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Yesterday, you may have seen that Mountaineer Middle announced the retirement of our band director, Mr. Shaffer. We are sad to see him go, but we are also excited for him in this new chapter.

What this means for the marching band is that we are in a period of transition which may affect the summer schedule. Right now, all we are certain about is that there will be practice July 1-3, and we will be going to the Pirates game to perform the national anthem on July 8th.

Band practice is tentatively scheduled for every week thereafter on Mon -Thur morning for the month of July, with band camp the final week of July . However the new band director may make changes. Please be patient with us in this transition period. We will let you know when we know as more information becomes available.

Hello Band Parents! Our amazing 8th graders have come up with the theme for the Band Dance as Country vs Country Club! We are preparing for the dance on October 14th from 6-8:30 in the cafeteria in MMS but we need your help!

Please sign up below to chaperone, or be on the setup crew, or donate the items that the students have requested for their Halloween candy and more!

The Band Boosters are providing pizza, cookie cake and take-home treat bags. 

Reminder – this event is free admissions and free snacks and only for band students in 6th, 7th & 8th grad

Check your Remind app for the sign up genius link

To limit fundraisers for band, Mountaineer asks each student to pay fees each school year:

• Band fee for general operation.  (ONLY ONE for each family)
• Uniform rental to clean and care for the band uniforms.
• Charter fee to cover the higher cost of a charter bus when needed.
• Percussion fee. (This is for drummers only.)

IF FOR ANY REASON THIS IS A HARDSHIP, let Mr. Shaffer know, and we can work things out to keep students in the program.

Please return this form with a check made payable to “MMS Band Boosters” to Mr. Shaffer by September 28^th.

Thank you.

Sep. 29th – Buckwheat Festival Parade

Oct. 9th – UHS Showcase of Bands

Oct. 10th – UHS Homecoming Parade

Oct 14th – BAND HALLOWEEN PARTY

Oct. 20th – WVU Homecoming Parade

Nov. 9th – Veterans Day Parade

Dec. 11th – Christmas Parade

More information about each event will be provided as the event approaches.

Monday, July 31, 2023

The band will practice from 9:30-11 at MMS. Students are to take everything they need for the parade home at the end of practice.

Meet at the Book Exchange at 6:45pm

Line up at 7:00pm

Use the same uniform as for the Pirates Game: Band shirt, black shorts, black socks, black Dinkles

The parade is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm

Band Order:

• MHS
• Westwood
• South
• CBHS
• Suncrest
• Mountaineer
• UHS

The end of summer band/band camp party will be this Thursday, July 27th, beginning at approximately 11:30am. We need parents to sign up to donate the following items:

plates & napkins

drinks (water, soda, and sports drinks or juice)

chips (variety packs of small, single-serve bags)

veggie tray

fruit tray

desserts (the Sign up Genius has slots for cookies, cupcakes & pre-cut brownies or brownie bites, but pre-cut or pre-packages rice crispy treats or other “grab & go” desserts may be substituted)

Please use the Sign Up Genius below to tell us what you are able to bring. Items can be dropped off at 9am when you drop off your student or at 11am. Thank you.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090945A4A628A0FA7-band

If you purchased tickets for friends and/or family to attend the Pirates game tomorrow, they will be handed out tomorrow at the stadium prior to the game start. A Remind will be sent tomorrow morning to let you know where in the stadium to go to get your ticket(s). The students’ tickets will be provided to them after their performance.

Please click here to enter information if your child will be in band for the 2023-24 school year:

https://forms.gle/9CNAdZ7Sh7zBpdTQ9

Band Booster Roles

President/Vice-President

• Speak directly with Mr. Shaffer about band activities
• Organize band booster responsibilities
• Oversee uniform assignment and distribution
• Communicate with charter bus company
• Manage website

Secretary

• Send emails/reminds
• Help with organization of activities/events
• Create a list of band members’ contact information

Treasurer

• Write checks
• Reconcile checkbook
• Make bank deposits
• Maintain expense log
• Organize receipts and other financial documents

The 6th grade band, 7th and 8th grade band, and jazz band will perform a spring concert on May 10, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mountaineer Middle School gym. Students should wear “nice” clothes. There’s no need to buy anything special. Pants or a skirt and a nice shirt, or a dress will be fine. Students should follow the Monongalia County Schools dress code.