West Deptford Band Parents General Meeting 11/03/08

·         Meeting called to order at 8:07 pm with the pledge of allegiance. 

·         Motion to approve the October 08 meeting minutes – first and seconded by Rose and Shannon.

·         Treasurer’s Report – we are a little behind where we have been in the past.  We have had less football games this year. 

·         Soccer Tournament is on – sign-up sheets are going around for food and times to work

·         Fundraising

o        Popcorn – thanks for sticking with it.  We got the money back and the popcorn.

o        Cheesecakes – sales will end on 11/13/08. Delivery will be on Tuesday, 11/25. 

§         Dee will request the cafeteria to sort and pick-up the cheesecakes.

§         They will be delivered at 2:30 pm and we will need people to sort and re-pack the cheesecakes.  Everything needs to be inventoried before the cheesecakes are sorted and picked up.

§         Pickup is at 4 pm in the cafeteria. 

o        Poinsettias – kicked off today. It is a choir based fundraiser but band kids can also sell them.  They arrive on 12/4/08.

·         Rehearsals and Schedule

o        The Students will have rehearsals 3 nights a week. 

o        11/8 – football games and then to Bensalem, PA for the Eastern Regional competition

o        11/14 – football playoff game at West Deptford – we will need volunteers to work the concession stand.

o        11/15 – practice all day – we will feed the kids.  If you want to volunteer to help, send Dee an email.

o        11/16 – ACC’s in Allentown, PA – No bus for the parents this year.  West Deptford will go on the field between 2 pm and 3 pm.

o        11/21 – possible football playoff game

o        11/25 – Cheesecakes arrive

o        11/28 – Soccer tournament and Paulsboro football game.

§         Football game – we will need 15 non-senior parents to work in the concession stand. It will be a VERY busy football game. 

o        11/29 and possibly 11/30 – soccer tournament all day. Need parents to help out and learn how to do everything. 

o        12/5 or 12/6 – possible playoff game

o        12/6 – Salem and Cape May parades

o        We will discuss the parades at the December Meeting.

·         Mr. Kershaw –

o        Thanks for the support at the competition – crowds and yelling.  We hope you enjoy watching the show.

o        Thanks for the props help. It was just taken care of and he didn’t have to worry.

o        Results from the competition on Sunday –

§         Ultimately we are competing for the number and not against others in the competition.

§         There were 2  unqualified judges in the music category

§         Visual outscored the music and that NEVER happens

§         We do a lot of meters and design those into the show because it is skill and gets more points

§         Not much can be done about the score

§         One judge was never in our chapter and should not have been there for the first time

§         Third seed band goes on last.  We wanted that spot so we can put on the show after Mechanicsburg.

§         There are 4 bands on after we perform.

§         1/10^th of a point separates West Deptford from being the third seed.

§         Mr. Kershaw has sent out letters to contest the decisions – the scores will not change.

§         Eastern Regional – CB West will be there.  We will try to beat the score we got against them the last time.  We need to knock CB West off – we need the parents there to cheer.

o        Need to keep the kids healthy.  This year has had the best attendance, ever.

o        Mr. Kershaw will send out the schedule for Saturday

§         Go to football game

§         Then go to Bensalem

§         Will have info on prop crew in the schedule

o        TOB and USSBA – TOB is usually not this bad.  USSBA is not as good as TOB. TOB is edgier and physical.  USSBA is showy and not as athletic.

§         Last year we went to USSBA championships and we were 4^th out of 18 bands.

§         There is not competition in our group for TOB this year without traveling. We tried to keep the shows local but may need to travel next year.

§         Where are the group 3’s?

·         Pennsauken went to USSBA, Southern Regional and Egg Harbor is participating in Cavalcade of Bands

§         Why does Williamstown always do so much better than we do?  Mr. Kershaw respects their show but doesn’t like it.  They run a lot but don’t play much music. It’s aggressive but musically not good.

·         It is not a problem that they are mic-ed up.  The invested in a sound system when they were smaller.

·         They demonstrate skills but should not get the credit they do – there is some benefit of the doubt. Williamstown won due to visual but lost music to Middle Township.

o        Yesterday’s show was amazing.  Looked like everyone played from the heart.  Thanks to the staff from Shannon.

·         Monogram shop has some stuff left from the cavalcade.  If we mention the WD Band she will give the profit to the band. The shop is in Woodbury.

·         We will need baked goods for the next 2 weekends – Eastern Regionals and ACC’s.

·         How do you get letters put on the jackets?

o        Go to monogram shop or anywhere to have it put on.

·         Motion to close the meeting – first and seconded by Maria and Shannon 

Respectfully submitted by Amy Stewart