April 23, 2023 Band Notes
Table of Contents
SOCIAL MEDIA SENIOR SHOUT OUTS
BOOSTER MEETING THIS THURSDAY- 7PM
DINE AND DONATE!- THIS TUESDAY
FLOWER SALE – PLANNING FOR PICKUP
PARENTS - WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN OUR PIT CREW!
NEW: INSTRUMENT CLASSIFIEDS PAGE
TRIP FOR 2 RAFFLE - BUY TIX NOW!
HELP SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
THANK YOU AFTER PROM VOLUNTEERS!
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI COMMUNITY BAND
MARCHING BAND NEXT STEPS- REGISTRATION GUIDE
BUDDY ROGER’S/WILLIS MUSIC ESSAY CONTEST "WHY IS MUSIC FUN?"- PLEASE READ OUR MI STUDENT ENTRIES!
Upcoming Events
Monday, April 24
- Pit Orchestra 3:00-6:30 pm (Full Run of Show)
- Winter Percussion 5:30-8:30 pm; HS
- MB Color Guard Auditions 6-9 pm; MMS Arena
Tuesday, April 25
- Pit Orchestra 3:00-6:30 pm (Full Run of Show)
- Chick-fil-A Dine and Donate 5:00pm - 7:30pm at VOA location
- 2023 Color Guard Leadership Team Interviews; Sign Up Link
Wednesday April 26
- Drum Major Mock Audition 2:45–3:45 pm (For students interested in auditioning to be a drum major for the 2023 Marching Band season.)
- MB Color Guard Auditions 6-9 pm; MMS Arena
- Pit Orchestra 6:30 pm Picture Wear Black Run show at 7:00 pm
Thursday April 27
- Pit Orchestra: Call time 5:45 pm, Show 7:00 pm
- Band Booster Meeting 7pm; Middle School Large Commons (Please see details below)
- 2023 Color Guard Leadership Team Interviews; Sign Up Link
Friday April 28
- Drum Major Mock Audition 3:00-5:00 pm (For students interested in auditioning to be a drum major for the 2023 Marching Band season.)
- Pit Orchestra: Call time 5:45 pm, Show 7:00 pm
Saturday April 29
- Pit Orchestra: Call time 5:45 pm, Show 7:00 pm
Sunday April 30
- Pit Orchestra: Call time 12:45 pm, Final Show 2:00 pm
Future planned events can be found on the updated band calendar: Mason Band Calendar
SOCIAL MEDIA SENIOR SHOUT OUTS
Attention Seniors!! It's that time of year again...graduation is right around the corner. We would love for you to create a senior shoutout slide so our band family can celebrate you! We're going to start posting these soon, and we want to cheer on ALL of our amazing seniors! Please click here for instructions.
BOOSTER MEETING THIS THURSDAY- 7PM
Please join us this Thursday, April 27th at 7:00pm in the Mason Middle School large commons for our next booster meeting. We will share our most current information regarding the Rose Parade, explain the next steps in the registration process, elect our new executive committee and so much more. You will not want to miss it! We look forward to seeing you all there.
DINE AND DONATE!- THIS TUESDAY
Our next Dine and Donate will be Chick-fil-A this Tuesday, April 25th from 5:00pm - 7:30pm at Chick-Fil-A VOA. Grab dinner and support the band! The band receives 15% back from each order. Just bring this flyer with you or enter the words Spirit Night on your mobile order!
FLOWER SALE – PLANNING FOR PICKUP
Many of you have inquired about pick-up times for flowers. We are still awaiting a final delivery time from the grower. We anticipate pick-up will be late morning/early afternoon on May 13th. Pickup will take place in the grassy space between the building and the bus circle. We will share final times as soon as possible. We will also need a handful of volunteers to support pick-up. Please sign up here in Charms if you are able to help sort, distribute, or deliver orders for us.
PARENTS - WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN OUR PIT CREW!
Interested in learning more about the Marching Band Pit Crew? If so, please go to the Pit Crew Information page to learn more about how this group of volunteers helps our band.
NEW: INSTRUMENT CLASSIFIEDS PAGE
We are launching an Instrument Classifieds page on the band website for friends, families, and alumni of the Mason Band to list used instruments for sale. Do you have a used instrument in good condition collecting dust in the closet? Has your student graduated or “retired” early from the band program leaving you with a student instrument, outdoor rehearsal instrument for marching band, or a step-up instrument that is no longer being used? With continued supply chain issues and increased costs for the Rose Parade, now might be a great time to look at selling or donating that instrument! We have many middle school students and rising freshmen looking to purchase a used instrument. Please contact Mr. Rex if you are interested in posting an instrument for sale on our Instrument Classifieds page on the Mason Bands website or donating your instrument to the school for students in need.
TRIP FOR 2 RAFFLE - BUY TIX NOW!
Don’t miss out on a chance to win a trip for 2 to the Rose Parade! The Mason Band Boosters is partnering with Bob Rogers Travel to offer a chance to win a Trip for 2 to the 2024 Rose Parade. Tickets are 1 for $25 or 5 for $100. Buy Your Tickets HERE and please share with your friends & family!
The raffle winner can redeem their travel vouchers for either the Friends & Family trip or the Student trip. The winner will receive refunds for payments made toward existing registrations. If preferred, the raffle winner can elect a cash prize. See full rules for all the details. Please note participants must reside in the state of Ohio.
Proceeds from the raffle will be used to support students in financial need with their Marching Band and Rose Parade fees.
HELP SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Financial Assistance Fund
This upcoming marching band season we have more than double the families with verified need for Financial Assistance. The boosters have been working hard behind the scenes to raise funds to make sure every student who wants to participate this season is able to do so despite any financial constraints they may have. We know many of our families want to help. One way to do so is by making a donation to the Financial Assistance Fund.
This fund has been created specifically to support families with financial hardship by assisting with their participation and travel expenses in Mason Band. We are proud to have such a generous community to support our students in Mason Band. Mason Band Boosters is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and donations are tax deductible. Additional information on the Financial Assistance Fund can be found HERE.
Business Sponsors
Are you looking to make an even greater impact on our students in need of financial assistance or know a business who would like to help? If so, then please consider becoming a business sponsor. Details on how to become a sponsor and the benefits of doing so can be found HERE.
Questions
Please contact:
- Financial Assistance Fund: Lisa Oldham parade@masonbandboosters.com
- Sponsorship: Scott Cook sponsorship@masonbandboosters.com
Thank you for your generous support!
BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCES!
Congratulations to all of our HS Concert Bands and Winter Guard! All groups put on magnificent performances to culminate the year. Photos from the band concerts and the Winter Guard Recital can be found in the links below. You will also find links to videos of the guard performances for those of you who were unable to attend below. Please contact photo@masonbandboosters.com if you need the password to see the photos in SmugMug.
- April 17th Concert Photos: Click Here
- April 18th Concert Photos: Click Here
- Winter Guard Recital Photos: Click Here
- 2023 Competitive Winter Guard Show: "Never Love Again"
- 2023 Winter Guard Performance Ensemble & 7th Grade Winter Guard Show: "Grow As We Go"
THANK YOU AFTER PROM VOLUNTEERS!
The Band’s Minecraft Tattoo Parlor during After Prom was an incredible success! Thanks to everyone who helped provide a fun and safe event for our kids. Special thanks to Julie Chaney, this year’s After Prom chair, who provided the creative vision to transport the kids into the Minecraft universe and organized everything. She did this despite not even having a student at the High School this year! Thank you to the set up crew, Rachel Gasparraj, Aubry Andre, Ericka Lewis, Alex Riley, Julia Zhu, Nancy Riley, Martha Hamann, Lynn Brewer, Lee Chaney, Michael Bishop, and Gina Marshall. You were a quick and efficient team who executed Julie’s vision flawlessly! Gina, thank you for helping us with our balloon towers. Nancy, Your Minecraft characters were incredible and definitely added to the whole experience. Caryn Weckstein, for the second year in a row, the Bobby Dodd tattoos you made for the kids were the most sought after throughout the night. Ericka Lewis, Julia Zhu, Kelly Cook, Michael Bishop, Line Giberson, Chris Minniear, Elizabeth Schug, and Martha Hamann, thank you for staying up late with our kids when you could have just as easily stayed home. The smiles on the faces of the students throughout the night spoke volumes as to how much you were appreciated. We hope today you were all able to get some much deserved rest. Thanks as well to our awesome band and color guard kids who stayed extra late and helped us carry everything back to the car when the night was over. Lastly, thanks to all of the students who stopped by our area. We enjoyed getting to spend a little time with you which made our evening a lot of fun.
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI COMMUNITY BAND
Attention all graduating seniors, alumni, and parents! The University of Cincinnati Community Band is looking for new members to join this summer. The band is conducted by Mr. Johnnie Green, Mr. Aaron Rex, and Mr. Greg Mills, and is a relaxed community band that gets together once a week on Wednesdays between Memorial Day and Band Camp. Rehearsals start Wednesdays in May, but the schedule is very flexible for summer travel. You can see a full list of dates HERE and register through the interest form by clicking HERE. Please contact Mr. Rex with any questions!
MARCHING BAND CONSUMABLES
The Consumables Forms for marching band are now ready to be completed. There is a form for Band and Color Guard. Please complete the corresponding form for your student.
2023 Band Consumables Form -Students will be sized for uniforms and shoes in May.
2023 Color Guard Consumables Form
Please complete this form and submit payment as instructed by May 1, 2023.
We have received a couple of questions on which items to order. Required items are indicated in the form as such. Most of the questions seem to be around summer uniform.
See below for clarification:
NOTE: IF YOU ARE A RETURNING MARCHER, PLEASE TRY ON ALL ITEMS TO ENSURE THEY STILL FIT!
Summer Uniform Requirements - Band:
Green Band Polo (Consumables Order)- These are the same ones worn in prior years and by MMS students for concerts. If you already have one in good condition and it fits, you do not need to order one.
Black Uniform Shorts (Consumables Order)- Everyone needs to have the same uniform shorts for the Summer uniform to ensure consistency in appearance. If you already have these from last year, you do not need to order.
Black Athletic Shoes (Purchase on own) - These can be shoes you already own, but must be mostly black or dark color. These are different than the required marching shoes that will be worn with the Classic Band Uniform.
Black Belt (Purchase on own) - To be worn with the shorts. You will purchase this on your own or use one you already have.
Short Black Socks (Purchase on own) - Can be ankle or no-shows, but must be black.
Summer Uniform Requirements - Guard:
NEW “M” DRESS/Outfit (Consumables Order) - These are a new updated version of the “M” dress that will be required for EVERYONE this year and should be ordered with consumables. You will be fitted for our “M” Dress in the coming weeks.
White Chasse Cheer Shoes (Consumables Order) - These are required uniform shoes to complement the “M” dress and should be ordered with consumables. Please use your normal athletic shoes size when ordering as these are listed as running true to size.
Mason Color Guard Tank (Required - Order through Friday Threads) - Most everyone should already have these tanks, but if you need a new one, you can order here:
Mason Color Guard Store - Friday Threads
All other items in the store are optional for purchase.
If you have any other questions on consumables, please email travel@masonbandboosters.com.
MARCHING BAND NEXT STEPS- REGISTRATION GUIDE
Marching Band Registration Guide
This guide is a comprehensive guide on all of the remaining steps required for both Marching Band and the Rose Parade Trip.
2023 Marching Band Registration Guide
New families or those that need a refresher on the remaining registration steps: We will be going over the remaining steps found in the guide as part of our booster meeting this Thursday. We will be available to answer any questions you may have at that time. You are welcome to bring your laptop or other device to the meeting if you would like to start the registration process in the presence of board members who can help guide you as you complete some of the steps that night. This will take place at the conclusion of the meeting so that those who do not need the assistance do not need to stay.
Next Up- (Please refer to Registration Guide for detailed instructions on how to complete the steps below.)
- April 27th
- Booster Meeting 7:00 pm Middle School Large Commons
- May 1st
- Mason City Schools payment #2 due EZPay
- Consumable Fees due
- May 5th
- Update Final Forms Paperwork
- Complete MCS 2023-24 Health & Medical forms in Final Forms
- Review/Sign Marching Band Field Trip Permission, Tag Day Agreement, and Marching Band Handbook Agreement in Final Forms
- Update Final Forms Paperwork
- May 12th
- Dispensing Medication at School (DMS) forms due in order for us to dispense medication to your student during Mini Band Camp. This includes over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and Benadryl. Please review our Medication Policy carefully and refer to our website for Information, Forms, & How to Guides
- Get Registered in Charms & for Student Care
- Verify/Update Student & Family Data via Charms Registration (Instructions in Registration Guide)
- Fill out Health & Well-Being Google Form
- Fill out Student Care Plan if needed and Upload Electronically
- May 19th
- Pre-Participation Physicals are due and must remain current throughout the season. Please refer to our website for more information about how to check the status of your student’s physical and download/upload in Final Forms here.
- If your student had a physical in the last year, you can have their physician complete the physical form based on their previous appointment. The physical is considered 'current' 13 months after their exam date to allow time for scheduling appointments and completing forms each year. If you need to get one done quickly, there are several options nearby including Kroger Little Clinic offering them for $29 with same day appointments available.
- Pre-Participation Physicals are due and must remain current throughout the season. Please refer to our website for more information about how to check the status of your student’s physical and download/upload in Final Forms here.
Please contact medicalsecretary@masonbandboosters with any questions regarding medications or physicals. If you have any questions regarding fees, please email Mr. Sleppy at sleppyj@masonohioschools.com. More information will be provided at the upcoming booster meeting.
2023 Marching Band Fee Schedule
Date Due |
Fee Type |
Amount |
Payment Recipient |
PAST DUE |
Rose Trip Payment 1 |
$325 |
|
PAST DUE |
MCS School Fee 1 |
$350 |
Mason City Schools: EZPay or Check |
PAST DUE |
Rose Trip Payment 2 |
$575 |
|
May 1 |
MCS School Fee 2 |
$350 |
Mason City Schools: EZPay or Check |
Consumable Fee |
$175-$450 |
Mason Band Boosters Instrumentalists or Check |
|
June 1 |
Rose Trip Payment 3 |
$575 |
|
July 1 |
Student Experience Fee 1 |
$400 |
Mason Band Boosters |
August 1 |
Rose Trip Payment 4 |
$575 |
|
September 1 |
Student Experience Fee 2 |
$350-$450 |
Mason Band Boosters |
October 1 |
Rose Trip Payment 5 |
$575 |
|
November 15 |
Rose Trip Payment 6 |
$575 (TBD balance) |
|
December 1 |
MCS School Fee 3 |
$250 |
Mason City Schools: EZPay or Check |
BUDDY ROGER’S/WILLIS MUSIC ESSAY CONTEST "WHY IS MUSIC FUN?"- PLEASE READ OUR MI STUDENT ENTRIES!
Six of our Mason Intermediate band students essays as to “Why Music is Fun?” made it into the finals of the BR/Willis music essay contest. The winner of the contest will receive a Willis Music/Buddy Roger’s gift card. Voting has ended, but we thought you may enjoy reading why our younger band students find music fun. You can read each student’s essay HERE! Good luck to all of the participating students. We are so proud of you!