The Friends & Parents
of the
Drury High School Band
is a support group that is NOT restricted to parents OR merely to BAND members – parents of Band Front students are urged to become involved as well!
Below is a copy of the most recent Band Parents’ Handbook. Near the end of the document names and phone numbers of parent officers are listed. If any questions arise you are urged to contact any of those active members who might assist you. The group does a large amount of fund-raising aimed at supporting various activities including a spring trip which occurs nearly every year. Become active and stay informed – MONTHLY newsletters will go a long way toward answering your questions. Presently newsletters are mailed to homes AND are available on this website.
Monthly parent meeting occur typically on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Library at Drury High School. A list of these dates may be found in the Parents’ Handbook.
Thank you for showing an interest in our program!
HANDBOOK
PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization is to educate its members in the functions of the band, to give public and private support to the band, and to aid and assist the band in its travels and scholarship programs. The group, as its title suggests, is not limited to just parents of present band or band front members. Other friends, past members, alumni, and other community people are encouraged to join this organization. Hopefully this handbook will provide an opportunity to gain more detailed information concerning the workings, goals and projects of this group.
BEING A GOOD BAND PARENT
Being a good band parent means being in attendance at concerts, encouraging your child at home - listen to them practice. Teach your child the value of a dollar by encouraging them to participate in the fund raising activities of the band...you should participate too! To your best ability, be an active member of the Band Parents Organization - attend our monthly meetings to offer support and help in our endeavors. Most of all, to be a good band parent you should be willing to share in the work of the group whether there is calculated profits for your child's' account or not. There are many benefits that your son or daughter receives just by being a member of this group. We hope that everyone feels the same way about sharing equally with the necessary work that comes with providing your child with an active music program.
PHONE COMMITTEE
Each year at the first parents meeting, volunteers are recruited to become members of our phone committee. We need 6-10 people to perform the very important task of keeping parents informed, calling to remind them of a crucial event, or asking them to help in some capacity. The Vice President is in charge of this committee - contact Maura Hawkins or Beth Bator if you wish to volunteer, or if you have any questions concerning this committee. (Maura Hawkins - 802-694-1620) / Beth Bator - 664-8052)
NOTE: Throughout this handbook we will refer to a students' personal account OR the "General Fund". The general fund is the term we use to describe the account used to help pay for the many activities of the Drury High School Band, other than the trip. Some of these other activities include - 1) bringing outside performing groups to Drury, 2) commissioning a composition, 3) hiring a guest conductor, soloist or clinician to come to work with our band, or 4) giving meal money on short trips / Uncle Sam Parade.
HOW PAYMENTS ARE MADE
All payments due to band must be made IN THE FORM OF A CHECK! If customers pay you in cash, we ask you to convert the cash into a check or money order made payable to: Drury High School Band. NOTE: your own personal checks are perfectly acceptable too.
EXCESS MONEY/REFUNDS
2 FAMILY MEMBERS IN BAND
Every year a number of families/students earn more money for the band than is necessary for that student to participate in the trip. THIS IS GOOD! The money will be spent wisely! Each person earning more than the necessary amount towards the trip will receive a REFUND. Refunds will range from $5.00 to $25.00 calculated by the amount of money you have earned over the required amount, multiplied by 33%. Refunds will not exceed $25.00. We feel this is only fair because the money was raised under the premise that the money was going to "the band", not to a students' spending money. If a student has raised money during the year but does not go on the trip, the money will stay in the general fund with ONE exception. Any money that is PAID (as opposed to raised during fund-raisers) by the student will be refunded - only if that money is not lost to the company sponsoring the trip due to last minute cancellations. Due to the complexity of this issue, decisions will be made on a case by case basis. If there are two or more members from the same household in band or band front, that family will be expected to fund-raise a different % of the cost of 1 person attending the trip. EXAMPLE: If the trip costs $400.00 then this family would not be expected to raise $800.00 but might be expected to raise $600.00. In EACH instance, refunds or cost for multiple students will be calculated based on that particular trip and family circumstances.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT BANQUET
Each year we celebrate the accomplishments of our students in the music department by holding a banquet. This is our way of saying thank you for all of their hard work and to let them know how proud the community is of their accomplishments. Through some of our fund-raising efforts we are able to charge just the cost of the meal for members of the family while the high school musician goes for free. This event is traditionally held in the spring and is an occasion that no one should miss.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year the Band Parents (at our Awards Banquet) have the honor of presenting many scholarships to deserving seniors AND underclassmen. Three types of scholarships exist. 1.Senior Scholarships & Paul Hartery Memorial Scholarship - reserved for deserving senior band or band front members! 2. Summer-Assistance Scholarships - presented to underclassmen that deserve financial assistance in attending a summer music camp or in taking private lessons over the summer. 3. Whitney Memorial Scholarship - begun 20 years ago by Bill Whitney with a large gift of money set aside to honor the graduating senior who has given the most to the band in their 4 years at Drury. Application forms for ALL of these scholarships are available from Mr. Jenkins in early April and are usually due before May to enable the various committees to meet and determine the recipients.
Please NOTE: Dr. Richard M. Ziter has established a Scholarship that is a 4-YEAR award given to a Drury graduate who is majoring in music. Vocal and instrumental students are eligible for this scholarship - the forms may be obtained from the Guidance Department.
PHONE DIRECTORY
President: Maura Hawkins: 802-694-1620
Vice President: Beth Bator: 664-8052
Secretary: Diane Simpson: 663-9823
Treasurer: Priti Shah: 664-7488
Alumni: Gene & Justyna Carlson 663-7146
Band Director: Carl Jenkins: 662-3240 ext. 3309 - / home if necessary-458-8240
Band Front Advisor: Diane Burdick: 413-822-0953
INSTALLMENT PLAN
After the destination of our Spring Trip is finalized, and a cost is determined, you will receive notice of an installment plan. The notice will be included in a newsletter and will give you enough advance notice not only to make the payment but also to ask any questions that might arise. If you and your child participate fully in the fundraisers you may exceed the amount needed for these installments. We institute the installment plan for two reasons: 1) so that a large payment is NOT due all at once in the spring, and 2) to enable the Parents Assoc. to make payments to tour companies during the winter months. Please address questions you might have concerning this plan FIRST to your student treasurer.
CITRUS FRUIT SALE
Our annual fruit sale has become one of our more popular fund raising projects. "Pre-paid" orders are taken in November by the parents and students for fresh Florida oranges and grapefruits. Delivery is usually in early December to insure delicious holiday gifts. If questions arise call Beth Bator (664-8052).
DRURY HIGH SCHOOL BAND CONCESSION
From time to time the Drury Band concession sells soda, popcorn and candy bars during concerts and other musical or civic events throughout the school year. It is staffed by parent and student volunteers. The money raised at this concession goes directly into our scholarship fund. This fund-raiser does not go towards any individual student accounts but is equally important for the good of the entire band. Parents wishing to help with this fund-raiser should contact Mrs. Hawkins - 802-694-1620.
MUSIC DEPT. AD BOOK
The Ad Book is a project used to help students raise money for their personal account and for the general fund. The ad book (88 pages last year) is distributed at all high school concerts to advertise those individuals and businesses that support the Drury High School Music Program. The ad book committee meets during September to distribute forms and ad assignments. One person is sent to each of the area businesses. A second meeting is held in late October to collect the ad materials (ad COPY and size of the ad) and the money. Collection of the ad money is the responsibility of the person selling the ad. The band members are encouraged to sell Patrons and Sponsors for the ad book as well. The lists of Patrons and Sponsors must be returned to Mr. Jenkins by a designated date in order to meet printing schedules. 100% of the Patron and Sponsor money and approximately 45% of the ad cost are credited to the students' account. Contact: Pete or Lisa Milanesi (664-8260). NOTE: ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING - Wednesday, September 12th - Bandroom - 6:30 P.M.
ROCK-A-THON
Each year, for the past 20 years, band and band front students are given the opportunity to raise money for their account by participating in the Annual Rock-a-Thon. This event takes place at the high school where students rock in rocking chairs for 12 hours (8 P.M. - 8 A.M.) while watching countless video movies, consuming large amounts of "junk" food and waiting for the Energizer Bunny to appear! Students raise the money by getting "pledges" from parents, friends, relatives, neighbors, etc. either as an hourly pledge or as a "total" pledge. 100% of the pledged and collected money is deposited in the students' personal account. It may come as a surprise to you - this has been one of our biggest fund-raisers in the past - not bad for 12 hours work (and a bit of recovery time)!
CAR WASH / "No Bake"- BAKE SALE
Each year the students usually organize and run a car wash and a "No Bake" bake sale in the late summer to raise money for the general fund. The car wash/bake sale takes place usually at Stop & Shop or Price Chopper with the students organizing two-hour work groups to help wash cars. Everyone is asked to wash cars contribute to our "NO-BAKE" Bake Sale. Due to summer commitments, we understand if people are out of town. If you don't get a call and wish to help, by all means call a band or band front officer or Mr. Jenkins - no one will be denied their right to GET WET!
DISCOUNT CARD SALE
For the past 16+ years the band has chosen to sell a "Drury Band Discount Card" for $5.00 around the holiday season. The card (the size of a credit card) entitles the owner to various discounts at a wide variety of local businesses for an ENTIRE YEAR! Discounts are listed in various ways: 10% off/ 2 for 1/ $2-3 off a pizza/ buy a burger-get a free soda.
Contact Person: Maura Hawkins (802-694-1620) - PS- looking for some help!!
PIZZA KITS (Fresh)
Last year the band sold Pizza Kits from Little Ceasars. Orders were taken and approximately 1 - 2 weeks later the various kits arrived on a specific day for student and parent delivery. The kits (which included various types of toppings and styles of crusts as well as other products like Cheese Bread, Choc. Chip Cookie-Dough, and Cinnamon Sticks) all arrived Fresh on a refrigerated truck. Delivery of the product to the customers must be prompt! We anticipate selling this product again this school year. Contact Person: Priti Shah-664-7488 or Connie Tatro 664-9402.
"Teaching music is not my main purpose.
I want to make good citizens.
If a child hears fine music from the day of their birth,
and learns to play it themselves, they develop sensitivity,
discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart."
~Shinichi Suzuki~
