Notes - April 2017

Post date: Apr 13, 2017 1:06:57 PM

· Key events in the coming weeks and months:

a. Spring Musical – come out and support your band students and the arts at BHS with the spring musical, In the Heights (written by the Hamilton legend, Lin Manual Miranda). Performances Dates: Thursday 4/20, Friday 4/21, and Saturday 4/22 (matinee + evening performance)

b. Fox Valley Music Fest – approximately 15 Band students and many other BHS Choir and Orchestra students will be participating in the Fox Valley Music Fest. This event gathers a number of area high school performing arts students (inside and outside of U46) for practice on Sunday 4/23 and Monday 4/24, with a Monday evening performance at South Elgin high school. Participating BHS students (who know who they are) will need to make arrangements to get to and from practice on Sunday and home from the performance on Monday (they will go to S. Elgin via bus from BHS on Monday).

c. Spring Concert – the spring concert will be held on Thursday, May 4^th beginning at 6:30 pm (5:30 call time). The evening will be kicking off a bit earlier than other concerts to accommodate senior night activities and a tribute to BHS Band Director Emeritus, Paul Loucas who will officially be retiring from U46 at the end of this school year. With no school on Friday after the concert, Mr. H and Sheri are currently working on an after concert outing (bowling) – more details will be shared with the students as they become available.

d. Graduation – students performing at the 2017 will be identified in the coming days. Graduation is Saturday, May 27. The BHS graduation is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. at the Sears Center. Performing students will report to the high school around 6:15 pm – transportation to and from Sears Center will be provided. Practices are presently scheduled for May 15, May 17, May 23, and May 27 (5:30 pm).

e. Summer Schedule

· Fourth of July Parade – practice will be held on Monday, June 26^th from 9:00 to Noon. The parade itself will be on Sunday, July 2^nd (likely step off around 1:00, call time 12:00 – near the log cabin north of downtown Bartlett). High school performers will wear khaki shorts and their BHS Band Shirt (green, dri-fit). We’ll likely need a few parents to assist with water / setup / etc. Additional details will be communicated as the time approaches.

· Band-O-Rama – this a great event to get primary and middle school band students excited about the program, reinforcing that this is one continuous program. This is an optional event involving 5^th through 11^th grade students and will take place on July 12^th this year.

· Summer Band Camp – Band Camp is scheduled as shown below. Recognizing that summer vacations and certain other activities may present conflicts, please advise Mr. of any such conflicts ahead of time:

§ 7/31: 9:00 am – Noon (followed by group lunch) – Drum Majors & Section Leaders

§ 8/1: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Student Leadership and incoming Freshmen

§ 8/2: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Student Leadership and incoming Freshmen

§ 8/3, 8/4, 8/7, 8/8, 8/9, 8/10: 9:00 – 4:00 pm – All Members

§ 8/12 (Saturday): 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – All Members (this will include practice, preview performance, and family picnic)

§ Drumline schedule will be worked out in the coming weeks

· Fall Football Games – it is not yet certain whether football games will be played at BHS this fall or Streamwood HS, nor whether games will be on Friday evenings or Saturday afternoons. Presently, games are scheduled for 9/1, 9/8, 9/22, 9/29, and 10/6. As you can see, the season is heavily front loaded, placing additional importance on the need for a focused and well-attended band camp (but the good news is hopefully no cold, snowy nights!).

· Disney 2018 – The Band and Choir will be joining forces for a trip to Disney World in Orlando, FL over next spring break. The planning committee (Mr. H and Ms. Mount) are currently in discussions with a number of travel vendors, considering options and pricing. More details will be available at our next parents meeting in May.

· Spring Spirit Wear – we will launch an (optional) opportunity to purchase Band Spirit Wear in the coming weeks. Students have suggested the addition of sunglasses and sweatpants to the assortment of available options. Orders will be taken through the end of the school year with items available in late June (at July 4^th parade practice).

· Upcoming Fundraisers

a. Sonic – Thursday, April 27^th at 1121 W. Stearns Road in Bartlett (corner of 59 and Stearns by Home Depot). We’ve had great success with these this year (thank you Hillary), so let’ keep it going – come on out for a burger and a shake (and don’t forget the tots)!

b. May Restaurant – TBD

c. Fall – we will have a number of fall fundraisers as we plan for Disney 2018. These include the Car Wash, Fill the House for the Mouse Bowling, and others. More details will be made available through the summer and fall.

· Next Meeting will be Tuesday, May 16^th – we’ll be firming up plans for the summer / fall activities, welcoming incoming freshmen parents, and share any updated details about Disney plans.