| AFM Newsletter
Copies of the AFM Newsletter mailings just in case you've misplaced yours. September 13, 2006 In This Issue:
:: Greetings from our AFM President
:: Annual BBQ and Potluck this Weekend!
:: Embassy Suites for BOA Regional
:: Get Your Magic of Music Tickets Early!
:: Calling All Roadies!
:: Don't Forget To Attend This Year's First AFM Meeting!
:: Uniform Contract Due This Friday!
:: Football Game Details
:: RA Update
Director's Report
Jon Grantham
INFORMATION FOR FRIDAY'S GAME: Brass, woodwind and percussion students are to arrive Friday afternoon to the band room dressed in marching pants, black t-shirt, black socks and marching shoes. The uniform should be carried with in the garment bag. Cologuard is to report in all black. Specific instructions have been given to the guard this week in class. All band members will report to attendance block in full uniform at 4:55 for attendance and uniform inspection.
The band will be performing the Amador alma mater, the national anthem and the school fight song in the pre-game ceremony (approximately 6:45) and will be performing the opener to "Alcatraz" at half-time. Band members will be released after half-time (about 9:00 p.m.). The band room will be open until the end of the game. For those students planning on going to the dance, the band room will NOT be open until the dance is over so plan accordingly.
SATURDAY BBQ: Looking forward to seeing everyone come out for the annual band bbq. Aside from all of the great food, come at 5:00 p.m. to see demonstrations by all of the different sections as well as a performance of our show so far. This is also good practice for the AVHS band fans to learn all the important spots to "go crazy" in the stands. Less than one month to our first competition at Johansen High School in Modesto!
Greetings from our AFM President
Thom Kato
Greetings and welcome to another great season of Amador Valley High School Marching Band and Colorguard!
This will be an exciting year with five competitions and several football games. If you haven't already, please see Roland Ellingsen's article about lodging opportunities at the Bands of America competition in Los Angeles, and watch for upcoming annoucements regarding lodging at the Western Band Association Championships in Fresno.
A lot has been done already this year, and I would like to thank the many parents and family members who have helped out over the summer. There's still a lot to do, and if you'd like to volunteer, please check out the opportunities annouced in the newsletter. You can learn more about these opportunities at the Band BBQ this coming Saturday and at the next AFM General Membership meeting, which will be on Thursday, September 21st. See you there!
Embassy Suites for BOA Regional
Roland Ellingsen
Dear Band Parents-
Thank you all for the great response to cheerlead for our kids for their Southern California Performance. We have sold out (25 rooms) but will be adding an additional 15 family suites to our agreement. Please join us at the LA Coliseum Oct 27 -29, Friday PM – Sunday AM.
From last Week - After discussion w/ a number of venues, we have contracted 85 suites at The Embassy Suites North, LAX. This hotel provided the most competitive rate w/ each room able to accommodate a family or four students. It also had the highest level of security and the best comfort level of those considered. The band will be using 60 of these rooms with 25 available for accompanying families/ supporting adults. To provide a perspective, we rented 100 rooms for last year’s event in Long Beach.
As most of you know, a standard rate for an Embassy Suite is $185 - $225 including tax. Our secured group rate is $130 including tax per evening. A full breakfast is also included for all persons staying at the hotel.
The hotel is 20-25 minutes from the performance venue and does provide a free shuttle from the airport if you elect to fly down. Parking is $10.00 per evening.
Please send an email or call (925) 895-1041 with the following information to Roland Ellingsen at roland.ellingsen@comcast.net
Note- Our contract calls for 2 evenings per room- Payment of $260 to be made to Amador Valley Friends of Music and is due by Friday, September 29. Please send checks to Roland Ellingsen – 2801 Victoria Ridge Court, Pleasanton, CA 94566.
1. Full Name- total # in room
2. Phone- cell and home
3. Home address
4. Email address
5. Name of your student
All my best, Roland Ellingsen VP Transportation (925) 895-1041
Calling All Roadies!
Paul Walker
Band Trailer pic
It's that time of the year - there's excitement on the field! The band is working hard, the students are learning their drill and music, the staff is putting in incredible hours to help make the Amador Band the very best that it can be. There is a lot of Amador Pride on display. And, behind the scenes, quietly, steadily, another dedicated group prepares for the season. Perhaps you know their work, perhaps you have long appreciated their deft skills of lumbar strength. It's ballet, really. The efficiency, the sense of purpose, coupled with the general all-around spirit of fun and the adventure of the open road....yes, the Road Crew is readying for another great year supporting our kids as they take the field.
Want to know how to join this illustrious and committed team? Simple - at next week's band parent meeting, answer the appeal from Paul and Roland. We will be there, clipboards in hand, to take volunteers and talk a little bit about the rewards of Road Crew duty. When you are a Roadie, you always have a front row seat. Who are these prospective Roadies, how will we recognize you? You are dedicated, fun-loving, reliable, and often philosophic. You play well with others - hey, it's a band.
Questions, interest? E-mail them to Paul Walker, care of
walkerpcc@comcast.net or, see Roland or Paul at the parent meeting next Thursday Night.
Don't Forget To Attend This Year's First AFM Meeting!
don't forget logo
The Amador Friends of Music will be holding their first meeting of the year on Thursday, September 21st at 7:00 pm in the band room.
See you there!
Annual BBQ and Potluck this Weekend!
Kevin Braun
See you at the BBQ this Saturday, September 16th after the Band rehearsal (about 6pm)
All band and colorguard members along with their families are welcome. Each family please bring something to share with your fellow band and colorguard parents. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided.
Families with last names beginning with A-M: Salads N-Z: Desserts
A student run fundraiser, sponsered by the Student Band Council, will be selling water and sodas for $1.00.
See you at the Barbeque!!!
Get Your Magic of Music Tickets Early!
Dianne Jones
Magic of Music logo
Visit our table at the Amador Band BBQ where you will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Magic of Music, March 31st, at the Pleasanton Hilton at PRE-SALE prices!
This is a special opportunity and individual tickets are being offered for $65 each instead of the $75 list price! Think of the savings! A table of 8 may be purchased for $520 That is a savings of $80.00! This is our only fundraising event of the year so all band parents and students are expected to participate. Take advantage of this opportunity and invite friends, relatives, neighbors and even business associates to experience the magic of this wonderful event. There will also be Live and Silent Auction Donation forms and volunteer sign up sheets so make sure to stop by. We would love to answer any questions/concerns you may have.
I have also purchased some FANTASTIC custom purple AV instrument/sports bag/luggage ID tags. They will be available for $3.00 each or 2 for $5 The band would look very professional if Everyone buys one! No more searching for your instrument! Make sure to get yours early, they are sure to sell out!
Uniform Contract Due This Friday!
Kimberly Ansell
All AVHS Marching Band students have been fitted for their uniforms. Pants will need to either be hemmed by hand at home or sent to a qualified seamstress or drycleaner for hemming. A list of qualified vendors is included with your contract. Uniform pants are NEVER to be cut for ANY REASON!
The uniform contract will need to be signed by the student and a parent and returned to Mr. Grantham’s office no later than Friday, September 15th or turned in at inspection to be held on Friday, September 15th, just prior to the first AVHS football game. Each student will be responsible for their own uniform for the entire marching season. They need to be stored safely at home and worn/transported to and from each event as specified by Mr. Grantham.
If you should have any questions or comments about this process, or should require additional information, please contact Kimberly Ansell, Uniform Coordinator 2006-2007 at KimberlyAnsell@comcast.net or 925-484-2847.
Additionally, I would like to send out a special thank you to Carol Ghinazzi for her help over the last few weeks - - I couldn’t have done it without you!!
I look forward to a great season - - GO DONS!
Football Game Details
Trish Moosbrugger
Reminder:
The Band Room (for guys) and Choir Room (for girls) are used as dressing rooms before and after half-time performances. Please arrange a meeting place (such as the Amador Cafe or some other spot nearby) with your student in advance. RA's will be monitoring the doors, and only band students will be permitted into the Band Room and Choir Room while students are dressing, no parents or friends. Thank you in advance for respecting our students' privacy.
RA Update
Trish Moosbrugger
Lilia Knight has volunteered to be the Snack Coordinator for competition days. Thank you Lilia!
Nancy McGhee has volunteered to share the Water Coordinator position with another parent volunteer. Thank you Nancy!
Open Position: Water Coordinator for football games and competition days (think 200+ thirsty musicians). This is a prep role and involves washing and filling 15 squirt bottles each week, as well as making or procuring ice for two large Igloo water dispensers. Band provides the equipment, you provide the ice and tap water. You do not need to "work" the event to fill this position and two or more families are welcome to share the responsibilities. Contact Trish if you can help.
RA Schedule: For September 15, 22 and 29 Football Games, Band RA's are being scheduled by Trish Moosbrugger, pmoosbrugger@comcast.net, and Color Guard RA's are being scheduled by Mari Terhune, mterhune@pleasanton.k12.ca.us. Check your email and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Updated: October 21, 2006 |
