February 1, 2026

Email secretary@masonbandboosters.com by March 1 if you are interested in running for a board position.
Vote for Mr. Jackson for the Barry Manilow Music Teacher Award!

NEW INFORMATION

CWG Shines in 2026 Debut at MEPA Northmont

Congratulations to our Competitive Winter Guard, who took First Place in the Scholastic Open Class earlier today at MEPA Northmont as they debuted their 2026 program, “Come on, Dream On”!

Come On, Dream On is a high-energy celebration of resilience - where heartbreak and hope collide, and vulnerability becomes power. Wrapped in the soulful, psychedelic spirit of the late ’60s and ’70s, the program dares us to keep dreaming, keep pushing, and show up unapologetically ourselves.

The Mason High School Winter Guard is under the direction of Erica Sleppy.

The 2026 Design and Instructional Team includes: Erica Sleppy, Molly Brausch-Bradner, Hanna Andrews, David Crook, Tyler Terawood, and Byron Valentine. Additional support is provided by the Mason High School Band Director, Jason Sleppy, and the Mason High School Band Boosters.

Costuming by Byron Valentine for FJM — Fred J. Miller Inc.
Soundtrack Design by Andrew Markworth
Set and Digital Designs by Ross Werner and Byron Valentine

In 2026, Mason High School will compete in the Scholastic Open Class, performing locally in the Mid East Performance Association (MEPA), and nationally at the WGI Flint and Avon Regionals. Their season will culminate at the 2026 WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.

OMEA All-State Congratulations

Congratulations to our Mason Band students that performed with OMEA All State Band and Orchestra at OMEA Conference this weekend! These students were selected through a rigorous audition process last spring, and got to rehearse and perform with the best student musicians from all across the state of Ohio.

Booster Executive Committee Election

We will be voting to elect the next Booster Executive Committee in April. If you are interested in running for a position on the Executive Committee, please reach out to Laura Minniear by March 1st at secretary@masonbandboosters.com. We will be announcing the candidates shortly after the deadline. Anyone is welcome to run for any Executive Committee position. Please click here to see Executive Board positions and their descriptions along with details of the election process according to our current booster bylaws. This link contains our current Booster Executive Committee team structure for the current school year. This can be used as a reference to see what committees currently fall under each board position. Please note that the team structure is reviewed and adjusted each year by the Executive Committee to best suit the needs of the band program.

If you have any further questions about what any of the positions entail, please do not hesitate to contact any current board member. We would be happy to talk with you.

Thank you in advance for your consideration in serving in a leadership position of the band booster organization. It is a fun and rewarding way to support our incredible band program and more importantly the students.

Information from Prospective Member Meeting

It was great to see many new faces at our Prospective Member Meeting this past week! If you are interested in joining marching band as a new member and missed the meeting, here is the information that was shared:

New Member Meeting Slides 2026

New Member Meeting Handout 2026

REMINDERS

MHS Recital Night Signup and Information

Mason Bands Recital Night is coming up in April! This event is a Solo and Ensemble style event where students can either perform a solo on their instrument with a pianist, or perform in a small ensemble of students. Recital Night is required for Wind Symphony members as part of their honor credit criteria. Participation is strongly encouraged for all other band members, as it is a great way to improve individual musical skills.

All recital night information can be found in this INFORMATIONAL SHEET.
Registration form here: RECITAL NIGHT REGISTRATION FORM.

REGISTRATION IS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Recital Night Performance Dates:
Woodwinds: Monday, April 13, 2026
Brass and Percussion: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

February 11th Small Ensemble Concert Information
Concert Band Silver and Green

Students should report to the band room wearing their concert uniforms. Concert Attire Information - CLICK HERE.

Families who wish to view the performance can park in the back music lot, and enter through the Small Commons Door. See map above for parking and entry instructions. This performance is in the MHS Small Commons, not the auditorium, since this concert features small chamber ensembles instead of the full ensemble.

CONCERT SILVER ITINERARY

5:50 Arrive at the C13 Music Door
6:00 Warm-Up in the band room
6:20 Move to the Small Commons
6:30 Small Ensemble Concert Begins

CONCERT GREEN ITINERARY

6:50 Arrive at the C13 Music Door
7:00 Warm-Up in the band room
7:20 Move to the Small Commons
7:30 Small Ensemble Concert Begins

Vote for Mr. Jackson!

Congratulations to Mr. Jackson, who has been nominated for the Manilow Music Teacher Award! This award honors exceptional educators who bring music to life for their students.

The top vote-getter wins $10,000—$5,000 in cash and $5,000 in Manilow Bucks for new instruments!

Please vote daily and help spread the word!

Vote here: https://on.barrymanilow.com/trk/mmpcincinnatioh

Voting ends February 12 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Good luck Mr. Jackson, and thank you for all that you do!

February Booster Meeting - Save the Date

Our next general booster meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24, at 7pm in the MHS Band Room.

Topics will include:

Music for All Cincinnati Regional Concert Band Festival (CRCBF) on Saturday, March 7
Upcoming Marching Band Season, including the 2025 Commitment Form
Upcoming Board Elections

Jazz Band

Jazz Band Information: CLICK HERE

The link above has all the information about Jazz Band for this year!

MHS Winter Percussion Information

Winter Percussion has begun! See info document below for the schedule, signup form and all details. All of these dates are also on the band calendar.

2026 WINTER PERCUSSION INFO DOCUMENT

Email Mr. Cato with any questions: mhspercussion@masonohioschools.com

Peer Mentoring Band Program

One of our band seniors, Koby Carson, is starting a peer mentoring program for band students. He will be matching up students who’d like help from an older student who plays their instrument.

CLICK HERE to watch a video with more information

CLICK HERE to sign up as a mentor or to get help from a mentor.

Competitive Winter Guard Information

Student Travel Medications: If your child will need to travel with medication this winter guard season, you will need to have a DMS form on file - one for each medication - and drop off medication to the chaperones.
- Refer to Requirements for Student Medications.
- Upload signed DMS Form HERE.
- Contact Heather Smith at colorguard@masonbandboosters.com if you need to drop off medication for this season.
- Note: DMS Forms and 'as needed meds' that we have from this marching band season can be used for the winter guard season. Contact medicalsecretary@masonbandboosters.com if you have any questions.
CWG Parent Remind: Text @cwgp26 to 81010
CWG Parent Prop Help: When the team enters for a performance, we typically have parent volunteers helping with props so the team can focus on setting the tarp and their equipment - and this season is no different! If you are interested in helping out, please send Mrs. Sleppy an email with your competition availability. Thanks in advance for your help!
Snack Donations: Let's get the team some snacks!! If you are able, please sign up to donate snacks for show days. The goal is to have all snacks in by February 10th, with fruit being the exception collected on specific competition days.
CWG Competition Season Info Doc: The competition season is upon us! Check out the CWG Competition Season Info Doc for a list of all of our competitions, their event websites, and an estimate for what the days will look like. Although the circuits have not published drafts of our competitions yet, we are confident these estimates should help your planning over the next several weeks. Let us know if you have any questions.
Fees: PaySchools is live! Review the CWG Fees Overview for important deadlines and information on your two ways to pay.
- Fee 1 PAST DUE: $400.00 | via PaySchools or check
- Fee 2 PAST DUE: $600.00 | via PaySchools or check
- Fee 3 Due Feb 15, 2026: $600.00 | via PaySchools or check
Previous Forms:
- CWG Season Lookbook
  - Safety Rule for CWG Season: Glasses should not be worn during rehearsal run throughs or performances. Our choreography includes high level body under tosses and fast equipment exchanges, which create a high risk of glasses being hit, broken, or causing injury. Please use contacts or secure alternatives to help keep everyone safe. If you have any questions or need help coming up with a solution, let us know! We are happy to work with you.
- CWG Handbook
- CWG Absence Agreement Form
- CWG Conduct Agreement Form
- Final Forms Info Doc (two corresponding forms)
- WGI Performer Release Form (Minor)
- WGI Performer Release Form (18+)
- CWG Consumables Document
Season Calendar: CWG Season Calendar

Pep Band Information

We are excited to get our Pep Band season started! Pep band is a great way to play some fun music with your friends, while supporting our school and community.

CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE, BAND LISTS, AND MORE INFO!

This year, each member of Concert Winds, Symphonic Band, and Wind Symphony will again be responsible for three basketball games as part of their grade for the Spring Semester.

For all students in Concert White, Silver and Green pep band is not required but students are welcome and encouraged to attend if they want to visit with their friends and perform to support our school and community!