FAQ

Band Camp:

• When is Band Camp?  Mr. Raguseo handles the scheduling of Band Camp, which is *usually* the first 2 full weeks of August. These dates are scheduled years in advance. Please go to MHSS Band, and click on his calendar.

• What is the role of guardians at Band Camp?  We offer water, snacks, a shady spot and encouragement to the kids while they practice to learn both the music and the marching for the year's new show. It's a great way to start to get involved with MSS and see what this Marching Band thing is all about! The kids appreciate the support and have often thanked the volunteers and told us how much we've helped them to succeed.

• Who runs Band Camp? Check out the list of people that are volunteering on the Exec Board and as Committee Chairs HERE.

• Sounds great, how do I get involved?  Watch out for the emails! MSS sends out all information via email, as well as posting to our various social media accounts. If you aren't great with checking email, set a reminder! Nearly everything at South goes out via email. Keep an eye out for links in the emails for the MSS website and social media accounts, as well as SignUp Genius links to either donate items or volunteer to help out. And then there is always the option of reaching out by Contacting Us!

Band Fee:

• Who pays the Band Fee?  Any family that has a child in the Marching Band and/or Color Guard. This fee DOES NOT apply to any of the other bands (concert, pep, jazz) or the choirs.

• How much is the Band fee?  Typically it is $85 per child in Marching Band and/or Color Guard.

• Can I pay by Venmo? Yes, and it's our preferred payment method.  @MusicSponsorsSouth, make sure to indicate BAND FEE under "What's it for?"

• Who do I make my check out to? "Music Sponsors South" and if your last name is different than your child's, please note your child's last name in the memo section of the check.

• Who collects the Band fee? The fee should be sent in during Band Camp. If you send in cash or a check (made payable to "Music Sponsors South") you would return it to the MSS Treasurer/Mr. Raguseo. If you pay via Venmo, you would #1 make your payment to @MusicSponsorsSouth, #2 put "BAND FEE" in "What's it for?" and #3 mark your payment private (lower right corner) if you do not want your transaction to be public.

• What does the Band Fee cover?  The Band Fee covers food that is served to the kids before away football games and competitions, competition entry fees and other fees associated with football games and competitions. 

Communicating with MSS:

• How do ask a question?  Contact Information for the Executive Board and Committee Chairs

• How do I keep up to date with information for volunteering, donations and events?  Emails are sent out by the Secretary.

• Where is MSS on social media?  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Cut Time:

• What is Cut Time?  In an effort to improve communication and information sharing as well as streamline administrative tasks, Mr. Raguseo transitioned management of all things Band related (Marching, Concert, etc) to this group management software. 

• How do I sign up?  Mr. Raguseo has asked that all students and parents go to www.cuttime.net/createProfile.cfm and register for the Cut Time service. You will get a notification when your registration is accepted.

• Who needs to sign up?  So far, only those that are involved in Band activities. 

• I have a question about Cut Time, who do I speak to?  Mr. Raguseo @ raguseom@middletownk12.org

Food Booth:

• Why does MSS run a Food Booth? Because it is our go-to way to raise the funds that support the kids and programs of the South's Music Department! While there will be lots of opportunities to help us raise funds to accomplish this goal, none have the impact of the Food Booth. So please consider helping out in any way that will fit best into your schedule. 

• How do I sign up?  Click here, look for a date you are available to lend a hand (we only work the Food Booth for Home games) and click the link to the Signup Genius and fill out the information.

• I signed up, what now? WELCOME!!! You should be contacted by the Food Booth Chair about your volunteer assignment but until then, keep reading!

• Is there a uniform?  Nope, but it would be great if you wore an Eagle Pride or South tshirt if you have one. If not, then something blue or whatever is most comfortable. 

• How do I get an Eagle Pride tshirt? Contact the Apparel Chair at musicsponsorsapparel@gmail.com.

• When do we show up to help out at the Food Booth?  Please come down to the Food Booth between 5-5:30p. Home games normally start around 6p, so we get set up before things get rolling.

• Where is the MSS Food Booth? We are the booth on the visitors side, NOT the booth along the parking lot at the top of the home side bleachers. That Food Booth belongs to the South's PFA. You may access the MSS Food Booth at the entrance gate at the back of the parking lot - the large gate where the teams and band get on and off the field. There will be security there.  We usually hand out badges for the games, however if you haven't gotten your's yet please tell security you are a new volunteer for Music Sponsors Food Booth. If you have a badge please bring it with you.

• What do we do at the Food Booth? There are lots of ways to help out, and all involve feeding hordes of hungry kids! When you get to the booth, the Food Booth Chair will let you know in which position you will be helping out that night. No worries, there will be someone there that has done this before to help you learn the ropes.

• I heard I can donate to the Food Booth, what's that about?  Before each home game MSS asks for donations of snacks and beverages that will be sold from the Food Booth, in addition to hot food items MSS purchases. The donations help us defray costs and keep prices reasonable. If you would like to get involved but cannot make the home games, donating is a great way to help out! To find out what is needed, click here.

• When can I drop off my donation?  *Usually* donations are accepted at the Wednesday Marching Band practice before a home game, however check with the Food Booth Chair for the latest information. 

• This sounds great, but I still have a question. No problem, contact information for the Food Booth Chair can be found on the Committee page here.

Getting Involved!:

• I'm interested in getting involved, what are my options?  There are a ton of ways to get involved, you just need to decide how much time you have to work with. 

  • Volunteer - one of the easiest and most accessible ways to get involved in supporting your child's music experience at South. We need parents to help staff the Food Booth (our biggest revenue generator), chaperone the kids (at home and away games, competitions, parades and the Spring Trip), get the instruments and props on/off the field at both games and competitions (aka Pit Crew), feeding the kids before away games and competitions, sell Candy Grams and Concessions at both the Band and Choir concerts in the Winter and Spring, South host a successful Music in the Parks and to put together a great end of year Music Banquet that celebrates the kids and all their hard work during the year. There are lots of ways to do a little bit that make a big impact - you don't need to do it all. 

  • Donate - the other easiest and most accessible way to get involved! Whether you wish to make a monetary donation with your MSS Membership or to sign up to send in snacks, beverages or candy for the many events MSS hosts during the year, every little bit helps us to reach our goals. 

Click here to see what options are currently available to volunteer and/or donate. 

• • Committee Chair - This is a bit more of a time investment, but don't think it has to be too much. Different committees have different schedules. Some are your typical "one and done" and others happen over a period of time. Each comes with it's own level of satisfaction and a ton of fun memories. If you are interested in getting more information about any of the Committee Chair positions and/or what's involved, please feel free to reach out to anyone on the Executive Board or speak to the current Chair of the Committee you are interested in. High School is only 4 years - we are always looking to have people shadow a chair to learn the ropes!

  • Executive Board - This can be an extremely rewarding way of getting involved at a deep level with MSS, but know it does not need to take over your life. With a good team, things flow and work is less a chore than it is an accomplishment. Current Executive Board positions are President, VPO, VPA, Treasurer and Secretary. Reach out to the current board AT ANY TIME during the year if you would like to know more.

MB Apparel Order:

• Is this a fundraiser? Not typically - all items are offered at cost. The tshirts are an unofficial uniform so our kids can be easily identifiable when we go to away football games and competitions  and they change out of their Marching Band Uniform. Additionally, they are often a source of pride and show of spirit for the kids participating in Marching Band. We will inform you if we are running a hoodie or additional merch fundraiser.

• How do I order? We place the MB Apparel Order soon after Band Camp ends. If you child participates in Marching Band, please know you will hear from us about your interest in placing an order!

• What is a Show Shirt? When all the stars align, we put together a design for a Tshirt (and sometimes Hoodies) that is inline with that season's show. It *may* show any of the following: the name of the Show, have a graphic inline with the theme of the show, competition dates/info, and other fun tidbits.  See current and past designs HERE.   21/22 "Reflections of Oz"; 20/21 "Jersey Boys - The Virtual Tour" 

• What if my child wants apparel but is not in Marching Band? At the present time we only offer Apparel orders for Marching Band and sometimes Choir, however if you student is in Concert Band and is interested in getting something - let us know! If we have enough interest, we can consider starting a Concert Apparel order.

Meal Coordinators:

• What is this about? Before *away* football games and competitions MSS feeds the kids a meal to make sure they are fueled and ready to do their best!

• I'm interested in learning more about this, who do I contact? The Exec Board is your contact if you are interested in helping Friday evenings or Saturday morning/afternoon in setting up and serving brunch/lunch before the competitions. 

Meetings:

• Why should I go to the meetings? Because MSS is only as strong as its Membership. We all need one another to be successful. We know everyone is busy, has many places to be at once, lots of stuff to think about - but what easier way is there to get involved than coming to a 1hr (hopefully less) meeting once a month (or less) to listen, to speak and to vote on the things that help the Music Department that your child is part of thrive? We welcome different ideas and know that you could have an answer we've been looking for! Plus, we try to have cookies.

• When are the meetings and how long are they? We hold our regular General Membership meetings once a month, usually on a Monday and at the beginning of the month. However, sometimes the schedules of others in Middletown aren't conducive to making that happen. The MSS calendar should have everything listed on it well ahead of time.  All information you will need to attend the meeting will be provided in member emails.

• What if I want to suggest something for one of the meetings? Excellent! There are a couple of options to do so. First, you can bring it up during the "Open Discussion/Questions" portion of the meeting. If time is of the essence, reach out to the Executive Board with your questions, comments or concerns and we will work with you to the best of our ability.

• What kinds of things do we vote on? Budget items, expenses, gifts to the Music Departments, scholarships, changes to procedures - all the fun stuff that keeps the wheels of MSS moving.

• If both me and my spouse come to a meeting when there is a vote, do we both get to vote? Unfortunately, no. MSS only offers family memberships, which affords each family one ballot per item being voted on. But please, don't think that means only one of you should come to the meetings. If it's possible for your family, we encourage both of you to come to see how things work and offer your unique perspectives.

Membership:

• Who pays the Membership Fee?  Any family that has a child in the Music Department of MHSS (any of the bands and/or choirs) that wishes to get involved as part of the parent organization that directly supports the kids and programs of the Music Department.

• How much is the Membership fee?  $25 per family

• How can I may payment? Currently MSS accepts Venmo, cash or check (made payable to "Music Sponsors South"). If you pay via Venmo, you would #1 make your payment to @MusicSponsorsSouth, #2 put "MEMBERSHIP" in "What's it for?" and #3 mark your payment private (lower right corner) if you do not want your transaction to be public.

• Who collects the Membership form and fee?  The Treasurer collects the fees and can be reached at musicsponsorstreas@gmail.com with any questions.

• What does the Membership Fee cover?  MSS helps provides funds to purchase many items for the Music Program at Middletown South, including instruments and their maintenance, music cabinets, scholarships to Seniors and much more!

• Great! How do I sign up? You may find the form and payment information on the Membership page.  Also - if your last name is different than your child's, please note your child's last name in the memo section of the Venmo payment or check. *Very Important - You are NOT a member until we receive your payment!*

Payments:

• How can I send in payments for different things? Unless stated otherwise, MSS accepts Venmo, cash or checks. We DO NOT accept credit or debit cards. 

• Venmo Info:  To pay for something via Venmo, you would
  #1 make your payment to @MusicSponsorsSouth,
  #2 put "<name of thing you are paying>" in "What's it for?" and
  #3 mark your payment private (lower right corner) if you do not want your transaction to be public.

• Cash Info:  Seal the cash with any paperwork that might be necessary, in an envelope. Return the envelope to the Band Room with the envelope marked with what it is for and who it is supposed to go to. For example: for a cash membership payment you would put "Membership - Secretary or Treasurer" on the envelope, for a Spring trip payment you would put "Spring Trip - Treasurer"

• Check Info: Checks should be made payable to "Music Sponsors South" and in the memo section write what the payment is for and the name of your student. Seal the check, and any paperwork that might be necessary, in an envelope. Return the envelope to the Band Room marked with what it is for and who it is supposed to go to. For example: for a check membership payment in the memo section you would write "Membership - student name", on the envelope you would write "Membership - Secretary or Treasurer" 

My question wasn't answered!

• Totally understandable, there's a lot of info. You can email the MSS Sec @ musicsponsorssec@gmail.com or anyone on the Executive Board and you will be directed to the person that is best suited to help you out.