Acton-Boxborough Friends of Music
Board Meeting
May 12, 2008
Present: Michelle Christensen, Suzanne Brozek, Jeremy Denzer, Jen Moss, Mark Hickey, Pam Nourse, Erica Davidson, Wendy Bryson, Lee Tyler, Linda McCann, Lisa Soo, Paulette Joyce, Donna Bottari, Rosemary Szewczyk, Wendy Bryson, Rachel Kinicki, Beth McDonough, Jim Conoby, Karen Parrot and Robyn Harding
Meeting Minutes from 3/31/08 were passed out and discussed. A motion was made, seconded, and accepted to approve the 3/31/08 minutes.
Lisa Soo: Treasurer’s Report: Spring concert raised cash of about $125, and we received donations in honor of Jim’s mother. Some money represents revenue for the winter percussion. Biggest cash issue to date is the Band Banquet. Currently available in student accounts is $5,900 (some will be used for the band banquet ticket purchase). $14,900 net difference for band trip ($10,888 was from usage of student accounts, $900 was refunds for students who didn’t go, and spending was about $3,100 of which $1,800 was for the bowling trip, and the remaining $1,300 for other costs.) Currently we have received $537 in interest to date. A motion was made, seconded, and accepted to approve the 5/12/08 treasurer’s report.
Directors’ Reports:
Mark Hickey: Washington, D.C. – very pleased by everything including the weather. Kids were super and there was tremendous support from parents. TV videotaping didn’t pan out; inquiries to the TV authorities have gone unanswered. The DeMoulin Company would create the new band uniform. This decision was based on bids, quality, etc. Most students were measured. 8th graders to be measured this coming Thursday, May 15. Help is needed. Concert – pleased with concert and excited about the new string program. String director will not be coming back next year so the band will be looking for someone new.
Upcoming Events:
Tomorrow night – Jr. High Band concert; May 20, Jr. High Choral Concert: May 22 Music Banquet; May 17, Car Wash; May 23, Great East Music Festival, Grade 8; May 26, Memorial Day Parade (Jr. High Band, Boxborough/H.S. Band, West Acton.
Jen Moss: Madrigal Dinner next event on Friday and Saturday, May 23rd and 24th. The Dinner will be hosted at the Acton Congregational Church (tickets also available at MKTix) The women’s ensemble performed in Westborough and Downbeat all female acapela group. Students also performed in the Boston Heritage Festival and received a Gold Medal. This honor also includes an invitation to perform in Carnegie Hall in NY within the next two years. The chorus will be working to decide on a destination for the chorus trip (the plan is for a smaller domestic trip, 3 or 4 days) that will be scheduled for next April vacation week, 2009.
Jeremy Denzer: The winter guard was awarded 84.5 in their final competition for the season. This placed them third in their division and was the highest score for the color guard in recent memory. The winter guard has had a great season with continually good performances, increasing their scores at each competition. Orders go in this week for new uniforms for the color guard. Money for this expenditure was approved via an email vote. Mark Hickey mentioned that drill writer, Neal Smith, has been hired for next year’s field show. Students started music lessons today. Suzanne Brozek commented on the winter percussion performances. The winter percussion scored their highest score in their final competition, as well, around 84 plus points. Overall, the winter percussion placed 7th the competition. The point score differential for the final competition among all competitors was only two points.
Erica Davidson: The Band Banquet invitation with RSVP is now available on the website (232 reservations to date) 375 is the projected number. Deadline for reservations by students, etc. is the 14th. This deadline was extended due to the lateness of students receiving invitations. To date, 39 seniors have not responded but parent interest has been indicated for a large group of these students. Payment to the Holiday Inn, for the Band Banquet, is due by Tuesday, May 20th. All assignments for the banquet are all set. The invitations and center pieces being covered by Sari. This Thursday (5/15), volunteers will stuff the envelopes for awards for all students. AV is being coordinated with Brendan Hearn. Erica will speak with historians from both groups. Program to be sent to the printers on Thursday. Concern was raised about any contingency for students that just show up to the event (nothing set up with Boxborough Holiday Inn but Erica will check on any allowances for extra last minute seats that the Holiday Inn will offer). Andrew Kelly is DJ’ing the event.
Hospitality: Rachel Kinicki reported that FOM made $125 at the Spring Concert. She will be out of town on Memorial Day and needs someone to coordinate water for the parade. She is also looking for a replacement for next year, as she will be stepping down at the end of this year.
Uniform Return: Michelle Christensen shared concern over the issue of uniform return since the band will be performing at the Fifer’s Day Parade (June 21st), which is scheduled after the official end of the school year. It was decided that a notice to students would be sent out to band members. This notice will explain the collection of uniforms directly after the Fifer’s Day Parade. Each student will need to return his or her uniform in Boxborough. Change of clothes will be needed. Raincoats, jackets and epaulets should be returned prior to the Fifer’s Parade, however. When students return these particular pieces, a check from each student, made out to ABFOM for $15, should be submitted. This expense is for dry cleaning the uniforms. It was noted that Michelle Christensen would not be at the Parade. Details about uniform collection after the Fifer’s Parade will need to be addressed that reflect her absence.
Golf Tournament: Suzanne Brozek (for Walter Foster) reported that Red Tail Country Club was planning to display auction items on a different floor from that of the dinner function. It was decided that items needed to be at the dinner area for last minute bidding fun. Therefore, the tournament will be held at Shaker Hills on September 25th. A deposit will need to be made within the next month. A motion was made to budget $1,500 to be paid for deposit for Shaker Hills in September 2008. This was seconded and approved.
Election of 2008-2009 Officers:
- Marcia Epstein, Secretary
- Lisa Soo, Treasurer
- Walter foster, Vice-President
- Suzanne Brozek, President
A motion was made to accept the slate of officers as presented. This was seconded and approved.
NOTE: Officers are voted to a one-year term. One person can be reelected four terms in a row without a special vote. Beyond four terms a special vote is required.
Motion made, seconded and approved to adjourn. Next meeting is scheduled for June 2nd at 7pm in Room 115.