IMPORTANT DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Wednesday, December 17 - MAHS Winter Band Concert
Tuesday, March 3 - All-District Music Concert
Monday, May 4 - Percussion Ensemble Concert
Thursday, May 14 - MAHS Spring Band Concert
Friday, May 15 - MAHS Spring Jazz Concert
Monday, May 25 - Sewickley Memorial Day Parade
Friday, June 5 - MAHS Graduation - All Band & Orchestra Students Perform
REMINDERS:
Volunteers needed to collect donations before MAHS Winter Band Concert on Wednesday, December 17th. Please see sign up genius.
Volunteers and Supplies needed for Pancake Breakfast
Please see the attached sign-up genius to donate supplies or volunteer for the pancake breakfast. This event would not be possible without ALL of you!! Email Hope at fundraising@moonband.org with questions.
Basket Donations
We are currently seeking basket donations. If you own a small business or enjoy assembling baskets, we invite you to contribute. Additionally, we welcome contributions of larger items—such as Penguins tickets, Steelers tickets, or similar—for inclusion in our silent auction. Baskets may be dropped off during the Pancake Breakfast setup on December 13, or you may contact Beckie Tobin at vpoperations@moonband.org to arrange an earlier drop-off. If your baskets are complete and assembled, you can drop them off at the cafeteria on Saturday during setup. If any baskets are missing parts or need final touches, please let me know so I can organize what still needs to be put together!
Pancake Breakfast and Cookie Walk
The annual Pancake Breakfast and Cookie Walk is one of the band’s biggest fundraisers. This year, the event will be held on Sunday, December 14th from 8:00am-12:00pm. Cookie drop-off will be at the High School cafeteria from 3:00-4:00pm during the set up on Saturday, December 13th. The Cookie Walk associated with the Pancake Breakfast is a very popular event. Dig into those old and/or traditional family recipes! Store bought or store bakery items will not be accepted. Please note: Each “slot” that you sign up for is equal to 5 dozen cookies. We ask each family to sign up for at least 2 slots (10 dozen). See the sign-up genius attached to email. Please bring your items to the High School cafeteria on Saturday, December 13th from 3:00- 4:00pm, and have your items labeled, including if they contain nuts or are gluten-free. Please also label your tray/container with your name if you want it back at the end of the event.
Assistance Needed with Senior Memory Books
Would you like to lend your creative talents to help celebrate our seniors? Each year, the seniors are presented with a memory book at the spring banquet documenting their time in Moon Band - from rehearsals, competitions, and football games through Florida trips, pancake breakfasts and sit-down concert season. We need some help from parents to comb through our archive of photos over the past 4-5 years to pull images and build pages for the Class of 2026. We primarily build this in Canva, but you don't need a subscription, we can collaborate together via the app. If there's someone that is very deep into graphic design and wants to take over using their own platform, we'd be open to that as well. Contact Ted Merklin (pictures@moonband.org) if you'd be able to help out!
Pictures: Parents who wish to contribute some of their own pictures from the stands or other interactions are welcome to do so at this link. Please note that contributions will be reviewed prior to posting in the SmugMug gallery. Please take a moment to consider your contributions and make sure they are bright enough, clear, and do not upload excessive variations of the same picture. If you wish to participate in more robust media coverage, contact Ted Merklin (pictures@moonband.org) to discuss. Refer to newsletter email for additional info.
FUNDRAISING
There are still pancake breakfast tickets available for anyone who needs more. Money or unsold tickets are due back Thursday, December 11. The tickets are LIVE! If your tickets are not returned, the money will be deducted from your student account!
Sarris orders are due November 20 with online orders due December 14.
If you have an 8th grade student and the season is over, forms can be sent through Mrs. Finkelstein or Mr. Fear to the high school. If you have any questions, please email Hope at fundraising@moonband.org.
FUNDRAISING – ARAMARK – PNC/Acrisure/PPG
If you are interested in working games and events at Acrisure Stadium to raise funds for your band student, please email Heather Park at hburakow@yahoo.com. The next event to work is the Steelers Game on 12/15 with a 5:00 pm report time.
STUDENT ACCOUNTS
Reminder that the next Disney payment is due on Monday, December 15. $475 for a quad and $529 for a double. If you have money in your account that you want to apply to it, please contact Maria at treasurer@moonband.org.
BAND DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Barthen
Small Ensemble Gigs
During the holiday season, the band utilizes various small ensembles to perform throughout the community.
Gig #2 - MAHS Band Cookie Walk - MAHS Cafeteria
Sunday, December 14 – 10AM-12PM
10:00 – 10:20 – Clarinet & Sax Group
10:30 – 10:50 – Flute Group
11:00 - 11:20 – Brass Group
Dressy/Festive attire – inside gig
WINTER CONCERT REHEARSALS
Symphonic Band (Period 5B & 6B)
Wednesday, December 10 - 6:30 - 9:00pm
Tuesday, December 16 - 6:30-9:00pm
Concert Band (Periods 3, 4A, 6B)
Wednesday, December 10 - 2:20 - 4:00pm
Tuesday, December 16 - 2:20 - 4:00pm
The Winter Band Concert is on Wednesday, December 17 beginning at 7:00pm in the MAHS Auditorium. The rehearsals and concerts are graded events.
FLORIDA UPDATES
Mandatory Parent Trip Meeting - Tuesday, February 3 - 6:30pm - MAHS CAFETERIA
As per MASD Policy, the mandatory trip meeting for parents will be held on Tuesday, 2/3 at 6:30pm in the HS CAFETERIA. Overview of policies and expectations regarding the trip will be reviewed. A parent or parent representative (grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling (over the age of 21 and who can sign for the student)) must attend the parent meeting. Students are encouraged to attend the meeting but not required.
MARCHING BAND REHEARSAL FOR FLORIDA PARADE – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 – 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
We will hold one rehearsal for the Marching Band Florida Parade. This is a mandatory rehearsal to be eligible to attend the trip. We will hold this rehearsal in the High School Gyms.
LICENSED PRESCRIBER ORDER FORM
When the band travels overnight (Away Band Camp, BOA Trips, and Florida), medication which is prescribed by a licensed prescriber and the student is either self-medicating or medication is dispensed by the trip nurse, must have a Licensed Prescriber Order on file with the Band Trip Nurse. This form must be signed by the Licensed Prescriber. One form must be completed for each prescribed medication. These forms are valid for the entire school year, if you submitted a medicine to take to away band camp in August, then it will be valid for the Florida Trip. LINK TO PRESCRIBER FORM
MUSIC MEMORIZATION TESTING - February 2-6
Music has been posted to the Microsoft Florida Teams page. Please have your child begin to memorize these two pieces of music. If music is not memorized successfully, they will not be permitted to attend the trip. 8th grade students are reminded of the assignment check-in of the Florida Music due on January 5 via the Florida Microsoft Teams Assignment.
ADDITIONAL FLORIDA DATES
February 3 – 6:30 pm - Mandatory Florida Trip Parent Meeting
February 10 – 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Mandatory Marching Band Rehearsal for Florida
1 rehearsal only. Everyone must attend, or not attend, the trip.
February 17 - Luggage load and Check – beginning at 6:30 PM (times staggered by last names)
February 19 – Depart via school bus
February 21 - Marching Band performance at Magic Kingdom
February 23 – Return to MAHS via school bus
2026/2027 Marching Band Summer Dates
July 21-23 - Guard (5-9pm), Wind (5-9pm), and Percussion (8AM-3PM) Camps
July 27-31 - Home Band Camp
August 2-7 - Away Band Camp
August 15 - Production Rehearsal
UPCOMING DATES
Mon. 12/8 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6-9pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Tue. 12/9 -
Wed. 12/10 - Concert Band Rehearsal - 2:20 - 4:00pm - MAHS Band Room
Symphonic Band Rehearsal - 6:30 - 9:00pm - MAHS Band Room
Thu. 12/11 -
Fri. 12/12 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal with Kyle (Staging the show) - 6:30 - 10pm
Sat. 12/13 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal with Kyle (Staging the show) - 9:00AM-4PM
Sun. 12/14 - Cookie Walk - Small ensembles to perform - 8AM-1pm
Mon. 12/15 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6-9pm - MAMS Aux Gym
HS Orchestra Concert - 7pm
Tue. 12/16 - Concert Band Rehearsal - 2:20 - 4:00pm - MAHS Band Room
Symphonic Band Rehearsal - 6:30 - 9:00pm - MAHS Band Room
Wed. 12/17 - Winter Band Concert - 7pm
Thu. 12/18
Fri. 12/19 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6:30 - 10pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Sat. 12/20 - Foxwood Light Up Night - Small Ensembles to perform
Mon. 12/22 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6-9pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Tue. 12/23 -
12/24 – 1/2 - Winter Break, No band activities
Mon. Jan. 5 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6-9pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Tue. Jan. 6 -
Wed. Jan. 7 -
Thu. Jan. 8 -
Fri. Jan. 9 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6:30 - 10pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Future Events
Wednesday, December 10 - WINTER CONCERT DRESS REHEARSAL
Tuesday, December 16 - WINTER CONCERT DRESS REHEARSAL
Wednesday, December 17 - MAHS Winter Band Concert
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CLEARANCES
MABPO has no connection to MASD's Applitrack, therefore a digital or physical copy of the clearance needs to be submitted the MABPO secretary. Clearances can be emailed to: Rachel Jones - secretary@moonband.org
Note: If the child's last name differs from the parent sending the clearances, please point that out in the email.
Per the updated MASD policy, Clearances are valid for 5 years
Under PA Law Act 153, The State of Pennsylvania is requiring all adults who volunteer in any capacity within the school to obtain background checks. This will include parents who volunteer to chaperone the MAHS Marching Band at football games, parades, band camps, and trips. Chaperones are required to complete the PA State Police Criminal Background Check, Child Abuse History, and FBI Fingerprints. The FBI Fingerprint is only if the volunteer has not been a state of PA resident for at least 10 years. Please visit http://www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov for additional information.
OR follow the steps below:
Child Abuse Clearance click HERE
1. Cost: Free
2. Create the account
3. Submit the required information
4. Print certificate and submit to MABPO Secretary
PA Criminal Background Check click HERE
1. Cost: Free
2. Click on "NEW RECORD CHECK" (Volunteers Only)
3. After the record check is complete, click on the blue control number
4. To view the certificate, click on the blue words "Certification Form"
5. Print the certificate and submit to the MABPO Secretary
FBI Fingerprinting click HERE
use service code 1KG6XN
Contact secretary@moonband.org if you have any questions about clearances.
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Questions, comments or suggestions contact communications@moonband.org