December Announcements

Thanks to everyone for two great holiday performances, both at the Holiday parade and at our concert! Just a few reminders as we head into the Winter Break:

Pep Band began this week - this is a student run group supervised at the games by Mr. Mack. Students may use pep band for volunteer hours or as an Honors Band project. (Students should attend at least 4 Pep Band performances to earn one Honors Credit.) The Pep Band schedule has been updated on the online calendar so you can check the website for dates and times.

Solo and Ensemble forms and money are due by January 7. Solo fees are $14.00 and each ensemble is $19.00 (to be split among the ensemble members). All checks should be made out to Midpark Music Boosters. Application forms can be found outside the band office.

Wind Ensemble families - make sure you have added our University of Akron performance to your calendar! This will be an all day event on Monday, February 22. (More information to follow in the new year.)

Disney payments: You should now have a minimum of $480 in your trip account at this time! As a group we are responsible for having 2/3 of the trip paid for by now. If you have kept up with the payment schedule you should actually have $590.00 in your account. If you are behind, please try to send even small amounts weekly to get caught up - we have to have the entire trip paid by February 9! (Some fundraising funds are still in the process of being transfered at this time.)

We would like to wish you all a happy holiday season and enjoy your break!!

Band Update

A few reminders about the upcoming weeks:

Be sure to check the calendar on the website for sectional dates/times for both bands. Jazz Band starts Monday, November 23 and will run from 6:00 - 7:00 PM. We are in need of a piano player if anyone is interested!

Take advantage of the SCRIP program when shopping for the Holidays! Remember, there is a very long list of gift cards available at face value and students can then receive funds into their student accounts! Each card has a different donation value (check under Support the Band for more info).

The Itinerary for the Brook Park Holiday Parade is posted. If you are going to be out of town for the Holiday and will not be able to participate, don't forget to fill out the excused absence form and turn it in before break! If you are planning on staying for the lighting ceremony after the parade please send a note and meet us at the buses at the end of the parade route to pick up your child. Don't forget: the Season's Greetings music should be memorized for the parade!

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Fundraising Opportunities

Hello everyone! Just a quick reminder about current Fundraising opportunities! The Music Booster Fruit sale has been extended one week so the due date is now Nov. 17! Profits from the fruit sale are split between the band and student accounts. (50/50). A reminder that individual fundraising goes to the group that you participate in, not the general booster account! So every order of fruit band members sell benefit the band directly! (Checks to Midpark Music Boosters)

The other fundraiser currently running is the Century Resources Fundraiser. Orders and money are due by November 16. (Checks to Midpark Band.) 100% of the profits from this fundraiser go into your student accounts!

Don't forget - your next Disney payment is due by Nov. 13! ($130.00 for students). Make sure you are current with your payments to CCIS. Please contact Ms. Zunic with any account questions.

The itinerary for the Holiday Parade in Brook Park will be posted today under itineraries! Be sure to start working on memorizing Season's Greetings for this parade!

Sectionals start this week! Sectionals are now included on the online calendar - be sure to check out when your section meets!

Winding down...

A few calendar changes to be aware of as we wind down marching season:

No Wednesday night rehearsal this week or next! We do not have any new material to learn so our daytime rehearsals will be enough for cleaning! Thanks for your hard work this season that made this possible!

The Band Banquet can also be removed from your calendar. In order to save funds we will not be holding this event. It has been removed from the online calendar, but please remove it from your hard copy.

Make-Up assignments: Please be aware that any make-up work for excused absences (from performances) must be completed by October 30. Please look under Concert Band (Performance Make-Up for a copy of the make-up assignment.

Thank you to all parents and students who volunteered their time last week - whether it was for the Craft Show, the Football Game, Senior Night, or the Band Spectacular, we appreciate you giving your spare time to be with us! Band members had a great performance at Band Spectacular and thanks to all of you who performed at the Craft Show. You did an outstanding job!

As we look forward to Concert Season, make sure your concert instrument is in good working order and ready to go. We will be assigning Sectional times and signing up for Jazz Band the first week of Concert Season.

Band Spectacular and Senior Night This Week!

Don't forget: Wednesday rehearsal is from 5:30 - 7:30 PM and we will start on the field behind the tennis courts. Please do your part and make sure you have the Styx show solidly memorized so you can contribute on the field! We are the host Band on Thursday and we want our performance to be among the strongest of the evening! Help us have a great performance by having a focused rehearsal today and tomorrow.

Over the next few days it is going to be cold and wet! Please dress accordingly for outdoor rehearsal and for sitting in the stands! Report times for Thursday and Friday - doors will be open at 5:15 both days. We will do a run-through of the Senior show at 5:40 Friday before we leave for the game.

Seniors: Make sure you turn in your paperwork on Thursday for Senior night. (Who is escorting you and how many people will come to the reception after the game?) Reminder to all Seniors and their families to plan on meeting in the choir room for a short reception and to watch the video of your senior show! Underclassmen should have their rides at the high school by 10:45 PM on Friday.

Craft show this weekend! If you are working, please wear a band shirt so people know which group you are a part of! Also, bring your instrument! We will be putting ensembles together throughout the day Saturday and Sunday. (don't worry, we'll help you put something together!)

Announcements Week of 10/5/09

Don't forget! Wednesday evening rehearsal moves to 5:30 - 7:30 PM this week! Make sure you are on the field in attendance block by 5:30! (And please make sure your ride is there to pick you up at 7:30!)

Senior Night is next week! Seniors, please pick up a letter from Ms. Holtshouse and turn in the bottom portion with your escort(s) names and how many people will be attending the reception after the game.

We also need a couple parent volunteers to handle the reception after the game on October 16. Please email Ms. Holtshouse if you are willing to help out!

Pass-Offs this week: We still have a few people who need to pass-off Pre-Game this week! Everyone needs to improve on the Styx Show (unless you already had a 90% or better.) Next week will be Come Sail Away.

8th Grade night is this week! Please note the itinerary is posted and is a little earlier so that we can run through the show with the 8th graders before the game. We will have Pizza during 3rd Qtr. this week!

Don't forget - the Craft Show is coming soon! Sign up to volunteer and remember to bring your instrument! We will put groups together to go from place to place and play in small ensembles.

Announcements Week of 9/28

It's almost October! Hard to believe, but we're half way through marching season! This week will be busy as always, but here are a few reminders for this week:

8th Grade Night rehearsal is this week! Our 8th Grade Band members will be with us from 6:00 - 7:00 PM on Wednesday night so we will only have one hour to ourselves for rehearsal! Please make sure you feel comfortable with 8th grade night music before Wednesday. (Born to Be Wild, Uptown Girl, and Freeze Frame.) Buddy lists will be posted Wednesday.

Enjoy the City Books Pick up Wednesday night after rehearsal! Please plan on taking your order with you from rehearsal Wednesday night.

Next week begins 5:30 - 7:30 PM evening rehearsals - don't forget!!

Pass-Offs this week: All students are required to have Pre-Game passed off 90% or above this week. You also need to try the Styx show again this week if you did not pass it all off last week.

Feed the Band: This week begins out home stand with conference bands. We are required to provide a snack each week for both bands. We will be asking each band member to donate cookies/snack items for one game. The schedule will be as follows.
Friday, Oct. 2 - Freshmen
Friday, October 16 - Sophomores
Friday, October 24 - Juniors and Seniors

Please bring your snack donation to rehearsal Wednesday night so that we can prepare for Friday night! Thanks for your help!

Announcements Week of 9/21

Hello everyone! We have a lot going on this week! Fall Festival and a new show Friday Night! Thanks for your hard work at rehearsals! Here are a few reminders for the week:

• Pass-Offs for the entire Styx show must be completed this week- and don't forget, if you still have pre-game to pass off, you need to try again this week! A reminder to students who run pass-offs - you must have results written down and turned in by 3:00 PM Friday afternoon.
• The recording of AD/Rockin' the Paradise is under Marching Band on the website. If you are struggling with the music, listen to the recording - it will help you get a feel for the music!
• Fall Festival is Wednesday night! Remember to wear your band shirt for rehearsal!
• We will be selling old Comp Show shirts at a clearance price at the Fall Festival! We will also have some extras of the Midpark Band shirts available. We can take any last minute shirt orders for this year through tomorrow night! (Parents, there is now a Midpark Band Parent Polo shirt available!)
• If you still owe fees for candy (yes, from last spring!), uniforms, or Enjoy the City Books, please turn those in ASAP.
• We are working on student account statements for each student going on the Orlando Trip. This will help you gage where you are as far as fundraising. Please remember that not every fundraiser over the past few years went directly to student accounts.
• Have you registered with the tour company and made two payments to them? There are a number of people who have not yet registered with he company. A reminder that the forms are on the Members Only page.
  

Friday Reminders

Hi everyone! A few notes about Friday, September 18.

The band room will open at 5:30 PM - announcemnents at 5:50, load the buses at 5:55. We will perform pre-game with the Brecksville Band - don't forget, as you march down the field you will go to the left of the row directly in front of you!

Please have your ride at Midpark at 10:50 PM to pick you up! Remember, you should not need to call your ride when we get back to school!

A few deadlines to remember:
Enjoy the City orders and books were due last Friday. Any remaining unsold books must be returned by Friday or your student account will be charged.

(Wind Ensemble Only) The list for Honors Band was out today - emails will be sent out on Friday with the requirements. If you decide to take Wind Ensemble for a 5.0 A, please email me back by Wednesday of next week so that I can confirm the list with counselors.

Grand Illusion/Renegade needs to be passed off now! You can still get it in tomorrow after school, but Ms. Zunic needs to have all pass off lists before we arrive for the game tomorrow night! Lady and AD/Rockin the Paradise will be passed off next week. (Remember, the Styx show will be performed next week - be prepared!

Handbook Return Forms were due last Friday! Get them in ASAP! Remember, you can read the handbook online (under members only) and then return the form to us!

Don't forget: Any time you need to miss rehearsal or a performance we need to have an excused absence form on file!

Band Shirt orders and money are due tomorrow! There is one new Band design and a new Polo available for band parents! Checks should be made out to Midpark Band.

We had a great week of rehearsals this week! Thanks for your hard work! It will pay off with great performances!

Announcements Week of 9/8/09

• The next Disney Payment is due Sept. 12! Remember, all payments go directly to CCIS (you should have sent a registration form in with your second payment. Paperwork is still available under Members Only.)
• Scrips are due the 1st and the 15th of each month. Order forms are available under Support the Band on the website or in the band room (on the stereo cabinets). Remember, we sell the gift cards at face value and 70% of the profits go into your student account!
• Wing Night is Saturday! Sept. 12 (check the last blog entry for more info!)
• New shirt order forms are available now! Do you need Midpark Band spiritwear? Order forms are available outside the band office (and will soon be online under Support the Band). All orders and money are due by Friday, September 18.
• Pass-Offs for the Styx show are next week. Plan ahead! If you play a sport, make sure you plan a time with your section leader to play your pass-offs! All Pass-offs must be attempted by Thursday after rehearsal. (Friday attempts will only count for grades!) Styx show pieces include Grand Illusion/Renegade, Lady, and AD/Rockin the Paradise.
• Handbook Forms are due Friday! In an effort to conserve paper, Handbooks were not printed this year - Handbook Return forms are outside the office! Please be sure that you download the Handbook off the Members Only page and return the handbook form by Friday, 9/11!
• Enjoy the City book sale runs through 9/14. Please return all forms and money by that date. $5.00 per book goes into your student account!
  

Wing Night

Don't forget, our first Wing Night of the year is next Saturday, September 12 at the Front Row Bar and Grill on Snow Rd. The event will run from 6:00-9:00 PM and will include all you can eat food and beverage for the $20.00 admission price. Sponsored by the Friends of Midpark Band. All proceeds benefit the band, so come out and have a great time! (Adult event.) Ohio State will be battling USC, and we will also have sideboards and raffles! Tickets are available from Tom and Maureen Rensel or Bill and Julie Leibold. Would you like to help out with the event? We always need help selling sideboards and collecting money at the door. Invite your friends - we hope to see you there! Thank you for your support!

Enjoy the City News!

We've just been informed that we can get Enjoy the City books for Akron/Canton as well our local area. If you would like to see a list of Akron merchants, please email Karelyn Holub @ mak725@sbcglobal.net and she will send you a list. If you would like to order an Akron book, please mark it CLEARLY on the order form.

Mrs. Holub will be at rehearsal Wednesday night for people to pick up books. Only 40 band students have picked up books! Remember, $5.00 from each book go into student accounts, and if you sell 5 books you get a 6th free that you can sell for pure profit!

Announcements - Week of 9/1/09

• Reminder that rehearsals run until 3:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
• This week is catch-up week on Pass-Offs! Do you have all of Pre-Game and the Swing show passed off?
  
• Make sure you have all your materials in class everyday! Remember, three infractions of not having drill, music, or tennis shoes will require you to stay in the stands during third quarter Friday night!
• Enjoy the City Books are being sold now! If you haven't picked up a book yet, see a director after rehearsal! We are taking orders through Sept. 14. ($5.00 per book goes into student accounts.)
• Are you caught up on your Disney payment? The second payment should have paid by August 15! If you still need the registration form, check the website under Members Only for the information.
• T-Shirt Order Forms coming soon! We will be placing an order for shirts soon! Be on the look-out for an order form online and coming home with students. We will also be offering Parent Polo shirts this year if you are interested!
  

Enjoy the City Fundraiser has begun!

Did you pick up your Enjoy the City Book last night at rehearsal? They will be available for pick up again on Wednesday evening. Remember, you will receive one book now and take orders for additional books. You will only return the single book if you do not sell any books. Each book sold will give students $5.00 in their student accounts. The remainder of the profits will go directly to the band to help cover expenses.

Other reminders:
Percussion Drum Cleaning Day on Saturday has been canceled.
Color Guard Members who have paid for their practice flag may pick them up before or after rehearsal Wednesday night. (Please plan on arriving by 5:30 if you would like to pick it up before rehearsal.
Our first Wing Night of the year will be held Saturday, September 12 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM at the Front Row Bar and Grill on Snow Road. Tickets are $20.oo and can be purchased from the Rensels, the Leibolds, or in the band office.

Keep working on memorization! Remember that the Pre-Game music needs to be passed off this week and half-time needs to be passed off next week! We've finished the show, now it's time to clean things up so we can have a great first performance next week!!

We're Back!

We're back online! We apologize or the few days that the website was down - but now we're back and can keep you updated!

Thanks for a great week at band camp! We had great weather, and you all worked so hard and we saw great results because of it. Rehearsals continued to go well this week and we should have our first show learned by Monday! Great work!

A special thanks to Mrs. Guinn for setting up our bowling event this week! Everyone who attended had a great time and we raised $850.00 for the band!!

A few reminders about upcoming events:

Monday, August 17 - Percussion Sectionals 2:00 - 5:00 PM, Full Band Rehearsal 6:00-8:30 PM.
Also, make sure your second payment for Disney has been sent - remember that you should have sent the registration form and your payment directly to the tour company. (These forms were included in the summer mailing, or you can find them online under members only.)

Wednesday, August 19-Full Band 6:00 - 8:30 PM. We will be playing at Meet the Meteors during rehearsal - band members who play sports should plan on attending the first hour of rehearsal, play with us t the beginning of Meet the Meteors and then stay with your team. (This rehearsal will be on the grass field behind the building.)

Saturday, August 22 - Drum Cleaning Day @ Midpark -10:00 AM All Percussion members are required to attend.

Pass-Offs start next week! The week of August 17 will be Pre-Game (Into the Future, Alma Mater, Star Spangled Banner, Fight Song). Week of August 24 - Midpark Swings! (Big Noise, Jump, Live, and Wail, and In The Mood). Band Members who are conducting pass-offs, please arrange a time each week that you will be listening to pass-offs.


Do you have a place to keep your drill books? A large folder or three ring binder is a great way to keep all your charts in one place so that they are easy to find. Remember, you will need these charts all season and you are responsible for having them with you at every rehearsal!

Parents, don't forget to turn in the Booster Patron and Volunteer Information Forms that were included in the summer mailing (these can also be found under forms on the website). Let us know where your talents are and where you are willing to help!

Band Camp Reminders

A few things to remember as we start camp this week!

• Eat Breakfast before coming to camp each day!
• Apply sunscreen each day before you arrive and bring more to reapply throughout the day!
• Bring a water bottle with your name on it to refill throughout the day.
• You may want to bring a snack each day - at this point we only have a few snacks provided throughout the week. (parents, if you are willing to provide a snack for the band, please email Ms. Holtshouse your availability.)
  
• We still need parents to help with uniform fitting Monday - Thursday evenings after camp. If you are available and willing to help, please plan on arriving at Midpark at 4:45 PM for assignments. (Please note, you do not need to be able to sew to help!)
• We will need parent volunteers to hem pants after they are pined.
• Please be patient on uniform fitting evenings! Remember that the parents helping out are volunteers! All uniform fees should be turned in by the uniform fitting evening. If you have some financial issues that prevent you from paying in full, please notify Ms. Holtshouse and we will work out a payment plan for you.
• New members: There is a parent meeting Monday evening at 6:00 PM in the auditorium for all new member parents.
• Meet the Band! will be held Friday evening, August 7 at 6:00 PM. Bring your family and friends, your lawn chairs, and see everything we've learned at camp! Students will be provided with dinner before the performance and should wear dark shorts and their band shirt for the performance.
  

Scrip Orders Due Friday!

Don't forget that we will be placing another SCRIP order this week - order forms can be found on the Support the Band page on the website. Orders can be left in Ms. Holtshouse's mailbox at Midpark or mailed to the school. Checks should be made to Friends of Midpark Band. Remember, 80% of the profit from the gift cards goes into individual student accounts!

There are still spots available for Band Camp Snacks and Uniform Fitting volunteer help if you are available next week!

Get that instrument out and make sure everything is in working order! Do you have a lyre for your music? Now is the time to restock on reeds, valve oil, or other supplies before Band Camp next week!

Countdown to Fall!

I hope you are all enjoying your summer! Please review your summer packet and calendar to make sure you are prepared! We are closing in on Band Camp so I wanted to remind you of a few items and upcoming dates:

• Band Camp is August 3 - 7 from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM each day. Band Camp is Mandatory! Remember, we will be learning Pre-Game and our first halftime show at camp! You will have an hour for lunch from Noon - 1:00 PM each day. Don’t forget SUNSCREEN!!!
• Scrip Fundraiser orders are also due this week! Make sure your order is in Ms. Holtshouse or Ms. Zunic’s mailbox by Friday, July 31. We will be back on track with SCRIP orders being turned in each month on the 1st and 15th.
• Have you completed your trip payment information and sent it in to the tour company? This enrollment paperwork was sent home in the summer mailing. (You can also find it on the Members Only page of the website.)
• As Band Camp approaches, check your instrument and make sure it is working order! You still have time to take it to the shop for repair before camp! You should also start looking at the music for the Swing Show - Jump, Jive, and Wail, In the Mood, and Big Noise from Winnetka. This will be our first show and you can help us by learning the music BEFORE you come to camp!

• Check the blog/website often from now on - there will be frequent updates! We’re looking forward to a great year!!!

Band Camp Snacks

Parents, we need volunteers to provide Band Camp snacks each day at 10:15 AM and 2:45 PM. Examples of past snacks include cookies, popsicles, cheese and crackers, chips, etc. If you are willing to provide a snack please email Ms. Holtshouse and indicate any preference as to date or time. Snacks can either be sent with your student in the morning or brought in at the snack time. Thanks for your help!!

If you donated a snack last year for Band Camp and are missing a blue cooler, we have it in the Band Room!!

Trip Enrollment Forms for CCIS

In the Summer Mailing you should have found a Welcome Letter and Enrollment form from the Tour Company we are using for our Orlando Trip. If you have not already done so, please complete that Enrollment Form and send it CCIS. You will need to complete one form for each person in the family going on the trip. (This form is also available on the Members Only page of the website if you need to print it again.) Don’t forget that the next trip payment is due on August 15!

This Week's Events:

• Tuesday, July 28 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Switchover Lessons

• Wednesday, July 29 - 9:00 AM - Noon

Officer Work Day - we will be decorating and setting up the band room, prepping the practice field, and stuffing band camp packets.

• Friday, July 31 - Noon - 4:00 PM

Rookie Camp - All Freshmen and New Members should attend. No Instruments will be needed. Squad Leaders should also attend. Please wear tennis shoes and wear sunscreen!

Other Reminders:

• We will need parent help each night of Band Camp for Uniform fittings. We will be pinning pants for hemming, sizing students for shoes, and distributing jackets and raincoats. Please email Ms. Holtshouse if you are available to help Monday - Thursday evenings.

• Band Camp Snacks will be served each day at 10:15 AM and 2:45 PM. If you are willing to provide a snack, please email Ms. Holtshouse.

• There will be a meeting for all New Member Parents at 6:00 PM in the Auditorium on Monday, August 3. We will be discussing schedules, parent organizations, and answering any questions you may have at this meeting. Students will be fitted for uniforms during that meeting.

• Meet the Band will be held Friday, August 7 at 6:00 PM. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a performance by the band! Students will be provided with dinner before the performance. Students should wear dark shorts and their band shirt for this performance.

• The next Disney payment is due August 15. Be sure to send the payment enrollment form (included in your summer mailing) to the Tour Company. Keep checking the Orlando page on the website for updated trip information.

Uniform Help Needed

Band Uniform Fittings will be held Monday - Thursday next week, immediately following Band Camp. We need volunteers for the following stations each night:

• Gloves
• Hats
• Tux Jacket
• Jackets
• Raincoats
• 2 Parents needed to pin pants for hemming.

We will also need sewing volunteers to take pants home and hem them.

Band Uniform Fittings will be held Monday - Thursday next week, immediately following Band Camp. We need volunteers for the following stations each night:

• Gloves
• Hats
• Tux Jacket
• Jackets
• Raincoats
• 2 Parents needed to pin pants for hemming.

We will also need sewing volunteers to take pants home and hem them.

Please email Ms. Holtshouse if you are willing to volunteer any or all evenings of band camp. Please plan on arriving at 4:45 PM if you are volunteering.

Reminder that Uniform Fittings will be held as follows:

Monday - Freshmen (don’t forget there is parent meeting at 6:00 PM in the auditorium!)

Tuesday - Upperclassmen with the last name beginning with A - J

Wednesday - Upperclassmen with the last name beginning with K - O

Thursday - Upperclassmen with the last name beginning with P - Z