Arcadia Music Club

General Meeting

September 17, 2002

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by President, Michael Green.

Mike thanked everyone for attending and for all their hard work.  Special thanks were given to Coyla Grumm, Jim and Margaret Barrows, Maria and Raul Diaz, Ed and Terry Schreiner and Mr. Frank Forbes.

Polly Green then read a summary of letters from the Board of Education expressing appreciation for donations totaling $182,251.95.  Polly also read a letter from Katie Eifert thanking the music club for the support she has received through the years and for being a recipient of one of the Kenneth Weidaw scholarships.

Minutes

The minutes of the May 21, 2002 General Meeting were approved as read.

Treasurer’s Report

Sandy DeSurra, treasurer, presented the treasurer’s report as of September 17, 2002.

Committee Reports –

Membership

Paul Westphal reported that 293 memberships had been sold to date for a total of $17,300.  Paul then explained the eScrip/Scrip Club membership discount given for new scrip subscribers and the potential future annuity to the music club.  Approximately 10% took advantage of the scrip discount; 4 signed up for Scrip Club and 24 for eScrip.  The drawing was made for the early membership signup; the recipient to receive their choice of either 2 tickets to the Rose Parade or 2 tickets to the Orchestra Benefit dinner.  Paul then stated that Maria Diaz was working on the membership pins.  The pin design would be the same for ensuing years with the exception of the color of the outside ring which would change each year.

Car Wash

Tom Meikle explained that students were asked to obtain pledges from individuals for the car wash whether it is a fixed sum per car, with or without a maximum, or a flat amount.  Students were asked to secure $60 in pledges.  Orchestra students would be credited for pledges in excess of $60 towards the cost of their trip to Florida.  The car wash would be Saturday, September 21^st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holly Avenue, Dana Middle School, First Avenue and Hugo Reid.  Tom also thanked Smitty for preparing banners for each site.  Both Home Depot and Sears have been approached to donate hoses.  To date 4 hoses have been donated by Sears

Festival of Bands

David Lee gave some general background on the history of the Festival of Bands.  He explained that the money raised from the event would be allocated to the music program for the whole district.  On October 1, 2002, the Arcadia City Council, at its board meeting, would be proclaiming November to be festival month.  David then encouraged everyone to attend the October 1^st council meeting to show their support for the Festival of Bands.  David stated that the deadline for program ads is October 7^th.  Mike Green reminded everyone that “Gold” members are entitled to an ad as part of their membership.  David then introduced Nanci Perkins, the coordinator of human resources for the Festival of Bands.  Nanci explained some of the help which would be needed and stated that the event requires around 400 volunteers.  She encouraged everyone to participate

PSAT

Terry Schreiner explained what the PSAT was and how the music club ended up administering it.  The cost of the test will be $25 and signups will take place the weeks of September 23^rd and 30^th.  The test date is October 19^th.

Directors’ Report

Tom Forbes and Art Farr – Tom and Art reported that 107 orchestra students had a great time at camp.  They are currently auditioning students for seating.  Orchestra will be traveling to Florida from March 28, 2003 through April 3, 2003.  Time will be spent at Universal Studios, Disneyworld, the Kennedy Space Center and an alligator farm.  The trip is in connection with the Heritage Festival.  One hundred and twenty four students have currently signed up for the trip.  Planned fund raisers are the sale of Entertainment Books, Macy’s coupon day, and a candy and garage sale.

Upcoming dates are:

            October 3 – Orchestra parent and student potluck

            October 12 – Orchestra pictures

            October 24 – Fall String Concert – Pasadena High School

Last year the orchestra had 290 students; this year the numbers are at 337.  Five violas have recently been purchased.

George Armenta – Virgina Izell reported on behalf of George Armenta.  Virginia stated that color guard now has 62 members and all but two went to Music Camp.  The members worked hard all summer only having one week off.

Tom Landes – Tom reported that there are few experiences that your student will have that will be better than Music Camp.  Where else could five hundred and twelve students develop the unity that they could achieve at Music Camp.  Tom thanked Coyla Grumm for her outstanding work and for thinking of everything.  Who else would have thought of obtaining water trucks to water down the dusty fields.  Tom also reported that they have looked at different camps and have decided to hold camp at two different locations, one for band and one for orchestra.

Tom noted that Jim and Margaret Barrows had arranged for a hot lunch during the Saturday practices which fed approximately 250 students.

Kevin Sherrill – Kevin reported that percussion is learning the drill sets.  Thus far, they have learned two of the four songs.  This Friday, September 20^th would be the first half-time show at the football game.  September 28 is set as picture day.  Students are to meet at 8:00 a.m. on the library lawn.

Kevin also noted that Phil Espanto is the new percussion chair and Ed Shreiner has been working hard on the percussion equipment.  JV percussion is currently working on fundamentals.  Their first performance will be at the Festival of Bands.

The next general meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at 7 p.m.  The meeting was then adjourned to separate band and orchestra meetings at 8:20 p.m. whereby parents could receive more detail about the individual programs.

The meeting was officially adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Sakai

Secretary