Enloe Band Booster Minutes-October 2006
Meeting date: October 12, 2006
Location: Enloe High School
Attendees: Mr. Hunter, Beth Narron, Drew and Sara Morrison-Rowe, Kaye Poole, Liz Scott, Ron Scott, David Hocekenberger, Jim and Rhonda Connor, Joanne Kochuck, Karin Hess, Penny Werner, Susan Siphers, Beth Cochran, Penny Vagle, Jay Vadakkeveedu, Skip Smoak, Nancy Appleby Brenner
Meeting called to order at 7:02 by Beth Narron.
I. Minutes of the September 21, 2006 General Meeting; no additions or corrections received. Penny moves to accept the minutes as issued, Jay seconds the motion, group votes unanimously, minutes accepted as issued.
II. Band Director’s report-Mr. Hunter
q Concert Band Classes
o CB & SB are still working on individual skills 100% and ensemble skills 0%. The SB will soon begin spending some time on ensemble skills. The CB will continue to work on individual skills until the majority of the group is on the same level.
o The WE has begun to work on ensemble skills: individual 50%, ensemble 50%. We are working on a couple pieces that require outside practice. I am checking them regularly (down the row) to give them opportunities to prove to everyone that they are practicing. Most of the students in WE should audition for All District. They have the scale requirements and should have their own copy of the solo. AD is not required but strongly encouraged.
o Wind Ensemble Spring Trip Approved – Mr. Rice informed me just this morning that our proposed return trip to the Smoky Mountain Festival has been approved. The trip required special consideration due to the fact that it falls on the first weekend in May (the official trip cut off date is April 30). Last year we went in April, but the prom presents a conflict this year. The festival is only offered two weekends in April and two weekends in May each year. The last weekend in April presents a conflict with Honors Band.
So, WE parents please check your calendars and let me know ASAP if your child cannot attend. We need all parts covered, and, if too many cannot attend, we will cancel. I expect the costs to be about $200 or so per student. We will leave on Thursday after school and return by Saturday evening. More information to follow soon. It would be nice if a parent would volunteer to handle logistics of this trip. I can certainly advise. I handled it last year and it wasn’t complicated, though I fell behind on deadlines.
q Jazz classes
o Our improve class is moving along nicely. I introduced Band in a Box to them and several have made arrangements to purchase it. It is an invaluable tool for anyone learning to improvise.
Our jazz combo is rehearsing regularly and working with the audio engineering class for recording purposes.
q Marching Band
o Rehearsals are going well, except for this past Tuesday. Many students feel a let down knowing that there is not contest this weekend. In their mind we’ve got a lot of rehearsals before the next performance so we can waste time if needed. My policy is that we will either rehearse with focus or we will not rehearse.
o We really got lucky this past weekend. It certainly looked like either the home game or the competition would be cancelled, or both. We had a good run-through Friday night and I made a tape that the kids listened to Saturday morning since we didn’t have time to rehearse.
o Last week we added some intensity to our music through dynamic contrast. I even re-wrote some parts to provide additional contrast. I was very happy that the changes actually came through in performance. However, in our effort to focus on musical intensity we lost a little ground in precision. In other words, we weren’t quite together left to right and front to back. Eyes on the drum major are the remedy for this and we are working on it.
o Visually we did so well at Clayton two weeks ago that we focused nearly all our attention on music effect. Thus our slip in visual execution.
o The guard knows their routines and will continue to clean them up. But, they are also taking on the challenge of reacting to judge’s comments. One judge in particular had great suggestions of how to make the performance more tribal. It’s a good thing we have a few rehearsals before our next show, because adding new material is very difficult. Nevertheless, if the guard can add the new stuff it will not only increase their scores, but it will also give the entire band higher scores in general effect, and, more importantly, will make the show much more exciting and easier to follow!
o Our show will continue to evolve until our final performance. Yes, the guard is adding more work but the rest of the band is adapting too. We’re adding some visuals for those rare stand-still moments. You’ll certainly see and hear a difference in our next performance.
o A word about competition. Each time we perform we expect to be better than the previous performance in at least some areas. All season long we challenge ourselves in this manner, to constantly improve and even evolve. Though it is nice to win trophies that we will one day discard, the true test each week is to improve with each rehearsal and performance. The 13-week competitive season is in its 10th week. Ritual will soon be over. Let’s not waste time!
Upcoming Events
October
MB 20 Home football game
MB 21 Competition @ Fuquay-Varina (itinerary TBA)
MB 28 Competition @ Sanderson (itinerary TBA) long day, prelims and finals event
Vol 29 Triangle Wind Ensemble Concert 3PM @ Stewart Theater (NCSU) 7 points
November
MB 3 Home football game in Halloween costumes! Senior night, final home game!
MB 4 Competition @ Cary HS (itinerary TBA)
MB 11 Veteran’s Day Parade in Raleigh (band room 8:30am) parade 10am
SB, WE Veteran’s Day Concert on steps of Capitol (10:30-1:00)
MB 18 Raleigh Christmas Parade and Marching Band Banquet @ Enloe (1pm)
Secretary’s notes on Director’s report:
A special welcome to Dr. Cochran who is attending our Band Booster Meeting tonight!
Mr. Hunter reminds everyone of the very special Joel Martin (www.jazzical.com) concert/event culminating in our performance in Meymandi Hall on Sunday February 11, 2007. He has composed music for the 4th period chorus, the 5th period orchestra, and the 6th period band. It will be a wonderful experience. This is simply the largest musical collaboration in Enloe history.
III. Treasurer Report: Nancy Appleby reported the following:
TREASURER’S REPORT
Enloe Band Boosters
October 12, 2006
AUDIT OF FISCAL YEAR 2004 (July 1, 2004-June 30, 2005) RECORDS:
John Montgomery is in the process of performing an audit of our 2004 Fiscal Year Books. John will be doing our Tax Return. I will also ask him to audit 2005 after the books are closed out. The Tax Return is due by November 15, 2006. At this juncture I am considering an extension, since I need to put the Balance Sheet in the proper format. Once that is accomplished I will ask John to audit our 2005 Fiscal Year.
NC SALES TAX REFUND REQUEST FOR 3 YEARS:
Have completed review of fiscal year 2004 and computed $1,204.04 in refunds. Review of FY 2003 and 2002 will not be completed until after school is out due to the Treasurer’s new job. Still working on refund.
RITA GOODMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND ACCOUNT:
As of March 16, 2006, we have $5,322.54 in one of their Mutual Fund Accounts (Ultra Short-term Income-Inv.). During 2005 the fund made $204.86 in dividends, which were reinvested. A balance will be provided at our next Band Boosters meeting in September. Will try Review statement for next meeting.
FUNDS STATUS:
First Citizens Account Balances per Quickbooks as of 9/21/2006:
Checking Account (Business Quest) $ 26,527.73
Savings Accounts $ 219.27
12- 17 mo fixed rate CD(Matured/rolled 07/10/2006) $ 19,243.00
TOTAL $ 45,990.00
**Please note that we will be paying for Fruit and Citipass books (approx.$10,000 )and about $3,500 in equipment/music outstanding bills. $843 in Fair Share Donations is yet to be deposited.
DONATIONS:
SAS Donation:
We received a $500 donation from SAS today through the efforts of Skip Smoak. Thank you Skip!!
Meal Donations:
We have received donations totaling $1040 for Game/Competition Meals which is about what we have spent.
Secretary’s notes on Treasurer’s report:
Nancy mentions that we may want to do another email soliciting for meal donations. It is worth noting that these contributions will be tax deductible.
Nancy also mentioned that she may solicit someone to help with sales tax refund paperwork
IV. Fair Share: Karin Hess reports:
A big thank you to all kids and parents for getting their fair share payments in! $8750 has come in, about $3300 of that from fundraising, largest part from grocery cards, has got to be a record year for fundraising. Karin says she is getting spreadsheets from fundraisers and will send out statements to everybody for their accounts for the next payment due November 1.
V. Ways and Means:
Lynn Condreay was not able to attend but sent a report through Penny:
The group sold more books and fruit than last year and pie sale is about to start. Susan F had an idea about can collecting and recycling fundraiser that Beth passed along. There was some general discussion about the logistics of that kind of program. Beth asks that we think about it.
Kaye mentioned that grocery card sales are doing very well with many more families participating, the last couple of months about 50 families participating, this is a great way for families to earn toward their fair-share. It was pointed out that you can buy other store gift cards with the grocery cards.
Penny motions that we limit the amount of money that can be raised for each student at the new Christmas parade tent sale to $50 and that anything over that amount go to the general fund. David seconds the motion. Discussion: Penny is concerned that without doughnut sales there will be a shortfall in the general fund. Mr. Hunter notes that for the last two years the transportation costs for band camp have been covered by general fund. Beth mentions that possibly next year all proceeds from this activity will go to general fund. Skip asks for clarification if the child is band student? (Yes). Nancy notes that $50 seems like a lot. David notes that one of Lynn’s objectives for this activity was to make it a fair share fundraising opportunity for classroom band students. Mr. Hunter mentions that Lynn told the students this as a selling point. Penny mentions that most fair share money is due before then. Nancy says the $50 could carry over for next year. Nancy notes that this year’s transportation costs were deferred by $3500 of doughnut sale profits but the actual cost was more than that and the excess came out of general fund. Other things as well come out of the general fund. Prior to fair share all costs came out of general funds. That money carried over when fair share was implemented and set aside, we do have a healthy balance but these expenses are large. David says last 2 years the boosters made the decision to cover transportation out of general fund to limit the financial burden on families. Mr. Hunter says adding transportation could add $60-80 or more to each student’s fair share cost. Beth notes that this year additionally the general fund has covered the drum rack, earplugs, software, food, etc. We need to come up with some fund raisers to supplement general fund. Car washes are not big fundraises, Drew says a carwash can net $600-700. Mr. Hunter says it is an easy way to do a fundraiser. Beth says at some point we need to replace the doughnut sale profits. Vote all yes with one no vote. Motion carries.
Penny asks that all chairs pass on to their committees that Lynn is going to be looking for a lot of volunteers to send in bake sale and food items for sale at the Christmas parade tents.
VI. Operations
Penny notes that all committee chairs at this point should have a good handle on their own volunteer situation. She says that any committee chairs that are having issues or problems getting enough volunteers should call her or Beth. Penny has asked Ruth to check into a plaque for the wall of fame. Mr. Hunter will discuss design off line with Penny. Meals are going well on Friday nights---good volunteer participation and food donations so far, need to keep up the momentum and participation! Mr. Hunter notes that everybody was encourage to spend some money on concessions at Wakefield to support the host band –can be seen as bad form to feed our kids, we thought we had a longer day last Saturday, but finals competition was cancelled due to inclement weather. Penny asks if we know schedule for Fuquay competition. Mr. Hunter does not have it as of today. Drew says he needs 30 min for loading. Mr. Hunter asks him to send him a reminder email. It was mentioned that we cannot put shelves in the concession closet. There Is a work order out for the water leak in the closet. David outlines the professional photography sessions planned for next Friday and Saturday. Friday after school individual photos of all marching band students in their uniforms and some sectional and group photos also will be taken. There is no obligation to purchase and no pre-payment needed. Proofs will be posted on-line for viewing and purchase. Many volunteers are needed to help make this run smoothly. Mr. Hunter will make schedule. Also a group photo of the entire band in the stands will be taken Saturday. Plans also include a dress run through of the show Saturday morning to capture good sound and video of the show. A group photo will also be taken at Cary Band Day which families will have the option to purchase. Group photos will possibly be taken at Sanderson too. Beth mentions that many parents may not know about these options for photo purchasing if their kids don’t tell them. David mentions that prices for the photos taken at Enloe will be about $14 for single sheets up to $42 packages. Need to have lots of volunteers to insure efficient movement. Plan is to post flyers etc. David asks that Jenny directs the student leadership to assist, volunteers needed at school Friday by 3:00p.m.. David will send out an email with all the details. David mentions that everybody should visit the website and view the videos posted!
Uniforms—Susan notes that we are getting better at managing uniform issues, she has a good core group of volunteers. Kids do need to get better at hanging up their pants carefully. Mr. Hunter says Susan is doing great at a difficult job! Mr. Hunter notes that there were questions regarding using ponchos at the last competition, in general he feels that it is raining significantly we will most likely leave.
Drew asks if we need a truck for the Christmas parade? Mr. Hunter says yes, a small one and a large one for Veteran’s Day. Penny mentions we could use a good professional photo of the bands at the veteran’s day concert.
VII. New Business
New Business—Beth says we can do another order for band polo shirts. Beth approached the UNC marching band director, Mr. Fuches, he is offering to give our student leadership some tutoring. He is wiling to share his band officers with our officers to mentor and observe a rehearsal, unfortunately their practice time conflicts with our rehearsal time. Hope to plan something for coming years. We may be able to work something out for this year. It is very nice to have that relationship with UNC, it would be inspiring and we could learn a lot. Mr. Hunter would prefer our kids to go over there vs. UNC band leadership coming to Enloe.
Susan asks that people be on the lookout for the parade banner, it has not been located.
David moves to adjourn at 8:20, Ron seconds the motion, it carries unanimously.
VIII. Next meeting date: November 9, 7:00 p.m. Enloe High School Band Room