AFM Newsletter
Copies of the AFM Newsletter mailings just in case you've misplaced yours.

September 27, 2006

In This Issue:
:: Campana Volunteers are the Jazziest
:: Bands of America Tickets
:: Happy LA Hotel Reminder
:: Pigskin Roast This Friday Night
:: Road Warrior Alert
:: Help may be needed for field show props
:: Saturday Practice Lunch Breaks
:: RA News
:: Photos Needed for Band Yearbook!

Jon Grantham

I couldn't ask for a more perfect start to a great season. We currently have 46 pages of drill on the field and our show is 3/4 of the way complete. The Colorguard and percussion sections are working hard an extra day a week to strengthen thier parts of the show and are looking and sounding great!

This Friday is band picture day. Individual shots begin at 3:30 and the group shot is at 4:30 with more individual shots after. No birdies or shakos for the pictures. Instruments can be used for the individual shots, but will not be used for the group photo. Order forms are available all week for students to take home. I do not collect money. Bring forms and money next Friday and give directly to the photographer.

Our first competition is October 7th at Johansen High School in Modesto. An itinerary will be posted as soon as I receive the contest information in the mail. As a reminder, parents wanting to take students home from Modesto need to fill out a "Band Student Release Form" found on-line under Parent Information. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend!

Hotel sign-ups for the BOA Los Angeles trip are happening this week for the students.
Campana Volunteers are the Jazziest
Marilyn Palowitch

Mark your calendars now for the 32nd Annual Campana Jazz Festival! It will be held on Saturday, February 10 at Amador Valley High School. Featuring hometown and regional jazz bands, middle and high school divisions, education clinics and a not-to-be-missed Awards Concert, festival attendees and volunteers are sure to have fun and enjoy wonderful music throughout the day.

This festival has been successful in great part to the many volunteers who assist each year in all kinds of ways. This year, Mr. Grantham and Mr. Aubel will be assisted by co-chairs Carl and Marilyn Palowitch in the organization of the festival.

All band parents are welcome and encouraged to volunteer for Campana. In particular, if you are parent of a Jazz Band student (either A or B) we hope you will work with us to make this year’s Campana Festival successful and satisfying to all. Please let us know you are interested in volunteering for the Campana Jazz Festival now; just send an email to marilynpalowitch@comcast.net. and let us know your hand is up! You will receive regular updates of Campana activity and the ways you can help.
Happy LA Hotel Reminder
Roland Ellingsen
don't forget logo

If you have not yet sent your hotel fee for the LA trip, please have your student drop a check in the Band Room, Message Box or send to:

Roland A. Ellingsen
2801 Victoria Ridge Court
Pleasanton CA 94566

All rooms have been confirmed with the hotel with final payment due by Oct 5, 2006. Please make checks of $260.00 payable to AFM by this Friday.
Note- We still have 4 of 50 family suites available - Please call or email Roland for a reservation.

All my best, Roland (925) 895-1041 roland.ellingsen@comcast.net
Road Warrior Alert
Paul Walker
Band Trailer pic

There are two upcoming opportunities for the Amador Band's Road Crew to flex the muscles, wrap the brains around this year's logistical challenge, and get a little pre-season experience under our collective belts before the competitions start!

First: This Friday, 9/29, hook up with your road warrior team mates at the football game to help the band get on and off the field as they perform the pre-game and half-time shows. While this is light duty compared with taking the band and equipment on the road, the games are a great way to get to know the general tasks and a fun time to support the kids. If you can, please show up around the back door of the band room area between 6:15 and 6:30 PM to get an assignment from Paul Walker. He's the tall guy in the purple hat (hey, be more specific!) OK, he might look like he knows what he's doing - but don't be deceived, he needs Road Crew mates all around him to be the least bit effective. It takes about 8 roadies to make this duty easiest.

Next: This Saturday 9/30, at 5 PM at the Amador field as the band concludes its practice for the day, we will run through a trial roll-on and roll-off of the percussion pit. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for Roadies - except, without the tu-tu's. Aaron Jensen, this year's pit coach, will be on hand, as will the entire group of percussionists, to walk through the staging, set-up, and roll-off of the pit. When we are done with this practice, we will do a trial-loading of the trailer to simulate the Road Warrior experience of supporting a traveling band show. This practice gathering will give us a chance to talk about show logistics ahead of the band's first competition which is oh-so-close on Oct. 7. So look for Steve Ethier and Paul Walker this coming Saturday, at 5 PM at the band/football field, to get a pre-season shot of Roadie team spirit.

Thanks, in advance to Roadies one and all for lending a helping hand for the band. Any questions, call or e-mail Paul (846-8784 or walkerpcc@comcast.net.)
Help may be needed for field show props
Steve Ethier

The field show for this year includes props which are constructed of PVC pipe to resemble jail cell doors. The band may need additional help getting these props on and off the field. At this time we are hoping to use some Road Warriors and RAs to do this work. However, if we find that we need additional help, we would like to know if any parents would be willing to help us. If you are willing to help with props should the need arise, please send your contact information to Steve Ethier at slethier@pacbell.net. or Paul Walker at walkerpcc@comcast.net..

Bands of America Tickets
Marilyn Palowitch

BOA Tickets - going once, going twice! If you want in on the group ticket purchase for BOA tickets, place your orders soon! Group ticket orders save money and spare you the details of ordering individually. Tickets will be in hand before you leave Pleasanton! So, jump in on a great deal NOW!

Tickets are $21 for a combination ticket which includes Prelims and Finals, or $14 for either Prelims or Final, if you can't attend both. Do not order a ticket for a child 8 and younger, who enter free. All tickets for BOA are General Seating. Here’s how to order. Go to the parent section of the amador band website,click on downloadable forms, and print the PDF file named BOA ORDER FORM. Fill in all the information, write a check for the appropriate amount – payable to MARILYN PALOWITCH – and mail this to me at 6923 Corte Madrid, Pleasanton, CA 94566. Remember, orders and checks must be received by October 6 to be included in this group order. Alternatively, orders and payment can be turned into Mr. Grantham; please put my name on the envelope.

If for any reason you cannot print the PDF file, the information needed with your order is as follows.

1. Full Name
2. Phone - cell and home
3. Home address
4. Email address
5. Name of your student
6. Number of Combo Tickets ($21 each)
7. Number of Prelim-Only Tickets ($14 each)
8. Number of Finals-Only Tickets ($14 each)

Please note: It is not necessary to puchase tickets in advance. This order is being made for convenience and to save a little money. If you need tickets after the October 6 deadline, you may still purchase through TicketMaster, BOA website (group orders) and on the day of the event (possible a bit higher price). Questions? Please email Marilyn Palowitch, marilynpalowitch@comcast.net. Thank you!
Pigskin Roast This Friday Night
Lori J. Rice and Dawn Marie Barraza

The Amador Valley Athletic Boosters Club will be hosting their annual Pigskin Roast THIS Friday night. Join in the fun at the Pigskin Pavilion where delicious pulled pork sandwiches, chicken sandwiches and BBQ hot dogs will be served from 5-7 PM.

While dinner pre-orders have already been accepted, food will still be available for your purchase that night!

After dinner, shop at our Backfield Boutique where your favorite school clubs, the AV Band, the PTSA and our school sports teams will be selling Amador Valley Spirit Wear and merchandise.

Items for sale this year include t-shirts, umbrellas, gloves, sweatshirts, license plate frames, blankets, luggage tags, car sun visors, baseball hats, shorts, key chains, coolers, ties, stadium seats, scarves and flip flops. There will also be raffles and other sweet treats for you to enjoy.

At 7:00 PM, watch our undefeated Varsity football team and join in the celebration as we dedicate our new stadium scoreboard in memory of Steve Mattos.

See you Friday night!
Lori J. Rice and Dawn Marie Barraza
AVHS Pigskin Roast Chairs
Saturday Practice Lunch Breaks
Sainaz Dana

On Saturday's we would like to begin selling hot dogs, sodas, and general picnic foods during the student's 1 hour lunch break. If anyone would like to help or would like to donate food or utensils, please contact Sainaz Dana at sainazdana@yahoo.com or (925) 580-4528. Items can also be dropped off at my house: 1882 Cortez Ct. Pleasanton, CA 94566.
Thanks, Sainaz
RA News
Trish Moosbrugger

Thank you to all the RAs who have volunteered their time to fill in the October schedule. We still have open positions for RAs for the bus/event duties for the BOA trip to LA Oct 27-29. If you are already planning to attend, please consider volunteering to assist with RA duties during the event. Many helping hands make the trip enjoyable for us all.
Photos Needed for Band Yearbook!
Emmie Stenstedt

We are collecting photos to put on the web site and for the band yearbook. If you have any photos you would like to have included, please send/give your photos to Emmie Stenstedt. Photo CDs can also be left with Mr. Grantham and he will pass them along to me. Thank you!

Updated: October 21, 2006