Moon Area Band ~ November 2, 2026

IMPORTANT DATES – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Friday, November 6 – WPIAL Round #1 Football Game - at Thomas Jefferson HS
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
Fri. & Sat. January 29 & 30 - Symphonic Band Performance
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

NEW! 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 13^th from 8:00am-12:00pm. Cookie drop-off will be at the High School cafeteria at 4:00pm during the set up on Saturday, December 12^th.

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 12^th at 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.

We will also need volunteers to help the day of the event and additional food donations. Food donations for the Pancake Breakfast maybe dropped off at the High School cafeteria at 4:00pm during the set up on Saturday, December 12^th.

New! Volunteer Needed to Organize Basket Raffle for Pancake Breakfast
We are currently seeking a volunteer for organize basket raffle donations for the Pancake Breakfast. If you are interested in taking on this role or would like more information, please contact Beckie at vpoperations@moonband.org.

New! Volunteer Needed to Coordinate 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 someone to comb through our photo archives over the past 4-5 years to pull images and build pages for the Class of 2027.  We primarily build this in Canva, but you don't need a subscription, we can collaborate 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 Marcy at (pictures@moonband.org) if you would like to help out!

Fundraising:
The Pie Shoppe Pies/Pumpkin Rolls will be delivered to the high school cafeteria on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Pick up time will be from 3-4:30pm.

New Fundraiser: Marianna’s Hoagie/Pizza order forms will be in the band room tomorrow, November 3rd! Hoagies and Pizzas are $12 each. All orders are due no later than the end of the school day on 11/13 with one check made out to MABPO. Delivery is on Tuesday 11/24 in the high school cafeteria.
Please email fundraising@moonband.org with any questions.

Sign Up Genius for Playoff Football Game
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. 

BAND DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Barthen
PERFORMANCE ITINERARIES FOR THE WEEK
Fri. 11/6 - WPIAL Play-off Football Game #1 @ Thomas Jefferson HS - Report time is 4:30 pm - Departing at 5:00PM – Football Show – ​​​IT FB PLAYOFF 1A 2026.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. 11/2 – NO REHEARSAL
Tue. 11/3 – No Rehearsal
Wed. 11/4 – None
Thu. 11/5 – FULL Band Rehearsal – 6pm-6:45pm 
Fri. 11/6 - Football Game @ RMU vs. North Hills HS – Report time is 5:30pm – ​​​IT FB PLAYOFF 1A 2026.pdf​​​
Sat. 11/7 – Prop Teardown Morning - 8AM - See below

PROP TEARDOWN - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - 8AM - 12PM - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (PARENTS & STUDENTS)
We will need to tear down and store the props from this year's marching band show.  Please meet at the HS Student entrance at 8AM. 
Items to accomplish:
- Dismantle the angles (remove hinges, remove dollies, stack and store wood -Tools needed: Sockets, wrenches, drills to remove nuts and bolts
- Dismantle the triangle frames - Tools needed: Sockets, wrenches, drills to remove nuts and bolts
-Take dollies and frames to band parent storage unit - Trucks
- Organize storage unit. Tools needed: People to lift & move items

WINTER CONCERT REHEARSALS AND CONCERT 
CONCERT BAND – Periods 3, 4A, 6B - INCLUDING PERCUSSIONISTS WHO PERFORM WITH CONCERT BAND
Rehearsal #1 – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 – 2:20-4:00pm
Rehearsal #2 – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 – 2:20-4:00pm
Concert – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17– 7:00pm - Report time is 6:30pm

SYMPHONIC BAND – Period 5A & 6B - INCLUDING PERCUSSIONISTS WHO PERFORM WITH SYMPHONIC BAND
Rehearsal #1 – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 – 7:00 - 9:15pm
Rehearsal #2 – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 – 7:00 – 9:15pm
Concert – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17– 7:00pm - Report time is 6:45pm

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:

IMPORTANT Hoodies at Rehearsals – As the weather begins to turn colder, please make sure students are bringing appropriate clothing to rehearsal and the football game. 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.  They are permitted to bring blankes, coats, gloves, hats, etc into the stands, as long as they can carry these items. HOODIES ARE NEVER PERMITTED UNDERNEATH THE UNIFORMS

WPIAL Football Play-offs 
The football team has qualified 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 loses, 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. 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 – WPIAL Round #1 Football Game - at Thomas Jefferson HS - Report time is 4:30; Depart at 5:00PM
Sat. Nov. 7 - Prop Tear down morning - 8AM - Student Entrance of MAHS
____
Mon. Nov. 9 - 
Tue. Nov. 10 - Full Band Play-off Rehearsal - 6-7pm
Wed. Nov. 11 - 
Thu. Nov. 12 - 
Fri. Nov. 13 - Potential WPIAL Round #2 Football Game - at Penn-Trafford High School; Report time is 4:15PM;Departure is 4:45pm
___
Mon. Nov. 16 - 
Tue. Nov. 17 -
Wed. Nov. 18 - 
Thu. Nov. 19 - Full Band Play-off Rehearsal - 6-7pm
Fri. Nov. 20 - Potential WPIAL Round #3 Football Game - TBD
______
Mon. Nov. 23 - Small Ensemble Rehearsal - 2:20pm - 4:00PM
Tue. Nov. 24 - Full Band Play-off Rehearsal - 6pm-7pm
Wed. Nov. 25 - 
Thu. Nov. 26 - Thanksgiving
Fri. Nov. 27 - 
Sat. Nov. 28 - Potential WPIAL Championship at Acrisure Stadium - Evening.
________
Future Events
Tue. December 15 - Concert Band & Symphonic Band Rehearsal
Wed. December 16 - Concert Band & Symphonic Band Rehearsal
Thu. December 17 - 7:00pm - HS Winter Band Concert
Fri. & Sat. January 29 & 30 - Symphonic Band Performance (Fri. 1/29 - 2:20 - 4:00PM) Sat. 1/30 - 11AM-6PM, 4PM Concert at MAHS, Dinner provided)

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