October 20, 2024 Band Notes

Upcoming Events

Monday, October 21

• NO REHEARSAL - Rest and enjoy the evening off!!

Tuesday, October 22

• Full Band: 6-9pm; MHS

Wednesday, October 23

• Optional Rifle Clinic: 5-5:45pm; MHS
• Color Guard: 6-9pm; MHS

Thursday, October 24

• Brass and Woodwinds: 3-6pm; MHS
• Percussion: 6-9pm; MHS

Friday, October 25

• Full Band: 3-5pm; MHS
• Football Game vs. Lakota West: 6:00pm to approximately 9:30pm (see typical schedule below)

Saturday, October 26

• Full Band: 1-9pm; MHS

Future planned events can be found on the updated band calendar: Mason Band Calendar.

Parent To Do Checklist For This Week

1. Pay Experience Fee #3 (see QuickBooks invoice sent via email) - $300, due November 1, 
2. Purchase/sell car raffle tickets, and spread the word about this fundraiser.
3. (Optional) Order your memory book for the season by October 27 for the Early Bird Discount.
4. (Optional) Order Super Regional Finalist apparel from BOA by October 27. (Not a Mason Band fundraiser.)
5. (Optional) Get your plaid hat on Amazon and add “mason BAND” by OCD. (Not a Mason Band fundraiser.)
6. (Optional) Order a mug arrangement for your student by November 2. (Not a Mason Band fundraiser.)

NEW INFORMATION

Super Regional Congratulations - Don't "Shhhhh" This News!

Congratulations to the William Mason High School Marching Band on a fantastic performance at the Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional. The band earned 3rd place in AAAA, and 4th place overall out of 88 bands that attended the competition. 

A huge thank you to everyone who traveled with the band and helped the trip to be successful and run smoothly from start to finish! As always, we cannot provide these opportunities without the support of many. We are thankful for our Pit Crew, Uniform Crew, Color Guard Crew, Chaperones, Band Aids, Staff, and everyone who watched the performance both in Indianapolis and at home. 

Special thanks to the entire travel planning team and especially to Tiffany Williams for coordinating the weekend. The logistics involved in these trips are mind-blowing, and we are always thrown a few curve balls. Our students and travel team members alike are absolute troopers and make sure we have a safe and successful experience!

We are looking forward to doing it all again next month for Grand Nationals!!

BOA Super Regionals Merchandise

BOA has shirts and other merchandise available for purchase on their website - if you or your student didn’t have a chance to shop at Lucas Oil Stadium, you can click here to see what they have available specific to the Indianapolis Super Regional. 

Among the items available are Finalist shirts and hoodies. These were not available at Lucas Oil, as they are made with the names of the 14 Finalists from the event printed on the back. Orders for Finalist gear are due by Sunday, October 27 and typically ship a couple weeks later. (BOA does similar Finalist shirts/hoodies for Grand Nationals as well, with a different design.) 

Note: BOA merchandise is not a fundraiser for our band. Shirts are manufactured by PepWear. Expect to pay shipping for online orders.

Football Game - Last Regular Season Home Game

It’s our last regular season home game, as our team takes on Lakota West!

Uniforms

Guard and Instrumentalists will wear Competition Uniforms. 

Feed the Band

All students will be offered food every FOOTBALL FRIDAY compliments of our sponsors and/or the Mason Band Boosters!

This Friday’s Menu, October 25, will be sponsored by Mason Band Boosters and provided by:

Jet’s Pizza- 7916 Mason Montgomery Rd, Mason, OH 45040

The Menu* will be as follows:

Regular/Nut/Egg Allergy  - Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza with multipack Lays/Frito Chips, Rice Krispies, Fruit Snacks, Cuties, Gatorade.

Vegetarian/Halal/Onion Free - Cheese Pizza, multipack with Lays/Frito Chips, Rice Krispies, Fruit snacks, Cuties Gatorade.

Vegan/Dairy Allergy- Jet’s Plain Breadsticks with marinara sauce, multipack with Lays/Frito Chips, Rice Krispies, Fruit Snacks, Cuties Gatorade.

Gluten Free - Gluten Free Cheese Pizza and/or Salad, multipack with Lays/Frito Chips, Rice Krispies, Fruit Snacks, Cuties Gatorade.

Note:  The special diet foods are ONLY for those who have declared a special dietary need as we only have a limited number of those meals.  Everyone else is expected to eat the Regular Diet meal.  Likewise, those that have declared a special diet are expected to eat their special diet offering. Thank you for your cooperation!

*If the above do not meet your dietary preferences or needs, you always have the option of having food dropped off or packing your own dinner!

Any questions can be directed to our Feed the Band Chair, Smita Ankola at smita.ankola@gmail.com.  We thank Smita for volunteering her time and taking on this large task for us this year!!!

Tickets

A reminder to our new families, tickets are required for anyone who wishes to enter the stadium to watch the game (and the band’s pregame and half-time performances).  

Information on tickets for all Mason sporting events can be found HERE. (You will need to log into Schoology to view) Tickets can be purchased directly HERE the week of the game.

Mason Bands Football Primer--Key Things to Know

1. Students rehearse right after school and do not have time to leave campus. They should have their regular rehearsal gear and filled water bottle with them to keep hydrated throughout the evening on long Friday game nights. 
2. Students should bring both rehearsal and performance clothes (either summer uniform or what they wear under their uniform) to school on Friday. Directors will communicate in advance what uniform students will wear at the game. 
3. Students are not allowed to leave campus for dinner. The Band Boosters provides dinner for students on Friday nights between rehearsal and game time. You may bring dinner to your student at 5:00 pm if you wish. Each week the dinner plan will be shared in the Sunday Band Notes. 
4. The Band plays in front of the Beacon/TriHealth Stadium before they enter the stands. If you want to see that, stay outside the football stadium at the entrance and then enter after they play the fight song,
5. Parents not working to support the band at the game, have to purchase tickets to enter Beacon/TriHealth Stadium. Please see above for information on how to purchase tickets.
6. Students will stay with the band through halftime performance and then have third quarter off to visit friends, family and the concession stand! Students need to bring money if they want anything at the concession stand. Students cannot leave the stadium during third quarter. They will be bringing their personal water bottles up with them for the game.
7. Students will return to the End Zone for the 4th quarter.
8. Parents pick-up students at the High School after they have changed. Students will need time to put away all instruments and equipment and ensure their uniforms are properly put away.

If you have questions about Friday, feel free to contact Tiffany at  Travel@MasonBandBoosters.com

Typical Friday Night Home Schedule - All Times are Approximate

Grand Nationals Gift Opportunity

One of our band parents is making cute mug arrangements you can purchase for your student as a send-off gift for Grand Nats! (This is not a fundraiser nor for profit - just a fun way to celebrate your marcher.)

The finished products will be similar to the football arrangement shown, but in one of the Looney Tunes or red/black mugs shown.

Click here to place your order. All orders are due by Saturday, November 2nd.

Details:

• Payment can be made through Venmo (@KevinHallVball) or by cash or check the day of pick up.
• Pick up at Kelly’s house any time on November 3rd (3252 Riverside Drive; Mason), or at band rehearsal on Saturday, November 9. 

If you have any questions, email Kelly Hall at averylanden@gmail.com or you text at 513-312-2942.

REMINDERS

Attendance Reminders 

Attendance is a vital component of a successful marching band program during these final weeks of the season. During these final weeks, there will be many changes and finishing touches to the show that will help students truly feel the energy and emotions that make a marching band show so memorable! Absences, no matter the reason, have a negative impact on the achievement and environment of the entire group since the students rely on the other performers in the ensemble for success. 

As a reminder, here are the description of absences from the Marching Band Handbook: 

• Excused Absence Examples: Illness, conflicts approved by a Director (more than 2 weeks in advance), death in the family, private lessons.
• Unexcused Absences Examples: Absent with no communication, homework/work, birthday dinners, fall vacations, family gatherings, concerts. Unexcused absences during the week of a performance can result in not performing that week.
• Reporting: The student/family will communicate known absences at least 2 weeks in advance, and report absence due to illness prior to rehearsal. All absences must be reported to the section director.

The latest and most up to date calendar is always the Mason Bands Calendar. You should bookmark or sync this calendar and check it often: https://www.masonbands.com/calendar/

Continue to communicate with the director that works with your section as soon as possible if you have attendance concerns.

Invitational Programs still Available

Invitational Programs are still available to purchase. They are $10 each and contain all the senior spotlights. So these are wonderful souvenirs for Senior families. 

Use this jotform to place your order: https://form.jotform.com/242857600221147

Contact Gina Marshall - spirit@masonbandboosters.com with questions.

Customized Hats - SHOW THEME - For Fans

Did you see these hats at the Invitational? Do you want one? This is a great way to show our Mason Pride at the remaining competitions this year. To get your personal hat it is a two step process:

1. FIRST - Order your own hat on Amazon (or other) and have it delivered to your home. These are the links to the hats that many of us have ordered, but you can select any hat that you like. https://a.co/d/aWY7cDY or https://a.co/d/52oFCJ6 

After the hat arrives…

1. SECOND - Contact Kathleen at OCD unlimited to place your order directly from her. She is charging only $5 per hat to put the band logo on the front and the text on the side. (Kathleen Martin • ocdunlimited@yahoo.com) Kathleen will let you know how to drop the hat off and when you can pick it up from her.

Contact Gina Marshall - spirit@masonbandboosters.com if there are any questions.

Early Order Discount for Marching Band Memory Books 

Each year, our talented photo volunteers put together a beautiful memory book filled with the many moments of our season including rehearsals, football games, parades & competitions. 

This is a beautiful, 8.5x11 inch, soft cover photo book with about 72 pages. 

You have the option of adding custom pages to your book that you design with your own pictures. The first two custom pages are free, and additional pages are available for a small additional cost. If you choose this option, you agree to have your child’s name and your email address shared with the book company, Tree Ring, so you can personalize the pages in the book associated with your student’s name.

This option is only available for books ordered by October 27, 2024 and all pages must be finished by December 4, 2024, along with final book orders.

Place your Memory Book order HERE by October 27 to receive the early order price of $50 and the option to do custom pages.

Orders placed between October 28 and December 4 will be at the regular price of $55, without the option of the custom pages.

Contact Nancy Riley at photo@masonbandboosters.com for questions.

Rifle Clinics

See below for the rest of the Rifle Clinic dates for the current season. You will need to bring your own rifle, and will be split into groups catered to your skill level - beginner, intermediate, and advanced. These clinics are optional, but strongly encouraged to those who hope to begin rifle upon completion of this marching band season. All are welcome!

• Wednesday, October 23rd 5-5:45pm
• Wednesday, October 30th 5-5:45pm

Save the Dates!

Please mark your calendars for a couple key dates that were recently confirmed.

• Next Booster Meeting:  Monday, October 28 at 7pm  in the Large Commons
• Topics include MSBA Championships and BOA Grand Nationals
• Marching Band Awards Night: Tuesday, December 3 at 6:30pm in the Auditorium and Large Commons

Car Raffle Is Here!!!!

We are so excited to announce the launch of our 2024 Mason Bands Car Raffle! Mason Band Boosters is partnering with Audi Cincinnati East to raffle off a 2024 Audi Q5 or a cash prize. This fundraiser is a very important one for our organization as it helps provide some much needed funds to help with the expenses of our program as well as allows us to reach outside of our band family and community to help raise funds!  

We Need Each And Every Family To Help Reach Our Goal Of Selling 5,500 Tickets And To Give Away This Fabulous Vehicle Or A Cash Prize!  

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

Raffle Period - Raffle runs NOW until November 8th at 5 pm OR until 5,500 tickets are sold...whichever comes first!

Drawing - Saturday, November 9th, 2024 at the MSBA AAAAA Championships, hosted at Mason. Need not be present to win!

Prizes - 

• Grand Prize -  2024 Audi Q5 or a cash prize!
• 2nd Place Prize - $1000 cash  
• 3rd Place Prize - $500 Cash

Car Raffle Rules And Regulations - Please Click Here for complete Car Raffle rules and regulations. Must be 18 years of age or older and a Resident of Ohio to purchase or be named on the ticket.

Ticket Prices - 1 ticket-$25 or 5 for $100 (to same individual)

• Note: If purchasing a bundle, all tickets in the bundle must have the same name, address and phone number with them.      

Ticket Purchases - Tickets can be purchased two ways:

1. Online via the 2024 Car Raffle Ticket Order Form
2. In person at home football games and the Mason Invitational

Band Family Sales - We are NOT distributing paper tickets to band families this year, but we are still asking each family to sell (or buy) at least 10 tickets to help make this a successful fundraiser.

• Please share the link and QR code with family and friends. Feel free to share it via social media as well.

Information regarding the Car Raffle can be found on our website Here. 

Questions? - Please direct those to carraffle@masonbandboosters.com.

Office Hours with Mr. Jackson

As another avenue for connecting with parents and addressing our needs, Mr. Jackson will host weekly office hours. CLICK HERE to sign up for a time. These will be open to all parents with a student enrolled in a Mason Bands program class. 

Marching Band Secret Buddy Reminders

We are glad so many students chose to participate in Secret Buddy this year! Here are the dates for the rest of the season to bring secret buddy items: 

Football Games

• Oct 25

Competitions

• Nov 9 MSBA Champs
• Nov 14-16 Grand Nats (TBD which day)  

2024 Marching Band Next Steps

Marching Band Registration Next Steps

• 2024 Registration Guide
• Past Due
  • Experience Fee 2 - $400
    • Invoice sent on 7/10/24 via email from: quickbooks@notification.intuit.com
  • Marching Band School Fee #3 - $400
    • Payment can be made in Payschools or via check made out to Mason City Schools.
    • Payschools is the system that replaced EZPay earlier this year district-wide. It is the same system used for paying your student’s school fees. Click here to view the district’s guide to Payschools.
• Due November 1 - UPDATED
  • Experience Fee #3 - $300
    • Invoice sent on 10/13/24 via email from: quickbooks@notification.intuit.com
  • Your student must have an ACTIVE physical on file in order to participate throughout the season
    • Examination must have been performed within the past 13 months
    • Medical Eligibility Form must be completed in its entirety signed and dated by the healthcare provider
• Dispensing Medication at School (DMS) forms may be submitted any time throughout the season via masonbands.com >> How To Submit Forms
  • All student medications taken during marching band activities require a DMS form (both OTC and Prescription)
  • Must be signed by parent/guardian AND healthcare provider
  • Only valid for up to one full season
  • Marching Band DMS forms are separate from any other DMS forms submitted through Mason City Schools administration or nursing staff
  • Medication Drop-Off: Review the medication check-in process in the 2024 Marching Band Registration Guide for more details.
  • Last Medication Drop-Off Event prior to Grand Nats:
    • November 12th 5:30-6:30pm - W2W near Band Aid station
      • See BoosterHub Volunteer section to sign up for a drop-off time
• Travel Medication Scheduled Meds
  • Grand Nats
    • Thursday - lunch, afternoon, dinner meds
    • Friday - lunch, afternoon, dinner, bedtime meds
    • Saturday - breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner, bedtime meds
    • Sunday - breakfast meds
    • As Needed - when requested by student