Moon Area Band Parent Organization Meeting
July 29, 2019
Submitted by Shea Corsetti, Secretary MABPO
Meeting was called to order at 7:11pm.
President, Andrea Ward
- Andrea opened by welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming.
- Thank you to the volunteers who have signed up to chaperone for this year by using the link. There is still time to sign up if you’d like to. We can use more people to chaperone competitions. When chaperoning you will be pushing pit equipment so there is some physical aspects to the job. There are a few non-physical jobs reserved for those who want to volunteer but are unable to push equipment. Please ask Andrea if you have any questions.
- This meeting tonight is about away band camp and Mr. Barthen will go over everything you need to know. Parents were assured that their kids will be safe, well fed, supported and will learn positive things like accountability.
Next was the introduction of the Executive Board:
- President: Andrea Ward- Andrea oversees all the awesome things that the band parent organization does. She is a senior parent, has someone who may be interested, and is looking for others who are interested in shadowing her this year to take over for next year.
- Secretary: Shea Corsetti- Shea takes minutes at the meetings and is in charge of clearances.
- Fundraising: Georganna palmer- Georganna makes sure we have lots of opportunities to fundraise for our student’s accounts. There are only 3 mandatory fundraisers throughout the year, one lotto and two raffle baskets sales; all others are optional but are a great way to pay for things such as trips and band camp.
- Co-Chairs of Concessions: Ginny Kotok & Heidi Anderson- Ginny asks for 10 to 12 people each game to volunteer for concessions. We are asking for each family to volunteer one game, clearances are not needed, and it is always warm and dry in concessions. You will miss the halftime show but it is a major fundraiser for the band and it cannot be done without your help.
- Treasurer: Karren Wood- Karren handles the finances for the band parent organization, she is also a senior parent and is looking for someone interested in finances to shadow her for next year.
- Publicity: Beckie Tobin- Beckie has set up a new and exciting way to order gear this year through an online shop called Squad Locker. The link will be posted in our newsletter and on our FB page. You can order anything at any time and have it shipped directly to your house. There is a 15% off offer right now as well.
- Corporate Sponsorship: Maria Johnston- Maria is the point person for sponsorships for the band. If you or anyone you know would like to be a sponsor for our band please contact Maria.
Special recognition:
- Aramark: Heather Park- Heather heads up the Aramark fundraising for Heinz Field and PNC Park. As an organization we have the opportunity to work the concessions stands at Steelers, Pitt and Pirate’s games as well as concerts held at the parks in order to raise funds for our student’s accounts. Several parents have raised lots of money for their students by doing this. Parents are able to pay for Disney trips and band camp by working these events. Several have worked enough the first year or two of band and were able to make enough for their students entire 4 years. If you have any questions or you are interested in working with Aramark please contact Heather Park.
- Uniforms: Maria Sacherich, Kathy Hinter, and Heather Park- Maria is in charge of marching band uniforms, Kathy is in charge of color guard, and Heather is in charge of symphonic’s formal wear. Your children will get to know these ladies very well.
Band Director, Mr. Nick Barthen
- We had a great first day of home band camp.
- Your student needs to bring water every day. We do water them about every 20 minutes. It is imperative that they hydrate. Even while sitting at home on the couch, drink water.
- They also need sunscreen. Very important.
- Every minute of our day is scheduled, we work continuously.
- Stretch every day. Stretch upon waking up, at the beginning of rehearsal, in the evening.
- Our philosophy is like a circular journey. We train to do musical and physical things. We start at 12 o’clock with marching band, then into sit down band but they are never just sitting down, they are tapping their feet, they are breathing to play and other physical things. Next we move in to small ensembles, still using the skills taught at 12 o’clock at 6 o’ clock. Then we continue on back to 12 o’clock again.
- Kids need to be practicing their music. They need to know it, and rehearse it.
- If your child is working hard they will always have a place here. If they are willing to put in the effort, we will build them up.
- Your kid might tell you there’s no way they will be able to march and play, but they will. From what we have seen today, there is not one kid who cannot march and play. We are off to a good start.
- We have 15 people on staff, paid by the MABPO. Your kids are getting lots of individual attention right now. These are people that play locally and PSO. One of them is here tonight Mr. Fear. Mr. Fear writes every piece of music played by the battery and pitt. (Mr. Barthen introduces Mr. Fear).
Associate Director of Bands, Alan Fear
- Impressed with the work ethic of these kids so far. They are doing great. We will maximize their effort if they bring it. We are excited about the talent.
- The battery is larger this year, the front ensemble is smaller, but overall same size as always.
- This Thursday, August 1st we will run a practice load and unload of the equipment around 5:45/6:00pm. Should only take about 20 minutes. We will meet and load at the student entrance. Just show up if you’d like to help, we are always excited to have more help.
- Thank you for all of your contributions!
Band Director, Mr. Nick Barthen
What to expect from home band camp:
- Sore muscles
- Hot/humid
- We will be out in the rain. Nothing crazy, no lightening, but rain, yes.
- We know what needs to be done at each practice in order to be ready for the show/competition.
- 8am-11am we are outside
- 11am-12pm lunch
- 12pm-3pm wherever it is coolest.
- We start at 8am, your student should be here by 7:45am.
- Always the Natatorium entrance, 2 doors on the right side.
- Bring lunch or lunch money. They are not allowed to walk on University Blvd.
- They will be tired.
- Forms and Financial obligations are due.
- They should be practicing their music and practicing moving.
- M, TU, W, TH the Guard is 5pm-9pm.
- Friday 8am-3pm entire band and guard
Away Band Camp:
- Sunday 10:30am-11:30am arrival
- Enter through the Natatorium
- There will be two lines, A-L and M-Z; you will check in remaining forms and medications.
- Prescription medication:
Must be in the original prescription bottle with the script on it.
Only bring the amount of medicine that you need (i.e. 6 pills for 6 days). Write the number of pills that are in the bottle on the bottle.
Over the counter medication must be in a new sealed bottle. We suggest you buy new travel size.
Individual pills or pill boxes will not be allowed.
All medicines must be in a clear baggie with the medication form (blue form).
The Medical (dark yellow) form must be completely filled out and turned in. Only Mr. Barthen or the medical staff will ever see the form. If you allow your child to be given any of the over the counter medications listed on that form, by the nurse, you must check and sign it.
- Medicine/Medical/Hold Harmless/and Band Agreement Forms are required in order to attend away band camp.
- Hold Harmless Form:
This is a new form required by the district for any sports/activities.
It needs to be signed and a copy of your insurance needs to be stapled to it.
If a child is riding home with someone else, a note must be given to Mr. Barthen along with a signed and completed hold harmless form and copy of the drivers insurance.
Extra copies can be found on the band website in the “Directors” folder.
- No silly string, nothing inappropriate, swords, duct tape, tons of gold bond powder etc. is allowed.
- The student must be present during their luggage check. Parents do not have to be there, you may drop your kid off, but you are also welcome to stay too.
- Once they are here they are not allowed to leave. Please be sure they have eaten breakfast and lunch before arrival. They can bring a lunch with them to eat before we leave, but they cannot leave the campus to get it; it must be brought with them. The first meal they get will not be until dinner.
- 8am-12pm we are of the field
- 1pm-4pm we are either inside or in the shade
- 6pm-9pm we are back on the field
- Sunday there will be lines
- They will be homesick Tuesday
- Wednesday is whiny Wednesday, they will get frustrated
- Friday is check out
- If another person is taking your kid home, let Mr. Barthen know ahead of time, send a note in and you must also send in the hold harmless form signed and completed with a copy of the drivers insurance (whoever is driving your child). If there is no one available to pick your child up from band camp they may ride the bus home, let Mr. Barthen know.
- They will be tired Friday night.
General areas where help is needed:
- Sewing flags/chaperoning/building props. If you are interested in any of these please contact Andrea.
Good things to know:
- Your children will learn time management and get a routine.
- Visit moonband.org
- Read the weekly newsletter.
- Come to the monthly meetings.
- Check out our twitter account.
- Sign up for Remind, this is in house stuff, not public.
- Check skyward for things regarding band class.
- Encourage your kid(s) and other kids as well.
- Come watch rehearsals, they are open. We typically do a run through of the show Thursday nights around 8:50pm.
- Attend the football games and competition shows.
- Shoe orders are due.
- Physicals are due to the athletics’ office.
- All forms need to be turned in by Thursday.
After Band Camp:
- Production rehearsal, August 17th 8am-4pm. This is mandatory, we will be learning the ballad portion of our competition show.
- Friday, August 23rd is the first football game.
- Friday, August 30th is senior recognition night.
- BOA is our biggest competition, in OH.
- If you have any fundraising forms, questions or monies see Georganna. Mr. Barthen nor any of the staff handle fundraising. Forms and monies go to Georganna or in the band room mailbox. If you are turning in a large sum of cash please take it directly to Georganna in the front office of the high school.
Important Request:
- Please DO NOT post any video of our competitive show on any form of social media until the last competition is over at the end of October. Our children work hard to perfect the show and we do not want anyone leaking it. You can send a private email to Aunt Sally but please ask Aunt Sally not to share it on social media either. Thank you.
Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm.
Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 22, 2019 @ 7:00pm.
Meeting is preceded by a closed Executive Board meeting at 6:00pm.