Band Notes | Mason Bands

Safety

Student Safety is Our Highest Priority!

With over 200 students participating in upcoming practices—many of whom are new or student drivers—ensuring everyone’s safety is absolutely critical. Please carefully follow the guidelines below during on-campus band rehearsals to help keep everyone safe.

Safety Guidelines for Band Rehearsals:

Drive Slowly and Stay Alert: Use extreme caution while driving through the back parking lot. Always watch for pedestrians, especially students and volunteers carrying instruments or pushing equipment.
Observe the One-Way Traffic Flow: The back parking lot is one-way only, moving counter-clockwise (see arrows in image below). Never drive the wrong way, even briefly.
Avoid the Bus Circle: Do not drive or park in the bus circle at any time before, during, or after band rehearsals—even if it appears empty.
Do Not Use the Ramp as a Crossing: The ramp between Parking Lot G and the bus circle is for band instruments, props, and equipment only. Vehicles are not permitted to drive across it under any circumstances.
Drop-Off Procedures: When dropping off a student, please pull forward as far as possible along the building to keep traffic flowing smoothly. Avoid stopping directly at the door.
Need Extra Time? Please Park: If students need to retrieve items from the trunk or if you're switching drivers, park in a designated space. This reduces the chance of cars maneuvering dangerously around stopped vehicles.
Pick-Up Policy: All student pickups must occur from a parked position. Do not stop or idle at the curb. You may park in the Band Lot or in the staff parking area outside B Pod (on the opposite side of the bus circle).

Thank you for your attention and cooperation!

Upcoming Events

Monday, May 25

Memorial Day Parade: 9-11am; report to St. Susanna (2026 MEMORIAL DAY GUIDEBOOK)

Parade starts at 10am

MB Leadership Team Meeting/Camp Prep: 1-3pm; MHS Band Room
Make sure all Final Forms documents are signed (by parent and student) and current physical is on file. Students may not be able to participate in Mini Band Camp Tuesday if this is not in place!

Tuesday, May 26

Mini Band Camp: 9am-5pm; MHS (2026 MINI CAMP GUIDEBOOK)

On-campus lunch break: 12-12:45pm

Medication Drop-Off: 8:30-9:30 a.m., Large Commons

Sign up for a time in BoosterHub

Senior Banner Photos: 5:30-7:30pm (based on reservation time); Choir Room

Wednesday, May 27

Mini Band Camp: 9am-5pm; MHS (2026 MINI CAMP GUIDEBOOK)

On-campus lunch break: 12-12:45pm

Optional Band Social: 6-8:30pm; The Web (Register Here)

Thursday, May 28

Mini Band Camp: 9am-5pm; MHS (2026 MINI CAMP GUIDEBOOK)

On-campus lunch break: 12-12:45pm

Friday, May 29

Mini Band Camp: 9am-5pm; MHS (2026 MINI CAMP GUIDEBOOK)

On-campus lunch break: 12-12:45pm

Volunteer Fair and Family Picnic: 5-7pm; Small Commons/Bus Circle

Parent Meeting: 5pm; Small Commons
Medication Pick Up 5-7pm, any medications from 25/26 season not picked up will be discarded.

School-Owned Instrument Contracts/Payments Due

Sunday, May 31

OMEA All-State auditions (optional) are due

Monday, June 1

Marching Band School Fee 3 $400 due

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

Parent To Do Checklist For This Week

Make sure you are current with all payments and forms for Mini Band Camp. See registration steps below.
Come support the band at the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25
Optional: Sign-up student(s) for the 5/27 evening Band Social - The Web Laser Tag (Sign-Up/Payment Form - also requires uploading BOTH a signed Web Waiver and signed MCS Activity Permission form)
Optional: Place food order for the Family Picnic at the end of Mini Band Camp on Friday, May 29 (Sign-Up - Papa John's Pizza pre-order form - form closes Wednesday, May 27 at 11pm; bring your own drinks [no alcohol, please] or we will have water available for pre-order as well)
Consider donating to the Jacob Langbein Memorial Fund (see below).
Consider donating items for mini and full band camp (see below).

NEW INFORMATION

Be Part of the Team!

A program of our size has a lot of moving parts and requires a lot of volunteers. We are extremely proud of our quality program and the amazing experiences it provides to our students.

We want to ensure that quality continues, but we need your help to do it! We have a number of open Committee positions for this year. We also have many Board and Committee members “graduating” at the end of this year, who need shadows to learn and take over for next year.

Please consider whether you might be able to take on any of these positions, or at least help with one area under a committee to lighten the load.

If you might be able to help, please speak with any Board member, Committee member, or Director at our Volunteer Fair this Friday. If you are interested but not able to attend that event, you can also email any board member.

Committee Chair Positions (open for THIS season)

MMS Liaison
Music for All Festival
Awards Banquet
Jot Forms
New Member
Concert Uniforms
Registration

Board & Committee Shadows (learn for NEXT season)

After Prom
Membership
Tag Day
Uniforms
Flower Sales

Mini Band Camp - New Information

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

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

Optional Band Social at The Web:

We are excited to bring back fun, optional socials as part of Mini Camp at The Web! The web offers Laser Tag, Go Karts, Trampolines, Mini Bowling, Mini Golf and more. These social opportunities are a great way to meet the people in your section after rehearsals during our first week together as a marching band!

HOW TO SIGN UP:

Jotform with payment/permission slips - CLICK HERE

DATE: Wednesday, May 27
TIME: 6:00pm-8:30pm
LOCATION: The Web Extreme Entertainment: 7172 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd. West Chester, Ohio 45069
WEBSITE: CLICK HERE
TRANSPORTATION: Transportation is not provided, so families that want to participate will need to pick up and drop off their student.
COST: $26 to participate

WAIVERS: In the Jotform above, there is a Permission slip from The Web & a Permission slip from MCS to participate. BOTH signed forms are required to participate. Also available here: The Web Waiver - CLICK HERE AND MCS Permission Form - CLICK HERE

REMINDERS

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

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 Sign-Up - Papa John's Pizza pre-order form (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.

Band Camp Donations Still Needed

Update: We definitely need more of the 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

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.

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 the second session: Student Care training at 7pm on Thursday June 18 in MHS Band Room (please enter via Music Wing doors). Note: You do not need to attend this June session if you attended the one in May.

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

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–this assures that I can check on your paperwork status prior so we can make sure we have everything needed! . It will appear that you are signing up for a volunteer spot, but it is to drop off medications.

Tuesday May 26th, 8:30-9:30 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!

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.