Updated 8/22/10

NEW 8/22/10

Dear Band & Pageantry Families and Friends:
Here we go with another school year! Here are a few reminders about this week's events:
Monday, August 23 - First Day of School - Hello Day Rally - Call Time is 7:00 am in the Band Room
Just a reminder to parents that Band & Pageantry will be performing at the opening "Hello Day" rally taking place tomorrow morning at Dick Haines Stadium on campus (Mr. Ewell announced this to the students on Friday). All Band & Pageantry students must meet in the Band Room by 7:00 am tomorrow. Also, all students need to wear jeans and their band t-shirt (Mr. Ewell will give students a chance to change after the performance if they wish to do so).
In addition, don't forget Monday evening rehearsals begin tomorrow night, from 6-9 pm (there will also be rehearsals from 6-9 pm on Wednesday evenings sectionals on Thursdays after school...please check the calendar at www.vistaband.org for details).
Band Pictures - Tuesday, August 24th after school (meet at Band Room)
Band pictures (individual and group, all students in uniform) will be taken on Tuesday immediately after school. All Band students should arrive at the Band Room in their black bike shorts (no gym shorts, baggy shorts/pants), black t-shirts, and black socks (they are required to wear these under their uniforms). All Band students should also remember to bring their Dinkles (black marching band shoes). Pageantry students should be in appropriate attire as directed by Jeff Sterrett, their instructor.
Also, Melissa Perez has requested 3-4 parents to volunteer to help with "watering" the students during Picture Day (it will be a warm day and those uniforms can be hot when all you're doing is standing around posing for photos). Please contact Melissa if you are able to help @ 760-622-2523.

Band Jackets
If your student is interested in ordering a new Band Jacket, please go to the website, www.vistaband.org, for the order form. Tami Beverson will be at rehearsals Monday and Wednesday night this week only with sample jackets that the students can try on before ordering. Also, if your student would like to make changes to their jackets (e.g., more embroidery, patches sewn on, etc.), that can be taken care of as well. Please see the order form on the website for details (including pricing).

_________________________________________

8/8/10

Dear Band & Pageantry Families and Friends:

Just a reminder that Band Camp starts this coming Tuesday, August 10 at 1:00 pm at Vista High School. Attendance at Band Camp is MANDATORY for all Band and Pageantry students. Work-related conflicts are not an excuse for a student to be released from any Band Camp dates. Any student who cannot attend all Band Camp sessions should contact Mr. Ewell as soon as possible to discuss (if they haven't done so already).

Camp dates and times are: August 10-13 & August 16-20: 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Camp will begin promptly at 1:00 pm each day, so each student should report to Camp at least 15 minutes early each day so that Camp can start on time.

Note: Saturday August 21 from 9:00-1:00 pm is reserved for mandatory ROI card canvassing (details on this event to be sent out soon). There will also be a Beach Bonfire for all Band & Pageantry members the evening of Saturday August 21 (parents welcome too!). Time and place of the bonfire will be announced soon.

In addition to the items below, every student should be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water to drink to Band Camp! This is very important, as you will be spending a lot of time outside on the football field.

DRESS CODE FOR BAND CAMP:
Band Students:
*Light colored t-shirt and dark shorts (NO JEANS OR LONG PANTS!).
*Form-fitting shoes that tie and socks (NO SANDALS, FLIP-FLOPS, OR EXTRA LARGE SHOES...these interfere with the marching drills)

Pageantry Students:
Your Pageantry instructor, Jeff Sterrett, will advise you what you should wear to Band Camp.

WHAT TO BRING TO BAND CAMP:
Each Band student will be required to bring the following to each day of Band Camp (Pageantry Students: Jeff Sterrett, your Pageantry instructor, will advise what you need to bring each day to Camp):
*Instrument in good working condition (if you need an instrument and have not yet checked one out, please contact Mr. Ewell as soon as possible)
*A one-inch black three-ring binder
*Sheet protectors (the non-glare kind are the best; students will need roughly 20-25 sheet protectors)
*A pencil (not a pen) for each rehearsal
*A highlighter (any color, as long as it's not a Sharpie)


If you have any questions, please send them to Communications@vistaband.org and I will forward them to the appropriate person (note: Mr. Ewell does not yet have a VUSD email account, so please send any emails for him to the Communications@vistaband.org address and they will be forwarded to him for reply).

___________________________________________

7/27/10

Dear Band & Pageantry Families and Friends:

Marching band shoe fittings will be taking place at the same time as uniform fittings on July 31, August 2, August 4, and August 7. (For uniform fitting schedule, please go to: http://www.vistaband.org/uniform_fitting_schedule.html.)

Cost for marching band shoes is $25 per pair, payable at the time of fitting (checks should be made out to VHS Band Boosters).

All new Band students must be fitted and purchase a pair of marching band shoes. All Returning Band students should check their current marching shoes for fit and condition to determine if new shoes are needed. If new shoes are needed, please plan to be fitted for new marching band shoes at your uniform fitting.

Seniors: If you were fitted for your band uniform on 7/26 and need new shoes, please attend one of the scheduled uniform fittings. If you can't make it to one of the scheduled uniform fittings, please contact Barb Bechtold to make other arrangements (contact information below).

Important: All students being fitted for marching band shoes should bring a pair of the black socks that they will be wearing during performances to the fitting. Note: All students are required to provide their own black marching band socks for use during performances. Socks must be calf length or ankle high. No low-cuts or peds allowed (they will show during performances).

Used Shoes: The Boosters have some marching band shoes in good condition that it will sell for $10 per pair on an "as is", first come, first serve basis. Sizes are worn off inside shoes, so some have been mixed-&-matched --- students must try these on before purchasing.

For questions or additional information, contact Barb Bechtold at bjbechtold@sbcglobal.net or 760-310-6237.

_____________________

Dear Band & Pageantry Families and Friends:
Welcome to the Vista High School Band and Pageantry Corps' 2010-2011 school year! Band Camp has begun. You may also now start earning credits for your student's Band Account through the Scrip program.

Scrip is the easiest and most pain-free way to help pay your student's Band Fees as well as any other expenses that may come up during the year, such as travel, and tickets to Tattoo and Banquet.

More information about the scrip program and how it works is contained in the attached flyer. Also attached is a Scrip Order form to use to place your orders. Note that this is a limited order form --- you might want to check out our scrip vendor's website, www.GLScrip.com for a complete listing of participating retailers. Additional copies of the scrip order form can be found on the Band website, www.vistaband.org.

I will be at VHS Saturday afternoon when Band Camp ends to pick up scrip orders. These orders will be placed this weekend and will be ready for delivery on Wednesday, July 28th. Payment in full must be made at the time the order is placed. Checks should be made out to "VHS Band Boosters". When your order arrives, I will email you to confirm that it is in and to make arrangements for pick-up. If you have any questions you may contact me (Nancy Yasuoka) at (760) 941-4949.

Looking forward to meeting you on Saturday.

Nancy Yasuoka

__________________________________

07/22/10

Dear Band Families and Friends:

Band uniform fittings are coming up over the next two weeks. Fittings are scheduled by grade level. It is important that uniform fittings be completed early in the marching season to ensure each Band student receives a properly fitted uniform in time for Band pictures and the first performance of the marching season. All tailoring is done by a dedicated team of parent volunteers who do a great job of hemming, altering, and repairing each member's Band uniform jackets and bibs each year in a very short window of time each summer (notwithstanding full time jobs and other outside obligations!).

The schedule below has been established for uniform fittings. If you cannot make your scheduled time, please contact Candy Robertson (760-685-0687) or Barb Bechtold (760-310-6237) as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements. All fittings will take place in the Band Room at Vista High School. Candy and Barb would also like to remind everyone to be patient during the fitting process (waiting and being fitted), as there are a lot of students (and uniform components) to be fitted.

Band students should wear bike or gym shorts and a t-shirt to their uniform fitting (it makes it easier to fit that way).

Marching shoe fittings will be scheduled in the near future. Please continue to watch for emails regarding shoe fitting dates and times.

BAND UNIFORM FITTING SCHEDULE:

SENIORS
Monday, July 26
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Last Names A-H: 3:00 pm
Last Names I-P: 4:00 pm
Last Names Q-Z: 5:30 pm

JUNIORS
Saturday, July 31
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Last Names A-H: 9:00 am
Last Names I-P: 11:00 am
Last Names Q-Z: 1:00 pm

SOPHOMORES
Monday, August 2
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Last Names A-H: 3:00 pm
Last Names I-P: 4:00 pm
Last Names Q-Z: 5:30 pm

FRESHMEN
Wednesday, August 4
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Last Names A-D: 5:30 pm
Last Names E-J: 6:30 pm

FRESHMEN
Saturday, August 7
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Last Names K-R: 9:00 am
Last Names S-Z: 11:00 am

Thanks for your support!

______________

Dear Band & Pageantry Families and Friends:

The Boosters are pleased to welcome Mr. Ralph Ewell as the new Director of the Vista High School Regimental Band & Pageantry Corps. Mr. Ewell has confirmed that there WILL be a "mini" Band Camp this week, July 22-24 at Vista High School (this mini Band Camp has been calendared on the Band's website, www.vistaband.org, for the past few months).

Please read on for an important message from Mr. Ewell regarding the mini Band Camp as well as additional information from the Boosters regarding payment of the first installment of Band & Pageantry fees for the marching season and instrument check out and payment of instrument usage fees.

Regards,

Peggy Cronin, Communications Director
Vista High School Band Boosters

I. MINI BAND CAMP THIS WEEK -- JULY 22-23-24 @ VISTA HIGH SCHOOL (BAND AND PAGEANTRY)

MESSAGE FROM MR. EWELL, BAND DIRECTOR:

Hello, Everyone!

We will be starting the 2010-11 season this Thursday, July 22 with a 3-day "mini" Band Camp at Vista High School (please meet at the Band Room). The camp will run from 1:00-6:00 pm on Thursday, July 22 and Friday, July 23 and from 9:00-4:00 pm on Saturday, July 24. We will be using this time to get a "jump start" on the upcoming marching season. A great deal of information will be covered in these three days, so it is imperative that if a Band or Pageantry student is in town, they are required to attend this "mini" Band Camp. Work-related conflicts are not excuses for a student to be released from these camp dates.

Each Band student will be required to bring the following to each day of Band Camp (Pageantry Students: Jeff Sterrett, your Pageantry instructor, will advise what you need to bring each day to Camp):

*Instrument in good working condition (instrument check out will be covered in a separate section of this email)

*A one-inch black three-ring binder

*Sheet protectors (the non-glare kind are the best; students will need roughly 20-25 sheet protectors)

*A pencil (not a pen) for each rehearsal

*A highlighter (any color, as long as it's not a Sharpie)

*Comfortable clothing (No jeans. Light colored t-shirt and dark shorts preferred)

*Form-fitting shoes that tie and socks (no sandals, flip flops, or extra large shoes)

I look forward to meeting everyone at Band Camp this week. If you have any questions, please direct them for the time being to Peggy Cronin, the Boosters Communications Director at Communications@vistaband.org. She will ensure they are forwarded to me. As soon as my VUSD email account is set up, we will send out an email to everyone updating my contact information.

Ralph Ewell
Director of Instrumental Music
Vista High School

II. 1ST INSTALLMENT OF BAND & PAGEANTRY PROGRAM FEES FOR MARCHING SEASON DUE DURING MINI BAND CAMP THIS WEEK

We apologize for the late notice, but we are running a bit behind due to the transition of band directors. Please note that the first $150 installment of Band & Pageantry program fees is due and payable during this week's mini Band Camp (the second $150 payment will be due in August during the next Band Camp and the final $150 payment will be due in September, for a total Band & Pageantry Program fee for marching season of $450). Students with any outstanding balances in their Band accounts from the 2009-10 school year should include payment for any remaining balance from 2009-10 along with their first installment payment of Band & Pageantry program fees for the coming school year. Checks should be made payable to "VHS Band Boosters" and deposited in the payment box on Mr. Ewell's office door in the Band Room (payments should be placed in a completed Band payment envelope). Students who wish to use Band account credits to pay their fees should contact Karen Freeman, Boosters treasurer, to confirm their Band account credit and request that the Band fees be deducted from their account. Karen may be reached at treasurer@vistaband.org.

III. INSTRUMENT CHECK OUT AND PAYMENT OF INSTRUMENT USAGE FEES (BAND ONLY)

Again, we apologize for the late notice --- all students who will be using a school instrument of any kind during the coming school year will be required to pay a $40 usage fee at the time of instrument check out (please keep in mind that all repairs are the responsibility of the student). Students having to pay the $40 usage fee include all percussionists (battery and front ensemble), tuba/sousaphone, baritone, trombone, etc.

There will be two days this week that instruments can be checked out and the instrument usage fee can be paid: In the VHS Band Room on Wednesday, July 21 from 12:00-4:00 pm and Thursday, July 22 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm (before the start of mini Band Camp that day). Checks should be made payable to "VHS Band Boosters".

If you are unable to attend one of these dates, please let Mr. Ewell know ASAP so other arrangements can be made (note: until Mr. Ewell's VUSD email account is set up, please contact him through the communications@vistaband.org email address. I will forward messages to him accordingly).

IV. BAND UNIFORM AND MARCHING SHOE FITTINGS (BAND ONLY)

We will be sending out another email in the near future regarding band uniform and marching shoe fittings. All incoming freshmen will be required to purchase marching shoes (also known as "Dinkles") through the Boosters. Returning students will need to purchase a new pair of marching shoes if they have outgrown their old shoes or if their shoes are damaged or worn out. (Dinkles should cost around $25-$35 per pair, based on last year's prices. Actual charges for this year will be included in the shoe fitting email, which will be sent out soon.)

____________________________________________

The Boosters Board will be meeting this Wednesday evening at 7 pm in the Band Room. Attached is a copy of the meeting agenda and minutes from the Board's last two meetings which will be reviewed and placed before the Board for approval at this Wednesday's meeting.

All Boosters (all Band & Pageantry parents are considered "Boosters") are invited to attend this meeting.

Regards,

Peggy Cronin
Communications Director
Vista High School Band Boosters

Agenda, May minutes, June minutes