Band Notes | Mason Bands

Upcoming Events

Note: Do not park in the Band Lot during camp unless you have an assigned spot. Access is needed for students painting their designated spaces. Alternate option is the Staff Parking area outside B Pod (the opposite side of the bus circle from the Band Lot).

-- See the BAND CAMP GUIDEBOOK for more information --

Monday, July 27

Band Camp: 9am-5pm; MHS
- On-campus lunch break 12-12:45pm
(Optional) DCI Summer Music Games: 7-10pm; MHS Dwire Stadium
- You can purchase tickets, or watch warm-ups in the parking lot for free
Deadline to purchase Ultimate Band Drill (optional)

Tuesday, July 28

Band Camp: 1-9pm; MHS

On-campus dinner break 4:30-5:30pm

Senior Families - Pick up senior banner products for those who ordered them: 6:45, Harvard Room, or 8:45-9:15, chaperone table
Parent Booster Meeting: 7pm; Harvard Room or virtually via link in email

Wednesday, July 29

Band Camp: 9am-5pm; MHS

On-campus lunch break 12-12:45pm

History Night (students): 7-10pm; Auditorium

Thursday, July 30

Band Camp: 1-9pm; MHS

On-campus dinner break 4:30-5:30pm

Friday, July 31

Band Camp: 1-9pm; MHS

On-campus dinner break 4:30-5:30pm

Saturday, August 1

Experience Fee #1 Due

Tag Day: 9am-2pm; meet in MHS Small Commons

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

Parent To Do Checklist For This Week

Attend Parent Booster Meeting this Tuesday.
Sign up as a standby driver for Tag Day (email TagDay@masonbandbooster.com with your name and phone number) - Tag Day is this Saturday.
Senior Families: Pick up senior banner products if you ordered anything extra this Tuesday at the Booster Meeting.
(Optional) Order Ultimate Drill Book by July 27 (see below).
Pay Experience Fee 1 by August 1 - invoices were sent out on July 12.

NEW INFORMATION

Booster Meeting this Tuesday

Join us this Tuesday, July 28, at 7pm in the Harvard Room for our first parent Booster Meeting of the 2026 Marching Band season!

If you can’t attend in person, you can attend virtually using the information provided in the Band Notes email.

Come get all the important information firsthand for the upcoming weeks and months.

Tag Day This Saturday

This Saturday is our biggest fundraiser of the year - TAG DAY - when our students work in teams to canvas our Mason neighborhoods and ask for support. In addition to raising money for our program, this is a great team-building opportunity for the students, who will work in teams that include both under- and upper-class student members.

Teams and Drivers

The section leaders have put together teams with drivers. If you are interested in being a ‘standby’ driver please email us at TagDay@Masonbandboosters.com with your name, phone number and number of seats in your car. Drivers must be 21 or older. While we try to keep drivers with their student in the car, for our back up drivers, we cannot guarantee you will be with your student. Thank you for your help and support!

Uniforms

Instrumentalists - Summer Uniform

Green Mason Bands polo
Black shorts
Black belt
Black socks
Black shoes (sneakers are fine)
Lanyard

Color Guard - Rehearsal Uniform

M Tank
Jean Shorts or Black Practice Shorts/Skirt
Sneakers
Lanyard

Saturday Logistics

Students and adult drivers meet Saturday morning in the Small Commons by 9am for the kick-off. We will provide instructions and neighborhood assignments. Volunteers will drive their team of students to their assigned neighborhoods and their team will go door to door requesting donations. We make sure that every team includes an upper-class student who is a “veteran” of TAG DAY. Once a team is finished canvassing their assigned neighborhood, they return to the Small Commons with their donations and supplies and are released for the day.

Show Your Mason Band Spirit!

It's time to order this season's Mason Band spirit items! We're excited to offer all of this year's show-themed spirit items at the beginning of the season, making it easier than ever to get everything you want.

Please note: This is separate from the official show shirt, which will be available through Friday Threads.

Order Deadline

All online orders must be placed by Sunday, August 9.

Order Here: https://pci.jotform.com/Masonbands/2026ShowSpirit

A limited number of extras will be available for purchase at competitions and other events throughout the season. Once those items are sold out, they will not be reordered, so we encourage you to order by August 9 if there's something you know you'd like.

Show-Themed Spirit Items

Show Flag (12" × 18") – $20
Ornament – $10
Sticker – $5
Lanyard – $6
Luggage Tag – $8
Button Pin – $5
Enamel Pin – $8
Patch – $8
Grand Nationals Candy Mug – $20

Save with the Show Spirit Package!

Purchase one of each show-themed item and save 10%.

Show Spirit Package: $80

Spirit Item Sales

Mason Band yard signs and select Mason Band spirit items will also be available for purchase in person on the following dates:

Tuesday, July 28 | Before & After the Booster Meeting
Monday, August 3 | Green Tent (Bus Circle)

Pick-Up Information

Most items will be available for pickup as they arrive.
Grand Nationals Candy Mugs will be available for pickup at Let's Play the day before departure.
Ornaments will be distributed at Awards Night.

Please watch Band Notes and email communications for pickup dates and reminders as items arrive.

Thank you for supporting the Mason Bands Spirit Committee. We can't wait to see everyone showing their Mason Band spirit throughout the season!

MB Classic Uniform Fittings - 9-11th grade Instrumentalists only

It is time for Marching Band Classic Uniform fittings for 9-11th grade instrumentalists! All 9th-11th grade instrumentalists need to come in for a fitting appointment. During the fitting, marchers will get their classic uniform pieces fitted to them. Please sign up on BoosterHub for a volunteer slot using the link below - you aren’t volunteering, just signing for a time slot). If parents sign up their marcher, please put the marcher’s name in the comments. Marchers should wear/bring wear undergarments or tight clothing for a proper fitting.

Returning marchers - please bring your black marching shoes to your appointment!

Sign up on BoosterHub:

Wed. August 12 - 5:00 - 8:45 pm
Thurs. August 13 - 6:00 - 8:45 pm
Sat. August 15 - 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Fittings will be in the high school in the guitar room (where spring sizing was held) - enter band doors, walk straight down the hall, and we will be in a room on the left. Please contact the Uniform Crew at uniforms@masonbandboosters.com if you have any questions or concerns.

Note: There will be one additional fitting in the fall after Competition uniforms are in.

Comet Cupboard - Donations!

During Band Camp Week 3, please support the Mason Band’s service project as we collect donations for the Comet Cupboard! The Comet Cupboard is an in-school pantry service that provides weekend food, clothing, and personal items to their peers in need. Donations should be brought in by students from August 3-7 during rehearsal. Top needs include: Cereal Bars, Tuna Packets, 16oz Peanut Butter and Fruit/Applesauce Squeezes. Please contact vp-studentexperience@masonbandboosters.com with any questions.

SmugMug - Band Camp Edition

Band is in session, which means our awesome Photo Corps team are also hitting the pavement to get great shots of all our students! Keep an eye on SmugMug all season long for new pics!

There are already some great shots from Week 1 of Band Camp!

For login instructions, see the SmugMug Information sheet in BoosterHub, or email Smugmug@masonbandboosters.com.

Senior Banner Products are in!

If you ordered prints, buttons, or other fun senior swag, you can pick them up Tuesday, July 28, at 6:45 p.m. in the Harvard Room prior to the booster meeting. You can also pick them up 8:45 at the chaperone table or have your student pick them up immediately after dismissal.

Please have your pick up email ready so we can move the line quickly and make sure we give you everything in your order. The email, sent 7/24/2026 to both students and guardians, will have “Senior banner products” in the subject line and be from photo@masonbandboosters.com.

Fall Mum Sale

Mason Bands annual Fall Mum sale is coming up, August 1, 2026.

Stay tuned for more information on how to place your orders.

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

Feed the Band!

Looking for an easy way to volunteer for a few hours? Feed the Band is a great way to help! We have Feed the Band before home football games and special events throughout the season. Food is provided by a local restaurant - all we have to do is plate it and put it out, and then clean up afterward. You will also earn lots of gratitude points with our hungry students!

To find and sign up for these events, go to the Volunteer section of BoosterHub, and search for “Feed” - you’ll see the full list of opportunities.

REMINDERS

Parking Reminders

The safety of our students is our top priority! We have over 230 students arriving for practices, many student drivers/new drivers, and students and volunteers unloading equipment and moving it through both parking lots - nothing is more important than keeping them all safe!

As always, please:

Drive SLOWLY through the back parking lot, watching for pedestrians.
The parking lot is ONE WAY, counter-clockwise (see arrows in image). Do NOT drive the wrong way, even for a short distance.
Do NOT drive or park in the bus circle before/during/after band practices, even if it looks like there is no one there.
Do not drive on the ramp between the parking lot and bus circle - it is for band instruments, props, and equipment only, it is NOT to be used by an automobile as a crossing.
When dropping off students, please PULL UP as far as possible along the building to speed up drop-off for everyone - do not stop right by the door.
If your students need to get items out of the back of the car, or you are changing drivers, please PARK. This not only speeds up drop-off, but reduces the risk of cars cutting around dangerously.
When picking up students, you MUST PARK - do NOT pick up at the curb. Note that you can park in the staff lot outside B Pod (the other side of the bus circle) as well as in the Band Lot.

Exception: If practice has already dismissed and your student is waiting at the curb, you can pull up to pick them up.

During Band Camp: Do NOT park in the Band Lot during camp unless you have an assigned spot there. Access is needed for students painting their designated spaces. Alternate option is the Staff Parking area outside B Pod (the opposite side of the bus circle from the Band Lot).

Thank you for your cooperation!

Informational Coffee Talks

Have questions about Marching Band? Not sure what terminology means? Lost of the sea of information and to-do’s?

This is the place for you!

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

Our first session will be:

Wednesday, August 5, 7-8pm in the KIVA - enter through the main lobby entrance go up the stairs on the left then turn left at the top of the stairs and the KIVA is on the left.

Ultimate Drill Book - Optional

ULTIMATE DRILL BOOK - Optional

This year we again have the ability to allow students and families who like having access to the “Ultimate Drill Book” tool to purchase this individually for the season. This is not required, and is completely optional only for families/students. This is the same drill tool that the directors and staff use, and allow students to hear and see their individual “dot” in the show as the drill moves with the music on their device. The cost is $22 plus tax, that covers the entire season. Families can purchase anytime between now and July 27th.

To Purchase UDB for your student:

Go to this link: CLICK HERE
Add the subscription to your cart
Pay the fee ($22.66)
Download the "UDB" app from the App Store on your phone or Ipad (see UDB website for compatible devices)
On July 21 and July 28, Mr. Hinson will receive an email from UDB with students that have purchased. Students will then receive an email to their school email with the ensemble code that allows them to join the Mason UDB group.

Order by July 27th. This will be the final date to order by for this season.

If you'd like to learn more about UDB before purchasing, see this video from the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps about UDB: CLICK HERE

Tutorial for students on how to use UDB: CLICK HERE

MEDICAL SECRETARY UPDATES

Medication Dispensing Forms 2026-27 Marching Band Camp is here! Please continue to get medication forms filled out. A reminder, per school policy students MAY NOT carry medications. If medication is needed, orders must be submitted (signed by both physician and parent or guardian) and then an adult drops off the medication.

Use this link to print new med form as needed New PMDF

Use this link when submitting all medication forms: Link to upload DMS/PMDF for 26/27 season

QUESTIONS?!?!?! Contact Medical Secretary Sally McDonald at MedicalSecretary -

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:

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 August 1:

Student Experience Fee #1, $400 to Mason Band Boosters

Invoices were sent on 7/12 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

Marching Band School Fee #3, $400 via PaySchools Central or check to Mason City Schools
FINAL FORMS

Fill out all forms - be sure to switch to 2026-2027
Upload a current physical - blank physical form

- - - Note: The 2026-2027 form is not yet available from OHSAA - the 2025-2026 form is still valid

Complete Student Care Forms

Accept BoosterHub Invite (new families)

Other Marching Band Documents:

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.