WHY SHOULD I BE A MUSIC BOOSTER

Why should I do this?
The primary reason for the booster organization is to support your children.  The music, showmanship, spectacle and pageantry of the marching band experience are also reasons that you may participate as a music booster.  The friendships you w2ill make and the enjoyment of participating in this activity are other benefits you will realize.  But first and foremost, this is for your child and his/her classmates.

What can I do?
There are hundreds of things you can do to be active as a booster.  One of the most important things you can do is to attend monthly music program booster meetings.  These meetings are where you should ask questions and voice your concerns and ideas about the organization's activities.  This is where the decisions are made, and you should be a part of that.  Additional ways to help out are to volunteer to chaperon, participate in fundraisers and help out at competitions and performances.

I am new, do they really need me?
Regardless of your occupation or area of experience there are many services you would be able to provide to our music program.

Another important thing to do as a new music parent is get involved right away, do not wait for someone to ask you to help.  Most of the time it's just a small nucleus of members doing the majority of the work.  There may be several reasons for this, but many times it is because they fear being rejected by other parents, they do not know who is willing to help or they are just so busy getting things done that they don't have time to recruit new members.  New music parents are like new music students because they are "not new by the end of the season".  First year band members are expected to learn their music and march just like the 5th year band member.  First year music parents should do the same.  Don't wait a year or two to get involved.  The time will go by much too quickly.

If you are an experienced member of the boosters, you should try to make other members feel welcome and needed.  You may have to go outside your comfort level and introduce yourself to new member and make them feel like part of the team.

Why are they always doing fundraisers?
Thousands of dollars are spent each year on the music department.  In most cases, the music boosters must generate this money.  Several events will have to take place to raise the needed funds.  Some of the expenses our music department incurs are: band review & parade fees, uniform purchases, uniform cleaning, instrument purchases & repairs, new equipment, etc.

What about the day of the competition?
Make sure your child is at the appropriate location at the appointed time.  Our Director Mr. BJ Humpal will send home an agenda for each competition, performance & event along with driving directions.  When our band is traveling to a location, please remember to send the necessary items with your child so that they have everything they need to make their day complete.  Make sure to send them with the correct color of socks & under garments they need to wear with their uniforms, as well as a change of clothes in case of rainy days.  The student should have the appropriate equipment: reeds, sticks, shoes, flags, etc.

Students should bring a little spending money for food & souvenirs at various events.  Send them on their way with a hug or a kiss and  make sure you wish all the best to the rest of the students to make sure that they know you will be there for support.

Do you have any suggestions about watching the competitions?
When driving to an event, you should try to arrive at least an hour or two before the band is to perform.  It's a great tribute to the other schools to know that you support all groups at the event.  Sometimes this isn't possible, some of the groups don't have very many people in the stands or following simply because some attendees only want to see their own child perform.  A great incentive for students to perform better is to have a responsive crowd in the stands or in the crowd following them on their route.  Be supportive of the hosting school by purchasing a program of the day's activities, which will include a list of all those that are competing that day, and in what order they'll be performing, and other information about their show.  Proceeds from each competition are used by the host school music organization to fund their activities during the season.  Check out the booths, food, and refreshment areas before finding a seat.  This will avoid you having to crawl over people once the competition begins.  Please be considerate of other music groups by showing your support as they pass by.  They have worked hard to prepare their show and appreciate your support.  Music students are to be commended for their tireless efforts to get prepared for the competition season.  Whether or not our music group gets what you perceive as a good or bad review by the judges, please be considerate of all the music groups, and let them know that you support them no matter what the outcome is on any given day.

A closing request:
In closing, we would like to say that regardless of the capacity that you serve as a music parent, from an active booster to the prayer warrior cheering in the stands, that the choice to support your child is something you will not regret.  If you are currently not a member of our booster organization then we invite you to get involved.  Please be assured that we want and need your help.  If you are an active music parent / music booster, on behalf of your child and all music members, we would like to say thank you.

Tentative Calendar 2013-2014 - UPDATE #3

Dates Subject To Change

 

2013

Sept. 2013

Sept. 05 -- Mandatory parent meeting & uniform fitting 6:30 - 8:00 pm in the band room
Sept. 18 -- Music Program Meeting 6:30-8 pm - OLM Band Room
Sept. 22 -- Parish Festival - Planada - Fundraiser & Performance

Oct. 2013

Oct. 29 -- Halloween Carnival Fundraiser??????

Nov. 2013
**MONDAYS -- ELECTIVES (Basic dance, music & rhythm)
Nov. 05 -- Crazy early practice 6:45-7:45am - AT OLM SCHOOL
Nov. 08 -- Veterans Day Performance - AT OLM SCHOOL
Nov. 09 -- Central CA Band Review & Jazz, Merced (ALL DAY) - Golden Valley H.S.
                       Merced
Nov. 11 -- Veterans Day Parade, Merced - free

Dec. 2013

Dec. 07 -- Merced Christmas Parade, Merced, CA 

Dec. 18 -- Christmas Performance at St. Patrick's Church

2014
Jan. 2014
Jan. 14-25 -- MMCMEA County Honor Band audition, practices & performance.
                            (6th grade & Up)

Feb. 2014
Feb. 1 & 2 -- Bake Sale Fundraiser at St. Patrick's Church
                           BIGGEST FUNDRAISER IN THE HISTORY OF THE BAND!!
Feb. 05 -- Cherish Luncheon Performance - AT OLM SCHOOL
Feb. 28 -- San Mateo "L" Pattern, San Mateo (May be held on March 8th)


March 2014
**MONDAYS -- ELECTIVES (Basic dance, music & rhythm)

March 01 -- Concert & Jazz Band Competitions, Turlock
March 08 -- Vallejo "L" Pattern Vallejo (May be held on Feb 28th)
March 14 -- Winter Competitions for Color Guard & percussion Fresno
March 27 -- Locals Only Winter Show - Golden Valley High School, Merced

April 2014
April 8, 9 & 12 -- Concert & Jazz Band competition - Washington Union or CSU Fresno
April 11 & 12 -- End of School Year Band Trip - DATE UNSURE AT THIS TIME
April 26 -- Relay for Life Parade, Merced

May 2014
May 02 -- Entertainment Grandparent's Day - AT OLM SCHOOL
May 02 -- Concert & Jazz Band competitions, Turlock
May 03 -- Los Banos Spring Fair Parade, Los Banos
May 07 -- End of School Year Performance & Awards, AT OLM SCHOOL
May 09 -- Talent Show - AT OLM SCHOOL
May 17 -- Chowchilla Spring Fair, Chowchilla, CA

MANDATORY MEETING INFORMATION

Mandatory Parent Meeting Agenda

I.     Prayer

II.    Uniform Requests
     a.  Cleaning Fees (there are forms in the band room w/ information)
     b.  Shoes (there is a sign up sheet in the band room to order shoes)
     c.  Socks (band = black mid calf or higher, Color Guard = white ankle socks)
     d.  Under garments (band = shorts and tank/t-shirt, Color Guard = white short & White Tank top.
     e.  Hair (band = tucked up under shako, Color Guard = depends on performance)

III.  Paperwork
     a.  Permission slips - must be filled out for band specifically
     b.  Missed assignments - make up classes every Wednesday
     c.  Schedule & updates - posted on blog

IV.  Commitment & support for performances/competitions - ALL SHOWS MANDATORY
     a.  Priority shows - Talk to Mr. Humpal about what he thinks is priority
     b.  Help at shows - we always need parent volunteers (srv hr credit)
          i     Logistics
          ii.   Supervision
          iii.  Water
          iv.  Equipment
     c.  Transportation - we carpool everywhere - volunteers always needed
     d.  Enforcing practice at home
     e.  Time conflicts (with family, etc.)

V.  Commitment & support for weekly practices
     a.  Enforcing practice at home
     b.  Time conflicts with teachers
     c.  Time conflicts with extra curricular activities
     d.  Time conflicts with appointments

VI.  Financial
     a.  Monthly donations - $40 for new members, $30 for returning members
     b.  Music program booster aid
     c.  Help with fundraisers - always need help
     d.  Help with fundraising - always looking for ideas / help