CHS Music Boosters Meeting Minutes

August 7, 2008

Attendees

Tony Caracciolo, Deanne Caracciolo, Scott Stewart,Sharron Antolick, Traj Antolick, Dawn Anuszkiewicz-Lundgren, Mary Laulis, Pam Jacobs, Jim Kelley, Mike and Isabel Taldo, Ed and Cheryl Benitez, Mark and Kelly Wedekind, Christine Fallon, Mirrel Wothers, Susan Vrzak, Beth Frankel, Bob and Teri McLeod, Derrick Askew

Call to Order

• The Music Boosters meeting was called to order at 7:30p.m. by Tony Caracciolo.

Secretary’s Report

• Sharron presented a summary of the 07-10-08 Music Booster Meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

• Scott Stewart presented the budget. Some line items needed to be amended due to having approximately 10 members less in the Marching Band than previously estimated. All Marching Band fees were due August 1, 2008. Approximately 7K of 10.5K in fees have been collected thus far.

· There was further discussion regarding possibly paying off our lease (for xylophone, marimbas and drums) immediately due to monies available as a result of not having to pay outstanding Marching Band transportation fees. Scott said we had the funds available to accomplish this 9 months ahead of the current payment schedule to save on interest. Jim Kelley made a motion to pay off the lease and Dawn seconded.

Music Director’s Report/Choral Director’s Report

• Heather Caparaso was not present at tonight’s meeting.
• Derrick answered questions regarding the current status of the Marching Band. The number of Marching Band Members is approximately 10 less than last year. Recruiting this year went “poorly” but the hope is numbers will increase from Sykesville Middle School next year. Strategies to do this were discussed and included Derrick having frequent contact with the Middle School Band Director, inviting Middle Schoolers to come to Century to play with the High School Marching Band at a football game and having High School students be actively involved in recruiting.
• Derrick shared that the show concept needed to be changed this year due to the “instability of the program and decline in membership”. Mike Taldo questioned what would be done with the previous “expensive” FFP program that the Music Boosters financed. Derrick assured the Boosters that the show would simply be “switched” and the new Samurai show would be “artistically satisfying, competitive and would lean in a different direction to enhance the current strengths of the membership”. He assured the Boosters that no additional fees would be incurred. The rights for the “River” show would be reserved for future use.
• A discussion followed regarding additional ways to increase the number of members in the Instrumental Program at Century as there is no Concert Band this year, only Honors Symphonic Band and Honors Wind ensemble. However, numbers for Orchestra increased. A “Pep Band” for athletic events was discussed for students who wanted to perform in an extra curricular activity but who may not be able to take on the commitment of Marching Band. Derrick said he would be unable to take on this responsibility. However, if another teacher agreed to sponsor this effort and an upper class student leader “stepped up” to coordinate members, a Pep Band could still be possible. Sharron spoke about how important a “Pit Orchestra” was to some musicians and how disappointing it was not to have a “Pit” for last year’s musical. Derrick said he would be unable to take on this responsibility as well and Sharron asked if the Booster’s might be able to look into having someone else prepare and conduct a “Pit”.

Ways and Means Committee

• Banner Sales are in progress and letters to local businesses will be mailed in the near future. Sponsorship levels -$500 and $1000- and annual/perpetual gifts are being offered. Banners will remain in place for a one-year period, September through June. Boosters were encouraged to call businesses on the list with whom they have a relationship to “thread the connection” and further explain the banner program. An “Ad” drive for the home programs accompanies the Banner campaign and needs to be promoted. Scott will e-mail all info to Sharron and she will e mail the membership. Door to door solicitation will also be conducted by members of the Banner Committee. The Music Boosters can initially sell 20 banners.
• The Frederick Keys Baseball Fundraiser netted a profit of $214 and a good time was had by allJ
• Century Clothing Sales will occur during Freshman Orientation on August 21 and Meet the Teacher night August 22. Volunteers are needed. Contact Susan Stephy if you are interested in helping.
• GL Scrip card program Mary Laulis obtained info from Suzanne Reamer. She and Susan Stephy will head up this ongoing fundraiser. Online ordering is available. Complete info will be shared at the Parent Preview show and via e-mail.
• Safeway 10% Back to Schools Deanne presented on Judy’s behalf and passed out handouts. Fundraiser occurs from August 6 through September 9. Please give receipts to Judy from family and friends who shop at Safeway during this timeframe or register your own Safeway card.
• Board Games will be looked into by Dawn with info to follow in August.
• Visitourmall.com. Please checkout “visitourmall.com” for convenient online shopping. A percentage of every purchase made through this website is deposited into the Music Boosters account. Simply go to “visitourmall.com”, click “Find Group”, scroll to and click on “Century High School Music Boosters”, and start shopping! Or visit the mall through the Century Knights home webpage at knightsmusic.org.

• GoodSearch.com. This is a Yahoo-based search engine and earns the music boosters .01 for every valid search. Click on “Century High School Music Boosters (Sykesville, MD)” to designate CHS as the organization to receive credit. Keep on searching!
• Board Games tabled at present.

Liaison Report

• Choral-Dawn- Has not heard from Heather recently so she will make contact for the next meeting. A preliminary Fine Arts schedule for 2008-2009 is available and was obtained from Jeff Rogers. Tony asked if dates could be posted on our website. John Bushey will follow up.
• Band/Orchestra-Marty M-not present
• Marching Band-Jim Kelly-Sept 27 is the TOB home show at 7:00 pm costs. Oct 18 is the USSBA MD/DE Sate Championship show with 15 bands currently registered. Jim explained what is needed in general for the shows to be successful for the benefit of the new Boosters who attended tonight’s meeting.
• Additionally, a Parent Preview Picnic is being planned for August 22 at 5:00. This years picnic will be more inclusive by inviting all current music students to attend regardless of their membership in Marching Band, Concert Band, Orchestra or Chorus. Performances during the dinner hour by roups other than the Marching Band will be pursued. The Marching Band will perform at 7:00. A dunk booth and other potential small fundraisers will be considered for this event. We will alos invite the local neighbors of Century High School.
• Historians-Teri shared that 24 slides have been finished to date. An attempt is being made to document the Music Program from its inception and is to include all music programs at Century.
• VP Comments- neither present

• Marching Band Jacket sales will go on until August 8^th. Info has been passed out to new members and the form is located on our web site. Jackets ate $65 and POC is Sharron Antolick.

Next Meeting

• Will be held Thursday, September 2nd at 7:30.

Adjournment

• Isabel motioned to adjourn at 8:40pm and Sharron Antolick seconded.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharron Antolick

Secretary

Visit the CHS Music website @ www.knightsmusic.org