August 30, 2026 Band Notes

Upcoming Events

Monday, August 31

• MB Leadership Check-In Meeting: 2:40-2:50pm; Woodwind Room 
• Full Band: 3-6pm; MHS
• Mum Orders Due

Tuesday, September 1

• Full Band: 6-9pm; MHS
• Experience Fee #2 Due (invoices were emailed 8/16)

Wednesday, September 2

• Color Guard: 6-9pm; MHS

Thursday, September 3

• MB: Brass and Woodwinds: 3-6pm; MHS
• MB: Percussion: 6-9pm; MHS

Friday, September 4

• Full Band: 3-5pm; MHS
• Dinner provided (Feed the Band) - see menu below
• Home Football Game vs. Lakota West: 6:00pm to approximately 9:30pm (see typical schedule below)
• Note: Any timing updates will be sent through Parent Remind. Details on how to set up parent Remind can be found HERE.

Future planned events can be found on the updated band calendar: Mason Band Calendar.

Parent To Do Checklist For This Week

1. Order mums from our Fall Mum Sale by August 31.
2. Pay Experience Fee 2 by Tuesday, September 1 - invoices were emailed on August 16.
3. Senior Families
   1. Complete the form for Senior Night Information by September 18. 
   2. Please fill out the Senior Spotlight Note to be placed in the Invitational Competition Program. These are due by September 11. 

NEW INFORMATION

Picture Yourself in a Brand New Audi!!!!

This HOT 2026 Audi Q3 could be yours! 

Mason Band Boosters is thrilled to announce we will once again be partnering with Audi Cincinnati East for our 2026 Car Raffle. A HUGE thank you to them for the donation! We are very excited! 

Look for the car to arrive this week in the Middle School lot at the corner of Mason-Montgomery and Tylersville, as well as at the gates for our home games!  

More information is coming soon, but here is a preview of a few key details:

• We could use one additional parent to help co-chair this important fundraiser to make sure it’s a success! Please reach out to carraffle@masonbandboosters.com if interested! 
• We will need some parent volunteers to help at the raffle table during the football games and the competitions - sign-ups coming soon.
• As a band, we need to sell 4000 tickets (about 13 tickets per band/guard member) to be able to give away the car.
• Tickets will be $25 for one entry and $100 for 5.
• The drawing will be held on November 7th at MSBA Championships.

This fundraiser is a very important one for our organization as it helps provide some much needed funds to help with the expenses of our program as well as allows us to reach outside of our band family and community to help raise funds!

First Home Football Game This Friday Night!

The Marching Band’s first 2026 public performance of the competition show will be this Friday night at half-time during the game versus Lakota West! Students will wear Summer Uniforms for the first home football game. They should bring their summer uniform with them to school so they can change into it prior to the game (see schedule below).   

Feed the Band

Our first Feed the Band event will be Friday, September 4! All students will be offered food every FOOTBALL FRIDAY compliments of our sponsors and/or the Mason Band Boosters!

This Friday’s Menu will be sponsored by the Mason Band Boosters and Dewey’s Pizza.

Dewey’s Pizza- 7663 Cox Lane, West Chester, Ohio 45069

The Menu will be as follows:

Regular/Nut/Egg Allergy  - Pepperoni or cheese pizza, assorted Lays/Frito chips, choice of fruit, Nabisco cookie pack, Gatorade/Lemonade.

Vegetarian/Halal - Cheese pizza, assorted Lays/Frito chips, choice of fruit, Nabisco cookie pack, Gatorade/Lemonade.

Vegan/Dairy Allergy- Dewey’s gluten free/vegan-cheese pizza, Boulder chips, choice of fruit, MadeGood Granola Minis, Gatorade/Lemonade.

Gluten Free - Dewey’s gluten free/vegan-cheese pizza, Boulder Chips, choice of fruit, MadeGood Granola Minis, Gatorade/Lemonade.

Note: The special diet foods are ONLY for those who have declared a special dietary need as we only have a limited number of those meals.  Everyone else is expected to eat the Regular Diet meal.  Likewise, those that have declared a special diet are expected to eat their special diet offering. Thank you for your cooperation! 

*If the above do not meet your dietary preferences or needs, you always have the option of having food dropped off or packing your own dinner!

Any questions can be directed to our Feed the Band Chair, Annie Baxter at feedtheband@masonbandboosters.com  

Tickets

A reminder to our new families, tickets are required for anyone who wishes to enter the stadium to watch the game (and the band’s pregame and half-time performances).  

Information on tickets for all Mason sporting events can be found HERE. Tickets can be purchased directly HERE the week of the game or by using the HomeTown ticketing app (select:  William Mason High School).

Mason Bands Football Primer--Key Things to Know

1. Students rehearse right after school and do not have time to leave campus. They should have their regular rehearsal gear and filled water bottle with them to keep hydrated throughout the evening on long Friday game nights. 
2. Students should bring both rehearsal and performance clothes (either summer uniform or what they wear under their uniform) to school on Friday. Directors will communicate in advance what uniform students will wear at the game. This week they will be wearing the summer uniform.
3. Students are not allowed to leave campus for dinner. The Band Boosters provides dinner for students on Friday nights between rehearsal and game time. You may bring dinner to your student at 5:00 pm if you wish. Each week the dinner plan will be shared in the Sunday Band Notes. 
4. The Band plays in front of the Beacon building before they enter the stands. If you want to see that, stay outside the football stadium at the entrance and then enter after they play the fight song,
5. Parents not working to support the band at the game, have to purchase tickets to enter Beacon Stadium. Please see above for information on how to purchase tickets.
6. Students will stay with the band through halftime performance and then have third quarter off to visit friends, family and the concession stand! Students need to bring money if they want anything at the concession stand. Students cannot leave the stadium during third quarter. They will be bringing their personal water bottles up with them for the game.
7. Students will return to the End Zone for the 4th quarter.
8. Parents pick-up students at the High School after they have changed. Students will need time to put away all instruments and equipment and ensure their uniforms are properly put away.

If you have questions about Friday, feel free to contact Tyler Buckner at vp-studentexperience@masonbandboosters.com

Typical Friday Night Home Schedule - All Times are Approximate

Lakota West Invitational

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Lakota West High School

8940 Union Center Blvd, West Chester, OH 45069

Travel waivers

We will not be offering travel waivers for the Lakota competition due to the tight timeline and short travel distance. Any deviation from the standard travel plan requires approval from Mr. Jackson. jacksonav@masonohioschools.com

More information

lakotawestbands.org/invitational

Social Media Reminder

What an Incredible Milestone!
We’re thrilled to have our first public performance of our 2026 competition show this Friday! Our students have put in an incredible amount of hard work, and we couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished so far. This debut marks an exciting step forward—and we can’t wait to keep building on it!

A Quick But Important Reminder:
To protect the integrity and impact of our show, please do not post any videos or images of the band, props, competition uniforms, or show art on public platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter just yet. This is essential both for maintaining competitive fairness and respecting copyright guidelines.

We want judges and audiences to experience the full effect of the show live, just as it’s meant to be seen—for the very first time on the competition field.

That said, feel free to record personal videos and privately share them with only close family through direct messages or unlisted links.

Thank you for supporting our amazing students and helping us make this season unforgettable!

Marching Band 101 for Parents

New to Marching Band and have questions about what your student is doing or learning? Have you watched rehearsal and wondered how it all works? Each week in Marching Band 101 in Band Notes you’ll learn a little something new. 

Wait, What Do You Mean It’s Not a Tuba?!

Everyone knows the tuba dots the “i” in The Ohio State University marching band’s script “Ohio.” But what if I told you it isn’t a tuba? That large instrument you see that lucky Ohio State band member carrying isn’t a tuba in the strictest sense of the word. Rather it’s a Sousaphone. The traditional tuba is too cumbersome to carry and its design projects its sound upwards. The Sousaphone was designed by instrument maker JW Peppers after legendary bandleader John Philips Sousa requested a tuba that would be more easily used by standing or marching musicians. The Sousaphone wraps around the player’s body and its outward facing bell projects its sound outward rather than upward. So now you know it’s actually a sousaphone that dots the “i” in that “Ohio” script. 

Sousaphones are not the only specialized marching instruments you’ll see our students playing. Because of its rear facing bell and softer sound, French Horns are not ideal instruments for marching bands. Enter the Mellophone. With its forward facing bell, trumpet-like fingering, and brighter sound, the Mellophone is the perfect replacement for the French Horn in marching bands. 

At Mason, and most high schools, you often won’t see a marching Euphonium, either. With its more compact design, fewer valves, and brighter tone, the Baritone  offers a lighter, more direct sound and is an easier instrument to march, particularly for musicians new to marching band.  

So keep a look out for these specialized marching instruments as you watch rehearsals and performances. And impress friends and strangers alike with your newfound trivia! 

Website Tip:

As the season goes on you’ll see and hear a lot of acronyms used when discussing competitions. The Mason Bands website contains a helpful Glossary of Acronyms. Check it out!

REMINDERS

LAST CHANCE - Fall Mum Sale 

Orders Due Monday, August 31st 

Don’t miss your chance to get your Fall Mums before they’re gone! 

Sales end Monday, August 31st!

Place your order today and show your Mason Band spirit while supporting our incredible band students. Every purchase makes a difference!

Thank you so much for your continued support of the Mason Bands! 

We encourage all band families to Copy/Paste the message below and TEXT or EMAIL to at least 10+ family and friends. We appreciate your help supporting Mason Bands and keeping our fees as low as possible for families! CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLE EMAIL/TEXT MESSAGE

*The link above also has info for those who want to donate, but are not local or interested in flowers! 

Pickup will be the morning of Saturday, September 26 outside the Performing Arts entrance at the Mason Middle School.

https://form.jotform.com/Masonbands/FallMumSale

Should you have any questions, please feel free to send an email to flowersale@masonbandboosters.com.

Sponsorship

Know a company that would like to see their name and logo on the band’s semi trucks, t-shirts, website, and programs? All while helping our amazing band program continue to thrive?

We are always looking for new sponsors!  We cannot do all the wonderful things we do as an organization without the generous support of our sponsors. 

If you own, work for, or know of a business or person who may be interested in sponsoring our program, please forward their contact info to our Sponsorship committee - Jennifer Rodway at sponsorship@masonbandboosters.com. We are a 501c Non-profit and happy to talk to anyone. 

You can also find more information our our website.

Facebook Group for Band Parents & Families

Have you joined the band Facebook group yet? The “Mason Bands Parents and Families” group is a private group for families with students in the Mason Bands program. The group is designed to facilitate real time communication and information sharing among members. We welcome you to ask questions, leave comments and connect with other Band families!

Senior/Family Night

Attention Seniors and Senior Families: The William Mason High School Marching Band senior night is one of the most looked forward to and special events we do throughout the year. We want to honor our seniors and their families for their dedication to our program. In the midst of our planning, we need to collect a little information from our seniors so they can be honored accordingly!

Please fill out this form 2026 Mason Marching Band Senior Night Information with the names of those planning to escort your student during the on-field recognition of seniors. Traditionally, escorts have included: parents, step-parents, guardians, siblings, and/or grandparents. We will need the list of all those escorting the student - including phonetic spelling. Please submit this information NO LATER THAN Friday, September 18, 2026.  

The 2026 Senior Night/Family Showcase will take place on Friday, October 2nd. Below you will find the tentative schedule for the night for your planning purposes.  Thanks so much for your help!

Please fill out the Senior Spotlight Note to be placed in the Invitational Competition Program. These are due by September 11.

Please contact Kaja Harper at seniors@masonbandboosters.com with any questions.

Secret Buddy

Secret buddy is a fun and completely optional way for your child to spread a little happiness while giving (and receiving) treats. Students will “gift” their secret buddy snacks/treats and drinks throughout the season on selected dates - see below.  Signed-up students will now be paired up with a buddy.  Data submitted on the sign up form by your child’s buddy will be shared in order for your student to find out more about snack/treat preferences and any allergies or dietary concerns. Buddy information will be shared to students via email no later than August 28th. 

If your child wants to be a buddy, please make sure they take good care of their buddy! 

Also, it’s more fun to try to keep your identity secret until Grand Nationals. 

There will be 8 Secret Buddy exchanges this season:

• Sep 04 - Friday Home Football Game
• Sep 18 - Friday Home Football Game
• Sep 25 - Friday Home Football Game (HOCO)
• Oct 02 - Friday Full Band 3-6pm Rehearsal (day before Ohio Buckeye Invitational)  
• Oct 10 - Saturday Mason Band Invitational
• Oct 23 - Friday Home Football Game
• Nov 07 - Saturday MSBA Championship
• Nov 13 - Friday BOA Grand Nationals  

Any questions, please reach out to vp-studentexperience@masonbandboosters.com.

Dine and Donate

Don’t miss our next dine and donate opportunity - it will be delicious! Stop by Menchie's Frozen Yogurt on Tylersville Rd on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 from 4pm to 9pm, with the band receiving 15% of sales. The flyer must be shown at time of order (either on a phone or printed).

Jacob Langbein Foundation Fundraiser

The Jacob Langbein Foundation is selling stadium seat chairs. Proceeds from the sales will go towards Mental Health training and support to the Mason Marching Band, as well as other bands in our area as the foundation expands its mission to support the mental health of marching band students in the area. 

Link to Purchase: https://cap-tivatingcreations513.com/products/mason-stadium-chairs

About the Jacob Langbein Foundation:
Jacob Langbein was a member of the class of 2017 and a proud member of the Mason bands. Band was a bright spot and helped Jake thru a tough time with depression and mental health issues while in high school. In 2021 Jake died by suicide. At that time the Langbein family partnered with Mason bands and started providing funds for mental health training for students and staff, paid to send a school psychologist/mental health advocate with the band to the Rose Parade and also provided scholarships to help students with marching band fees. The Jacob Langbein memorial Foundation has now been created to extend the reach beyond Mason bands and help other bands with providing mental health training and support to their students and staff, all while continuing the partnership originally stated with Mason bands. We appreciate the continued support of Mason families and friends as we continue to help stop the stigma of mental health one student at a time.

August Booster Meeting Slides

Thank you to everyone who attended the Booster Meeting on Tuesday! Below you will find slides from the meeting, along with answers to the Slido questions from the meeting.

8-18-2026 Booster Meeting Slides

SLIDO Questions Answers Doc

Medical Secretary Notes

As we approach the football game and travel part of the season–a few reminders:

1. Our “Feed the Band” team is works to arrange what will be fed to our students prior to games. To that end, if your student has a food allergy (anaphylactic or not) OR food preference (vegetarian, Halal, etc.) please make sure you have submitted a Health and Well-Being Profile for your student. Click Here to fill out the form. This is the only way we know what foods not to serve them. If you can’t remember if you submitted one or not, please email Sally at medicalsecretary@masonbandboosters.com
2. Per school policy, students may not have any medications in their possession while participating in band (while at school or traveling) unless a DMS with ‘self-carry’ form has been turned in. All medications go through our Medical Secretary and need to be dropped off  by a parent by arranging a time with Sally McDonald, our Medical Secretary.
1. Current Medication Drop Off Times – Please sign up on Booster Hub for a time!
1. MSBA Lakota West Invitational: 9/19/26
1. Tuesday 9/15/26 5:30-6:30 at practice
2. OMEA Buckeye Invitational: 10/3
1. Tuesday 9/29 5:30-6:30 at practice
3. BOA GRAND NATIONALS: travel 11/12 - 11/15
1. date/time TBD, watch Band Notes and BoosterHub for sign-ups
3. You can continue to submit Medication forms as the need arises. Please think ahead to get them filled out by your doctor and submitted prior to our travel dates.  Click Here to access our Medication Policy (i.e. blank DMS forms and upload instructions).  

2027 Travel Update

We are discussing a potential larger scale trip for the 2027 marching band season. No plans are confirmed. Given the scope being discussed, families may want to begin setting aside funds now so they're prepared if it moves forward. We'll keep everyone posted as things develop.

Instrumentalist Lookbook

Please review the 2026 Instrumentalist Lookbook for performances and competition appearance standards. 

Marchers will need to wear black undergarments this year - see examples in the Lookbook link above. These undergarments need to be worn any time the classic and competition uniforms are worn for performances or competitions. This helps keep our uniforms clean and helps our marchers maintain privacy while changing.

Please contact the Uniform Crew at uniforms@masonbandboosters.com if you have any questions.

Informational Coffee Talks

Have questions about Marching Band? Not sure what terminology means? Lost in the sea of information and to-dos? 

This is the place for you!

All parents are invited to attend our Coffee Talk sessions that we will be holding throughout the season. These sessions are an informal opportunity to socialize with other parents and have your questions answered by seasoned band parent mentors. 

Our next sessions will be:

• Tuesday, September 8, 7-8pm in the Staff Dining Room
• Tuesday, October 6, 7-8pm in the Staff Dining Room

To get to the Staff Dining Room, enter the building through the music wing doors at the back of the High School. Walk straight down the hallway past the Band Room entrance, and past the hallway with the trophy cases. The Staff Dining Room is on the right just past that second hallway.

Tuesdays, weather permitting, the full band rehearses in the stadium. So come attend Coffee Talk and then head over to the stadium to watch rehearsal!

Grand National Tickets on Sale Now

Tickets for Grand Nationals went on sale Monday,  August 10. Click here for the BOA/Music For All page.

Preliminaries

Grand Nationals is a bigger event than Regionals. There are two days of Preliminary competition on Thursday and Friday, each with separate tickets. Mason will perform on Thursday, November 12, so that is the day you would purchase ticket for if you plan to attend. Our performance time has not been confirmed yet. Prelims tickets are General Admission, so you do not need to purchase these until you are sure you are attending.

Semi-Finals

Mason hopes to perform a second time in the Semi-Finals on Saturday, November 14 during the day. Our performance time on that day is typically late morning or afternoon, but we will not know for sure until late the night before. There are some reserved seat tickets available for Semi-Finals, or you can purchase General Admission.

Finals

Based on the results of the Semi-Finals, bands have the opportunity to perform in the Finals on Saturday evening November 14 (yes, the same day as Semis). If we make Finals, we will not know our performance time until late afternoon that day. Finals tickets are all reserved seats and typically sell out, so if you plan to attend we encourage you to purchase your tickets as soon as possible. However, there is no guarantee that Mason will be in the Finals.

Prelims - Thursday, 11/12/2026 - Mason performs - General Admission tickets.

Prelims - Friday, 11/13/2026 - Mason does NOT perform this day - General Admission tickets.

Semis - Saturday, 11/14/2026 - Mason Semis performance time TBD (announced Friday evening) - Reserved or General Admission tickets.

Finals - Saturday, 11/14/2026 - Mason performance NOT guaranteed. Performance and time slot contingent on score in Semi-Finals and results. Reserved tickets only (likely to sell out).

Hotels

***Pro Tip*** If you plan to stay in downtown Indianapolis at any point during the weekend, we highly recommend you make reservations/plans for accommodations now to ensure you have a place to stay.

You may also elect to stay in a hotel outside of downtown (there are plenty available, even in November) and park in a day lot near the stadium. There are several lots a few blocks away that typically charge $20 per day.

Get Involved

As the largest organization at Mason High School, our band program depends on parent volunteers to provide an outstanding experience for our students! Every family is required to volunteer a minimum of 6 shifts throughout the school year, and with our wide range of opportunities, there is truly something for everyone click here to find out more. 

The Band website also has more great information:

• List of Committees
• Detailed Descriptions:
• Student Experience Committees
• Fundraising Committees
• Event Committees
• Organizational Committees
• Volunteer opportunities

Each board member and committee has a booster email address you can use to contact the chair for questions or to join the committee.

Important: In addition to the required 6 volunteer shifts, every family is expected to help with Tag Day, the Mason Invitational, and the MSBA Championships. These events are essential to the success of our program and require support from all band families.

2026 Marching Band Registration Forms Are Live

The Marching Band 2026 Registration Guide is now live! 

The Registration Guide has detailed information about each step in the process. 

Marching Band Registration Next Steps:

• Due September 1:
• Student Experience Fee #2, $400 to Mason Band Boosters
• Invoices were sent on 8/16 via email from: quickbooks@notification.intuit.com
• PAST DUE:
• MB 2026 COMMITMENT FORM
• Marching Band School Fee #1, $400 via PaySchools Central or check to Mason City Schools
• Marching Band School Fee #2, $400 via PaySchools Central or check to Mason City Schools
• Consumables Form and Payment
• Instrumentalists
• Color Guard
• Marching Band School Fee #3, $400 via PaySchools Central or check to Mason City Schools
• Student Experience Fee #1, $400 to Mason Band Boosters
• Invoice were sent on 7/12 via email from: quickbooks@notification.intuit.com
• FINAL FORMS
• Fill out all forms - be sure to switch to 2026-2027
• Upload a current physical - blank physical form

• Complete Student Care Forms
• HWBP: Health And Wellbeing Profile
• SCP: Student Care Plan and Upload SCP Electronically
• DMS: Dispensing Medication at School and Upload DMS Electronically
• Accept BoosterHub Invite (new families)

Other Marching Band Documents: 

• New Member Meeting Slides 2026
• New Member Meeting Handout 2026
• MB 2026 ATTENDANCE POLICY
• MB 2026 FINANCIAL AGREEMENT & REFUND POLICY
• MB 2026 PARENT VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS
• MB 2026 Code of Conduct
• MB 2026 Grading Policy
• MB 2026 Travel Policy
• MB 2026 Registration and Data Use Policy

IMPORTANT: For all payments by check - please include the student’s name and student ID and the fee you are paying on the memo line of the check. Example: “Jane Doe 987654 Band Fee 1”

School fees are available in PaySchools Central. You will find the fees under Performing Arts. Scroll to the bottom of that section and look for the ones that start with "NEXT SEASON". All three school fees are live and payable, with the due date for each listed in the name.