IMPORTANT DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
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:
Florida T-Shirt orders are due to the band room mailbox by this Thursday, January 22nd. No late orders will be accepted.
Assistance Needed with Senior Memory Books
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.
FUNDRAISING
Sarris Easter candy sales are starting. Please see attached instructions for details. Brochures and order forms are located in the band room. Orders are due by February 12th. Late orders will not be accepted! 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.
STUDENT ACCOUNTS
The FINAL payment of $452 for a quad or $507 for a double is past due. The balance for all trips must be $0 in order to attend. Please email Maria at treasurer@moonband.org if you have questions.
BAND DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Barthen
FLORIDA UPDATES - PLEASE READ AND PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES AND DATES. YOUR FAILURE TO MEET DEADLINES WILL CAUSE YOUR CHILD TO BE LEFT OUT OF DISNEY PLANS! Deadlines are planned around items we must submit to our vendors.
Form Packet was distributed in class on 1/14/26 (links for forms are below)
In case you did not receive the email I sent on 12/18, please click LINK
FINAL payment was due on January 9.
FLORIDA HANDBOOK & FORM LINKS
Florida Trip Handbook - LINK
Permission Form - LINK - EVERYONE COMPLETES
Not Returning with the Group - LINK - complete only if not returning with group
Medication Administration/Prescriber Form - LINK - complete only if taking prescribed medication while on trip
Hotel Fitness Center Form - LINK - complete only if using fitness center
Self Medication Form - LINK - EVERYONE COMPLETES, even if not taking medication on trip
Medical Form - LINK - only complete if form from fall 2025 has changed or medical conditions has changed
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. An 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.
FLA 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.
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
Jazz Band Sign-ups - LINK
Please have your child complete the linked form above
Rehearsals will be mostly on Tuesdays, a couple on Thursdays. A complete rehearsal/performance calendar will be distributed once personnel is known.
There will not be an audition for this year.
Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, 1/20
Pit Orchestra Sign-ups
Sign-ups have been posted in the band room for the pit orchestra for the spring musical.
Please have your child scan the QR hung up in the band room ASAP!
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. Jan. 19 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6-9pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Tue. Jan. 20 - Jazz Band Rehearsal - 2:20 - 3:45PM - HS Band Room
Wed. Jan. 21 -
Thu. Jan. 22 -
Fri. Jan. 23 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6:30 - 10pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Mon. Jan. 26 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6-9pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Tue. Jan. 27 - Symphonic Band to Middle School for 8th Grade Concert - Periods 1, 2, 3
Jazz Band Rehearsal - 2:20 - 3:45PM - HS Band Room
Wed. Jan. 28 -
Thu. Jan. 29 -
Fri. Jan. 30 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6:30 - 10pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Sat. Jan. 31 - Winter Guard Show at Deer Lakes HS - Perform at 6:08pm.
Mon. Feb. 2 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6-9pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Tue. Tue. Feb. 3 - FLA Parent Meeting - 6:30pm
Wed. Feb. 4 -
Thu. Feb. 5 - PMEA District Band at South Park HS
Fri. Feb. 6 - FLA Forms are Due
PMEA District Band at South Park HS
Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6:30 - 10pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Sat. Feb. 7 - PMEA District Band at South Park HS
Mon. Feb. 9 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6-9pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Tue. Tue. Feb. 10 - FLA MANDATORY MARCHING BAND REHEARSAL - 3:00 - 5:00PM
Wed. Feb. 11 -
Thu. Feb. 12 -
Fri. Feb. 13 - Winter Color Guard Rehearsal - 6:30 - 10pm - MAMS Aux Gym
Sat. Feb. 14 - Winter Guard Show at Baldwin HS - Time TBD
Future Events
Tuesday, March 3 - All-District Music Concert - Symphonic Band to perform
Monday, May 4 - High School Percussion Ensemble Concert
Thursday, May 14 - High School Spring Band Concert
Friday, June 5 - Graduation - All HS Instrumental Students Perform
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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