt (to cover shoulders to prevent sunburn)
Change of clothes (We march rain or shine)
Camp chair (optional)
Canopy tent – check with section leaders
Tips for Band Camp
Students should start conditioning by walking or exercising during July to get ready
It is very important to eat breakfast every morning!!
Parents are welcome to come anytime during band camp to watch practice and meet other parents (but please do not interrupt rehearsal.)
Students get a catered lunch and dinner. Peanut butter/jelly sandwiches are also available at every meal.
Be on time! Rehearsal begins on the practice field at 8:00 a.m. sharp! Arrive before 8:00 am!!!
Pickup is at 9 p.m. at the practice field or the band room parking lot. Parents may want to arrive a little earlier to hear Mr. Barbaro's daily announcements
3-a-day rehearsals seem intimidating; however students do not spend 11 straight hours marching on the practice field in the sun. Each day begins with calisthenics, followed by marching, learning drill, practicing music, sectionals, multiple breaks, lunch and dinner, games and more. Most of the time they are outside but during sectionals students may be in the building or in under a tree. Meals are served inside in the air conditioning. Students are observed carefully to make sure no one is getting overheated. Your child will be tired but they will also have fun and learn a lot of drill.