September 22, 2009, Tuesday
Music Boosters Board Meeting Minutes

Submitted by Kathy Cranford, Secretary
Next meeting scheduled for October 13, 2009 at 6:30 pm

The meeting began at 6:35 pm.

Introduction:

President Carolyn Suazo introduced herself and welcomed everyone. She introduced the other Board members: John Hempsey, Vice-President; Jeanne Hoey, Treasurer; Kathy Cranford, Secretary. The first topic was Fair Share Donations. Carolyn had some large posters displaying most itemized costs for the Music Program for the school year. She explained what expenses we have and what our Fair Share Donations pay for. We depend on these donations to run the music program and support our children in their music interests. The donations are tax deductible.

Volunteers:

Next Carolyn discussed the importance of parent volunteers. We need parent support for Marching Band Field Shows, football game performances, fundraising ideas, concert bake sales, etc. During this fall season, we especially need parents to help with all aspects of the Field Shows such as loading equipment and uniforms on and off of a rental truck, providing water and food for the students, moving equipment from the parking lot to the performance field and back, driving the truck, helping students get organized while changing into and out of uniforms, putting plumes in hats, etc.

Communications:

There are several ways that parents can communicate with the Music Boosters and receive information:

1. website - our volunteer webmaster Bonnie MacRitchie does a wonderful job of posting current and upcoming events and meetings. The website is: www.uchsmusic.com.
2. E-mails - Bonnie is also our Communications person and sends out e-mails about events and meetings. Our Treasurer, Jeanne Hoey, makes sure that important events and information are passed on to the UCHS e-mail distribution list.
3. Flyers are sent home with important announcements, fundraising events, etc.
4. Music Booster meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in the Band room. Please attend these meetings for up-to-date information about what’s going on in the Music program.

We are in immediate need of:

1. a uniform manager and parents to help fit students before the first Field Show (October 31), and
2. a volunteer to shadow Jeanne, our Treasurer, since her son is a senior, and will be graduating in June.

Fall Season:

There will be 3 Field Shows this fall season:

1. October 31st at Scripps Ranch High School,
2. November 7th at Mira Mesa High School, and
3. November 21st at Ramona High School which is in Riverside.

There will also be 2 Marching Band performances at football games, October 23rd (Homecoming) and November 6th.

Mr. Cummins then took the floor and welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming. He explained the importance of parent participation at Field Shows and football games during this fall season. This year, our Marching Band has a large percussion core consisting of 7 students in drum line and 7 students in pit. We need parents to help move the equipment from the band room to the football field (for football games) and from the band room to the rental truck to the field and back at Field Shows. For the football games we also need parents to rope off the Marching Band section in the stands and to provide plenty of iced bottled water to the students.

This year, the Field Show has 54 sets; the most ever. UCHS is going through an accreditation process so there will be minimum days every other Thursday. Mr. Cummins asked whether the parents would be willing to have their students practice on those afternoons from 1:00-3:15. The request was met with overwhelming approval.

Color Guard:

Our Color Guard coach, Anastasia and our Drum Line coach, Noel, have to go through the process of becoming official employees of the school district; this is a new requirement this year. Instead of paying them directly from the Music Boosters, the funds have to be channeled through the Financial Office who then writes payroll checks to Anastasia and Noel.

Another new requirement for parent drivers for Winter Guard (Color Guard competes with other Color Guards from other high schools during the winter season) is they will have to get finger-printed and have a TB test.

S. California Championships:

Mr. Cummins talked about the November 21st Field Show at Ramona High School in Riverside. This is the S. California Championships. Our band will be in the 1A Division this year since we have a total of 50 students, and they will be competing against other bands of similar size.

Winter Season:

The Holiday Concert is scheduled for December 17th.

After marching band season, the instrumental portion starts practicing for an adjudicated festival, and the color guard starts practicing for their adjudicated festivals.

Mr. Cummins explained that during the winter season, concert band is 5th period and jazz band is 7th period.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.