Minutes for MMS Band Booster Meeting
September 11, 2007
( Not yet Approved )

Secretary’s Report.  Minutes of the last booster meeting were distributed.  Motion to approve made by Cheryl Hinkle.  A 2nd was made by Wendy Preece.

Treasurer’s Report.  Kristi Miller unable to attend.  Report given by Tracy Hartung.  Indicated that student credits are available to review but do not include all Market Day credits.

New Business

The construction of the MMS website is in progress.  It will be similar in design to the Crimson website and include information such as credits and a calendar of activities.  The website name is bluedevilband.org

Request was made to drop off beverage donations for the Apple Festival parades at the band room over the next three days.  The exterior door will be unlocked for this.  Amy Johnson, Wendy Preece and Tracy Hartung will be in charge of icing down the drinks.

Pam Grob spoke about the role that Crimson plays in hosting the Drums at Appletime competition.  This event which draws in hundreds of people and has 16 bands competing this year, is planned for and run by volunteers – Crimson parents, students, friends, family, and a host of others.  It is a major source of not only funding for the high school band, but benefits the MMS band as well by promoting the continued success of the Murphysboro band program as a whole.  As such, a request for MMS parent volunteers was made to assist with this endeavor. Numerous positions are still in need of extra help.

MMS band uniforms need to be turned in after Apple Festival so they can be sent in for cleaning.

Band t-shirt orders and information was sent home with students.  Tracy will be submitting one more order.

Some students still have outstanding band fees.  Notices will be sent home with these students.

MMS will be doing more joint fundraising with Crimson this year.  This will increase the profit margin allocated by the vendor.

A pasta fundraiser will be coming up.  This has a 50% profit margin.  All the information on this will be available in the band room.

The percentage of fundraising by each student that will be allocated to the general fund has not yet been determined.  This will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

A sign up sheet to work the SIU concessions will be available at the next meeting.  Typically twelve people can sign up for football concessions and 10 for basketball games.

New Market Day forms will be out next week.  Pat Gilmore is available to assist anyone with questions and/or instructions for this fundraiser.  It was suggested that it is much simpler to order on line by going to www.marketday.com.

Kirk Caskey, a Crimson parent, has designed a window cling for the high school band and has offered to do the same for MMS if we are interested.

Directors Report

Mr. Williams will be working on a new logo over the next few months.

A list of band students and parents with contact information will be developed.  Parents will be asked permission whether they want this information published.

A discussion of donating MMS band shirts to some band supporters was discussed and approved.  While it was noted that it may seem unfair that students and parents are required to purchase their shirts, it was agreed upon that the benefits of promoting the band program through this donation was justifiable.

Mr. Williams reported that the students are doing great! The Back to School Bash was great and he received several compliments about their performance as well as observations about the increasing size of the number of band students.

A thank you note for the donation received on behalf of Mr. Reynolds will be sent out.

Mr. Williams followed up the previous discussion of transportation issues for elementary band students.  He tried all avenues and a District vehicle will not be available.  It is considered and extracurricular activity.  Band parent and School Board member, Stacy Stanton is currently driving these students 2 days of the week.

The MMS Winter Concert will be December 17th.  It will not include the high school band.  There will be a joint concert with them in the spring.

If there is enough interest, Amanda Jackson, an SIU student, is interested in giving private lessons.  Mr. Williams will also give private lessons if enough students are interested.  This would take place on Monday nights between 5-7p.m.  Ms. Jackson would give lessons for woodwinds only.  Mr. Williams would be available for brass lessons.  The cost would be $10 / ½ hour lesson.  A sign-up sheet will be available and lessons would start hopefully by the end of September. 

There are currently 14 students in color guard!!!

The parade line-up was explained, as MMS and MHS will march together and create “one big honkin band”!!

The first playing tests were given last week and he explained the benefits of this exercise.  If there are any questions about grades received on this test or progress reports, parents should request a PT conference. There will be two playing tests per term.

6th Grade lessons begin on 9/17 and will be posted in the band room.  All lessons are done during exploratory classes.

Sectionals will begin 9/24.  It is the students’ responsibility to remember the times.  Sections may occur during academic time but conflicts will be worked out.

Jazz band tryouts will be held next Wednesday and Thursday after school from 3:30-5:00.  Music for this will be handed out tomorrow.

A new name has been give to the concert band …. “Murphysboro Middle School Symphonic Band”

A new Apple Festival itinerary will be handed out during class tomorrow.

A request for MMS students to work as runners for the Drums at Appletime competition will be made.

Proper attire for Kiddie parade is band shirt, khaki’s, multi-purpose tennis shoes (preferably white).  Band uniforms for the Grand Parade and shoes MUST BE all white.

Parents/students are welcome and encouraged to bring in pictures they have of band students/activities and Mr. Williams will post them on the bulletin board.

SIU concert band will be performing on October 3.  Mr. Williams is hoping to get some comp tickets and take interested students to this even.  Details TBA.

Mr. Williams is working on preparing a spring trip for the band.  Possibility of an overnight in St. Louis, attending a show at the Fox Theater, followed by a trip to Six Flags.

Homecoming Parade is Friday, October 12. This will be a required performance.

Amy Johnson made a motion to adjourn.  2nd by Wendy Preece