www.chsbb.com
CHEROKEE HIGH SCHOOL
Department of Instrumental Music
120 Tomlinson Mill Road
Marlton, NJ 08053
(856) 983-5140 Ext. 2206
May 2014
Cherokee Marching Band Members and Parents,
Welcome to another promising season of exciting performances, unparalleled teamwork, new
challenges, and great expectations with the Cherokee High School Marching Band. Our growth in
enrollment, maturity, and musicianship will afford us new opportunities for success and many
memorable moments together.
After two years at Camp Kweebec, the marching band camp will return to Camp Green Lane in
Lansdale, PA during the second week of August. Please note that the Color Guard and Percussion
sections begin their annual camps at Cherokee HS during the first week of August.
Following the summer practices and respective camps, the band members look forward to the
thrill of performing in front of thousands of crazed marching band fans. We will return to compete in
the New Jersey State Championships at Rutgers University Stadium in New Brunswick, NJ, the Annual
Cherokee Classic at Cherokee High School, and the US Bands National Championships at the J. Birney
Crum Stadium in Allentown, PA for the 2014 season.
The annual parent/student meeting will take place in the North Media Center on Wednesday,
June 11 at 7:00 PM. All new parents and returning parents are encouraged to attend this informational
meeting. The meeting will consist of Band Camp information, practice schedules, uniform information,
and band policies. Students will report for practice at 5:30 PM, with all equipment/ instruments
necessary to participate in the marching and music rehearsal. Please note - wearing jeans or sandals to
practice is not safe, and will result in your dismissal from the practice.
th
Please thoroughly review the newly revised Cherokee Band Handbook for procedures, policies,
forms, calendars, and more… Each family’s proactive approach to planning, scheduling, and committing
to the schedule of events is invaluable to the success of the Cherokee High School Marching Band as a
whole. Remember that marching band is a Varsity Letter activity where every member has the
opportunity to not sit the bench.
I am anxiously anticipating the opportunity to lead and direct the Cherokee High School
Marching Band in another successful season. I look forward to meeting and speaking with you at the
Wednesday, June 11th orientation meeting.
Sincerely,
D. Michael Lynch
Director of Bands
Cherokee High School
CHEROKEE BAND BOOSTERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
P.O. Box 366
Marlton, NJ 08053
May 21, 2014
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to the 2014-2015 Cherokee Band! If you are a returning Band parent, thank you
for your participation during the past year! We are looking forward to your continued enthusiastic
support which has become the hallmark of the Cherokee Band Boosters!
If you and your child are new to the Cherokee Band Program, I invite you to join one of the
finest parent organizations at Cherokee High School. The Cherokee Band Boosters work
throughout the year in support of the students, directors and staff of the Marching Band, Color
Guard, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble. Being part of the Band
Boosters not only benefits our children, it is also a great way to meet other parents and become an
active participant in our children’s Cherokee High School experience.
Preparations are already underway for the 2014 Marching Band season, which promises to
be a truly exciting year! A dramatic show, a challenging schedule, and two enthusiastic Band
Directors who are committed to taking Cherokee Band to the next level of excellence – we have so
much to look forward to!
Please make note of the following:
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You are now attending the official first meeting of the 2014/15 season.
All Checks are made out to CHSBB
Due by 6/25 (or tonight) – Packet that includes: Apparel order, camp deposit,
Booster membership, dinkles & parent permission form.
Due by 7/23 (or earlier) – Final Band Camp Payment of $200
Due by 8/6 (or earlier) – all Medical forms and medicine for camp
8/6 at 7:00 pm - Mandatory Parent Meeting for Band Camp in the Recital
hall
We have a great website which is kept update with all the latest news. Any information you
may need will be on the website www.chsbb.com or on Mr. Lynch’s e-board mlynch.lrhsd.org
Because the different Band programs run the entire school year Band Boosters is an active
organization 12 months of the year.
Again, on behalf of the Booster Executive Board, welcome to the 2014 Band season! If you have
any questions regarding the Cherokee Band Boosters or the parent meetings, please email me at
jen4thiel@verizon.net or call me at 856-985-6112
Sincerely,
Jennifer Thiel, President
Cherokee Band Boosters
Cherokee High School Band Boosters
Meeting Schedule 2014-2015
Meetings are generally held on the second Wednesday of each month
in the Recital Hall (next to the Band Room) at 7:30 PM
(Dates could change if meetings conflict with school holidays and start time could be
moved to 7pm for certain meetings such as the first two meetings)
June 11th –MANDATORY MEETING FOR ALL BAND PARENTS 7:00pm
August 6th -- MANDATORY Parent/Student Meeting for Band Camp 7:00pm
September 10 – 7:30 PM
October 8 – 7:30 PM
November 12 – 7:30 PM
January 14 – 7:30 PM
February 11 – 7:30 PM
March 11 – 7:30 PM
April 8 – 7:30 PM
May 13 – 7:30 PM
In June, the Boosters will host the Band Awards Night. This is held in the North
Cafeteria and is attended by all Cherokee Band & Color Guard students and their
families. Date is to be determined.
BOOSTER EXECUTIVE BOARD
2014-2015
Jennifer Thiel, President
Kevin Callaghan, 1st Vice President
Kate Zentar, 2nd Vice President
Tracy Goodman, Treasurer
, Treasurer Elect
Paul Smith, Corresponding Sec
Lisa Gladstone, Recording Secretary
Joan Horner, Color Guard Liaison
856 985 6112
856-816-3152
866-982-9075
856-797-0742
jen4thiel@verizon.net
kpcallaghan@comcast.net
katezentar@gmail.com
TLPGoody@yahoo.com
609-257-8254
609-410-2286
856-596-9609
wordsmithing@comcast.net
mytwinglesrock@verizon.net
decgirlsmom@yahoo.com
What to expect…A PARENT INITIATION…
Welcome to Cherokee Marching Band season! For those of you who are new to marching band
- you are in for a treat! The Marching Band Season can seem overwhelming at times, but can
also be one of the most rewarding things your child can participate in at Cherokee!
Marching Band consists of Performances and Competitions. Performances are at football
games (usually Friday Nights), parades, pep rallies, etc. Competitions are usually on
Saturdays—some are local, some are not. Parents generally attend both the performances and
competitions whenever possible.
At home football games, the band performs at half time and the band parents sit all the way to
the right, near the band, up high in the stands. At away football games, the parents will sit in
the competitors stands prior to the game as the band performs facing the home team before
the game starts. At competitions, the Cherokee band boosters generally wear Cherokee orange
and sit together around the 50 yard line up high in the stands. Buses always take the kids—the
parents either carpool for long distance competitions or drive themselves for the more local
events. The competitions are what these kids are working for so they want parental support at
these events!
Prior to each competition, Mr. Lynch will send an itinerary for the competition. On that
itinerary will be the rough performance time for Cherokee. It will be sent to you via email by
band booster volunteers—we could go on at 10am, we could go on at 10pm—each competition
is different. Sometimes we won’t know our time slot till late the night before. Remember -- The
time slot we are given in advance is only an estimate—plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before
our time slot to allow for parking, purchasing tickets, findings seats, etc.
Competitions have entrance fees—usually about $10 give or take. In addition, students will
often bring money to buy a snack after their performance. For the big competitions like the
Yamaha Cup in Giants Stadium and Nationals—the tickets might be sold in advance but all other
ticket purchases are at the door. Even though parents are present at the competitions, band
members must ride home in the bus with the band to help unload instruments, have a post
competition meeting, and hang up their uniforms. You will pick them up at Cherokee. Some of
these nights can get late!
We have been a Group 4 A or 5 A school competing in the USBands organization. That is one of
the larger sized bands – but not the largest—we will be at competitions with group 1’s and with
group 6’s. There are 2 divisions – A and Open. We will most likely be completing during
teacher’s convention (DON’T PLAN ANYTHING FOR NJEA CONFERENCE WEEKEND)
continued
Scoring at competitions is very confusing! There is a 400 point maximum in various categories
and then that gets converted to an overall score out of 100 – this is from the USBands website:
Music Performance - Individual
400 x .050 = 20.000
Music Performance - Ensemble
400 x .050 = 20.000
Visual Performance
400 x .075 = 30.000
Overall Effect Judge 1
400 x .0375 = 15.000
Overall Effect Judge 2
400 x .0375 = 15.000
Total possible Score 100.000
Example
Music Performance - Individual
375.0 x .050 = 18.750
Music Performance - Ensemble
380.0 x .050 = 19.000
Visual Performance
360.0 x .075 = 27.000
Overall Effect Judge 1
364.0 x .0375 = 13.650
Overall Effect Judge 2
368.0 x .0375 = 13.800
Total Score 92.050
Last thing—you will see things like air grams and candy grams sold at competitions—air grams
are when the announcer says a message to your student over the loud speaker as the band
marches onto the field. Usually you will hear things like—“have a great competition John” or
just silly inside jokes. Candy grams are just that—candy that you can buy and send to your child
that gets delivered to them after they compete. Now—the only thing you have left to do…at
competitions the announcer will say… “drum major is the band ready?”…and, as a Cherokee
parent it is your obligation to yell back--- THEY’RE ALWAYS READY!!!! 
What is Expected of Parents….
Now that you know what to expect, what is expected of you?
All Cherokee Band parents are expected to attend monthly
meetings, participate in a minimum of 2 band events and 2
band fundraisers throughout the entire year. The requirements
are consistent with every other booster organization in
Cherokee. WE CAN’T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU and YOU WILL
GET MORE OUT OF THIS THAN YOU GIVE!! This is a terrific way
to be involved in your child’s life as they become young adults!
Cherokee Band Booster Volunteer Opportunities
Pit Crew - Parents that help to transport the marching band equipment/instruments on
and off the field before and after performances and/or transport the equipment to and
from competitions. Pit Crew members attend all events/football games for free for
events in which they are working.
Cherokee Classic Home Competition October 25, 2014- our annual home
competition—nearly every parent helps out in some way for this big event—tickets/food
service/security/parking/judges hospitality/ ad book/ etc—something for everyone!
Cherokee Classic Ad Book- collating and organizing the ad book for the home
competition
Merchandise Table at Football Games- work a quarter for one game or more
August Car Wash – another fun outing—the kids wash with a little parent supervision
Late winter/early spring Bowling Party-organizing/assisting with a bowling event
General Volunteer- can’t decide—pick this!
Yankee Candle Sale – fall fundraiser sale—we have a chair—could use a helper or
two
Cinderella Cheesecake Sale– another fall fundraiser sale—we have a chair—could
use a helper or two
Spring Dinner Auction at Indian Springs Country Club- need lots of helpers on this
one
Jazz Band Competition – our home competition- usually in March- the NJ prelims –
just like the marching band home competition- jobs for everyone on this one
Restaurant Nights- our chairperson is graduating out—someone to set up fundraising
nights at local restaurants where a % is given to the band—all the leg work has been
done in the past—just re-contacting and establishing dates for the coming year
Roadside Cleanups –assisting with our service project of cleaning up a part of
Hopewell road—usually on a Saturday morning a few times a year – if children attend
THEIR parent must be present
MANDATORY CHEROKEE MARCHING BAND APPAREL
All students MUST return their clothing order form no later than June 25th. Please
give your form and payment to Mr. Lynch at any practice prior to the 25th, place it in
the North Main Office mailbox, or turn in at the first mandatory meeting today.
WARM-UPS and Tour Shirts:
All Cherokee Marching Band and Color Guard students must wear a Cherokee
Band Warm-Up (Jacket and Pants). These warm-ups are used during inclement
weather and during performance throughout the school year. The student can
use the same warm up suit for multiple years. Samples of these items will be
available at the May practice/meeting, for sizing purposes.
Warm-ups will be worn before and after all competition performances, when students
are not in full Cherokee Band uniform. Warm-ups will:
a)
b)
c)
d)
save on the wear-and-tear of our new Marching Band uniforms;
easily accommodate layering as the weather turns cold and, possibly, wet;
give our Band a polished, dignified appearance during “down time”;
Remind our students that they are representing Cherokee High School, both
on and off the field, and must behave accordingly.
Tour Shirts: a short-sleeve t-shirt, designed specifically for this year’s show. It will
have the show’s theme on the front, and the Band’s “Tour Dates” listed on the back.
All t-shirts are standard adult sizes. Each student gets one tour shirt included in their
band camp fees. You can purchase OPTIONAL additional tour shirts. It is highly
recommended to do so as these shirts are part of their mandatory uniform and they
will often wear them until late in the night at a Friday football game and then need it
again first thing the next morning for a Saturday competition.
Color Guard
Information
Dear Cherokee High School Color Guard and Parents/ Guardians,
To those who are new to the program, Welcome to Color Guard and to those who are
returning, Welcome Back.
It’s hard to believe we are planning our 2014- 2015 Marching Band Season. Mr. Lynch and the
executive board are working hard on the Marching Band handbook, order forms, permission
slips, and dates. There are a few things you should know as a Color Guard
member/parent/guardian.
1. Color Guard members are part of the Cherokee Marching band. All members of the
marching band will need to purchase the Cherokee Band Warm up Suit as part of their
uniform. (You do NOT have to purchase the warm up suit every year.)
2. Color Guard does NOT purchase dinkles (these are marching band shoes).
3. All Color Guard Members/Marching Band Members receive 1 Tour T-shirt each year.
Additional T-shirts may be purchased on apparel order form if desired.
4. The color guard members will have an outfit that has been selected by the band and
color guard directors. There is an additional fee for the color guard uniform and the
uniform belongs to you. The outfit selected is based on the theme of the show. The cost
of the color guard outfit varies each year, but it has been as high $185.
5. The color guard members will also need to purchase some accessories such as make up,
hair gel, bobbie pins etc. for performances.
6. Color Guard will have a “Color Guard Camp” held at Cherokee Monday, August 4th Thursday, August 7th.
7. There will be a Band Camp Monday, August 11th @ CHS 9:00AM and then Tuesday
August 12th - Saturday, August 16th@ Camp Green Lane in Pennsylvania. Band Camp
is required for all members. The total cost of the camp will be contained in the band
camp information packet. Costs include transportation, meals and lodging in a cabin.
I am looking forward to an exciting season.
Joan Horner
Color Guard Liaison
FORMS TO BE RETURNED tonight
or by June 25th
 Booster registration
 Apparel order form (even if not ordering extra so we have your tour
shirt size)
 Dinkle order form (if applicable)
 Parent Permission Form
 Finance Form & Check made out to: CHSBB
(if you would like to return forms tonight but your child is not here to sign
permission form, you can still turn in tonight and the student can sign form
later in school)
*Second Band Camp Payment
Due by July 23rd - $200
Forms to be returned on August 6th
 Overnight stay permission form
 any applicable medication forms and medications
Medication forms are optional--- most require a physician’s signature so please look them over now and
don’t wait until August to begin to complete!
ALL Medications – even Tums or Rolaids --even over the counter allergy medicine—even
Advil—even vitamins - need a physician signature. These forms will also cover any other overnight
trips during the school year, so please make sure your doctor uses the time frame of August 6, 2014-end
of school year 2015, if you would like.
Tylenol can be given with only a parent signature IF you return that form. These forms will work for the
entire school year and do not need to be repeated in September.
If you will be providing medication for your child to take with him/her- please provide a clearly labeled
bottle with the original pharmacy label if it is an Rx medication or an unopened bottle whenever
possible if it is an over the counter medicine. Place medications in a Ziploc bag labeled with your
child’s name. If possible, bring this medication to the nurse prior to the August 6th meeting.
Medications will be collected at the August 6th meeting only for those that require no personal
conversation.
IF YOUR CHILD IS DIABETIC, HAS ASTHMA, OR CARRIES AN EPI-PEN there are additional forms you must
complete. They can be found at: www.lrhsd.org>Cherokee>Departments>Nurse>Medical Information
and Forms>and you will see the additional forms on the left.
IF YOUR CHILD IS DIABETIC, HAS ASTHMA, OR CARRIES AN EPI-PEN please contact the school nurse
PRIOR to the August 6th Band Boosters pre band camp meeting. The nurse attending camp will be one
of the following nurses listed:
CHS Nurse Contact information:
Main # 856 983-5140
North FAX: (856) 810-4378
Health Office
Melissa Molloie RN
Deidre Golden RN
Extension 2245 (during school year & over summer)
Extension 2307
Extension 2218
The August 6th meeting is an overview meeting only. It is not possible to discuss individual health
concerns due to time and privacy issues.
ALL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR BAND
CAN ALWAYS BE FOUND ON www.chsbb.com