WEST DEPTFORD BAND PARENTS

GENERAL MEETING MINUTES 

January 9, 2006 

Meeting opened by President Lisa Wolff with Pledge of Allegiance.  

December’s minutes posted on band web site; motion to accept minutes made by Rose Rossiter; seconded by Steve Wolff. 

Treasurer’s Report given by Rose Rossiter.

Concession Stand:

1.        There is very little money left in the account; we still need incidentals.

2.       Looking into donations for ice machine.

a.        Len Daws may be able to contribute machine from Riverwinds Sports Complex or possibly a monetary donation.

b.        The Army/Navy Garrison also may make a donation.

c.        Ed Houghton is coordinating.

3.       Plaque design and contributors’ names forwarded to Ed Houghton

4.       Dedication of stand to Ed Houghton ~ he never answered emails about it, so that may be his answer.

End of season party was held at Wolff’s on 12/10. About 40 members attended.

New Business

Elections

a.        Jackie Wyatt reviewed procedures

b.        Positions needed include President, Treasurer (Rose Rossiter wants to stay in position) 1^st Vice President (Eileen Mannion interested), 2^nd Vice President, Recording Secretary (Lisa Wolff interested), Corresponding Secretary.

c.        Nominating Committee appointed by Lisa Wolff as per by-laws ~ Jackie Wyatt, George Bockius, Darlene McKendry. There were no questions by members, so the committee stands. See any member of committee if you are interested in any position.

d.        By-laws ~ The board had questions on the stringent wording of the eligibility rules in the current by-laws ~ they only allow events from the beginning of the academic year. Lisa asked for volunteers to look into changing the wording to include events in the second half of the previous academic year. Pat Perry and Rose Rossiter  volunteered to look into reworking the clause.

Month-by-month events:

January ~ Winter Wonderland Breakfast

¶       January 21, WDMS Cafeteria, 8 am – 12:30 pm; $5

¶       Fliers to go up in elementary schools, daycare centers, etc.

¶       Gloucester Co. Times, Channel 5 & Courier-Post notified.

¶       Concern over musical rehearsal that morning affecting ability of students to perform.

¶       Menu ~ Egg casserole, bacon, sausage, fried potatoes, pancakes, Danish, juice, milk, coffee, tea.

¶       Need volunteers for 3 shifts: 6-9 am, 8-11 am, 10 am – 1 pm.

¶       Need volunteers to donate egg casseroles, Danish & juice ~ see signup sheets; please drop off pre-baked casseroles Friday night; juice and Danish Saturday morning.

¶       Barb Angelini to investigate donations (day-olds?) from Acme.

¶       Estena will print tickets; Mr. Kershaw will have available 1/10 ~ pre-purchasing is encouraged!

February ~ Band Night

¶       Student event ~ we will charge entry fee, provide venue for student bands to perform, serve soda and snacks.

¶       Mr. Kershaw said he has 3 student bands interested in performing.

¶       Possible date ~ Saturday, Feb. 11.

March ~ Pops & Pasta

¶       Details to come in February.

¶       Suggestion made to pre-cook pasta again ~ it worked well last year.

April ~

Ladies’ Night Out

¶       New for this year ~ idea is to pamper mom. Tentative date April 8.

¶       We will invite different vendors (Pampered Chef, a massage therapist, Southern Living, etc.) to “expo” where we can just browse and enjoy a night out with the girls.

¶       Pat Perry suggested someone attend school’s upcoming Prom Expo to pick up business cards from vendors there.

¶       Committee needed to look into, decide on format and charge for vendors, admission price, give-aways, etc.

o         Dee Leonard recounted similar event at Riverwinds sponsored by Cheerleaders ~ vendors paid a percentage of sales they didn’t make very much. Barb Angelini suggested a flat fee would be better than a percentage. They will get together; Anne Connor and Jackie Wyatt will assist.

¶       Riverwinds was suggested, also the possibility of wine & cheese tasting. Committee will investigate.

Hollywood Nights

¶       Tuesday, April 25, 7-9 pm at Hollywood Café, Woodbury Heights.

¶       Tickets last time were $15; we must meet minimum of $750 to Hollywood (minimum of 75 people @ $10/head).

¶       Tickets will be available soon.

Cookbook

¶       Sample cookbook passed around ~ asking for recipes from band and choir parents for fundraiser.

¶       Spiral-bound book cost is $5.50 for 400 copies ~ sample was sold for $10.

¶       Please donate recipes (possibly with fast/fun/music/band/choir themed names) to Eileen Mannion at March meeting.

¶       We could have books to sell by April Ladies’ Night event.

Choir parents ~

1.       Fralinger candy fundraiser ~ ongoing, 40% of order credited to student account. Due Feb. 7.

2.       Wawa Hoagie coupons ~ $3/each; $1 credited to student account per coupon sold. Due Feb. 7.

Mr. Kershaw

1.        Thanks for best attendance ever at Holiday Concert ~ standing room only! The students really noticed and appreciated the support ~ your attendance is reflected in the performers’ pride in their work.

2.       New course next year ~ Honors Band ~ grade will be weighted as in regular honors classes. Intended for those students who will be advancing in the field of music.

a.        Pre-requisites include director recommendation and audition.

b.        Included in course will be advanced scales and rudiments of music; preparation of audition piece for required audition for SJ Honors Band; Grade 3 or higher proficiency in sight reading; preparation of solo piece for solo ensemble in spring.

c.        Advanced students will have the opportunity to play more difficult music.

d.        Auditions will be this spring for the Fall ’06 class.

3.       Additional programs

a.        Brass Ensemble ~ Christmas Caroling was a success

b.        Percussion Ensemble ~ to begin within the next 2 weeks

c.        Indoor Guard ~ currently stalled

4.       Meeting with Athletic Department

a.        Working to determine fair and equitable resolution to sports/band schedule conflicts. Making good ground.

b.        Working to determine if Marching Band members qualify for a Varsity.

                                                               i.      Lack of Varsity/Junior Varsity status apparently an issue, as are lack of random drug testing and requirement of a doctor’s physical examination.

                                                             ii.      Athletic department says they are having trouble tracking band members

                                                           iii.      We are working to develop criteria for members to qualify for a letter (minimum number of competition performances, attendance at football games, etc.)

                                                            iv.      Gretchen Segado noted that the focus of the Marching Band season is head-to-head competition with other school bands.

                                                              v.      Ed Houghton added that the issue is being discussed at the board level. Part of the problem is a vague wording in the official policy regarding members who will be awarded a letter. TK is developing criteria for the board.

                                                            vi.      Most important is to avoid the stressful situations that occur for those students caught in the middle between requirements imposed by sports coaches and the marching band director.  We are trying to avoid having the students feel they will be penalized for attending one camp over another, or even trying to divide time between the two activities.

5.       Check your listings for cablecast of “Focus on West Deptford,” TV program with Superintendent Ed Wasilewski and TK acknowledging the success and acclaim the music program has brought to the school in just 4 short years ~ growing from 25 members four years ago to 86 in Fall 2005, and still going strong.

Announcements.

Lisa Wolff reminded all who are going on the California Trip that students must follow school policy regarding administration of medications. Please plan ahead for the necessary doctor’s forms ~ medical forms can be downloaded from the Band web site. If a parent is going on the trip, they may administer any necessary medications.

Motion to adjourn made by Joanne Tunis and seconded by Jackie Wyatt.

Respectfully submitted,

Eileen D. Mannion