BAND PARENT MEETING
Sept. 17, 2012
CALLED TO ORDER: 8:03 pm
OPENING REMARKS (David Steinberger): Welcome to the first band meeting of 2012. Great turnout -- we hope
to have this many people at every meeting! We’ve had a fabulous response from the incoming freshman class.
There are a lot of new band students this year, and everything is going well so far this season.
ATTENDEES: Katherine Bivins, Lisa Gurin, Cathy Impemba, Andrea Romano, Glenn Black, Dina Eovaldi, Chris &
Jim Thomas, Stephanie Williams, Lori & Chris Labudde, Tim Ardanowski, Lisa Jo Kuhn, Gita Khatri-Tyza, Doreen
Orlando, Sarah Bojanowski, Lisa Chretien, Leigh Anne Scherman, Melissa Cousineau, David & Donna Steinberger,
Faith Knoll, Blair Malian, Bonnie Pepper, Sheila Dettloff, Risa Hsu
I. NEEDS OF THE DIRECTOR
 Black stands were purchased end of last year
 New percussion line is next:
o This year’s drumline for MB is maxed out – all equipment is being used (3 quads, 5 bass drums, 4
snares). Equipment is old, so there are no replacement parts. At some point a new percussion
line will be necessary to meet the band’s needs.
 New uniforms: Our current uniforms are 14 years old, and are really showing the wear and tear. We will
soon get to the point where we do not have enough good uniforms to dress all the kids on the field,
especially if we have another big freshman class. Ms. Hsu is putting together a proposal to send to the
school board. Approximate cost (no bells or whistles) is $80k.
II. TREASURER’S REPORT:
We are in the process of redistributing the money into the proper accounts. The board office combined all
accounts over the summer, and decided last week to separate everything back into 6 separate accounts. More
detailed account information will be made available next month. The student accounts posted in the band room
are up-to-date as of this month, with the exception of freshmen – Faith is adding the freshmen and they will
show up on the list in the band room soon.
III. FUNDRAISING:
 Bottle drive was very successful: more than $3,000 was raised
 Tag days are Oct. 12-14. This takes place at Kroger, and students will sign up in 2-3 hour shifts to
play and take donations for the band.
 Band apparel will be for sale in a couple weeks – look for flyers coming home
 Cheesecake fundraiser will start by the end of the month
IV. PARENT HELP
 Continue to watch the Boosters website (dhsboosters.com) for volunteer opportunities. Each
shift helping at concessions earns the band $37.
 Thanks to everyone who volunteered and helped make this year’s band camp and the Richmond
parade successful!
 Thank you to those who have contacted Susan and Tammy to help in the stands during games.

Thanks also to those who volunteered to help with dinner setup/clean-up for Homecoming and
for those who have volunteered to donate pop and desserts. Response has been huge in just 24
hours.
V. MARCHING BAND
 Early release on Wed., Sept. 19. Rehearsal will be 1:45-4:30.
 Game this Friday, Sept. 21, vs. Eisenhower. 5:30 call time in full uniform.
 Friday, Sept. 28 – Homecoming. Students will participate in pep assembly during the day, then parade
and game. Parade call time is 4pm. The parade starts on Shenandoah, with the kids being bussed there,
and they march back. Students may not leave between parade and game (there will just be time to eat
between parade and getting ready for game – pizza is being provided). Attire: 2012 MB t-shirt for pep
assembly, summer uniform for parade, full uniforms for game.
VI. CONCERT BANDS
 Info on Collage Concert tickets will come out beginning of October. Tickets will be $5. The concert will
most likely sell out this year – this year’s bands and choirs are all bigger than last year.
 The new Dakota Bands website is now live – dakotabands.com. We need photos for the website,
particularly of Concert, Symphonic, Wind and Jazz Bands, Winter Guard, Winter Drum Line, and special
events (such as the Chicago or Florida trips, solo/ensemble, Honors Band). Email photos to
swalshdettloff@gmail.com
VII. WINTER DRUM LINE/WINTER GUARD
 Winter Drum Line and Winter Guard are an extension of marching band. They are more specialized and
perform indoors throughout the winter. Rehearsal is usually 2 afternoons or 2 nights a week. There are
no guarantees yet that there will be a season this year. Anyone in band/color guard is eligible – you do
not need to be a percussion player or have previous color guard experience.
 Once you do a season of Winter Guard or Winter Drum Line, you have to participate in Marching Band if
you want to continue participating in the winter program. There will be more information as we get
closer to the season.
IX. UPCOMING EVENTS
 Sept. 21: Home Game – 5:30 call time, full uniform
 Sept. 28: Homecoming (see above)
 Oct. 6: Scholastic Marching Band competition at Brandon High School in Ortonville, time TBD.
Depending on performance time, there will probably be an early rehearsal before we get on the bus. An
itinerary will be sent out when performance time is determined.
 Oct. 8: 4th Marching Band payment is due ($75). Band parent meeting at 7pm
 Oct. 9/10: MSBOA Marching Band Festival (time and location TBD, but will likely perform later in the
evening). An itinerary will be sent out when time/location are confirmed. Possible locations are
Stevenson, Troy HS, Warren Mott or Port Huron. Rain dates are Oct. 16/17.
 Oct. 12-14: Tag Days
 Oct. 16 and 23: Concert Band rehearsal 2:30-3:30
 Oct. 19: Senior Night/8th Grade Night at the game. Seniors will be introduced on the field before the
game with their parents.
 Oct. 25: Collage Concert (see ticket info above in Concert Bands section)
 Oct. 27/28: All State Auditions (this affects only a few students, mainly seniors in Wind Ensemble)
Open forum:
 The Boosters voted tonight to change their bylaws to four general meetings per year instead of eight.
Do we want to go to every other month to stay on the Boosters schedule, or still meet once a month? A
vote was taken, and we will continue to have a monthly meeting per the vote.
o Next parent meeting Oct. 8 at 7pm in band room.
o Nov. 12 parent meeting will be after booster meeting (about 8pm).
 Boosters Board situation next year: About 5 of the people who hold positions on the Boosters board will
be leaving after this year. This will put a big hit on the booster board. The band program parents have
always been very involved in the Boosters board. It’s a great connection between our group and theirs,
particularly when we need or want something from them, and vice versa. They will be losing the
president and secretary, plus 3 or 4 other positions. If anyone is interested in an upcoming Boosters
board position, especially if you are going to be around Dakota for several years, please attend the next
meeting on Nov. 12 and talk to a board member. They have offered to let people shadow their position
for the rest of the year. The Boosters have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to all organizations
in the school, with a very large part going to band. Some of the things purchased with booster money
over the years include: scaffold, flatbed trailer, gator, color guard flags, and drum line equipment.