Band Booster Family,
Prelude: Because I had to clean & reformat my hard drive, I lost the pictures of senior band students for the final concert in Jun 2012. So, if you previously e-mailed me your pics, please send them to me again.
Early New Year's resolution: Difficult to believe that we'll be celebrating a new year soon. For many people, they'll be pondering what they want to do better or to improve for the next year. Let me provide two suggestions from a Band Booster point of view: volunteerism & President/Vice President positions. Though we're ALL extremely busy, we ALL share the same goals of providing the best for our kids & share this responsibility. Regarding the Band Booster officer positions, they may seem overwhelming, but based on my personal experience, it's fairly easy managing the information flow on a weekly basis.
FYI…I've been thinking. I'm not really sure how everyone reads their e-mails (webmail, on their smartphones, and so on). Depending on the way you access e-mail, you may only be able to read black & white texts with no hyperlink capability. However, a good way to read these e-mails is through the Hayfield Band Booster Blog page: http://www.hayfieldbandboosters.blogspot.com/
First, again, thank you to both Kristy Baik & Dee Gardner for raising over a combined $300 for the UNOs and Boardwalk Burgers restaurant fundraisers. It was fun seeing everyone at both of those events.
Second, just a reminder of the 2nd Band Booster Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries Restaurant Fundraiser all day Wednesday, December 21…coupon attached. Please share the coupon with all of your family & friends, post on Facebook or any other social media you can think of…let's get the word out!
Third, here's December schedule of events:
Wednesday, Dec 7, 2:00pm - Fruit arrives at loading dock. We need your help in unloading the fruit! (Please use Sign-Up Genius or e-mail me to volunteer)
Thursday, Dec 8, - Concert! Band report time is 6pm. concert begins at 7pm pick up fruit before and after concert. (Please use Sign-Up Genius or e-mail me to volunteer)
Friday, Dec 9, 9:30am - Tiny Tots Concert. (Please use Sign-Up Genius or e-mail me to volunteer)
Saturday, Dec 10, 8:30am - All District Band Auditions West Potomac H.S. (More info @ http://www.wolverineband.com/Wolverine_Band/District_Band.html )
NOTE: The time indicated on the sheet is the half-hour time span that the student should be ready to audition; therefore, they must allow time before then to register and warm-up. The registration desk will open at 8:30 AM. At the registration desk, students will receive their audition number and further instructions.
My thoughts as a 7th-year parent about All-District Band:
- Practice early & often. Every year, I hear the exact same comments, "I should've started practicing sooner, & I should've practiced more." I have NEVER heard a student say that they started practicing too soon or too much: )
- For those students that have never participated in All-District, I recommend that they find someone that has & pick their brain.
- For all students, I recommend that they find someone that made All-District & ask for some pointers based on their experience.
- For parents, plan for a few hours of waiting (bring something to read or do). You'll be sitting in the gym with snacks/drinks available for sale. Get to J.E.B. Stuart early enough for your kid to warm up, then they'll perform based on their number (1st come, 1st serve), then depending on how many performers for that instrument will have to wait for the "unofficial" list to be posted. If you don't want to wait, the "official" list should be posted within 72 hours. Additionally, Mr. Burke will let students know their final official placements: )
14 Chorus Concert - select wind ensemble members performing
19 AP Scholars Reception – Jazz Band
Fourth, miscellaneous items:
- Third payment of $136 due January 4th for the Band Spring Trip, 18-22 Apr to Atlanta, GA…other payments due February 1st & March 1st… http://www.hayfieldbands.com/id76.html
- Thank you to Band Booster parent/alumni Jean Martelli for sharing her photographic talents: Composite Pictures of your child are now available for purchase through www.jeaneimages.com using password, "2011band" when prompted. Click on the link, and order pictures from this sight. A large composite picture will be made of the whole band from these pictures.
- If you have any tuxedos or accessories that you either want to donate, trade, or sell, please send me detailed info & I'll advertise through Band Booster e-mails
- Mr. Burke shared a UVA Band Day trip opportunity for 20 Feb…more info to follow
- Parents of seniors, it's not too early to be thinking about the 3 pictures (baby pic, kid pic, & senior pic) you want to use for the Final Concert, Wed, 6 Jun 2012
Again, if I haven't said it enough or lately, THANK YOU! You're rocking as parents/siblings, your Band students LOVE you for it, & the Band Booster Family is living the good life: )
Finally, our students REALLY NEED YOU! As most teenagers, they will NEVER admit this. Your VOLUNTEERISM is ESSENTIAL to THEIR SUCCESS!!! Additionally, they really do APPRECIATE seeing you @ their various events cheering for them. I hope to see ALL the parents volunteering @ various events throughout the year: ) If there is ANYTHING I can do or answer, please let me know. Please keep the following links for future reference:
- Hayfield Secondary School http://www.fcps.edu/HayfieldSS/
- Hayfield Band webpage http://www.hayfieldbands.com/
- Band Booster Blog http://www.hayfieldbandboosters.blogspot.com/
- Band Booster Sign-Up Genius http://signupgenius.com/go/hssband1
Humbly serving our kids,
Che Russell
Home (703) 405-9065
Cell (703) 963-4655
Work (202) 231-6273
Crussell82@cox.net
