I will be sending a Newsletter similar to this every week (usually on Fridays).

Please be sure to read it in its entirety as I often update sections each week.

We have a parade coming up in a few weeks. This is MANDATORY for all 6th, 7th and 8th grade band students. Please see below for more information.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Beekman at beekmant@mokena159.org.

Unfortunately, we did not have enough interest in Pep Band for it to run this year. However, Jazz Band will be proceeding.

Please check out the schedule below if your student signed up.

Bakers Square - Sweet Returns Gift Cards!

The Sweet Returns can be used at any Baker's Square for one whole Fruit, Silk or Classic Pie. We are asking each family to sell a minimum of SEVEN gift cards.

Red Cards ($15) can be used to purchase fruit pies and

Green Cards ($17) can be used to purchase whipped cream pies.

For ever 5 pies a student sells, they will receive a raffle prize entry to win one of the many prizes including $25 gift cards.

The order form is below. Please sell gift cards to friends and family. Please order some to give as gifts! No freezer storage needed! Use the Sweet Returns Cards to get pies for upcoming holidays, for family gathering or as teacher and holiday gifts. You can purchase them now and save them for future holidays or end-of-year teacher gifts. Better yet, treat yourself!

We do not expect, nor do we want, children to have to go door to door or sell to strangers. You may find the following information helpful to use in your sales approach:

• Pie sale profits go directly to the music program
• All gift cards will be available for pick up on Monday, November 19 from 5pm to 7pm at MJH or they will be sent home with your student on November 20
• Sweet Returns Gift Cards do not expire, can be used at any Baker's Square and are only valid for pies not meals
• If you buy a red card and decide you want a pie from the green card list, you can pay an additional $2 when picking up the pie.

Sale Information:

• Payment should be collected when the gift card order is placed.
• Checks payable to Mokena Music Boosters
• Green Order Summary and payment are due to the Music Department mailbox by Monday, November 5 to ensure on-time delivery.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT!

If you have any questions, please contact our Ways and Means Chairperson, Mrs. Andrea Dion at adion@sbcglobal.net or (773) 612-7317.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean or Ms. Beekman

This is a short parade through downtown Mokena. Students are encouraged to dress in lights and festive holiday outfits.

The itinerary is below.

Our first cast meeting will be on Monday, November 19 from 2:30 - 4:00.

ALL CAST MEMBERS MUST ATTEND.

The second installment of $50 was due on October 31 if you did not pay in full. The final amount is due on Wednesday, November 28. You can check your balance due in Charms.

Here are the trip details:

• When? Tuesday, January 8th
• Time? We will depart from MJH after 3pm, head downtown for dinner, and then see the 7:30 performance of Hamilton. We should arrive back at MJH around 11pm
• Who? All MJH Choir and Band students are invited to register - up to 105 students may attend
• Apparel? Students are expected to dress nicely to attend this performance
• Cost? The cost of the trip will be approximately $150 - it may go up or down slightly depending on bus and gas prices, but it should stay near $150. This includes transportation, dinner, and the ticket price for the show. Students can use fundraised IBA money to pay for this trip!

Students can pay one of four ways:

1) IBA Transfer if you have money in your account. You may combine this payment with other forms.

2) Cash - Please put it in an envelope clearly marked

3) Check - Please make your check payable to the Mokena Music Boosters

4) Paypal via your Charms account. Please note that there is a $2 convenience fee.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean.

TonalEnergy Tuner is an all-inclusive, easy to use application designed for individual practice and/or large ensemble rehearsals that aides musicians to improve sound quality and intonation.

Tuning, volume, articulation, release, duration, and steadiness are the key elements of developing a beautiful tone quality. TonalEnergy Tuner is the first multi-purpose application that allows users of all ages to understand and improve every aspect of their sound.

This app is especially useful to young brass players who struggle to find the correct partial. Oftentimes they think they are playing the correct pitch, when in fact, they are not. This can be very frustrating. This app can help students learn where the correct partial is and to hear when they are not matching the correct pitch.

In addition to its tuner capabilities, it has a built in metronome to keep students rehearsing with a steady beat!

We highly recommend that all students in our band program invest in this application if they have access to a device. It is well worth the $3.99 it costs. This is much more inexpensive than a separate metronome and tuner device.

You will be receiving monthly Charms statements on or about the first of every month. Please check your balances in Charms at any time by logging into your child's account. If money is due, please pay one of four ways:

1. Cash (in an envelope clearly marked)
2. Check made payable to the Mokena Music Boosters - write who and what it is for in the memo line
3. Paypal via the Paypal button on your Charms account
4. IBA Transfer - please complete the online transfer form: https://goo.gl/forms/MOZFB8jurkbF7ByR2

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean

11/3/18 - ILMEA Band Concert
11/6/18 - NO MORNING BAND REHEARSALS or SECTIONALS

11/8/18 - NO SCHOOL - PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

11/9/18 - NO SCHOOL VETERAN'S DAY

11/17/18 - Mokena Parade of Lights (MANDATORY for all Concert/Symphonic Band students)

11/19/18 - First Rehearsal for SPAMalot!

11/20/18 - Music Booster Meeting 7:00 at MJHS

11/21/18 - 11/23/18 - NO SCHOOL FALL BREAK