Huntsville High School Band

 

HUNTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL BAND

 

The HHS Band Parent Association meeting was held in the HHS Band Room at 7:30 pm. The meeting was called to order by President, Rich Arnold.

 

Rich Arnold, President

 

Rich announced that this was the first meeting of the new year, also occurring after a three-day weekend, and thanked everyone for coming. These meetings are important to get more information about upcoming events and an opportunity to ask any questions. Rich presented the calendar events and the meeting Agenda.

 

CALENDAR:   January 22-24:  All State Jazz Band / AMEA Winter Conference in Montgomery

January 30:    All State Concert Band Auditions (Sparkman Freshman Academy)

January 31:     National Anthem for Huntsville Havoc Hockey @ VBC

February 17:   Pre-MPA Practice Concert in HHS Auditorium (6:00 pm)

February 17:   Next Band Parents Association Meeting  (7:30 pm)

February 26-27:  MPA participating ABA District One Schools (HHS Auditorium)

March 17:     BPA Officer Nominations for 2015-2016 Board (at BPA Meeting)

April 2:         Color Guard Auditions

April 9-12:    Spring Band Trip to St. Louis

April 15-18:  All State Festival in Mobile, AL

May 2:          Solo & Ensemble at Liberty Middle School in Madison

May 7:          Spring Concert

May 15:        Band Awards Banquet in HHS Cafeteria

 

After School Rehearsals:  3:30 to 5:30 pm

                        Concert Band: (4, 6, 7 periods) Monday and Wednesday

                        Symphonic Band: (2^nd period)   Tuesday and Thursday

 

Stuart Ivey, HHS Band Director

 

Mr. Ivey discussed the Spring Band Trip, and the first deposits for the trip are due. Fewer people have signed up than expected. With fewer signed up, the cost increases a little to about $485 per student. The chaperone rate will be about $550, which includes a small cut from the actual rate because we need more chaperones. Chaperones can upgrade to a two-to-a-room rate of about $600, or a three-to-a-room rate of about $525-$550. A guest rate, for other family members, is about $600. Since the Cardinals game is not available, the event discount will be applied to the trip price. The hotel rooms final number has to set by February 2^nd with Springdale Travel. All trip registrants and a parent must attend at least one of two meetings available, with the first to be held March 17^th at 5:00 pm and the second to be held on March 31^st.

 

Mr. Ivey also announced that the first academic assignment for the semester is due this Friday. There is a paper assignment and a Google voice assignment that is posted on the board in the band room. There will be a substitute teacher on Friday, when the assignments are due, because Mr. Ivey will be at a conference. Another new calendar for the rest of the school year and a schedule for January and February was passed out.

 

Rich Arnold, President

 

Under General Announcements, Rich went over the Agenda and the calendar of upcoming events. Upcoming events are listed on the Agenda and the website. The All State Festival will be held in Mobile this year, and the rooms are paid for those attending. Students just have to pay for their trip down to Mobile. They will play at the Mobile Civic Center and rehearse at the Mobile Convention Center. On January 31^st, the Band will play the National Anthem at the Havoc game. Students can sell tickets as a fundraiser. Tickets cost $10, with $1 going to the student account and a small portion to the Band and the rest to the VBC. Students need to be ready at the VBC by 6:15, but it is free jersey night, so others might want to line up early. The students get into the game free, but parents and others will need a ticket. Students are free to leave after the National Anthem or they can stay for the game.

 

Andrew White, VP-Chaperones

 

Andrew announced that the Band still needs about 2 more chaperones for the Spring Trip to St. Louis. He will also be recruiting volunteers for service positions at MPA on February 26^th and 27^th. There will be 5 volunteers per shift, with 2 shifts per day. Shifts run 8 am to 1 pm and 1 pm to 6 pm.

 

Yvonne Meier and Margaret Turner, VP-Fundraising

 

Margaret explained the fundraiser for the Havoc ticket sales. The tickets are $10 each, with $3 going back to the Band, divided with $1 going to the student account and $2 to the Band. The student selling the most tickets will get a prize. All tickets and money must be returned back to the Band room by January 28^th, which is the Wednesday before the game. Next year is the international trip, and many were interested in additional fundraising opportunities. There was a discussion about doing the sheet sale again, which was very popular. There is also the Media Guide Sales coming up, because the Media Guide goes to press the 1^st week of Band Camp. Margaret and Yvonne will also reach out to the upcoming 8^th graders.

 

Susan Pendergrass, Treasurer

 

The Budget is printed on the back of the Meeting Agenda.

 

Tracy Lovik, Secretary

The Board has been working for several months on updating the BPA Band ByLaws, which have not been updated for many years. A proposed draft of the new ByLaws will be sent out by email for everyone to review. Please plan to attend the next Band Meeting on February 17^th, where we will have a discussion and vote on the updated ByLaws.

 

Lisa McCrary, Uniforms

 

If your student is in 2^nd period Symphonic Band, please unsnap and dry clean your marching uniform and return it to the Band room. If your student is in Concert Band for 4^th, 5^th, or 6^th period, please dry clean your marching band uniform and keep it for the MPA band competition. If you are going on the Spring Trip, you can keep the garment bag and the hanger to use on the trip. Next year will be Lisa’s last year, and she needs a volunteer to work with next year to learn about the Uniforms position and then to take over for the 2016-2017 year.

 

Mary D’Arienzo, VBC Liaison

 

Mary needs wristbanders for the UAH and Havoc hockey games. Concessions opportunities may be opening up soon, so please encourage your students to participate. Another  Responsible Vendor class is coming up, and Mary will invite parents of the upcoming 8^th graders. Concessions service does not require any special training.

 

Stephanie Thomas, Hospitality

 

Stephanie will be planning the hospitality service for the MPA Band competition, and will be looking for volunteers.

 

Tim McElyea, Webmaster

Rich made an announcement for Tim that he needs Senior pictures as soon as possible, including a baby picture and a favorite band picture. Put the pictures on a CD and write your student’s name on the CD. Put the CD in the Band room box. There will be a video cut for the banquet in May. This is a big project, since there are 40-42 Seniors this year. Please get those pictures in ASAP.

 

Mr. Ivey made a BIG announcement that he and his wife are expecting a baby in early August, right around the time of Band Camp for the summer. Band camps dates are expected to be:  Color Guard -  July 13^th-17^th.  Rookie Camp – July 15^th-17^th.  First Band Camp Week – July 20^th-24^th.  Second  Band Camp Week – July 27^th-31^st.   School starts August 6^th.

 

Rich closed the meeting with an announcement to check Facebook and the website for events and pictures. And, be sure to sign up to Celly for special text announcements. One item to note that is not yet listed on the long term events calendar is that the Band plays at Graduation, and more details are coming.

 

The meeting was adjourned by Rich Arnold, President.

 

HHS BPA Meetings are held on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month.

The next meeting is to be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 7:30 pm after the Pre-MPA practice in the HHS Auditorium.

 

Respectfully submitted by:

Tracy Lovik, HHS BPA Secretary