Whitehall High School    Whitehall, Michigan

Band Parent Meeting Minutes

Attached are the band parent meeting minutes (pdf, doc) .  If anything needs to be corrected or added please let me know.  Please make note that we will have another meeting on Wednesday, June 5^th at 7:00pm in the High School Band Room.

Also, we will need a nomination for Administrative Assistant.  Primary responsibility is to take notes at meetings and publish them.  If you attend most of the meetings and have access to a computer we sure could use your help. 

Thanks

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Band Parent Meeting

Reminder that we have a band booster meeting tomorrow night (Monday the 20^th at 7:00pm) in the Viking Center.  We have a lot of things going on that need to be taken care of (couple more bumps in the roadJ).  So, if it is at all possible to make it to the meeting it would be greatly appreciated.

If you are not able to attend please let me know if you would like to volunteer or nominate someone for an officers position.  This is the status of current officers.

President Currently held by Maribeth Picard-

Nominee’s for 2013-2014 school year=

          Maribeth Picard

Vice President Currently held by Heather Orlando-

Nominee’s for 2013-2014 school year=

Treasure Currently held by Anita Hain-

Nominee’s for 2013-2014 school year=

          Anita Hain

Administrative Assistant Currently held by Danielle Thomas-

Nominees for 2013-2014 school year=

Attached is the agenda. (pdf, doc)  I will make this meeting as quick as possible.

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Band Spring Collage

Just a few of quick reminders before the spring collage on Monday.

·        Awards will be given for seniors and all marching band participants

·        There will be a table set up to update all contact information-please stop by and make sure we have your current contact information so we can keep you informed throughout the summer and into the very busy marching season

·        We will be doing the annual pass the hat, and this year for a $10 or more donation you can take an insulated Whitehall mug home with you (while supply’s last) J (Make checks payable to ‘Whitehall Band Boosters’) (these donations help to pay for buses and others costs associate with both marching and symphonic band events throughout the year)

·        Our WHSMB tractor needs a new home.  If you have a place to store the tractor for 1 year please let Mr. B or one of the Band Booster Officers know so we can get it moved from its current temp home to its new temp home.  We are still working on its permanent homeJ

·        There will be time to reminisce and enjoy refreshments together after the concert.  Please bring cookies and/or drinks to share with the group.

·        Attached is the schedule for Spring Collage

I will not be able to attend the concert as I will be on a business trip, so I want to take a moment to thank all the hardworking parents, grandparents and others that helped make this a successful year.  I know that we have had some obstacles this year, but together we have navigated them and will continue to improve and keep our band program as one of the best is West Michigan.  We of course, could not have done this without one of the top directors in West Michigan.  Mr. Browand sets a standard for our kids that keeps them not only on top at Whitehall School, but provides them with tools that they will carry with them throughout their lives.  Just take a good look at the WHS Band Alumni.  So, after the concert on Monday take a moment to thank each other, the kids, Band Booster Officers and Mr. B for a fine year of music.  Then we will take just a 5 minute breather and get ready for next yearJ

Thanks again for all you do!  It takes a village!!

2013 Spring Collage XXII.docx

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

2013 Band Camp

I am very pleased to announce that the 2013 Band Camp at Hastings Winding Creek has been re-instated!!  We are very excited to continue this time honored tradition and appreciated the support from everyone.  This would not have been possible without the parent volunteers to chaperone the event.  We are still looking for 5 more male chaperones (over the age of 21) to chaperone at least one night at camp. 

Here are some highlights to begin planning for camp.  More information will made available as we firm up the plans.

·        Camp fee’s per child are estimated at $300 per child for upper classman with shoes (this includes overnight accommodations, meals and gloves) Fee will be $310-$330 for Freshman or marchers without shoes ($10 for used shoes-first come first served and $30 for new shoes)

·        Final Camp payment is due on Monday, July 15, 2013 (Late fees will apply if final payment is not made by the due date)(see attached camp payment schedule)

·        Payments can be made through the band website using PayPal (fee’s apply), check or money order mailed to: WHS Band Boosters, 3100 White Lake Drive, Whitehall, MI 49461 or check or money order placed in the locked black cash box that is located in MS or HS band offices (include child’s name and what payment is for in a sealed envelope).

·        A minimum of two fundraisers will be scheduled to help raise money for camp (those dates and times will be communicated as they become available). 

o   Camp fundraisers are an opportunity for you to earn your camp money.  All funds raised are split between participants by hours worked and all funds are applied directly to camp fees.  Popcorn buckets sales have already been applied to your camp fees. To get your current camp balance, please contact treasurer Anita Hain.

o   If you want to host a fundraiser please contact a board member and we will get you the necessary paperwork and contact all band members will the details of your fundraiser so they may have the opportunity to participate with you.  The more fundraisers the less parents have to pay for camp.  Suggested fundraisers= carwash, pop can drive, garage sale, play for donations at local business, etc.  Be creative!

o   Matching Scholarships are available for financially strapped families.  This is where the boosters will match all your fundraising efforts dollar for dollar.  Please see Mr. Browand for eligibility.

·        Buses will leave for camp on Monday, July 29, 2013 and will return to the high school on Friday, August 2, 2013. 

·        There will be a mini pre-camp the week before camp directed by Mark Heather for drill formations and WHS alumni for marching drills.  This is new and very exciting and will have our kids completely ready for camp and the marching season.  More details will be forthcoming.

I am sure that I have left out some things, but I will update you as information becomes available.

I am extremely excited to get camp going again for these kids and I am looking forward to a fantastic marching season!!  Marching Families Rock!!

Camp Payment schedule.pdf

Camp Payment schedule.xls

Fall 2013 Camp Daily Schedule.pdf

Fall 2013 Camp Daily Schedule.xls

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Band meeting agenda

Sorry, it’s so late, busy weekend at NHD State Finals, but here is the band camp agenda for tonight.  It’s in three formats for your convenience.  Hope to see you there.

 doc, docx, pdf

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Band Parent Meeting

We have a band parent meeting on Monday, April 29, 2013 at 7:00pm in the High School Viking Center.  I set the time for a bit later to allow parents to attend spring sports and other activities and still be able to attend the meeting.  We will cover the spring collage, awards, spring and summer fundraisers, booster officers and band camp status.  I know that things are busy for everyone, but I hope that you can work this into your schedule as we will only have one more meeting before school lets out for the summer.

Hope to see you there!

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Fall Marching Band

We are having a very important band parent meeting on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 6:00pm in the Viking Center.  We are covering the topics of Fall 2013 Band Camp and Fall 2013 Band Competition.  I understand that we are all very busy (myself included) and we hate to add one more thing to our very full plates.    I ask that you hear me out before making a final decision on whether or not to attend the meeting and join in the efforts to make your child’s high school band experience the best that it can be.

So, here it is:  If you ask most Whitehall graduates that were part of the marching band program what the highlight of their marching career was at Whitehall, they are going to tell you band camp.  It is a tradition that has been built over many years as the kids bond together marching in the hot sun most of the day, sharing meals and mornings, stories of sore and aching muscles, frustrations of finding their mark and tone and finding out that they must work together as a team to compete at the high level that was set very long before they entered the game.  Unfortunately this time honored tradition is in jeopardy, and we as parents, guardians and true supporters of our children need to bond together to find a way to allow this tradition to continue in a safe and responsible way.  In just 4 short years (or less) your child will move through the Whitehall High School Band program and the only thing that they can truly take with them is the memories that they make here.  We, as parents and guardians can foster this process by supporting the program that supports the kids.  Let’s be honest, the only reason that the Whitehall Band Boosters exists is to support your child, and so we are asking you to help us support your child by supporting us.  You can be involved as little or as much as your schedule permits and it really doesn’t take that much time if everyone lends a hand.  Believe it or not, your child will secretly be really proud  of how you have stepped up to support them (they are not going to tell you until they are about 30 or so, so you will have to be a bit patient with that one).  But, when they look back at their WHS Band memories, you are going to be a part of that, and that is a treasure that you cannot buy them. 

Our goal at the meeting is to determine what it is going to take to make marching band camp in Hasting’s Winding Creek Campground a safe, productive and bonding experience for the kids and have them excited and prepared to perform and compete at the level that is expected from the Whitehall Marching Band.  We need your ideas and support to make that happen.  I am asking you to take an hour out of what I know is a very busy schedule to help us determine the steps that we need to take to allow our children to attend a safe and responsible overnight band camp at Winding Creek Campground and then move on to prepare to host our first marching band competition at Whitehall High School.

Hope to see you Thursday, February 28^th at 6:00pm in the Viking Center.

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Festival info

2013 High School Festival Schedule.docx

2013 Middle School Bands Festival schedule for student and parents.doc

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Reschedule 2013 fall marching competition meeting

I would like to reschedule the 2013 Fall Marching Competition Meeting to next week Thursday, February 21^st from 6:00pm until 7:00pm in the Viking center.  I will send a reminder next week.

This is an extremely important meeting and I hope to see everyone there.

Thanks

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Band Parent Meeting Cancelled

The Band Parent Meeting for tonight will be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date.  Sorry for the inconvenience but we want to keep everyone safe tonight.  I will send an email as soon as the new date is set.

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Meeting for Fall 2013 Marching Competition

Reminder that we will be holding a meeting this Thursday, at 6:00 pm in the Viking Center for the Fall 2013 Marching Band Competition.  I am asking that we have as many parents at the meeting as possible.  This is a huge event that we want to host and we NEED everyone to participate. 

Also, there has been some resistance in allowing us to host this competition at Whitehall Schools facilities so we need your ideas and support to proceed.

Let’s pack that Viking Center with supportive parents of the best Whitehall students!

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Tonight's Concessions

We are in desperate need of help for tonight’s concessions for the wrestling meet.  We only have two people currently signed up; 1 for open 4:30-7:00 (myself) and 1 for close (Doug Ogden) 7:00-9:30.  It really takes 2 people at a time to run concessions.  So, if anyone has anytime tonight to jump in and help it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, we have a request from Dave Goodrich to cover concessions for 2/15.  I need to let them know if we can cover that day as well, so if anyone is able to take that date please let me know and I will send that information to Mr. Goodrich and Mr. Russell.

Thanks in advance.

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Pep Band Schedule (corrected)

Pep Band schedule for the remaining boys (BBB) and girls (GBB) basketball games.

BBB  TUESDAY , 1/22     Hart

GBB  THURSDAY , 1/24      Hart

GBB  Tuesday, 2/5        M. Cath Cent

GBB  Tuesday, 2/12      Ravenna

BBB  Thursday, 2/14     NM

GBB  Tuesday, 2/19      Montague

BBB  Friday, 2/22         Montague

Call time 6:00pm at band room.

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Fall 2013 Marching Competition at WHS

Hello ALL!!!

As many of you know we are planning to host a marching band competition at Whitehall in September of this year.  This will be quite an undertaking for our school system and we need every families time and talents to make this a successful event.  This would be the bands biggest fund raising event and will put Whitehall’s Band Program in the spotlight.  We are excited for the band kids to step up to this advanced roll to highlight their talents not only musically but as leaders in the community.  We are now reaching out to all family members to step up with your child to assist in making this a great competition.  We will have our kickoff meeting to begin organizing the event on Thursday, February 7^th,  at 6:00pm in the Viking Center.  We are beginning the planning now to ensure a successful event.  But, we can’t do this without YOU!  As Mr. B always says ‘Many Hands Makes for Light Work’.  Each and every one of you has a talent that we desperately need and we are asking that you share that with us for this important event. 

The kick off meeting will be centered around what needs to be done to make this a successful event.  We will essentially break the event down into little pieces that can be easily managed by small groups or individuals with less time required per individual.  If you are not able to attend this kick off meeting, no problem J, just shoot me an email as to what area you would like to help out with.  We have a basic idea of the major areas that will need to be addressed, which are:

1.       Programs/Marketing

2.       Food/Concessions

3.       Acquiring band competitors

4.       Parking/Logistics

5.       Ticket sales

6.       Compaction day Bands/schedules

7.       Judges/Awards

8.       Other

Each one of the areas will be broken down further with individual tasks.  So, please don’t look at the big picture and be afraid that you will be signing up for 6 months of work.  Your task could be as simple as putting the add in the Beacon or directing buses to their parking location on the day of the event.  The more volunteers we get the easier the tasks for everyone.

So, now that I have taken up too much of your time, I am asking that you simply commit to helping out.  We really need your time and talent to make this a successful event.  We look forward to hearing from youJ.

See you on Thursday, February 7^th at 6:00pm in the Viking Center.

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Concessions for wrestling meeting on Wednesday the 16th

We are searching for anyone that may be able to work the concession stand this Wednesday for the HS wrestling meet.  The concession stand will open at 4:30 and close after the meet around 9:30.  Anyone that has a couple of hours to help out at the concession stand would be greatly appreciated.  We are looking for 1 person between 7:00 and 9:30 and two people from 4:30-7:00.

Thanks in advance

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Band Parent Meeting Minutes

Attached is the band parent meeting minutes from last night (pdf, doc, docx).  Please let me know if any changes need to be made or if anyone had any comments or needs to add anything.  Thank you to those that attended, we covered a lot of things and are well on our wayJ.

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President

Hi All-

Hope you had a wonderful holiday and are ready to start the new year with a vengeance!

We have a lot of things to get started for the WHS Band and I am counting on continued support from our very active families and a new year commitment from families that have been thinking about getting more involved.

To start, we have a parent meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Monday the 7^th of January at 6:30 in the Viking Center.  I am concerned that this meeting may have snuck up on many of you (as it did for meJ) and I am not sure if we should reschedule for later in the week to get a higher attendance or go with tomorrow.  So, please send an email and let me know what works best for you.   Eighth grade families are included to begin to get involved in the events that we are planning for fall 2013 (yes, believe it or not, they will be Freshman and begin their marching in August of this year-very excitingJ)

Here are a few agenda items that we will be covering at the next meeting:

·         Hosting 2013 Marching Competition at Whitehall

·         Meijer gift card donation for $1000 (how will we use this)

·         Spring Collage

·         Concession schedule                     Boys BB                                2/14

                                                     Girls BB                                2/19

                                                     Wrestling                               1/16

 Welcome to 2013, let’s make this the best WHS band year ever!

Maribeth Picard
Whitehall High School Band President