August 6, 2023 Band Notes

Upcoming Events  

Sunday, Aug 6

• Secret Buddy Form Due by 10pm TONIGHT

Monday, Aug 7

•  Mental Health Training Day for Students; MHS (Please see below for your section’s schedule)

Tuesday, Aug 8

• No Band

Wednesday, Aug 9

• Band 1-9pm; MHS 
• BYO Dinner 4:30-5:30 on campus

Thursday, Aug 10

• Band 1-9pm; MHS 
  • BYO Dinner 4:30-5:30 on campus

Friday, Aug 11

• No Band

Saturday, Aug 12

• No Band

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

Parent To Do Check List For This Week

1. Secret Buddy Form Due by 10pm tonight.  Students were sent information via email earlier this week.
2. 10th-12th grade students who have not placed their black shoes in garment bags this past week should do so as soon as possible.
3. Pay $575 Rose Trip Payment #4 via  Bob Rogers Travel; Past Due
4. All Members - Complete Miami University Waiver tonight to participate in Team Building. Must be completed to participate tomorrow.
5. Order white undergarments (Please see information below)
6. Sew on Rose Parade and Sudler Shield Patches (Please see below for directions)

NEW INFORMATION

The Link For EZPay Has Changed

The link for EZPay has been changed.  The District has updated their website with the new link. Since we have shared the original link many times in our past communication, we want to be sure you have the updated one.  You will not need the link for band until school fees are posted and your December Marching Band payment. You can find the new link HERE.

Healthy Band Reminders

As we enter band camp, a new season, and a new school year, the return to being in larger groups of people will undoubtedly increase the possibility of illness. District Covid-19 protocols have evolved and changed, as they have throughout the state. As questions have arisen from parents surrounding Covid-19 protocols and policies, we have worked closely with our district leadership, Bobby Dodd and Jonathan Cooper, to clarify and align policies regarding student illness. It is important that everyone is at rehearsal if you are healthy so that we can all be successful. However, if you are experiencing symptoms of any illness that could be contagious, please stay home to keep others healthy. 

Communicable Disease Protocol, Including Covid-19 (Per Mason City Schools 8-2-2023)

• Students may return to school after being fever free for 24 hours. **You are not considered fever free if on a fever-reducing medication.
• Upon returning, masking is optional.

DO:

• Wash and sanitize your hands often (especially before touching instruments or mouthpieces). 
• Cover your sneeze and cough.
• Consider wearing a mask if you are recovering from a communicable disease.
• Stay home and contact a director if you have a fever or have been diagnosed with a communicable disease. 

DO NOT:

• Share water bottles or food. 
• Play another student's instrument, or touch their equipment. 

Feel free to contact Mr. Jackson if you have any questions at jacksonav@masonohioschools.com

Super Regional Tickets On Sale Now

Super Regional tickets can now be purchased at the links below. Tickets for Grand Nationals will go on sale in early September. 

Friday Prelims Tickets

Saturday Finals Tickets

Students do NOT need tickets. They get admission as performers. Those volunteering AT THE EVENT also do not need tickets. Only those who are NOT volunteering at the event and wish to travel and watch the Band perform need to buy tickets. Totally OPTIONAL for families as students will be bussed via charter buses to and from Indy. Preliminary performance time is tentatively between 4-6pm (we do not have exact time yet) on Friday, October 20th and Finals performance time is TBD on Saturday, October 21st pending preliminary results. You will need a ticket for each session you plan to attend...Friday Prelims and Saturday Finals would be the two sessions we would perform. More information can be found at https://marching.musicforall.org/event/indysuper23/

Looking For Booster Parent Mentors

We are looking for seasoned band parents to act as mentors for our new families.  This would entail answering questions, providing support, and sharing insights with our newest band families.  This is a simple way to make a huge difference in creating a positive experience for those new to our band family. If interested, please fill out the form found HERE. If you have any questions, please contact Bridget Siedlecki at vp-membership@masonbandboosters.com.

Marching Band Secret Buddies

Secret buddy is a fun and completely optional way for your child to spread a little happiness while giving (and receiving) treats.  Information was shared with students this week.  If your child is interested, they should complete the Google sign up form by 10pm TONIGHT. Students will be paired up with a buddy.  Data submitted by your child’s buddy on the sign up form will be shared in order for your student to find out more about snack preferences and any allergies or dietary concerns. Buddy information will be shared via email prior to the first football game. If your child wants to be a buddy, please make sure they take good care of their buddy! It’s more fun to try to keep your identity secret until Grand Nationals. There will be 7 Secret Buddy exchanges this season!

Dates: 

• 8/18- Home Football Game
• 9/8- Home Football Game
• 9/22- Homecoming Football Game 
• 10/7- Mason Invitational
• 10/20- Super Regionals 
• 11/4- MSBA Championships
• 11/09- Grand Nationals

2023 Fall Mum Sale

It’s time to order your fall mums! Orders can be placed until August 31st and will be picked up at the front of Mason Middle school on September 9th. 

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

Instructions For Sewing On Rose Parade and Sudler Shield Patches

All students should have received two patches during History Night. Both patches are to be sewn onto the student’s marching band jackets. We recommend applying patches as follows (when wearing jacket):

• Sudler Shield Patch - Right Shoulder (same side as Name and Section)
• Rose Parade Patch - Left Shoulder (same side as Mason Band Logo)

Apply the patches between the seams on the sleeve and 1” below the shoulder seam. (try jacket on to ensure proper placement and temporarily pin).

We recommend Hand Sewing using black thread. We do NOT recommend the badge adhesive as it will not hold long-term on the polyester material.

• If you are going to use adhesive, we also recommend hand sewing it to secure it.

The Band Boosters will NOT be coordinating patch application. You are NOT required to apply your patches to your jacket.

3rd Week of Band Camp Photos - Check Them Out!

Add pictures

Our amazing Photo Corps have already been at work capturing images for the 2023-2024 Marching Band Season. These photos are available for you to view/download for free from our SmugMug Site here. Check out these recent galleries: 

• Band Camp Week 3

If you need the password, send an email to smugmug@masonbandboosters.com. In your email please include your student’s name, student ID number and section. 

REMINDERS

Attention Sophomores Through Seniors:

Please bring in your black marching band shoes and place them in your green garment bag if you did not do so last week!  Thank you for helping the uniform crew with this task. Freshmen shoes will be coming soon.

Mental Wellness and Team Building Day - Monday, August 7, 2023

On Monday, August 7, 2023, Mason Band, in partnership with the Langbein Family, will be hosting a Mental Wellness and Team Building Day for our students at the High School.  We did a similar event last year and based on feedback from student surveys, we are shortening the day so that each student is only there ½  of the day and can spend the  rest of the day doing what they please.  Students will be split into groups as follows and Groups 1&2 will be in the morning session and Groups 3&4 will be in the afternoon session. 

IMPORTANT!  IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE, EACH PARENT/STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING MIAMI UNIVERSITY WAIVER!  

Miami University Permission/Waiver  - Sign and Upload HERE 

• Only ONE Parent Signature required.  
• Please be sure to sign Page 1 AND Page two where indicated.  
• Parent signature is most important.  
• PLEASE BE SURE STUDENT’S NAME IS NOTED IN THE MINOR PARTICIPANT PORTION OF THE FORM!  
• If the student is 18 years or older, they may sign the form themselves.

Student Groupings:

Each session will begin with a 45 minute 1N5 Wellness Wheel introduction for ALL NEW MARCHING BAND MEMBERS ONLY!  Then students will proceed to their first rotation along with veterans.  They will do 80-90 minutes of team building activities with the Miami University Recreation Team and 80-90 minutes with 1N5 learning valuable strategies for managing stress and maintaining mental wellness during this extended Marching Band Season.

We would like to thank 1N5 and Miami University for their partnership for this event. Special thanks to the Langbein Family for establishing the Jacob Langbein Memorial Fund in honor of their son and Mason Band Alumni, Jacob Langbein, who passed away in 2021.

If you have any questions, please email Shannon Wielinga at travel@masonbandboosters.com.

New Events Added To The Band Calendar 

Band Pano and Section Photos- Saturday, Aug 19, 2023

This year’s panoramic photo and section photos will be available to order on the same form used to order individual portraits, which will likely come out in late August or early September after the formal group photos are taken. Individual portraits will be scheduled at a later date and will be done by appointment only.

Senior Night/Family Showcase- Friday Oct. 13, 2023

Attn Seniors: Please send an email to seniors@masonbandboosters.com with the names of those planning to escort your senior. Historically, those that have escorted the student have included parents, stepparents, guardians, grandparents, siblings, etc. We will need the list of all those escorting the student, including phonetic spelling, so that everyone can be recognized. Please submit this information NO LATER THAN October 4, 2023.

Uniform Undergarments For Instrumentalists

This year, the Mason Marching Band will be using two sets of formal uniforms:  Classic Black and Competition White.  You will need to make sure your student has two sets of undergarments:

Black Uniforms - Tight Fitting/Compression style Black top (can be sleeveless or long sleeve) and black compression style shorts or pants. 

White Uniforms - VERY IMPORTANT!  MUST BE ALL WHITE WITH ALL WHITE UNDERWEAR AND CONTAIN NO PRINT OR LOGOS!  All undergarments must be tight fitting and PANTS MUST GO ALL OF THE WAY TO THE ANKLE!  SHIRTS MUST BE SLEEVELESS! We highly recommend a synthetic material vs. cotton as synthetics handle sweat and moisture much better than cotton.  CLICK HERE for more information and links to suggested items to buy.  You do not have to buy these, these are just examples of what you can buy.  You can purchase the undergarments anywhere you wish as long as they meet the requirements.  Any uniform related questions should be directed to Emmy Weiss at uniforms@masonbandboosters.com.

Socks will be provided by the Uniform committee for both sets of uniforms so you do not need to buy socks!

For information on Color Guard uniform undergarments, please see Erica’s weekly update email for more information on what to purchase for this year’s color guard uniforms.

Marching Band Next Steps - Registration Guide

Marching Band Registration Guide

This linked guide below 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

Next Up

• Past Due, Pay $575 Rose Trip Payment #4 via  Bob Rogers Travel
• September 1, Pay $450 Student Experience Fee 2 to Mason Band Boosters. Invoice was sent July 17th via email from: quickbooks@notification.intuit.com

Please contact medicalsecretary@masonbandboosters.com with any questions regarding medications or physicals.  If you have any questions regarding fees, please email Mr. Sleppy at sleppyj@masonohioschools.com.