Macomb Band Boosters Annual Meeting, May 2008

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When

Tuesday, May 13, 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, May 13, 2008
7:00 pm

Possible Business (Unofficial)

  1. Officer elections
  2. Macomb Band Boosters dues
  3. volunteers for next year
  4. Edison Fine Arts Expo review
  5. IHSA Organization Contest review
  6. IESA Organization Contest review
  7. MHS spring trip review
  8. Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival review
  9. Grade 5 band orientation meeting review
  10. MHS Spring Band Concert review
  11. Grades 6-8 Spring Band Concert
  12. MHS graduation
  13. Heritage Days Parade
  14. Grade 6 summer lessons
  15. band camp scholarships & reimbursements
  16. MHS marching band camps
  17. next year's calendar
  18. grant opportunities

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. Hometown Helper grant application (announcement May 15)
  2. Edison Fine Arts Expo review
  3. IHSA Organization Contest review
  4. IESA Organization Contest review
  5. MHS spring trip review
  6. Grade 5 band orientation meeting review
  7. MHS Spring Band Concert review
  8. Grades 6-8 Spring Band Concert
  9. MHS graduation
  10. Heritage Days Parade
  11. Grade 6 summer lessons
  12. band camp scholarships & reimbursements
  13. MHS marching band camps
  14. next year's calendar (esp. March-a-thon)
  15. grant opportunities
  16. other old business

New Business

  1. Officer elections – nominating committee slate
    • Sean O'Donnell-Brown – president
    • Kelly Fitzgerald – vice president
    • Becca Pettit – treasurer
    • Cheryl McGowan – secretary
    • Dee & Paul Kirwan – middle school representative(s)
  2. 2008-2009 Macomb Band Boosters dues
  3. Please let Sean know about any new business not appearing on the agenda.
  4. other new business

Thank-You!

Thank-you all … from the Macomb Band Boosters and from our kids!

  • MHS IHSA Organization Contest chaperones
  • Mr Joe Goble, former junior high director, for helping with fifth grader testing
  • MHS spring trip chaperones
  • MJHS IESA Organization Contest chaperones
  • Kelly Barsi for her service to Macomb Band Boosters and the Macomb schools band program
  • All volunteers from the past year—particularly those who have graduating seniors, those who chaired committees and coordinated events, and executive board members
  • 2007-2008 Macomb Band Boosters members
  • Mr Mattsey, Mr Wetmore, and the other faculty and staff of the Macomb schools who helped to make the past year a success
  • others

Adjournment

Minutes

Macomb Band Boosters Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
7:00 pm

Call to order

president Sean O'Donnell-Brown called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Reports

  1. Secretary's report – Secretary's Report was presented by Sean O'Donnell-Brown. A correction was made to the dates of the Junior High testing. Mr. Wetmore moved to accept the minutes as corrected, Beth Seaton seconded and the motion passed.
  2. Treasurer's Report was presented by Becca Pettit. Mr. Mattsey moved, Cindy Cavett seconded and the report was approved.
  3. Beth Seaton reported that $5000.00 had been requested from the Hometown Helper Grant to be used for the purchase of an equipment trailer. We should find out something on May 15. There are over 500 applications just from within Illinois; MHS had over 83 comments on the website (part of the grant requirement) which was more than many others she looked at. She noted that a band instrument request had previously been funded. A total of $100,000.00 is being awarded nationwide.
  4. Jr. High School Director's report – Doug Mattsey
    • Mr. Mattsey reported that Organizational contest went well in PORTA's, despite some logistical issues created by Porta's school dismissal occurring at the same time as bands were arriving for Contest. Both the 7th and 8th grade bands received Division I ratings and good comments from the judges.
    • Beginning band testing has begun – Thanks go to former junior high director Joe Goble for assisting. He will be sent a $50.00 Chamber of Commerce gift certificate.
    • A mailer will be sent to 5th graders 2 weeks prior to summer band lessons. Lessons will begin June 2, with a review session August 12 - 14.
    • A good group of kids tested, with high scores and good initial sounds.
    • Spring Concert is May 15. 7th graders report at 6:30 and 8th graders report at 6:45. Jazz band will play first; the concert should conclude around 8:15 pm.
    • All school rental instruments are to be turned in by Friday, May 16. There should be enough to lend to the beginning students once the 7th and 8th graders have turned in their instruments.
    • Mr. Mattsey has prepared a horn "Service Checklist" for kids who have an instrument service contract.
    • Dates for next school year:
      • Chili Supper: October 27, 2008
      • Jr High Holiday concert: December 15, 2008
      • High school Holiday concert: December 14, 2008
      • Spaghetti Supper: February 23, 2009
      • Jr High Solo & Ensemble contest: February 28, 2009
      • High School Solo & Ensemble contest: March 7, 2009
      • High School Organizational Contest: April 3 or 4, 2009
      • Jr High Organizational Contest: May 1 or 2, 2009
      • High School Spring concert: May 10, 2009
      • Jr High Spring concert: May 14, 2009
    • Mr. Wetmore said that IHSA would like MHS to host the High School Organizational Contest. He noted that hosting would save our transportation money as well as offer a fund raising opportunity.
  5. High School Director's report – David Wetmore
    • Mr. Wetmore thanked everyone who assisted while he was away for his mother's funeral, with special thanks to Doug Mattsey and Joe Goble.
    • Organizational contest went very well. He noted that Macomb has better facilities than some of the smaller schools, which is another reason for Macomb to host the Contest. Both bands received Division I ratings.
    • St Louis Trip – Both bands did well and showed significant improvement from the prior week's performance. The clinics were excellent.
    • Mr. Wetmore said that the bands performed "tremendously well" at the Spring concert. – Graduation is May 17 in Western Hall. Report time is 6:30; should be done by 8:30.
    • Flag and Drum Major clinics are underway. Drum major candidates will conduct the band on May 19. There will be 2 drum majors. Flag auditions are also on May 19, after school. – The band will begin preparing for the Heritage Days parade on Wednesday or Thursday. Mr. Wetmore expects a large drum line this year.
    • Marching band camp begins on August 4 for everyone; freshman begin on July 31 and August 1.
    • During the week of August 4, the camp will run from 8 - 12 and 1 - 4:30, with regular evening rehearsals the following week. – Mr. Wetmore noted that out of 50 8th graders only about 10 did not sign up for high school band.

Old Business

  1. none

New Business

  1. The Nominating Committee presented a slate of 2008-2009 officers to be voted on, with one change. Kathy Boocker, originally the middle school representative, will be moving, so Paul and Dee Kirwan will serve as middle school representatives. Other officers are
    • President, Sean O'Donnell Brown
    • Vice President, Kelly Fitzgerald
    • Secretary, Cheryl McGowan
    • Treasurer, Becca Pettit.
    The slate of officers was approved as presented.
  2. Band Booster dues for 2008 - 2009 - Sean O'Donnell-Brown noted that the Band Booster dues of $25.00 per family are the same as the choir dues. It was agreed to leave the amount the same for next year.
  3. Mr. Mattsey addressed the need to come up with a way to help provide instruments to kids whose families cannot afford to rent or purchase them. Many possibilities and ideas were discussed, including
    1. Ask for donations from the Boosters and the community for students who otherwise could not afford to rent/buy an instrument
    2. Boosters collect donated instruments to use as free loaners, not going through the school rental program
    3. Have "semi-permanent" instrument loans (free use of instrument as long as the student is in the band program); instrument is returned if student quits or leaves.
    4. Set up an "Angel Fund" to accept donations for financial needs kids may have, including instruments, trips, etc. This could be publicized with a press release to promote the idea to the community.
  4. March-a-thon dates were discussed. It was decided to hold it on Saturday, September 6 (Balloon Rally week-end,) starting at 11:00 on the opposite side of the square from the Farmer's Market—but while the market is still going on—in hopes of catching more of a crowd. If it is hot out, freezer pops, water and soda could be sold; if cold out, coffee and hot chocolate.
  5. Junior High Polo shirts were discussed; it would probably save money to use a sew-on patch rather than an embroidered design. Bids will be sought to get the best price. The polos need to be ready by the Chili Supper.
  6. There was discussion as to whether we should keep the same marching band t-shirt every year (as we now do) or have a new, show-themed shirt each season. It was decided to keep the same basic marching band t-shirts we currently have; students are required to purchase these and encouraged to wear them under their marching uniform. Students could also choose to purchase polos, sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts, etc in addition to the required t-shirt; family members could also purchase these items.

The meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Kelly Barsi, Secretary

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