Band Buzz: July 30, 2023
Falcon Band and Color Guard
Updates and Opportunities
Below are a few updates/corrections on upcoming events and a variety of options for parent volunteers. We've gotten a good response on our popsicle posse but still have a few empty days. Our kids need all kinds of help and any assistance goes a long way.
Volunteers Needed
Come join the Popsicle Posse! (July 31st-Aug 11th) Organizer: Heather Shaw
Popsicles will be handed out and trash collected during the first 2 weeks of summer band after the morning outside rehearsal. Outside rehearsal is expected to end at approximately 10 a.m each day.
We need at least 5-6 volunteers to help each day! You will meet on the sidewalk outside the band hall door at 9:45 and we should be done by 10:30 at the latest.
DIFFERENT FOR THIS YEAR: I recently started a new job so I need a bit of extra help this year. I will not be able to physically be present on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. So I will need someone willing to get there a bit early and take charge each one of these days. I will have the popsicles ready to go for you, you'll just need to be responsible for coordinating those days (super easy). I have created a sign up genius for shifts to make sure we have enough helpers each day.
You also get to see a sneak peek of their progress every day you come to help! It's amazing how far they come in just the first 2 weeks!
Join us by signing up on the signup genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49AFAA2AA1F85-2023
Rock-A-Thon (Aug 11th) Organizer: Alice McCoy
We'll need parent volunteers for many activities August 11th so save the date. Setup starts at 4pm. We'll need help with:
-Setup
-Food/drink servers
-Game facilitators
-Cleanup
More Rock-A-Thon info below.
Demo Night BBQ (Aug 18th) Organizer: Teresa Shurtz
Our BBQ dinner for demo night will need desserts and helpers. More info on the BBQ below and sign-up will be coming next week.
Volunteer Needed for Senior Mums Organizer: Joy King
The band has a small budget to create mums for senior parents to wear during football games. If you would like to help with this, contact Joy King at jcktx@yahoo.com. If we have no volunteers, then there are no mums this year.
From the Directors: Summer band and BBQ
Summer Band starts tomorrow! We can’t wait to see everyone bright and early at 7:00 in the band hall!
There will be orange cones set up to help block our parking lot off so that cars don’t park in our practice area. Please park or drop students off behind these cones. Walking that extra 100 yards or so is great physical conditioning, and will help prepare you for college parking!
Monday, July 31-August 4
Full Band 7 am- 3:30 pm
-Band Hall will open at 6:30 am. Please plan on arriving by 6:45 so that we can start rehearsal on time.
- Wear athletic shorts, a white t-shirt for winds and percussion, a red t-shirt for color guard, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and proper tennis shoes!
- Bring your WATER JUG, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, instrument, mouthpiece, reeds, and music that was passed out in June. We will be outside from 7 am- 10 am, and then inside in the AC the rest of the day. Musicians will break out into small sectionals from 10:30-noon, and color guard will go inside and continue to work on fundamentals and choreography during this time.
- Lunch will be from noon until 1:30 pm. You can bring a sack lunch, or students who drive can go home or to a nearby restaurant. You are given 1.5 hours so that you do not have to rush, so please stay close by and stay safe!
- 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm we will be in larger sections inside working on music. Color Guard will continue working inside on fundamentals and choreography.
- PLEASE DO NOT EAT ANY DAIRY PRIOR TO MORNING REHEARSALS (i.e. NO milk, yogurt, etc). Dairy + Heat/Humidity is not a good mix.
- Make sure you eat breakfast prior to rehearsal. You will need lots of energy to get through the rehearsals! NO ENERGY DRINKS!
- DRINK LOTS OF WATER PRIOR to the start of summer band
A Look Ahead:
August 7-11: Full summer band from 7 am – 3:30 pm
August 14-17: Full summer band from 4 pm – 8 pm
August 18: Marching Band demo and BBQ dinner. Parents, come join us and see what we have been doing for three weeks!
BAND GOOGLE CALENDAR: The most up to date rehearsal/performance schedule can be found on the band google calendar. You can access it via our booster website at: https://www.clhsband.org/calendar.html
Please scroll to the bottom and click on the “+googlecalendar” button to push it to your smartphone.
We look forward to seeing everyone!
Band Fees Due by August 8th!
2023 – 2024 Mandatory Falcon Marching Band Fees due August 8th, 2023
Marching Band and Color Guard
- Uniform $244
- Activity $320
- Contest Meals $67
- Total: $631
Other Activity Students (ie not marching or color guard)
- Activity Fee $320
- Total: $320
Pay fees and order game meals here: https://form.jotform.com/231334687827162
Payment Options (INCLUDE STUDENT'S NAME ON ALL TRANSACTIONS)
-Zelle to treasurer@clhsband.org or PayPal/Credit Card
New students bring proof of purchase to Equipment night if paid after 8/6/23
Returning students pay full amount online by 8/8/23
-Check payable to FBBC
New students bring check to Equipment night
Returning students can put check for full amount in booster mailbox in band hall by 8/8/23
-Cash (exact amount)
New and returning students bring exact amount to Equipment night
-Financial Assistance
New and returning students can resolve on Equipment night
Band Booster Meeting August 2nd
Where: Clear Lake High School band hall
Who: All Booster Club members and any parents interested in helping our kids
Our first booster club meeting is this week. Great opportunity to learn about all the ways you can help make this a successful year for our hard working students. Hope to see you there!
Pick Up Equipment Night August 8th
When: Tuesday, August 8th, 2023 6pm-9pm
Where: Clear Lake High School Commons
Who: All band and color guard members
This form collects student information and gives parents an opportunity to join the booster club, volunteer, and purchase game day meals and BBQ dinners. It also collects mandatory activity, uniform, and contest meal fees. There is an option to pay online or pay by cash or check during Equipment Night.
Many of the committee chairs have already committed to being there that evening to make the process go smoothly. However, we need additional volunteers to serve in key roles such as cashiers, greeters, and floaters. If you are able to help, please contact Joy King (treasurer@clhsband.org)
WHAT IS "PICK UP YOUR EQUIPMENT" NIGHT?
Pick Up Your Equipment Night is for picking up any band items ordered and paid for at the end of the last school year (shoes, heat uniform, practice shirts, gloves, music folders, lyres, etc.). Additionally, you will be able to pay the Band Activity Fee and purchase items from the Falcon Band Booster Club (FBBC). These items include game meals, contest meals, booster club membership, spirit items, and tickets for the BBQ following the preview show. It is also an opportunity to find ways to help the booster club make a difference in the Clear Lake Band and Color Guard programs.
Note: Uniform and show shirts will be delivered later in the year.
WHO NEEDS TO ATTEND THIS EVENT?
At a minimum, all Band and Color Guard parents need to attend, even if your student is designated as an "other activity student." Students attending are optional. Make sure you fill out the online form ahead of time since you will need their input!
If you are a returning student with no equipment to pick up AND you paid online or put a check for the full amount in the booster mailbox in the band hall, then you do not need to attend Equipment Night.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE SPIRIT WEAR?
Falcon band and Color Guard spirit wear such as chaperone polos, hoodies, jackets, bling shirts, decals, and yard signs can be purchased at Equipment Night or during the BBQ Dinner.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER ACTIVITY STUDENTS?
Other activity students who are not attending ANY of the practices, football games, or contests are not required to purchase items from the Pick Up Your Equipment Night, but we do ask that they fill out the online form and pick up band items they ordered on-line (if any). Also, all "other activity" students are invited to participate in Rock-a-thon, so you might want to stop at that table to ask questions or drop off gift card donations.
I HAVE TWO STUDENTS IN BAND. DO I HAVE TO FILL OUT TWO SETS OF FORMS?
Yes. It will take a few extra minutes, but we need a record of the Information, Game Meals, and fees for each student. You can fill out just one of the Membership, Volunteer, and BBQ Forms and then leave them blank in your other student's form.
WHAT IF I CAN'T PAY THE BAND ACTIVITY FEE?
The majority of activities in CCISD have an activity fee. If you have a financial hardship, contact one of the directors in advance to address your situation. Then on that evening, you can ask one of the directors to sign a waiver before you reach the cashier's table.
Rock-A-Thon August 11th (updated hours)
When: Friday, August 11th, 2023 5pm-11pm (4pm setup for volunteers)
Where: Clear Lake High School Commons
Who: All band and color guard members
Dear Parents and Students,
I hope you all are enjoying this summer and are getting to spend time with family and friends. Before you know it, we'll be back together, and it will be time to start our wonderful marching season. It is so exciting to be getting back and plan all the activities for this coming school year. I hope that everyone will be able to participate this year in the favorite social event of the summer - the annual Rock-a-thon, and we'll all have a blast being together for this event.
What is Rock-a-thon?
For those of you who have not participated in Rock-a-thon before, here is a brief description of what it's all about. The students receive donations to sponsor them to stay in their rocking (rolling) chairs for a lock-in from 4:00pm until 11:00pm. This event will happen on August 11, 2023, and is for all band and color guard members. Students bring their favorite rolling chair and prepare to rock the night away and have fun being together. This year, we introduce Band Olympics!!! Sections will form teams and compete for the gold in various individual and team events. There will also be door prizes and students can earn drink tickets, chicken nuggets, and pizza by earning certain levels of donations.
How Can I Help?
Ask for Donations
We need your help in preparing for this Rock-a-thon. While you are out visiting with family and friends, please consider asking them to make a donation(s) for the Rock-a-thon. Our goal this year is $18,000. Let's keep working together to reach our goal. At the end of this e-mail, you will find a link for donations.
The more donations you receive, the more credits you receive. Here are the levels and the amount of donations necessary for each:
· $75 Entry into Rock-a-thon
· $100 Drink Ticket
· $150 Chick-fil-a nuggets
· $200 Pizza
· $250 and up, each $50 increment receives an additional chance to dunk Mr. Pearce in a dunking booth 😊
· $500 and up, chance to win a gift card for Amazon
Join Falcon Band Booster Club (FBBC) at a Level Above Basic Membership
The minimum or basic membership of FBBC is $40. Any amount above the minimum will be used toward your student’s “Rock-a-thon Level” as shown above. For example, if you join FBBC at the $100 level, then $60 of your membership will go toward your student’s “Rock-a-thon Level.” You will have an opportunity to join FBBC when you pay activity fees.
Gift Card Donations
Other ways to help make our Rock-a-Thon successful include donating gift cards that we can use as door prizes. Gift cards should be for $10-$15 each for places like Starbucks, i tunes, fast food restaurants, etc. The $30 three packs work great, please leave them in the package and we will break them up once we get them.
Volunteer
Save the date (August 11,2023) to come out and help us at Rock-a-thon. We need many parent volunteers to help this run smoothly. Setup starts at 4pm. It's a great opportunity to see all the fun and excitement that happens at Rock-a-thon and get to know our wonderful parents better. We will be sending a link for Sign up Genius to pick a shift to help closer to the time of Rock-a-thon.
Corporate Matching Donations
Many companies and businesses have matching donation programs. If you work for a company with a matching grants program, please consider requesting a matching donation. The FBBC can help you with any paperwork you may need to fill out.
This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we use these donations to help support expenses needed to keep our high-quality band program, our wonderful group of clinicians and instructors, and necessary repairs and replacement of worn equipment. Please consider how you can help our Rock-a-thon to be successful. We look forward to raising money for our band while having fun in the process. Enjoy the rest of your summer and we look forward to seeing you soon. Please see below the letter that you can use as a template that includes the link for donations.
Thanks again for your support! If you have any questions about Rock-a-thon as you are gathering donations or about the actual event itself, please feel free to email or text.
DONATION LINK: https://form.jotform.com/231476489478171
*** Below is the letter that students can use as a template. Feel free to personalize it to each recipient. ***
Hello Family and Friends!
Another school year has ended, but our Clear Lake High School band will soon be busy preparing for the 2023-2024 season, and I am very excited to be a part of it! Our summer practices start July 31 (even earlier for color guard and percussion!) We look forward to developing our show for our marching competitions in the fall, and our concert and color guard competitions in the spring.
As we prepare for the new school year, we will also need to plan for the expenses associated with maintaining a high-quality program: our fantastic team of clinicians and instructors, maintaining our 18-wheeler to move our instruments to and from games and events, and repairing or replacing worn equipment.
The Rock-A-Thon fundraiser, sponsored by our Falcon Band Booster Club, is our largest fundraiser of the year to underwrite these costs. Rock-A-Thon is a wildly popular team-building event that takes place each August. Students bring chairs that rock and roll to the lock-in for an evening of rocking, play games in chairs, music, food, and fun! It is a culmination of the first full week of summer rehearsal and our starting point for marching season.
Would you please consider sponsoring me at Rock-A-Thon? Any size donation would mean so much to me and my fellow band and color guard members, with whom I share this experience.
*** I have enclosed a self-addressed stamped envelope for any donation you could make.
Falcon Band Booster Club
PO Box 891612
Houston, TX 77289
· Please make any checks payable to “FBBC”.
· Make an on-line donation by clicking this link: https://form.jotform.com/231476489478171
· Please KEEP the enclosed receipt for your tax records.
I hope you will consider assisting me in this endeavor, as we work to make this another unforgettable year! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my parents. Thank you so much for your consideration and support – it is greatly appreciated!
Go Falcons!
Demo Night & BBQ
When: Friday, August 18th, 2023 6:30pm-8pm
Where:
- Demo: Practice field at Krueger Field
- Dinner: Clear Lake High School Commons after demo (approx. 7:15pm)
Who: All family members
Please come join us August 18th and let’s reconnect as a band family! Come see what your student has learned so far at Summer Band Camp, get a sneak peek at our Fall marching show and the opportunity to ‘march’ with your student.. The demo will be held at Krueger Field starting at 6:30 pm. Please wear comfortable clothes for the warm weather.
Then come into the cool, air conditioned Lake High School Commons to mingle and meet your fellow band families. Red River BBQ will cater a baked potato dinner. Your choice of pulled pork, smoked turkey or plain potato with all the toppings (sour cream, cheese, jalapenos, butter, pickles, onions and bread). A variety of dessert will also be provided and your choice of drinks (water, unsweet tea, sweet tea and lemonade).
Choice 1- $15 per pulled pork baked potato
Choice 2 - $15 per smoked turkey baked potato meal
Choice 3 - $10 per plain baked potato meal
Order on-line via E-night jotform, in person at E-night on August 8th OR turn in hardcopy form with payment in the black band mailbox (outside Director’s office). No sales at the door!
Please help us make this a success by donating dessert and/or volunteering for the dinner. Sign up links will be sent in next week’s Buzz.
Summer Band BBQ Chair, Teresa Shurtz
713-870-2198
Buzz Contributions
If you would like to contribute to the Band Buzz, please contact the appropriate committee or board member. They can send fully edited information to the following e-mail address: VP@clhsband.org . The deadline for submissions is midnight each Wednesday night.
Thank you,
Christopher Hare