IMPORTANT DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Saturday, September 19 Local Competition at Mt. Lebanon HS
Saturday, October 10 Local Competition at Deer Lakes HS
Saturday, October 17 Local Competition at McKeesport HS
Saturday, October 24 - PIMBA Championships at Gateway HS
Thursday, December 17 - Winter Band Concert
Wednesday, May 19, 2027 - Spring Band Concert
REMINDERS:
Band Varsity Jackets: It’s time to order Band Varsity Jackets! Sophomores (Class of 2029), Freshmen who marched as 8th graders (Class of 2030), and upperclassmen who have completed one year of band are eligible to place an order. The DUE DATE for payment is WEDNESDAY JULY 29th, 2026. LATE ORDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!
Uniform Help Needed: We need help fitting all the students into their band uniforms. If you can help, Thursday, July 30 from 7-8 am. Please email Heather at uniforms@moonband.org. Thanks!
Sign Up Genius for Away Band Camp: We need some help on Sunday, August 2nd at the high school to help get the kids out the door, and settled at W&J. We also need LOTS of snack donations for camp. All donations can be brought Sunday morning, August 2nd when you bring your child to the high school for away band camp departure! Please see the sign-up genius links included in the newsletter email. Please contact Beckie at Vpoperations@moonband.org with any questions.
Candygram Pre-Order: All orders are due during check-in for away band camp. Please use a separate block for each student you are sending a Candygram to. Payable with exact change/cash or checks made out to: MABPO.
Away Camp Daily Themes: August 3rd through August 7th
Monday: American Day
Tuesday: Tie-Dye Day
Wednesday: Adam Sandler Day
Thursday: Hawaiian Day
Friday: Dress Your Class!
Class Colors:
Freshmen (Grades 8 & 9): Purple
Sophomores: Red
Juniors: Green
Seniors: Wear your Senior Shirts!
Mark your Calanders for the 2026-2027 MABPO Parent Meetings
Meetings will start at 7pm in the High School Band Room.
August 20
September 17
October 15
November 19
December 10
January 21
February 18
March 18
April 22
May 20
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP - Do you or a family member own your own business? Does your employer give donations to 501c's? If so, please pass along this year's Sponsorship Letter with our tiered donation opportunities. Reach out to Stephanie Haas at woogitrae@gmail.com with any questions.
FUNDRAISING: Don’t forget your Marianna’s Hoagie and Pizza fundraiser forms! Stop by the band room during home band camp to pick one up. Every order helps support our band program, so grab your form and get ready to start selling! All hoagies and pizzas are $12.00 each. Sell dates are July 24th through August 14th. Delivery will be August 26th, time and place TBD. Please place order forms and one check payable to MABPO in the band mailbox by August 14th. Please email Alyssa at mabpofundraising.ad@gmail.com with any questions.
Sign Up Genius for Football Games/Competitions
We need Parent Volunteers to help with Friday Night Football Games and Saturday Competitions. Please make sure your clearances have been submitted and are up to date. Refer to the sign-up genius links included in the newsletter email. Please contact Beckie at Vpoperations@moonband.org with any questions.
FUNDRAISING – ARAMARK – PNC/Acrisure/PPG
If you’re interested in working games, please email Heather Park at hburakow@yahoo.com.
STUDENT ACCOUNTS
You are now able to apply your students’ credits to fees in presto. Under finances, it lists My Fees, My Payments and My Credits. Click on My Credits, then select Apply Credits. Select the fee you would like to apply the credit to.
The first payment of $210 was due today. If you have not paid it yet, please pay online via Presto or place a check in the band room mailbox. This payment must be paid before we leave for away band camp. Please email Maria at treasurer@moonband.org if you have questions.
BAND DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Barthen
2026 MAHS Band Handbook - LINK
Trailer Practice Load - Thursday, July 30 - 7PM - MAHS Student Entrance
Anyone who is interested in serving as truck crew or truck drivers for the band's equipment trailers should attend the practice load on Thursday, 7/30 at 7PM. We will meet at the Student Entrance Parking Lot.
SENIOR PORTRAITS - Friday, 7/31 - 7:45AM - MAHS Band Room
MANILA ENVELOPE
At the July 21 rehearsal, an 8”x 12” manila envelope containing forms will be distributed to students. Please make sure parents and students familiarize themselves with the material inside the packet. Please refer to the table below to understand what is in the envelope.
HOME BAND CAMP – July 27 – July 31 - MANDATORY ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED
Home Band Camp is scheduled for July 27 – July 31 from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM for Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion Members; and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM for Color Guard Members.
WE WILL HAVE A FULL BAND REHEARSAL ON FRIDAY, JULY 31. Color Guard members as well as the Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion will report from 8AM-3PM on Friday, JULY 31.
Rehearsals will take place at the High School. Students will be responsible for bringing or buying their own lunch. Students may leave campus for their lunch break. Lunch will run from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Students are not permitted to walk on University Boulevard. Please have discussions with your child regarding if permitted to ride in cars with teenage drivers.
Proper summer attire is required, shorts, light colored t-shirts, etc. FLIP-FLOPS OR SANDALS MAY NOT BE WORN TO THESE REHEARSALS! Please be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. We will be outside! Water breaks will be given as needed and determined by the weather.
THE BAND WILL NOT PROVIDE WATER AT REHEARSALS. ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BRING AT LEAST A ONE HALF (1/2) GALLON OF WATER TO EVERY REHEARSAL. STAY AWAY FROM CARBONATED BEVERAGES and make sure you EAT BREAKFAST before rehearsal.
DAILY HOME BAND CAMP SCHEDULE
8 AM – 11 AM – Field Rehearsal - Outside
11 AM – Noon – Lunch on own
Noon – 3 PM – Music Rehearsal - Inside and outside
AWAY BAND CAMP ROOM SIGN-UPS
A link has been posted on the students' Microsoft Team pages to sign-up with their roommates for a room at Away Band Camp. PLEASE ASK YOUR STUDENT WHO THEY ARE ROOMING WITH!! If there are any questions, please contact Mr. Barthen.
AWAY BAND CAMP MEDICATION
Medication for Away Band Camp will be checked on Sunday, August 2, by the Trip Medical Volunteer. Please have ALL medication in a gallon Zip Lock Bag with both the Self Medication Form and Prescribers Form (If Applicable). If you have already turned that form into Mr. Barthen, the Nurse will have it on Sunday to reference. Even if your child is not taking any medication to band camp, please turn the self-medication form in with their name on the top and an "X" across the entire page.
REMINDER: ONLY UNOPENED PACKAGES/CONTAINERS OF OTC MEDICATION IS ACCEPTED. No open bottles of OTC Medication are permitted.
AWAY BAND CAMP FINAL EMAIL - A reference email will be sent Friday (7/31-evening) regarding our Sunday 8/2 departure and packing lists for Away Band Camp. Please reference the Away Band Camp Section of the Band Handbook.
PRESTO-ASSISTANT – https://www.presto-assistant.com
MAHS Band will utilize the Presto Assistant for managing and communicating to band families. This website is a one stop shop for all parent information, communication, and financial information for the band program and the MABPO (Moon Area Band Parent Organization). All new parents will receive an email link to change their passwords and adjust information within their established account after you receive Summer E-Mail #3. DO NOT ERASE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN PRESTO, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE BAND UPDATES IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS IN PRESTO. Also, do not change your child’s email address in Presto. We do not email the students using this application. If you are having issues with your account, please contact Mr. Barthen for assistance. Our organizational code is: moonareahsband.
DIETARY/ALLERGY INFORMATION - LINK
To aid in the planning and preparation of the marching band season, please complete the form pertaining to your child’s Dietary needs as well as any allergies they may have. This information is confidential and will be used to ensure we meet your child’s needs during meals and/or snacks in which the band provides. https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/0TSUwgJpCg
ABSENCE COMMUNICATION
If your student will be absent from a marching band rehearsal, please communicate with either Mr. Barthen (winds/guard) or Mr. Fear (pit/battery percussion). This will aid us in the planning and structure of rehearsal. Our e-mail addresses can be found at the bottom of this document.
UNIFORM FITTING SIGN-UP - LINK
We will fit the marching band uniforms beginning on Tuesday, July 22. Please sign-up for an appointment via the link.
Here is the daily schedule:
PERCUSSION ONLY
July 22 – 3:10PM – 3:50PM
July 23 – 3:10PM – 3:50PM
July 24 – 3:10 – 3:50PM
WINDS ONLY
July 21 - Wind Seniors – 3:50PM – 5:00PM
July 22 - Wind Juniors - 3:50PM – 5:00PM
July 23 – Wind Sophomores and 2nd year Freshman - 3:50PM – 5:00PM
July 30 – Wind Freshman (1st & 2nd year) & 8th Graders – 7:00AM – 8:00AM; 11:00AM-12:00PM; 3:00PM-4:00PM
BAND PICTURE DAY
Band Picture Day has been scheduled on Wednesday, August 12 beginning at 8:00AM at MAHS. Forms will be distributed/made available closer to the date. All students must attend, even if not purchasing pictures. We will take the large group pictures first, then move to the individual pictures. Individual Pictures historically conclude around 10AM.
Complete 2026 Season Marching Band Schedule - LINK
A CHECKLIST OF INFORMATION: (SAVE THIS LIST)
|
FORM |
LOCATION CAN BE FOUND |
DUE DATE |
|
MAHS Band First Letter
|
Presto/E-mail #3 - LINK
|
nothing is due
|
|
Letter from Band Parent President |
Presto – LINK |
nothing is due. |
|
Marching Band Fee Form |
Presto & Hard Copy in envelope on 7/21 will be provided - LINK
|
Monday, July 27
|
|
Physical Examination Information
|
Presto & LINKS -LINK |
Monday, July 27
|
|
Chaperone Information
|
Presto & Hard Copy in envelope on 7/21 will be provided - LINK Sign-up link will be emailed 7/20 |
Tuesday, August 3 |
|
Link to Dietary/Allergies Microsoft Form
|
LINK ONLY |
ASAP!! DUE BY 7/24 |
|
Band and Color Guard Shoe Order Form |
Presto & Hard Copy in envelope on 7/21 will be provided - LINK |
Due July 31.
|
|
Band Handbook
|
Will be posted on 7/21.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marching Band Uniform Fitting Appointment Sign-up |
ASAP!! Due by 7/20
|
|
|
Band Handbook Agreement Form Top ½ |
Hard Copy in envelope on 7/21 ONLY - will be provided
|
Thursday, July 30
|
|
Field Trip Permission Form – Bottom ½ |
Hard Copy in envelope on 7/21 ONLY - will be provided
|
Thursday, July 30
|
|
MAHS BAND Medical Form – completed and signed both sides |
Hard Copy in envelope on 7/21 Only – will be provided |
Thursday, July 30
|
|
MAHS BAND OTC Self Medication Form
|
Hard Copy in envelope on 7/21 Only – will be provided
|
Thursday, July 30
|
|
LICENSED PRESCRIBED MEDICATION FORM |
Presto and Hard Copy in envelope on 7/21 – will be provided
|
Sunday, August 2 |
|
MASD Participation Waiver |
Presto & Hard Copy in envelope on 7/21 – will be provided - LINK |
Thursday, July 30
|
|
MASD Transportation Waiver
|
Presto & Hard Copy in envelope on 7/21 – will be provided - LINK |
Thursday, July 30
|
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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: Heather Longstreth - 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.
Check out Moon Band on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/moonareabands
Questions, comments or suggestions contact communications@moonband.org