Band Notes, July 21, 2019

The Mason Bands calendar, located at MasonBands.com has had many updates over the last few weeks. Always use the website calendar and weekly Band Updates as the most up-to-date source for the schedule. For new members, the hard copy tentative schedule that was distributed is now out of date. Also, be sure to click on the details of each event for specific breakdowns of times and other specific information.

Band Fees

Reminder: All Marching Band Fees and Band Travel Fees must be current, or a financial plan in place to participate in Band Camp. Please review your financial statements this week to ensure your student is in good financial standing. If you need to make payments, please either send them in with your student Tuesday to put in the band drop box at rehearsal or pay online.

At this point, the following fees should have been paid:

MCS School Commitment Fee ($150) , MCS Fee #1 ($200), MCS Fee #2 ($200) and MCS #3 ($200) and Booster Travel Fee Payment #1 ($275)

As a reminder, there are two types of fees for Marching Band students: MCS Marching Band School Fees (payable to Mason City Schools via check or EZpay) and Travel Fees (payable to Mason Band Boosters via check or online via Charms). Please help us run efficiently by carefully noting where to pay each fee.

We are happy to answer questions and resources are available to guide you through band finances on the band website:

https://www.masonbands.com/resources/charms-and-financial-statements/

Chaperone/Band Aids

A reminder that the final opportunity to join us for the annual mandatory chaperone training class is this Thursday, July 25th at the MHS in the teacher's lounge. Chaperones will participate in training 7-8pm and Band Aids will continue on with additional training from 8-8:30. If you took the training in May, you do not need to attend this training as the content is the same.

If you'd like to volunteer as a chaperone with the band for the 2019 school year and have not yet expressed interest, we welcome your involvement but this is your final opportunity to register. Please complete the short google form to express your interest and register for the final training session on July 25th before Band Camp is in full swing.

https://forms.gle/CfYReFJPXd946HEJ6

If you have any questions, please reach out to:

Mindy Patton, travel@masonbandboosters.com

Melissa Woodward, chaperones@masonbandboosters.com

Lisa Oldham, medicalsecretary@masonbandboosters.com

Medication Drop Off

There is one medication drop-off event remaining prior to Band Camp. You do not need to drop off medications we have available centrally (ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Benadryl). If you need to drop off medication for your student for the season, please make every effort to do so at one of the drop off events.

Thursday 7/25 from 5:30-6:45 pm

Sign-ups are available in Charms. If you have any questions, please contact Medical Secretary Lisa Oldham, Medicalsecretary@masonbands.com

Notes from the U-Crew

Summer Uniform Reminder! ALL WINDS AND PERCUSSION need to purchase the new black shorts in the Charms Store for your summer uniform! The deadline to order your shorts is FRIDAY JULY 26TH at 5pm! If you need to try on sizes, we will be in: 7/23 from 10-noon; 7/24 10-noon & 6-8pm; and 7/25 10-noon. If you choose to pay by check (payable to Mason Band Boosters) please enclose a copy of your order and put it in the dropbox in the band wing.

Emails regarding uniform fittings will be out very shortly! Signups will be in Charms under Volunteers as we have done in the past. When you come for your fitting, please wear appropriate clothing to change into your uniform, bring 2-3 pair of LONG black socks in a ziploc labeled with your name, and returning marchers please remember your shoes!!

Notes from the Band Camp Committee

As you prepare for band camp, please remember to hydrate ahead of time, and always eat lunch/breakfast before practice.

We would like parents to note that the Parent Preview on August 10 has been moved up to 4:00 pm.

As always, our website is a great resource to use throughout the year. Please refer to the 2019 Band Camp Packet and the Marching Band page for information about Band Camp!

Season Kick-off Booster Meeting

Our 2019 Marching Band Season Kick-off Booster Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 30 at 7:00 pm. Please remember that attendance is required by at least one parent or guardian from every marching band family. More details will follow.

Dine and Donate: July 31

Everyone is invited to dine at City Barbeque, 7706 Voice of America Centre Drive, next Wednesday between 10:30 am and 10:00 pm. On this day, 25% of all purchases will be donated to the Mason Band Boosters - just show the attached flyer (printed or electronic) when ordering!

Lincoln Nautilus Car Raffle

Raffle tickets will be sold July through October 12th with the actual raffle taking place at the Mason Invitational. You can review all the details on our website at https://www.masonbands.com/boosters/fundraising/car-raffle

Each family is encouraged to sell tickets to friends, neighbors and co-workers. Stay tuned for details on how to obtain your tickets.

Tag Day

Our next big fundraiser of the season is quickly approaching. TAG Day is scheduled on Saturday, August 3rd from 9:00am-2:00pm and is mandatory for all Band and Guard students. In order for the event to run smoothly, we need many parent volunteers to help drive our students around the community on TAG Day. We currently need about 50 more drivers. As a driver, you will be asked to drive 4-6 students to a Mason neighborhood and supervise as they solicit donations from the community. It is a relaxing and fun volunteer opportunity and a great way to get to know some of the band kids! If you are able and willing to help out, please go to Charms to sign up.

Please direct any questions to TagDay@masonbandboosters.com.