Director's Blog

Dear Band Families,

This school year is quickly coming to a close. We have several events to culminate this school year that celebrate the talents of the students. Each year brings unique challenges and opportunities; this year has had plenty of both.

The current economic climate is challenging on so many levels. Our fundraising efforts have been strong and yet have not garnered the income we need to support the program. The school district is unable to support the program beyond my salary. This has been our story for as long as I know. Many schools throughout our state have joined us in this situation where previously their districts supported their band with funds for busses, uniforms, instrument repair and purchase, and support staff.

Our fundraising goals have fallen short by $6000. There are several ways we fundraise during the school year. We have two major fundraisers the Band Review and the Auction, which we turned into Casino Night. There have been many smaller fundraisers such as the iPod raffle, candy sales, car washes, dinners and more. In addition we have asked each family to make a donation to offset some of the fundraising needs.

There are several opportunities for us to make up the difference. This Sunday the Jazz Band is performing at USCS and they have generously decided to split the ticket proceeds with us. Next Saturday we will have a car wash and craft fair. There is a dinner night at Tony and Alba’s on Wednesday.

At our remaining concerts we will ask for a suggested donation. Typically, I don’t do this; I believe you should have the opportunity to see your child perform without the obligation of paying for it. In no way do I want this to deter anyone from seeing his or her student perform. However, this is a chance for us to make up some of the difference.

Lastly, there are folks who have not been able to achieve their donation amount. If these were met we would not need to worry about meeting our fundraising goals for the year, because they would be met. Even if you can only afford a portion of the amount or make periodic contributions it is helpful.

The band council and I have been meeting and discussing trip ideas for the next school year. Travel is an important component to a program like ours. It has the ability to motivate and propel growth on many levels. Attached is a more narrowed survey with the options for travel for next year. Please fill it out and return it to me by Tuesday 5/18. We are trying to balance the needs of the students in the program with the current economy and concerns about fundraising potential.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing you at our remaining performances.

Musically yours,




Christina Latham
END OF THE YEAR BAND EVENTS:

MAY 16TH – 3PM – JAZZ CONCERT @ UCSC
This concert is at UCSC recital hall and our band and the UCSC big band will be performing. There is a charge for admission and they are splitting the box proceeds with us. Tickets are $10. $8 and $6.

MAY 19TH – 5PM TO CLOSING – DINNER FUNDRAISER
Tony and Alba’s in Capitola is hosting us for a dinner fundraiser. Take the night off from cooking and come join us for dinner.

MAY 22ND – 12PM-4PM – CAR WASH AND CRAFT FAIR
Get your car washed! We will also have crafts made from different parents and students. Anyone and everyone is welcome to contribute items for this event.

MAY 28TH – 7PM – SPRING CONCERT
This concert will feature the Concert Band and Bagpipes. This is a free concert, however donations will be greatly appreciated. Suggested donation is $5.00 per person or $20.00 per family.

JUNE 2ND – 4TH PERIOD AND AFTER SCHOOL – DRUM MAJOR AUDITIONS
Students will audition to be assistant drum major to Yuki for the 2011 school year. If that student is not a Senior then they will be drum major following Yuki.

JUNE 4TH – 7 PM – GUARD AND CHAMBER RECITAL
This new performance opportunity will feature students performing various styles of dance and choreography. In addition members of the band will be performing in small groups. This is a free concert, however donations will be greatly appreciated. Suggested donation is $5.00 per person or $20.00 per family.

JUNE 5TH – 7PM – SPRING JAZZ CONCERT
Jazz band will perform songs learned this semester. This is a free concert, however donations will be greatly appreciated. Suggested donation is $5.00 per person or $20.00 per family.

JUNE 10TH – 6PM – BAND AWARDS AND POTLUCK
This event celebrates all the work the students and parents have put into the school year. We start with a potluck at 6PM and the awards begin at 7:30PM. Every student is recognized and honored. Family and friends are all welcome.










SPRING TRIP 2010 SURVEY
OPTION ONE: HAWAII

Time: Spring break
Performances:
• Concert at the band shell near the zoo
• Jazz Band at the park
• Drumline at King Kamehameha High School
• Winterguard at King Kamehameha High School
• Parade down the main strip in Waikiki
Cultural and Sight Seeing:
• Luau
• Polynesian Cultural Center
• Pearl Harbor
• Catamaran ride
• Snorkeling
• Waikiki beach

OPTION TWO: CANADA

Time: the end of May, student will miss 3-4 days of school
Performances:
• Victoria Day parade
• Possible concert at an alumni’s Middle School where she teaches music in Portland, OR
• Possible concert in Queen Victoria’s Garden
• More performances may be available, we still need to determine them
Cultural and Sight Seeing:
• Space Needle
• Pacific Science Center
• Queen Victoria’s Garden and Tea on Victoria Island
• Visit Vancouver, Canada
• More excursions may be available, we still need to determine them


Both trips cost approximately $1400.00 (there will opportunities to fundraise)



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Due: May 18th

_____ Option One: Hawaii
_____ Option Two: Canada

__________________________________ __________________________________
Student Signature Parent Signature

Friends and Family drumline perfromance today. SCHS gym 7:30PM. Tonight. Everyone is welcome. Would love to see all of you there, they are amazing and a ton of fun to watch. And there is dessert after...

http://www.cbda.org/

Go to this website to get the audition materials for next years honor bands.

Click here to download Dreamscapes.

These are the earlugs I was recomending.

http://www.westone.com/catalog/etymotic-ety-plugs

Click here to download Dreamscapes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLcsyA-2LpA

Thanks to everyone who came and helped with the alterations to the uniforms last week. It was nice to see so many parents help out and enjoy each others company.

If you are available there will be a last minute effort to finish the uniforms. Julie will be in the band room tomorrow at 8AM to finish and would love some help. (Thursday 10/8)

Tomorrow we will be taking our picture on the front steps of the school. Order forms were sent home last Friday. If you did not get one and would like to order the group picture you can stop by the room tomorrow any time to pick up and fill out and turn in the form. The room is open by 7:15 for jazz band and you are welcome to come any time after that.

Friday we will be having a full dress rehearsal here at school. We will be changing during school and staying after for an hour. This helps find any issues before we have the added stress of our first performance. Also the students start to get used to wearing their uniforms and hats and playing and marching.

Download Here

Download Here

Band Camp Info

Tuesday - Only 2PM New Students
3-9 Everyone – Name Day, we will provide dinner

Wednesday
3-9 – Color/Glitter/Shiny Day – Dinner Subway

Thursday
3-9 – Music Genre Day – Dinner Vallarta Burritos

Friday
3-9 – Opposite Gender Day – Dinner Costco Pizza

Saturday
3-9 – Decade Day first half – Red and White Day second half
Dinner with parents, Pot luck
Perform for the parents

Bring:
-your instrument
-marching shoes (tennis or other flat soled shoes)
-water bottle
-sunscreen and or a hat

JUNE
Tuesday 6/16 1-2PM Brass
2-3PM Woodwinds

Thursday6/18 1-2PM Brass
2-3PM Woodwinds

Tuesday 6/23 1-2PM Brass
2-3PM Woodwinds

Wednesday6/24 1-5PM Band Council

Thursday6/25 1-2PM Brass
2-3PM Woodwinds


JULY
Thursday7/9 10AM-4PM Leadership


AUGUST
Wed-Fri 8/5-7
2-5PM New Students and New to your instrument

Tues-Sat8/11-8/15
3PM-9PM BAND CAMP

Saturday8/22
NCBA Fall Clinic

Announcing the
1st Annual Band Photo Contest!

WHO: Anyone who has taken a photo of the band or band members this year.
WHAT: any photo of the 2008-2009 band or sections/individuals of the band in uniform. It need not be during competition.
HOW: matted or framed 5x7 or 8x10s encouraged.

Qualifying Photos would exude a sense of awe or show off our dynamic brilliance and magnificence!!!

You may enter as many photos as you like. There is no fee to enter.

Votes will be cast during Awards Night, in the form of coins, bills, or checks dropped into corresponding jars. The photo that collects the most “votes” (money) will be announced as the “winner” and will be displayed in the bandroom for 1 year.

Last names starting with:
A-M bring a side dish, salad or bread
N-L bring a main dish

Please bring enough to feed 12 people!

Also the color guard students are going to perform their finals for us. They have choreographed a routine to a song of their choice!

Thursday June 11th
Santa Cruz HS Cafeteria
6PM Pot Luck Dinner
7PM Awards