Plainfield High School Band Boosters

Band camp reminds me of the military boot camps. It is hard, it is tough, it is sweaty, but we cannot succeed without it. To excel, band members had to endure 100 degrees, 100% humidity, aches and pain. As I watched them, I wondered how many would quit. The first day passed, the second day, the last day – wow, you all made it. "The secret of joy in work is contained in one word -- excellence."

Congratulations to all of the members of the Plainfield Red Pride Marching Band on a job very well done. Thanks for your patience, your smiles, and your positive attitude. You toughened up and it will pay off big time. I know you already have a lot of memories and will have more as the season progress. All of us -- parents, staff and director -- are so proud of you. Thank you freshman class for your endurance and patience. Thank you sophomores and juniors for your great support to the freshmen class and obedience to the senior class, and thank you seniors for your leadership and being excellent role models for your band.

Thank you to all the parents who supported the band before, during and after the camp. All of you parents who tried your best to be there for your kids, supporting them and feeding them with all these delicious cold snacks that made the end of each day a celebration. "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."

Thank you band staff for carrying on the responsibilities 200% all the time, especially in Mr. Roberts’s absence due to his mother’s death. You showed us how a great support team you are. "We all carry it within us: supreme strength, the fullness of wisdom, unquenchable joy. It is never thwarted, and cannot be destroyed."

And last but not least, thank you Mr. Roberts, for making our kids’ experience a wonderful time in their life. Thank you for giving your best to our kids every year. Even as you needed to focus on your family, you worried about the band. "Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing."

FESTIVAL DRAWS STATE’S BEST

Our Marching Band Festival is once again attracting some of Indiana’s best bands. We’ve just learned that Jasper, Greenwood, Brownsburg and Tri-West will be in Plainfield on September 17 – and we expect conformation from others within days. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss it!

HATS OFF TO SOME GREAT FOLKS!

Hats off to the following parents for their participation during band camp (and to anyone whose name we inadvertently forgot):

- Tom Travis for taking pictures during band camp week and posting them to http://PlainfieldBands.org

- Glenda Thompson for organizing snacks and refreshments.

- Ken Thompson and for organizing the cookout on Friday, and his grilling/serving/cleanup team, which included Janice Kidwell, Bob Milligan, Jim Baker, Andrea Flood, Tony Perona, Ken Walker, Tom Shutters, Toby Shutters, and Randi Brinker.

- Parents who donated and/or served snacks to the band members during camp week: Jeanne Milligan, Lori Bloomer, Scott Flood, Val Walker, Gail Bloom, Marcie Jasper, Janice Kidwell, Mrs. Parrot, Sylvia McNeil, Donna Gaither, Peggy Seprodi, and Terri Beal.

TRASH BAG SALES

This fall, we’re selling trash bags to help raise funds for the band. We’ve decided to take a direct sales approach. If the response is good we’ll take additional orders for another shipment. Because of restrictions put on school organizations, this project will need to be parent-driven. The students will not be involved as they might be in the pizza sales and similar fundraisers.

We plan to set up booths at the Band Festival in September, school concerts, and encourage word-of-mouth orders. We’re hoping to get permission to set up a booth at the home football games. With fall being just around the corner this is a perfect time to sell and buy trash bags.

We have white 18 gallon kitchen bags at $9 for a roll of 75, yellow 39 gallon bags at $9 for a roll of 25, and black 55-60 gallon bags at $9 for a roll of 25. Tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family about this great deal! If you have any questions, please contact Bill Bloom (839-4806) or Randi Brinker (838-7569).

WHAT’S THE FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE UP TO?

In addition to offering a lot of moral support, the Band Boosters provides substantial financial support to the PHS band program.

We’re always looking for great ideas, and this year’s Fundraising Committee has hit on a very creative one: making ID bracelets! Committee Chair Tina Wheeler makes jewelry as a hobby and is looking for some parents who want to help the band and learn a new hobby at the same time.

The bracelets will be in PHS colors with letters that spell out "PHS BAND," and she hopes to have 100 ready for the Marching Band Festival. She says that the materials cost between $3 and $4, and plans to sell the bracelets for $8 each. Tina is also planning to have a signup at the Festival for personalized items, and will bring samples to the August 23 meeting.

Interested in helping? Send Tina an email at tinawheeler1011@comcast.net and include your phone number as well as the day/night of the week that works best for you. She’s also welcoming suggestions for fundraisers – and wishes everyone a happy band season!

BEEN TO OUR WEBSITE?

Have you visited http://PlainfieldBands.org yet? We launched the Plainfield Red Pride Band Booster Website at the beginning of Band Camp. You’ll find the most recent pictures, announcements, newsletters, fundraising information, as well merchandise you can buy. The Discussion Board or "blog" is your opportunity to post and reply to questions, comments, quick announcements, or any other information useful to the Band Boosters. Tom Travis even promises video clips once the band starts performing this year.

Our site has already been viewed by hundreds of people and is continuing to become more and more popular with parents, relatives, students, teachers, and the community as a whole. If you have not visited yet, you are missing out on the opportunity to stay informed and learn about what is happening with the Plainfield Bands and Guard. If you've been taking digital pictures that you think would look good on the site, please submit them to TTravis@PlainfieldBands.org.

We’ll continue publishing this newsletter and sending it out in e-mail, but you’ll find the most up-to-date information (updated daily) at http://PlainfieldBands.org.

LOOKING FOR WORK?

If you want to help at the September 17 Band Festival and don't already have an assigned job, the Bus Driver Hospitality Room needs you! Please contact Glenda Thompson, 839-1654, for details.

Or contact chairpersons Toby Shutters (tshutters@yahoo.com, 837-8954) or Suzanne Kamel-Mohamed (skamel@clarian.org, 839-1704) to learn other ways you can help.

MECHANICALLY INCLINED?

We’re having a work day for pit carts and the semi-trailer on Saturday, August 27 from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Email Ken Thompson at kthompson2@indy.rr.com if you can attend.

CAN YOU DONATE SOMETHING?

The band uses many items on a continual basis during the marching season. Could you donate one or more of the following items? We’d appreciate it! You or your band student may drop them off in the band room – and thanks in advance for your support!

Uniform needs

- disinfectant spray and paper towels (for cleaning hats)

- liquid laundry soap

- black electrical tape

- black cotton socks

- pop-up furniture wipes (to shine shoes)

- bobby pins

- hairnets or legs cut off old pantyhose

Decorations for busses

- plastic red/blue table cloths to cut for streamers

- computer generated signs

Refreshments

- bags of candy

- cartons of pop and individual-size Gatorade, Hawaiian Punch, Sunny D etc.

For Use at Contest Sites

- large trash bags

- duct tape, gray and/or transparent

- flashlights w/batteries

- lanterns w/ batteries

- 9v batteries

BAND BOOSTER APPAREL STILL AVAILABLE

We're planning to place another order in late August, so if you'd like to purchase any of these items, see Jeanne Milligan, or call her at 839-7328. (*Items with an asterisk can be personalized.)

Polo Parent shirt* $23

Tie-dyed shirt $13

Crew sweatshirt $20

Hooded sweatshirt $26

House flag* $30

Small flag $15

Yard sign* $20

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Mark your calendar with these upcoming dates!

Tues., Aug. 16 School starts!

Thurs., Aug. 18 Pizza sale starts

Fri., Aug. 19 Performance at home football game

Tues., Aug. 23 7:30 p.m. Band Booster meeting at PHS

Mon., Aug. 29 Pizza sale ends

Sat. Sept. 17 Red Pride Marching Band Festival

Please help your student remember these rehearsals:

Tues., Aug. 16 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Thurs., Aug. 18 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 20 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Mini-Band Cmap)

Mon., Aug. 22 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Tues., Aug. 23 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Thurs., Aug. 25 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Mon., Aug. 29 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Tues., Aug. 30 6 to 8:30 p.m.

PHS BAND BOOSTER BLAST

Scott Flood, editor – send submissions to blast@sfwriting.com

Tom Travis, publisher – to unsubscribe, send request to TTravis@PlainfieldBands.org

Brad Roberts, band director – broberts@plainfield.k12.in.us

Dates, times, places, and everything else are subject to change so please visit this website often!