Huntsville High School Band

HUNTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL BAND PARENT ASSOCIATION (HHSBPA)

GENERAL MEETING

September 10, 2013

 

Rich Arnold, President

·      The second monthly meeting was called to order by Rich Arnold, President, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

·      Rich thanked everyone for attending.

·      The best way to get band information is via website, emails, and by attending the monthly meetings.

·      Some student band forms have still not been turned in. He brought some copies for anyone needing them. Rich urged everyone to return completed forms ASAP. This is imperative before travel to Oxford for an away game. Andrew White, Chaperone chair, has a list of students with missing forms. Parents can also check Charms.

·      Our next game is Sept. 13 vs. Lee at Milton Frank. Students need to be there by 5:45.

·      There has been some controversy and about parking fees at Milton Frank. Those eligible for free parking include only 1) band student drivers, 2) concessions volunteers, and 3) chaperones. The football boosters have a mandate from the city of Huntsville to pay for parking, and they are just following the rules. Proceeds from parking go to Milton Frank and to pay for the officials. Rich encouraged band parents NOT to antagonize parking attendants. If you are just dropping off your child, attendants will hold your $5 and return it when you leave.

·      Sept. 20 is an away game at Oxford. Students need to arrive at the school at 3:00 p.m. This is a half day of school for students. Please bring $5 for pizza.

·      Sept. 27: HHS vs. Bob Jones at AL A & M. Students will be riding buses. Time TBA.

·      Sept. 28 is the 49^th Annual Mid-south Marching Band Festival in Gadsden, AL. at Gadsden City Stadium. HHS usually plays near the end of the festival, but Rich encourages parents to arrive early to enjoy the other bands, and to find the best parking. Time TBA.

·      Oct. 4: Away game vs. Albertville

·      Oct. 8 is the next BPA meeting (second Tues. of each month). It will be in the auditorium or band room. Please look for directional signs in the band hallway.

·      Oct. 25 is Senior Night during half-time of the Gadsden game. Seniors will be highlighted on the field with their parents, and will receive a gift. A NON-SENIOR parent volunteer is needed to coordinate this special event. Traditionally the volunteer has been a junior parent, but a freshman or sophomore parent is fine. Parent volunteer will receive service credit hours.

·      BUDGET: The proposed and actual budget is printed on the back of tonight’s agenda.

·      The band is working on establishing a Facebook page. This will be a CLOSED group to post informatio, pictures, and communication.

·      Rich introduced Dr. Spencer for announcements.

 

Dr. David Spencer, Band Director

·      Dr. Spencer has started listening to students play for a grade, and this will continue for another 2-3 weeks.

·      Please see website for important dates, including the Veterans Day Parade in Nov., and Christmas Parade and HHS holiday concert in Dec.

·      He requests that students visit the State website, Alabamamea.org to download and print music per their instrument. Click band and go to 2014 All State requirements.

·      Band practices may run past scheduled end time in order to fine tune the marching routine.

 

Andrew White, 1^st VP Chaperones

·      He thanked volunteers for their time.

·      He has enough chaperones for the Lee game, but he needs more volunteers for other upcoming games. Please email him (address on website) if you are interested. He will fill positions on a first come, first serve basis.

·      He will be collecting required band forms tonight.

 

Cynthia Smith and Lauren Carter, 2^nd VP Fundraising

·      Enjoy the City coupon books are currently due. Parents will be charged for unsold books not returned ASAP! Books will be arriving in 2-3 weeks.

·      Our next fundraiser is cookie dough. 100% of orders will go directly to student accounts.

·      Please remember to use BAND Publix key tag cards for every grocery purchase. Publix pays an annual amount to the band for every card presented.

·      The Holiday Bazaar and Silent Auction will be in Dec. If you know anyone who wants a booth for the marketplace and/or  someone willing to donate an item for the silent auction, please contact Cynthia or Lauren. The band asks the vendor to donate a $25 or $30 item for the silent auction in lieu of a table fee.

 

Rebecca Brooks, Treasurer

·      Rebecca can take payments on the computer or swipe your card on her cell phone.

·      August credits have been turned in. Please make sure you look under miscellaneous at the bottom of your statement to view credits.

·      First payment of $110 is due by Sept. 15.

·      The next statement will be sent in mid Sept. You can also check your account on Charms.

 

Marcy Simon, Secretary

Reminded everyone that a copy of the minutes from each meeting will be posted on the band room whiteboard within a week. Minutes will also be posted on the band website. Please notify me of any discrepancies.

 

Barbara Bozeman, Communications

No announcements

 

Lisa McCrary, Uniforms

·      There are currently no more parent band shirts in stock. However, Lisa will be placing orders for moisture wicking polo shirt with the HHS band emblem. These will be available in Men’s or Women’s sizes for $25. Order deadline is Wed. Sept. 18. Barbara Bozeman will email order forms in the morning. Checks can be made payable to HHSBPA.

·      Oct. 4 will be individual picture retakes as well as sectional pictures.

·      Lisa made an urgent plea to please snap the bottom of the bib pants. Otherwise, they drag the ground and fray the material. She may have to start charging for damaged uniforms. Uniforms are very expensive, and they need to last for at least another 7 years. Be aware that pants may be unsnapped by Wilson Cleaners, and need to be resnapped.

·      If any uniform part (jacket, bib, hat, etc.) is broken, please bring it to Lisa. Please do not attempt to mend on your own.

·      Remember to bring a plastic bag to protect jackets while not being worn. You can store these bags in the hats.

·      Please check your uniform # on the red garment bag to be sure that all uniform parts match.

 

Mary D’Arienzo, VBC Wristbanding Liason

·      VBC will be holding two training classes for those interested in wristbanding at VBC events. The dates are Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. and Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. This class is MANDATORY in order to wristband. She will send out an e mail with class details.

·      So far, about 40 people have expressed interest in wristbanding, but it is likely that only 50% will actually attend training class and volunteer for VBC events.

·      Remember that you can earn UNLIMITED service hours for wristbanding.

·      She has a sign up sheet tonight for the classes or please email her ASAP so she can give the VBC a head count.

 

Shelley Corbett, Concessions/Brick Chairperson

·      Shelley needs 3-4 more people to work concessions at the home game on Sept. 13. This is the last opportunity for the band to make money on concessions. Work hours are 5:30 until the end of the game. Workers will be in four different areas selling drinks, chips, cookies, and candy.

·      BRICKS: There are yellow order forms in the band room. Band students can sell small engraved bricks for $50 or large bricks for $100. These bricks will be installed in the flag courtyard sometime in Oct.  There is no cap on sales.

 

Jennie Davis, Trip Coordinator

·      She brought handouts with preliminary details for the spring trip to Williamsbug, VA April 23-27, 2014.

·      Approximate trip cost will be $550, which includes transportation, hotel, three breakfasts, three dinners, and event admissions, including Busch Gardens.

·      Parents can start making payments Oct. 15; full balance is due Feb. 15. Please see website for more details.

·      Please be aware that if you are not current on band fees, any money submitted for trip will be applied to band fees first.

·      Let Andrew White know if you are interested in being a chaperone. Chaperone costs are approximately the same as student cost, but may be more depending on room preference.

 

Tim McElyea, Webmaster

Not present; information provided by Rich Arnold

·      Tim has a photos page on the website with great pictures from games and other band events. He does a fantastic job, so please check out the website pictures!

·      Tim makes a senior video which is shown at the end of the year banquet. He needs senior pictures (i.e. baby, other) on a CD labeled with students name. Barbara Bozeman will send a detailed email.

 

Ben Davis, Equipment

·      Please ask your students to close their instrument cases BEFORE loading them on the truck after the games.