IMPORTANT DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Friday, October 23 @ Armstrong
Saturday, October 24 - PIMBA Championships at Gateway HS
Friday, October Home @ RMU (Senior Night)
Thursday, November 19 Band Parent Meeting 7pm
Thursday, December 10 Band Parent Meeting 7pm
Sunday, December 13 Annual Pancake Breakfast 8am-12pm
Thursday, December 17 - Winter Band Concert
Thursday, January 21 Band Parent Meeting 7pm
Thursday, February 18 Band Parent Meeting 7pm
Thursday, March 18 Band Parent Meeting 7pm
Thursday, April 22 Band Parent Meeting 7pm
Wednesday, May 19, 2027 - Spring Band Concert
Thursday, May 20 Band Parent Meeting 7pm
Congratulations!
Congratulations to the Moon Area Marching Band and Moon Area Color Guard on an incredible performance this past Saturday at the Pimba McKeesport Competition! The Marching Band took first place with a score of 89.18! They also earned honors for Outstanding Music, Outstanding General Effect, and Outstanding Visual Performance. This achievement reflects the hard work, long rehearsals, dedication, and heart you brought to the field. We are incredibly proud of our Band of Excellence!
Help Needed with RMU Concession Stand October 30
Refer to the sign-up genius links included in the newsletter email. Volunteers should report by 5:00 p.m., but no later than 5:30 p.m. Park in the upper lot as you would for the game: turn left at the first stop sign and continue past the first lot. Then walk to the stadium entrance, where you will see our tent. All volunteers, including those who signed up for the RMU concession stand, should report to the tent. Baked goods/hot food can be dropped off day/of either with your student or right to our concession stand tent outside the stadium entrance by 5:30 on game day. Shelf stable items can be dropped off, or even shipped to 2510 Minton Dr. Moon Twp, PA 15108. Please contact Kristie at concessions@moonband.org with any questions.
Help Needed with Senior Night October 30
Donations are needed for the Senior Night reception. Donations can be dropped off before practice on Tuesday October 27 or on Friday, October 30 at 3:30pm at the High School Cafeteria. Do Not drop off donations at the Band Room. Please refer to sign up genius in the newsletter.
Volunteers are needed to set up before the event at 3:15pm and clean up afterwards at 5:00pm. Senior parents will be participating in the evening and will not be able to volunteer. Please refer to sign up genius in the newsletter.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Keri Merklin at seniorrec@moonband.org
Senior Parents
Senior members and their parents are invited to a reception at the High School Cafeteria before the October 30th game at RMU. The reception will begin at 4:00pm and include light refreshments as well as pictures. The reception will end around 5:00pm so that families have time to secure parking and seating at RMU. We are still working with the school on logistics for the evening and will keep you posted.
Seniors will be recognized during halftime of the football game. Please have your senior complete the Senior Rec Bio form located either on the Marching Band Teams page or here.
Please reach out to seniorrec@moonbang.org if you have any questions.
Fundraising:
Pepperoni Rolls made by Sunseri will be delivered to the high school cafeteria on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, for pick up from 3:30pm-5:30pm.
The Pie Shoppe Pies/Pumpkin Rolls will be delivered to the high school cafeteria on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Pick up time to be determined.
Please email fundraising@moonband.org with any questions.
Sign Up Genius for Football Games/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.
RaiseRight: Currently local restaurants like Texas Roadhouse, Applebees, and Panera have an 8% rebate. You don’t have to purchase these ahead of time. Simply purchase your ecard just before paying via the app. Halloween is approaching and places like Michael’s, Sam’s Club, Lowe’s and Home Depot currently have rebates available.
Enroll through RaiseRight.
Enrollment Code: YXD6W6W9YJFL
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. Please pay online via Presto or place a check in the band room mailbox for all payments due. Email Maria at treasurer@moonband.org if you have questions.
The fourth and final payment of $125 is due on October 22nd.
BAND DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Barthen
PERFORMANCE ITINERARIES FOR THE WEEK
Fri. 10/23- Football Game @ Armstrong HS - Report time is 4:15 pm - Departing at 4:45PM Football Show – 
IT FB 9A 2026.pdf
Sat. 10/24 – PIMBA Championships at Gateway HS – 1:30 pm Report time, 7:30pm performance - 
IT PIMBA CHAMPS GTWY 10.24.26.pdf
Presto Google Calendar Link - This is the link to the master Google Band Calendar.
Remind APP for Parents updates
2026 Parents Marching Band - @4b64kk9: Send a text to 81010; Include this code in the body of the text: @4b64kk9
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Mon. 10/19 – NO REHEARSAL
Tue. 10/20 – FULL Band Rehearsal – 6pm-9pm – Clean and add Choreo
Wed. 10/21 – None
Thu. 10/22 – FULL Band Rehearsal – 6pm-9pm – Clean and add Choreo
Fri. 10/23 - Football Game @ Armstrong HS – Report time is 4:15pm – IT FB 9A 2026.pdf
Sat. 10/24 – PIMBA Show at McKeesport HS – 1:30 pm report time – IT PIMBA CHAMPS GTWY 10.24.26.pdf
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). Please review the Band Handbook for the policies on missing rehearsal and grade/performance consequences that apply.
PLEASE NOTE: As per the MAHS Band Handbook:
If a student misses a rehearsal FOR ANY REASON, in which new material (drill, choreography, music, etc.) or changes in the show have been taught, the student will not be able to perform that selection until the student has demonstrated proficiency on the new material. The Band Director will be the sole evaluator of proficiency in these cases.
IMPORTANT – Hoodies at Rehearsals – As the weather begins to turn colder, please make sure students are bringing appropriate clothing to rehearsal. Students are not permitted to wear the hood part of a hoodie or ski masks during rehearsal. The hood and/or ski mask impair peripheral vision and are a safety issue. Students are encouraged to wear hats, tossle hats, beanies etc. HOODIES ARE NEVER PERMITTED UNDERNEATH THE UNIFORMS
TRUNK OR TREAT – 10/27
It is a tradition to decorate parents’ vehicles and pass out candy to the kids à la trick-or-treating around the neighborhoods/cars. Students will dress up for rehearsal and trunk-or-treat. This will begin at 6:45 PM in the MS PARKING LOT/PRACTICE FIELD. Please plan for 120 students.
WPIAL Football Play-offs
The football team is trending toward qualifying for the WPIAL post-season. The full band will travel in support of the team. Games will be on Friday during the WPIAL play-offs.
REHEARSALS AND GAMES/PERFORMANCES WILL BE GRADED EVENTS.
Plans will be forwarded as soon as they are known. The band will rehearse once a week while the team is in the play-offs. This is a single elimination play-off, once the team looses, they are finished for the season.
PLAY-OFF WEEK #1 Rehearsal will be Thursday, November 5, from 6-7:00PM
Winter Color Guard Ensemble (optional) will begin rehearsal on Friday, December 4 at 6pm in the Middle School Aux Gym. Discuss with Jenn Barthen for further details.
BAND HANDBOOK - LINK
UPCOMING DATES
Mon. Oct. 19 - None
Tue. Oct. 20 – FULL BAND Rehearsal - 6PM-9PM - MAHS
Wed. Oct. 21 - None
Thu. Oct. 22 - FULL BAND REHEARSAL - 6PM-9PM - MAHS
Fri. Oct. 23 – Football game at Armstrong HS – Report time is 4:15PM
Sat. Oct. 24 – PIMBA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT Gateway HS – Report time approx. 1:00pm
___
Mon. Oct. 26 – No Rehearsal
Tue. Oct. 27 – Full Band Rehearsal – 6pm-7pm; Trunk or Treat at 7:00pm
Wed. Oct. 28 – None
Thu. Oct. 29 – None
Fri. Oct 30 – Football game vs North Hills HS at RMU – Report time 5:30pm – Senior Rec.
___
Mon. Nov. 2 – None
Tue. Nov. 3 – No School/No Rehearsal
Wed. Nov. 4 – None
Thu. Nov. 5 – Full Band Rehearsal - 6pm-7PM
Fri. Nov. 6 – Potential WPIAL Round #1 Football Game - TBD
___
Mon. Nov. 9 - None
Tue. Nov. 10 - Full Band Play-off Rehearsal - 6-7pm
Wed. Nov. 11 - None
Thu. Nov. 12 - None
Fri. Nov. 13 - Potential WPIAL Round #2 Football Game - TBD
Future Events
Sat. October 24 – PIMBA Championships at Gateway HS - Report time approx. 1:00pm; Perform TBD
Thu. December 17 - 7:00pm - HS Winter Band Concert
Fri. & Sat. January 29 & 30 - Symphonic Band Performance
Thank you to our top Tier Sponsors!
Betlyn's Heating and Cooling
Brewer Toyota
Ceramiche Tile & Stone, Inc
Clearview Federal Credit Union
Huntsman Funeral Home
Moon Area Education Foundation
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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