Band Notes | Mason Bands

Upcoming Events

Monday, May 18

Veteran Member Movement Clinic: 6:30-8:30pm; MHS Large Commons
Medication Drop-Off: 6:30-7:00pm; Staff Dining Room (sign up on Booster Hub!)

Tuesday, May 19

MB Leadership Meeting: 2:45-4:00pm; MHS Band Room
New Member Marching Clinic: 6:30-8:30pm; MMS Aux Gym
Medication Drop-Off: 6:30-7:00pm; near MMS Aux Gym (sign up on Booster Hub!)

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

Parent To Do Checklist For This Week

Junior families: Sign up for your senior banner portrait photo session by this Tuesday, May 19!
Make sure both Final Forms and Physicals are complete and up to date or your student will not be able to participate in Mini Band Camp.
Optional: Place food order for the Family Picnic at the end of Mini Band Camp on Friday, May 29. (Stay tuned for the order form!)
Consider donating to the Jacob Langbein Memorial Fund.
Consider donating items for mini and full band camp.

NEW INFORMATION

Memorial Day Parade

The marching band will be performing in Mason’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25. The parade is for current 9th-12th grade band and guard members = anyone who marched in 2025 “The Regency". Rising freshman and new members do not march in this one.

MEMORIAL DAY GUIDEBOOK 2026

Schedule:

8:00-8:30am Band Room open to retrieve equipment.
9:00 am - Report Time at St. Susanna.
10:00 am - Parade Starts
11:00 am - Students dismissed

Color Guard Parent Meeting Slides

Thank you to all who were able to attend the Color Guard parent meeting this week! If you were unable to attend or would like to review the information from the slides, see the link below.

CG Parent Meeting Slides

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Mrs. Sleppy or Heather Smith at the emails below.

Erica Sleppy, Color Guard Director - sleppye@masonohioschools.com

Heather Smith, Color Guard Chair - colorguard@masonbandboosters.com

Family Picnic and Volunteer Fair

Join us on Friday, May 29th to celebrate the end of an amazing week of Mini Camp. We will start at 5:00 pm in the small commons with the show and uniform reveal!

Afterwards, stay in the small commons for the Volunteer Fair where you can hear about all of the different ways to get involved, and a family picnic in the bus circle (weather permitting) where you can meet and mingle with other band families. We’ll end the evening watching the Marching Band’s first performance of the year! *See the Mini Camp Guidebook linked below for more information.

Wondering about food for the picnic? We’ve made it easy for you! Feel free to pack a picnic dinner, but we will also have Papa John’s pizza available for pre-order. You can place your pre-order for pizza, chips, and water by completing the 2026 Mason Bands Picnic order form which will be available soon. (Pre-orders must be made by May 27th at 11:00pm).

Every good picnic ends with a sweet treat, so the Kona Ice food truck will be available for direct purchase at the volunteer fair and picnic.

Pit Crew

We are looking for volunteers to join the Mason Bands Pit Crew. This role is perfect for anyone eager to support our students and be close to the action, no prior experience needed. We are responsible for building the props and moving all of the equipment for football games and competitions. It's a great opportunity to be down on the field with the students and see the performances up close. By moving performance equipment, building props and loading trucks, you'll be right there with the whole band. To sign up, please fill out our interest form: https://forms.gle/62KrTjoozQhj26D98.

Uniform Crew

Do you want to be part of one of the most active and involved groups of volunteers for the marching band?

Do you want to interact with your student and their fellow band members right before their performances?

Do you want a front-row seat to the behind the scene workings of the marching band?

Then join us! The Uniform Crew is looking for volunteers. We handle all uniform-related activities both on and off the field. We are a fun, friendly group of volunteers who truly enjoy helping our students! It takes an entire village to make sure nearly 180 instrumentalists are dressed to perform! No experience or sewing skills necessary!!!!

Email Sarah Kern at uniforms@masonbandboosters.com to sign up, or if you have any questions.

Photo Corps

Get in front of the action and be part of our photo team!

Captures photos at all Mason Bands events including concert band, marching band, and guard
All experience levels welcomed
High-end camera not required
Creative, encouraging group dedicated to growing together while serving
Time Commitment: Very flexible! Time commitment includes time to take photos at events and edit, name, and upload photos to Smugmug site.

If you have questions or would like to join, contact Angie Gdovin at smugmug@masonbandboosters.com or Nancy Riley at photo@masonbandboosters.com.

REMINDERS

Mini Band Camp - Mark Your Calendars

Mini Band Camp will be taking place May 26-29. This is for all incoming Freshman through rising Seniors who will be in the Marching Band for the 2026 Season.

Schedule

Monday, May 25, Memorial Day Parade (for current 9th-12th grade band members only)

- - MEMORIAL DAY GUIDEBOOK 2026

9am - Report Time
10 am - Parade Starts
11am - Students dismissed

Tuesday May 26-29 (for all incoming Freshman through rising Seniors)

- - MINI CAMP GUIDEBOOK 2026

- - 9am-12pm - Full Band Rehearsal
  - 12pm-12:45pm - Lunch (bring your own or have food dropped off)
  - 12:45pm-5pm - Full Band Rehearsal

Band Camp Donations

Update: We definitely need more of the sweet/salty snacks listed on the Amazon Wish List!

Marching is hard work and to keep our band students energized and hydrated during their upcoming Mini Camp & Band Camp events, our awesome band families have helped out each year with their annual snacks/refreshments donation drive in May.

We've made it super easy! Instead of running to the store and then delivering bulky items to school, you can simply click the link below to order directly. All donations will be shipped straight to us! Donation Link is Now Live: Order Donations Here

Ordering Tips:

For the best experience, order from a computer, not a mobile device.
If an item is "Unavailable," do not substitute it - we’ve chosen specific items for a reason.
Avoid selecting "Subscribe & Save" to prevent recurring deliveries.
Avoid selecting “This item is a gift” - no need for custom messages/gift bags.
Prior to hitting the “Place Your Order” button, ensure “Mason Band Boosters - Mason, OH” address is selected.

Thank you for supporting our hardworking students—we couldn’t do it without you!

Mental Health Awareness Month

The Mason Band is proud to partner with the Jake Langbein Memorial Fund to continue promoting mental health education and training for both students and staff. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s also a time to remember and celebrate Jake Langbein. In honor of Jake and his legacy of being forever 22, the Langbein family invites everyone to donate $22 to support mental health awareness. To learn how you can donate, visit: Jacob Langbein Memorial Fund. Please help us spread the word to alumni, friends, and family. A heartfelt thank you to the Langbein family for their ongoing dedication to making a lasting, positive impact in our program and community.

Cont;nue - Jacob Langbein Foundation Shirt

The Langbein family is beyond honored that Keegan Synan and Daniel Goldcamp, seniors at Mason Mason City Schools, have chosen the Jacob Langbein memorial fund as the group to support and raise funds for as part of their capstone project for the Hope Squad! The Jacob Langbein memorial was created after Jake died by suicide in May 2021. The memorial is partnered with the Mason Bands to provide mental health training to students, staff and chaperones, as well as scholarships to students in the Marching Band because marching band helped Jake thru some tough times in high school. We'd love for you to purchase a shirt, talk about Jake when you wear it and help raise awareness for mental health and suicide awareness.

https://cap-tivatingcreations513.com/products/jacob-langbein-memorial-fund-t-shirt

Student Care Team - Volunteer!

🎶 Join the Band—Be a Hero Behind the Scenes! 🎶

Are you passionate about supporting students and love being part of something exciting? We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to become Chaperones & Band Aids — the heart and soul of our Student Care Team!

Whether you're a returning member or brand new, we’d love to have you join us! This is your chance to make a meaningful impact while sharing in the unforgettable experiences that come with being part of our band family.

Ready to learn more? Visit our Chaperone & Band Aid Info Page for all the details on how to get involved and what the roles include.

First Two Steps:

Everyone—new and returning—should fill out the Band Aid Interest Form to get started!
Mark calendars for Student Care training at 7pm on Tuesday May 19 in MHS Small Commons (please enter via Music Wing doors).

Step up, show up, and be part of something amazing… The band can’t do it without you!

MB 2026 BR/WW New Member Marching Clinics

To help prepare for Mini Camp in May, there are five clinics to help our new members learn the basics of marching and movement. We will learn physical warm ups, stretches, strength exercises, and marching techniques. This will help them as they transition into the first Full Band experience at Mini Camp. Students are encouraged to attend all sessions if possible!

MB 2026 BR/WW Veteran Movement Clinics

These three movement clinics are designed to brush off the cobwebs, reconnect with your section, and get moving before our first full band rehearsals at Mini Camp. There will be a combination of reviewing old things and learning new movement skills! This is for Brass/Woodwind students who have previously participated in marching band.

MB 2026 BR/WW Veteran Movement Clinics - Info Doc

3 NEWS ITEMS FROM MEDICAL SECRETARY

1. New Prescription Medication Dispensing Form (to replace current DMS in use) to be used for the 26/27 school year. Please begin using this form when getting paperwork updated this summer. We will continue to honor the old form as we transition. New PMDF

2. Medication Drop Offs for Mini-Band Camp

Medications for Mini Camp will occur on the following dates.

Please sign up via BoosterHub for a time slot. It will appear that you are signing up for a volunteer spot, but it is to drop off medications. 3 spots available/slot.

Monday May 18th 6:30-7:00 pm at Veteran’s Marching Clinic, Staff Dining Room MHS

Tuesday May 19th, 6:30-7:00 pm at New Member Marching Clinic, near Aux Gym MMS

Tuesday May 26th, 8:30-10:00 am Mini Band Camp, Large Commons

Please make sure you have a PMDF or DMS signed and on file with us for each medication you plan to drop off. We ask that you only drop off what we will need for the 4 days of Mini-Band Camp.

ALL medication will be returned to ALL band members on Friday May 29th at the Activities Fair.

Any medications not picked up at that time will be destroyed.

Questions, please contact Medical Secretary, Sally McDonald at medicalsecretary@masonbandboosters.com.

3. Final Forms / Physicals Deadline

Final Forms are being reviewed for completion. We need all participating Band Members to have up to date forms (all green!) for parent and student signatures. Also ALL students must have current physicals on file. Please work to get this completed so your student may participate in Mini Band Camp. Emails will be sent directly to parents/students outlining what is missing. Thank you for your help!

Senior Banner Photos and Senior Products

Class of 2027, it’s time to schedule your senior banner portrait appointment! Every year, we celebrate all our seniors with banners on the stadium fence all season. This year’s portraits will start right after the first session of Mini Band Camp, Tuesday, May 26.

(For some students, now is a good time to schedule haircuts if you want your hair to lie naturally by the appointment.)

Some kids want to get photos done ASAP and go home, and others may want to run home quickly to freshen up. If the timing of the appointment is important to you, schedule now.

Scheduling deadline is May 19.

https://form.jotform.com/Masonbands/2026-marching-band-senior-banners

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 June 1:

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

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

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.

Beacon Physicals

Mason Bands sponsor Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is offering walk-in sports physicals on Saturday, May 30, from 8-11am for $20 at their Summit Woods location in Sharonville. (Note that this event is after Mini Band Camp.) Click here for the flyer.

All marching band students must have a current physical on file to participate. If your marcher’s physical expires after Mini Band Camp and before the end of the marching season, this is an easy way to complete that.

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.