Macomb Band Boosters Monthly Meeting, January 2008

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When

Tuesday, January 8, 2008
7:00 pm

Where

MHS Band Room

Details

Please join us at 7:00 pm in the band room. Help support our award-winning band program! The more help we have, the more we can do! For information and meeting reminders, join our email list by contacting the Macomb Band Boosters secretary.

Agenda

Macomb Band Boosters Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
7:00 pm

Possible Business (Unofficial)

  1. concert attire review
  2. Fruit Sale review
  3. MHS Concert Band Camp review
  4. Dickens on the Square review
  5. holiday concerts review
  6. Truffles Sale
  7. All-State Band and Orchestra
  8. Spaghetti Supper
  9. Olympic Conference (Southern) Band Festival
  10. spring trip

Call to order

Reports

  1. Secretary's report – Kelly Barsi
  2. Treasurer's report – Becca Pettit
  3. Ways & Means chair report – Beth Seaton
  4. Jr. High School Director's report – Doug Mattsey
  5. High School Director's report – David Wetmore

Old Business

  1. concert attire review – Barb Shrode
  2. Fruit Sale review – Gayle Zahnle
  3. MHS Concert Band Camp review
  4. Dickens on the Square review
  5. holiday concerts review
  6. My Hometown Helper grant application (due February 1) – Beth Seaton
  7. Truffles Sale
  8. All-State Band and Orchestra
  9. Spaghetti Supper – Gayle Zahnle & Sean O'Donnell-Brown
  10. hosting Olympic Conference (Southern) Band Festival (Thursday, March 6)
  11. spring trip
  12. long-term budget, spending, savings, and trip-savers accounts policy (discuss at end of meeting only if time allows)
  13. other old business

New Business

  1. Please let Sean know about any new business not appearing on the agenda.
  2. other new business

Thank-You!

  • MHS Concert Band Camp volunteers
  • Gayle Zahnle, Cindy Hare, and all other Fruit Sale Distribution volunteers
  • Barb Shrode for coordinating concert attire
  • others

Adjournment

Minutes

(posted following approval at immediately subsequent monthly meeting)

Macomb Band Boosters Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
7:00 pm

Call to order

President Sean O'Donnell-Brown called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm.

Reports

  1. Secretary's report – The secretary's report was read by Kelly Barsi. The minutes were corrected to indicate that the letters from Mr Wetmore to the Olympic Festival band directors had not yet been sent. Barb Shrode moved to accept the minutes as corrected; Kelly Fitzgerald seconded; and the motion passed.
  2. Treasurer's report – The treasurer's report was presented by Becca Pettit. Kathleen O'Donnell-Brown moved to accept the report; Dave Wetmore seconded; and the motion passed.
  3. Ways & Means chair report – Ways and means reported that they had met and discussed food for the Olympic Band Festival; they would like assurance that visiting bands will be eating at MHS as well as an indication of how many people there will be. If bands indicate they will not be eating a meal here, the committee will sell candy and soft drinks. Foods being considered are pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, and hot dogs. Becca Pettit has the required food service certification. Mr. Wetmore will do some publicity—inviting the public to a free concert—to bring in more people for the Festival. It was noted that requests for food donations should be made 30 days in advance.
  4. Jr. High School Director's report – Doug Mattsey
    • Mr. Mattsey reported that Dickens on the Square went great, with over 20 woodwinds, 15 brass, and 5 percussion students participating.
    • The Christmas concert also went well for all groups.
    • He is seeing much growth in the 7th grade band, especially working on the Solo and Ensemble pieces. There are 40 soloists and 11 ensembles. The Band Boosters may need to help pay accompanists for those students who cannot afford it. Kids will have an opportunity to perform their pieces for other band and choir students prior to contest. Chaperones are needed for contest: the date is Saturday, February 23; time is 6:30 am to about 6:00 pm; location is Liberty, Illinois.
    • The Spaghetti Supper is the Monday after contest (February 25). The 6th grade band, jazz band, and large chamber groups will perform.
  5. High School Director's report – David Wetmore
    • Mr. Wetmore was very pleased with the concert band camp; students played and performed for one another in various groups. Mark Carlson presented an amazing euphonium recital. The scavenger hunt was a great success. Mr. Wetmore said there was a noticeable jump in performance on the Monday after the camp.
    • The Western Camerata Woodwind Quintet will perform on Friday during 6th hour band.
    • The Christmas concert went well. Thank you to Martha Clyde for the multimedia presentation during the concert.
    • The bands are working on reading new music, challenging students to improve technique and increase range. Jazz band is making excellent progress. Kids are working on pieces for Solo and Ensemble festival, to be held March 1 in Liberty.
    • Five students are going to All-State Festival in Peoria, January 30 through February 2.
    • Concert Band, Wind Symphony, and jazz band will play at the Spaghetti Supper; chamber groups may also perform.
    • Letters have been sent home regarding the spring trip to St Louis. The cost of the trip is $225.00 per person, payable as follows: $75.00 is due on January 28; $100.00 due on February 25; and $50.00 due on March 24. Chaperones may pay in two installments. Forms are due to Mr. Wetmore on Friday, January 11; he needs to confirm the number attending.
    • A minimum of 12-14 chaperones will be needed for the trip. Kelly Fitzgerald will confirm with Zac Chatterton whether or not all chaperones on overnight trips must have a background check.
    • Mr. Wetmore noted that there may be a scheduling conflict with a Math Team event in Champaign that same weekend; arrangements may be needed to transport students.
    • Super State is the weekend after the trip, and the spring concert is the following Sunday.
    • Graduation is May 17.

Old Business

  1. Uniforms
    • Regarding concert uniforms, Barb Shrode reported that there were a few things to send back; only one tux did not fit. There were a few extra uniforms available for those who could not afford them.
    • This year, kids each paid $10.00 when turning in their marching uniforms, and all the uniforms were taken together to be cleaned. This worked very well. It was suggested that the $10.00 cleaning fee be collected when uniforms are distributed rather than when they are turned in.
    • The timing of measuring for concert uniforms was discussed, and Mr. Wetmore noted that kids may grow between August and the beginning of the concert season; so it would be best not to measure them too early.
  2. Gayle Zahnle reported that the Fruit Sale went well. Xavier Zahnle made reports on the fruit sale profit for each student. Sean O'Donnell-Brown will post the profits on the band website.
  3. My Hometown Helper grant application deadline is February 1. People have to go online to show support for the band. Funds would be used toward the purchase of a trailer.
  4. Truffle Sale – Becca Pettit said that for next year's sale, she can get personalized, printed ribbon for just a bit more money; we just need to decide how to word it. Packaging dates for this year's sale are January 19 and 26 at the University Baptist Church. Delivery is Friday, February 8. There are no plans to sell truffles at Family Video this year due to mixed results in the past. Truffle profits were discussed; kids will get the entire $5.00/box in a "big trip" year, and $4.00/box in other years, with the additional $1.00/box going into the Band Boosters fund.
  5. Sean O'Donnell-Brown reported that "Trip Saver Accounts" have been established. In the future, he would like the Boosters to establish a percentage of fundraising profits to be put into long term savings for larger purchases such as instruments and uniforms.

New Business

  1. Mr. Wetmore saw uniforms, tympani, and chimes at a Midwest conference, all things we will need to purchase. The uniforms are a washable polyester blend with an 8-10 year guarantee. The trousers and sleeves are adjustable with snaps in 1 inch intervals, so no hemming is required. They cost about $300.00 each. The Boosters would ask the school board to pay at least half the cost of new uniforms.
  2. Other new business
    • In other new business, Gayle Zahnle suggested that a Band Boosters Newsletter be developed to provide information and keep families better informed about the band program at all grade levels. The first issue of the year could be made available at back to school night in the fall, and parents could indicate whether they wish to receive future issues via mail or email. Sean suggested having students help write it.
    • Gayle also suggested getting sponsors, such as businesses, individuals, retired faculty, etc. to underwrite private lessons for students who cannot afford them. Her preference would be that lessons not be taught by graduate students; however, it was noted that many faculty members do not have the time to give private lessons. She suggested that a music fraternity be approached to help develop and implement this program. Mr. Wetmore suggested a "Saturday Conservatory," with lessons at MHS on Saturday mornings. Many options were discussed and will need to be researched.

Sean O'Donnell-Brown extended thank-yous per the agenda.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:56 pm

Respectfully submitted,
Kelly Barsi, Secretary

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