AFM Minutes
All about recent meetings of the Amador Friends of Music, the parent organization for our Band and Color Guard.

General Membership Meeting, September 1, 2005

AAmador Friends of Music
General Meeting Minutes September 1, 2005

Thom Kato called the meeting to order at 7:01.

1. Acknowledgements:
Thom Kato thanked several volunteers for helping the band get off to a good start this year.
a. Carol Ghinazzi for keeping the Freshman parents informed and putting on a great Freshman Parent Orientation in August.
b. Pam Sangiacomo for doing such a great job with the Uniform Fittings.
c. Sheri Baldwin for being in charge of Refreshments for the students every day during Band Camp.

2. Director’s Report – Mr. Grantham:
Welcome back-in case you haven't heard we are off to what is amounting to be the best start to school and a marching band season many of us have known. With 22 pages of drill on the field and the opener complete we are on pace to have our field show near completion prior to our first competition in Modesto on October 8.

We have assembled a tremendous staff that each week is taking the kids to greater heights. As I mentioned in my newsletter report, I encourage each of you to stop by the last 15-30 minutes of practice to see what these kids are doing. Your role in the process can't be underplayed. The audience’s reaction affects the judge’s reaction as well as our kid’s reaction. Our band has developed a reputation as a class act on and off the field and I would like the faithful fans of the purple and gold to represent us at the same caliber.

I would like to thank the AFM board for all of their support up to this point in the year. It is easy to do great things when we all work together towards the common goal of enriching our student's lives and Thom and the rest of the board stand with me in achieving it!

Also a big thank you to all of the parent volunteers who have already contributed hundreds of person hours working on things from uniform fittings and repairing locker room doors and everything in between. This is not a one-person job and many hands make light work-thank you.

I have an important introduction to make. In case you hadn't heard, we are fortunate to have a student teacher working at Amador with the band this semester; an alum of Castro Valley H.S. and a graduate of UCLA now working on his certification at CSUEB-a welcome to Mr. Ben Draper.

· Marching band: Band camp was a tremendous success. Students have worked very hard completing the opener drill (22 pages of movement) and already the music is sounding as strong as it did in November of last year. The kids are working very hard and the level of pride and self-discipline in the band is a sight to see. Upcoming events to keep your eye on: band photos on Friday September 30 (group shot at 4:30, individual shots before and some after), first football game is on Friday October 7 (Pigskin roast) with our first competition to follow the next day at Johansen High School in Modesto. As soon as I receive a schedule from the show host an itinerary will be posted on the web page with a notice coming via the newsletter.
· Concert band: Wind ensemble will be measured for concert uniforms (floor length black dress for ladies and 5-piece tux for gentlemen) in two weeks. Thank you to Laura Danielson and Emmie Stenstedt for volunteering to help with this. Approximate cost of the dress is 45.00 and the tuxedo package is 95.00. This does not include tax and/or shipping. A note will be sent home to each wind ensemble family detailing specifics prior to fittings. These items will be the property of the student and will not be stored, cleaned or inventoried by the band. Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band will wear uniforms consistent with previous years (all black for ladies, white dress shirt and black tie with black dress pants for the gentlemen).
· Jazz: Nothing to report at this time.
· Guard/percussion: both groups are going to Dayton in April for WGI world championships (pending district approval) to compete. Please look for parent meetings to be taking place later this fall in anticipation of these trips. Dates for the Dayton trip are on the band calendar.


Mr. Grantham also addressed the following concerns from parents.
- SAT testing on the same day as the Modesto competition.
Mr. Grantham stated that it has worked out fine for several years in a row. SAT testing has always been done by 12:30. The band does not leave for Modesto until much later in the day.

- Rehearsal on Halloween- Could it be moved to earlier in the day?
Mr. Grantham pointed out that much of the staff that works with the band are college students and cannot be at practice earlier in the day. His plan is to do something fun and ”Halloweenish” (ie: costumes) for the kids that night.

- Tuesday, Nov. 1 practice from 5-9.
Mr. Grantham pointed out that because there is a football game the day before the Clovis competition, the band is missing out on their Friday practice. The Tuesday practice will make up for that.

3. AFM Board Member Reports:
Thom Kato introduced the other members of the AFM Board, two of whom gave reports.

a. VP of Fundraising – Angela Adkins:
Angela began by explaining that there are two types of fundraisers:

The first is the opportunity to work to put money directly into your student’s bank account (ie: working at the Concord Pavilion, Raider’s games, etc.)

The second type of fundraising is for the General Fund. In the past AFM has run many small fundraisers in an effort to boost the General Fund. Last year AFM put on a very successful major fundraiser, “The Magic of Music.” This type of fundraising proved to be far more successful in raising money and is where our emphasis will be this year.

“The Magic of Music,” which is a silent auction/live auction, black tie event, will be held this year on April 8th at the Hilton in Pleasanton. To be successful, we need involvement from all band students and parents. More information about this event will come out as the year progresses.

We are still participating in a couple of smaller fundraisers:

October 7th – Pigskin Roast (which occurs on the evening of the first home football game):
AFM will have a table at which we will be selling many “purple” items (cushions, clothing, blankets, etc.). We are looking for ideas for smaller, “impulse buy,” items to sell as well.

November 12th – Bowl-a-thon
The Bowl-a-thon is more of a fun evening for the kids than a full-blown fundraiser. It is put on in conjunction with the Student Band Council and occurs the week before finals. It usually raises a few hundred dollars and the kids have a great time.

The Student Band Council also does some fundraising on their own which includes the year-round recycling.

b. VP of Transportation – Roland Ellingsen:

This year the Championships will be held at Long Beach City College, Nov. 18-20th. Cost, per band student, has not yet been determined, but should not exceed $200.00. This will cover the cost of the transportation, hotel, and some of the meals.

The band has set aside 90 hotel rooms at the Seaport Marina Hotel. Parents who would like to come down to Long Beach to help and support the band can purchase a room for $186.00 (Four in a room). This covers Friday and Saturday night and includes a complete breakfast both mornings.

There will be some hotel rooms, free of charge, set aside for parents willing to ride down on the busses with the students. For more information contact Mr. Grantham.

Itinerary for the weekend – Mr. Grantham:

-The students will leave from Amador at 7:00 am Friday, November 18th.
-They will stop and rehearse at a high school along the way (high school still to be determined.)
-They will arrive at the hotel close to bedtime.
-Saturday will be an all day event at Long Beach City College.
-Sunday morning the band will leave Long Beach.
-Students will get the opportunity of have some free time in Santa Monica on the way home.
-Arrive back in Pleasanton Sunday evening.

Parents who have travel plans can take their students after Championships Saturday night.

4. Volunteer Opportunities:
1. Concord Pavilion and Raiders Games – If you are planning on working either of these events you must participate in TIPS training. Please contact Vicki or Ron Price for more details vickilprice@comcast.net, or ronald.l.price@usps.gov
2. If you are interested in being an RA (Responsible Adult) to help the students during their performance events, contact Kim Portman portmanfamily@comcast.net
3. If you are interested in being a Road Warrior to help get equipment and instruments to the band’s performance events contact Tom Corbett at thomas.Corbett@cmsalter.com
4. If you would like to purchase paper scrip contact Joan Laursen at joan@laursens.com

5. Fall BBQ:

The Fall BBQ will be held after band practice on September 17th. Information will be coming out via e-mail with potluck details.

Mr. Grantham is inviting all parents/families to arrive a little before 5:00 to see the show, thus far. He will also introduce the staff and have some of the smaller groups do demonstrations for the audience…you!

6. Clothing:

Contact Ellen McMahon if you are interested in purchasing purple jackets, blankets, etc. (black jackets available for those not wanting purple) She can also embroider Amador logos, band logos, and names onto the items. Ten percent of the price goes to the General Fund.


The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Updated: September 6, 2005