Tuesday, October 1, 2013 · Band Room, KHS
Meeting was called to order by President Jolene Berke.
Approximately 40 Parents were in attendance plus the directors.
Copies of the minutes were available and distributed. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Lori Koeppe, second by Karen Premer. The minutes were approved later in the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report from Brent Meyer: Checking $13,861.33, Scrip Account $100.00, Student Accounts $14,269.28, Savings Account $5202.29.
Old Business
Bearcat Marching Festival – Tracy Falconer, this year’s chair, thanked everyone who helped. Parents step up and help it run smoothly and we had a successful day. We had great weather and it was a good event. Alexis McNeal was the co-chair this year and will be the chair for this fundraiser next year. We are in need of a co-chair for next year. We also want to work to grow this event. If you or anyone you know has marketing skills that may be able to benefit growing the event, let Jolene know.
Harvest of Harmony – We need bus sponsors (actually need bus sponsors for LINKS and NSBA, too!). Sending around a sign-up sheet. Sometimes bus sponsors receive free admission to the event. Itinerary is on the blog. Is a well attended parade, so go early. Looks to be cold this year, dress accordingly and encourage your kids to do so as well!!
LINKS – Oct 12 at Beecher Field, 2:00 performance.
NSBA – Oct 26, more info coming
Any donations of black t-shirts for sleeves would be appreciated! Any other supplies such as bobby pins, make-up removers, band-aids for piercing covers, shout wipes, etc. will be accepted, too.
Senior Flags – Originally, they were sent incorrectly and late. They were supposed to sent with grommets only at the top (were supposed to be at the bottom as well). Flags were sent back so grommets could be inserted. They just put the grommets in the single layer of fabric rather than a double layer. Because of the errors, the company is offering a discount. When ordering, $36 was charged for the flags. The new charge is $15, so $21 will be credited to your student account.
Yard Signs – some difficulties/misunderstandings with yard signs. That has now been straightened out and signs should be in on Monday.
Apparel/Pride Buttons – all orders have been completed and distributed. If you have any questions or concerns with this, please see Karen Premer.
Directors
Mr. Mitchell: Thank you to all parents who help so much. Clean up from Bearcat Marching Festival was so quick & smooth. The judges even commented on how well the event was organized. CatCards are available. These community discount cards are a student account fundraiser. The entire amount of $5 goes to the student account. You may either buy them from the band and sell them or you can check cards out with a deposit (10 cards at a time). Deposit will be held until either cards, money or combination of the two are returned. This year the Foundation sent 1000 cards.
Itineraries for trips will be posted on the website. All students must ride to competitions with the band. For trip home, they may be released to parents IF they provide a “mommy note” by Thursday before the competition. The date is enforced so that rider lists are set and available in the event of an accident so that district officials have the information for first responders.
Please encourage your students to practice, even though practice times are not required to be turned in. It makes them better which in turn makes the entire band better.
Mr. LeFeber: NSBA has changed due to NSBA board. They ended up having too many bands at the festival site (Lincoln) so they are requiring all AA bands to go to the competition site (Omaha). Performance time will be 4:30, awards at 9:30. Normally, when going to Omaha, you may choose festival or competition. Since we originally signed up for festival, they look to be making us to go as a festival band rather than competition. Now that we are going to the competition site, we’d like to be in the competition, but that remains to be seen. Marketing help: Really could use help in getting the word out. Traditional model of sending out emails, fliers, etc doesn’t appear to be working. The new events we have started (Bearcat Marching Festival and Underclassman Honor Band) need to be better promoted. Judges, etc, feel we have a great product, just need to get the word out.
Received a grant of $4700 from the Keno fund to purchase new carts for equipment & uniforms during marching season. Also received a grant ($3300) from Class Act to cover the remaining cost of the transportation carts. Unfortunately, we won’t have the carts here for this year, but Reed Koeppe has been working to coordinate the construction of the carts.
Band Booster mailer – working to compare lists of alumni due to differences in lists from the yearbooks and KPS. This way we can avoid duplicates, etc. We are trying to raise the funds to raise brass sousaphones for marching. Next year, if all 8th grade tuba players join us and all current players continue we will have 8 students needing sousaphones! That equates to about $60,000.
All-State Honor Band auditions are being taped next week. More honor bands are available. Check the website for info on auditions
KPS Band Festival – new event, concert band concert during marching season which joins the Wind Ensemble and the 8th graders. Way to challenge the kids (Wind Ensemble especially) and also foster the relationship with the 8th graders. We lost about 50% of the 8th graders in band during the transition in this year and we need to work to change that.
Jazz Band – Nov 14 is jazz band concert. The UNO Jazz Ensemble will be here to share the concert with us and they are bringing their artist in residence with them. Harry Waters is a professional trombone player, played with Doc Severinson’s band. Concert time will be 6:00.
The trailer should be done tonight so we may use it this weekend for Harvest of Harmony!!
Upcoming Opportunities
Stadium clean-up has been going great. Thanks for your help!
Basketball concessions: Will send around a clipboard to gather emails of those interested in working basketball concessions. Closer to the dates we start this an email will be sent with the sign up genius so you may sign up for shifts.
UNK Concessions: Shanda Kinkade has stepped up to help. Sign-up sheet being sent for remaining shifts. Oct 5 there is an opening. Start times have not been released yet for the Nov 2 and Nov 9 games.
Water Coordinator: Allie Nelson has taken on this job. We had water after the UNK parade which the kids really appreciated! We will take water to the remaining competitions.
Fundraisers: CatCards available
Scrip Totals so far: Face Value of cards for three months: $7491 Value of Rebates: $402.60 Money to KBPA: $170.26 Money to Student Accounts: $232.34 This is with only 12 families participating! Next month we are planning to create a “Scrip for Dummies” and sign up Mr. Mitchell at the meeting next month. We will also let other family members order. The band parent will need to email Marlene to let her know who will be ordering. The family member may use PrestoPay only. If they elect to receive a plastic gift card, it will be delivered to the school and the student/family will be responsible for getting it delivered.
Other
The Hub took a photo at a football game last month, but it didn’t turn out well so a new photo will be taken on Oct 11. The photo will be used for an ad run in the Hub for NSBA. Parents and others may pay to have their name included on the ad as a supporter. This is $25 and is due to the Hub by Oct 18. This photo will also be used for the ad that the KBPA puts in the NSBA program each year. This ad costs us $100 to support the band. Motion made by Todd Ochsner to purchase an ad in the NSBA program, second by Shelly Kavorik. Motion approved.
Be sure that your kids dress appropriately when they go to competition! Jeans don’t look good under the uniforms. Wear something that you won’t be embarrassed to been seen in – you may be dressing in the bus or the parking lot – so people will be able to see you! Make-up needs to be removed when they come. Also, if the uniforms get wet, REMOVE from the bag! Let them air out. If there is mud on it, let it dry then brush off. You may then take a wet cloth to wipe it.
This year, the uniform crew purchased a Fat Max rolling case to carry all the supplies, cost of $67. It is being brought to the group to request reimbursement. Motion by Dave Bailey to reimburse for the Fat Max , second by Ross Taylor. Motion approved.
With no further business to conduct, motion was made by Todd Ochsner to adjourn, second by Lauren Harbols. Motion passed, meeting adjourned.
