January 19, 2025 Band Notes

Sign up for Winter Guard (grades 5-11) - deadline for Grades 8-11 is TONIGHT - January 19.
CWG families:
1. Fill out WGI Release Form by TONIGHT - January 19.
2. Review season lookbook and obtain items as needed by January 26.
Sign up by TONIGHT - January 19 if interested in being a prop helper on show days for CWG (high school students or adults).
Pick up Memory Book orders if you haven’t already on Thursday, January 23.
WGPE families:
1. Pay $250 fee by February 1st.
2. Purchase consumables by February 2.
3. Students - join the Remind group.

NEW INFORMATION

Marching Band Uniform Distribution

Attention 2024 Marching Band instrumentalists - if you would like your competition uniform as a keepsake from this past season, please fill out this form.

You do not need to purchase the uniform this year - it is yours for the taking.

We are asking that everyone interested plan to pick up their uniform - or have someone pick it up for them - this Tuesday, January 21, between 5:30-7:00 pm at the high school (before Pep Band, for those playing that night).

Note: The uniforms have not been washed since the season, so you will want to do that once you get it home.

Please email uniforms@masonbandboosters.com with any questions.

Prospective Member Meeting - Help Spread the Word!

Please help us spread the word to any prospective students who may be interested in joining Marching Band that there will be a 2025 New Member Meeting on January 30th at 7pm in the MHS Band Room. All rising freshmen, prospective new members, and parents are encouraged to attend.

OMEA D13 Honor Band Congratulations

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in Honor Band this past weekend! Each of the Honor Band groups put on incredible performances showcasing the culmination of their efforts this past week. We are thankful to have been given the opportunity to host OMEA’s District 13 Honor Band for students both from Mason and other surrounding school districts. Special thanks to the music educators who gave the students this wonderful experience. Thanks as well to the parent volunteers who took time out of their weekend to serve lunch to the Middle School and 9th grade participants on Saturday.

Pictures of selected concerts are in SmugMug, with more to be added later in the week.

Winter Guard Performance Ensemble (WGPE) Information

Key information for anyone signed up for the Winter Guard Performance Ensemble:

Season Fee

See here for the Financial Info Document. The WGPE Fee of $250 is due February 1st. You may turn in a check made out to Mason City Schools at rehearsal or pay electronically on PaySchools Central.

Consumables

Each season, there are important personal consumable items to be purchased. Please have the required 2025 WGPE Consumables purchased by Sunday, February 2nd.

WGPE Member Remind

Students! Please join the Group Remind by Wednesday to receive important rehearsal updates.

Text @wgpe25 to 81010.

Fundraising with Freddy’s in February

Our next Dine and Donate is on Wednesday, February 19th, at Freddy's at 7615 Trailside Drive, West Chester, Ohio 45069 from 11:00 - 10:00 PM.

For in-person orders, just present this flyer or say "I'm here for the fundraiser" for us to get our 15% donation.

For online and mobile orders, use the code GIVEBACK for all online or mobile orders.

Memory Book Pick Up and Second Chance Order

If you missed the first opportunity to order a memory book, you have another chance! Several families accidentally ordered more than once so we have five books available for sale. The order form is below and will remain open until the books are no longer available.

https://form.jotform.com/Masonbands/MemoryBooks

For those who already ordered their books, pick up will be Thursday, January 23, 7:30 to 8:00 in the band room hallway. Please enter through the music wing. Please make every effort to pick up your book at this time.

REMINDERS

Winter Guard Signups Are Live

Signups are now live for all Mason Winter Guard teams! There are groups available for students in grades 5-11.

Sign-ups for grades 8-11 are due by January 19.
Sign-ups for grades 5-7 are due by February 2.

Link: https://docs.google.com/.../1D5PVrPopNpzLd3mazEP.../edit

MHS Winter Percussion Information

Winter Percussion starts TOMORROW - Monday, January 20! See the attached schedule from Mr. Scharf for more information: 2025 WINTER PERCUSSION SCHEDULE. These dates are also now on the Band Website calendar. Email Mr. Scharf with any questions: scharfj@masonohioschools.com

Jazz Band Information

CLICK HERE

The link above has all the information about Jazz Band for this year! Jazz I and Jazz II are both underway. See above for schedules, commitment form and more!

Members of Our Band Family Need Us

The Burton Family is one of our own and needs our help now. Fuz has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Please, consider prepping a meal and/or donating to their Meal Train. There is also a GoFundMe you can donate to.

Marching Band 2025 Summer Dates

Full Registration will be available later this semester. Mr. Sleppy shared the summer dates via email just before winter break with everyone:

Full Band: MINI CAMP = May 27, 28, 29, 30
PERCUSSION & COLOR GUARD CAMP = June 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
Full Band: BAND CAMP Week 1 = July 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
Full Band: BAND CAMP Week 2 = July 28, 29, 30, 31, Aug 1, 2 (tag day)
Full Band: BAND CAMP Week 3 = Aug 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Marching Band Summer Dates 2025 - One Pager

Marching Band Summer Dates 2025 - Packet

Competitive Winter Guard (CWG) Information

WGI Performer Release Form

Please fill out the below form by Sunday, January 19th. This form is required by WGI for all of our performers to complete before we attend their events.

If you are a MINOR, fill out this FORM.
If you are 18+, fill out this FORM.

Show Day Prop Helpers Needed

For all of our show days, we will need volunteers to help us with getting on and off the floor successfully! These helpers can be parents/guardians, students of at least high school age, or other trusted adults. You will receive a wristband for free admission to the shows you help with, and be able to spend more time with your performer throughout the season!

Interested in being a helper? Send Erica an email to declare your interest by Sunday, January 19th. Please include your show day availability.

Student Volunteer Opportunity

Students who are interested in helping out with the younger winter guard groups, please fill out the Interest Form by Sunday, January 26th.

Note: All future leadership candidates should plan to volunteer for at least one of these two groups for the season.
WG7 rehearses on most Mondays from 6-7pm from February-April. WG5&6 rehearses on most Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30pm from February to April. More details coming soon!

Lookbook

See here for the CWG Lookbook. Please have all items by Saturday, January 26th (Hair & Makeup Trial + Photoshoot Day).

Consumables

See here for this year’s CWG Consumables Document.

These items should have been purchased by now. Reach out to the directors if you need any assistance. Thank you!

MEPA - Save the Date!

We will be hosting a MEPA (Mid East Performance Association) Show on Sunday, February 16th. Start by marking your calendars, and information will start to come out soon. Stay tuned!

We encourage all band and guard families to save the date! We would also love for you to attend Mason’s performance and cheer them on! And, Like our marching band competitions, we will need lots of volunteers throughout the day to make this a great experience for all our visiting guard ensembles.

Season Calendar

Here is the full: CWG Season Calendar

Handbook

2024-25 CWG Handbook

Concert Band Audition Info for 2025-2026

CLICK HERE FOR AUDITION INFORMATION AND MUSIC

Please see the information in the link above about concert band auditions for next school year. Audition Videos are due on January 22, so now is the time to start preparing at home and with your lessons teacher. Paper copies of all music are in the organizer in the front of the band room.The band directors are happy to look over your audition videos, offer advice about which audition to do, or answer any questions you have!