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February 2009
A new semester has started and there is a wealth of information to share about exciting
upcoming band, orchestra and color guard activities!
Our students are working hard on new music for the winter concert on March 25 (snow date, March 26). Mark your calendars and invite family and friends! Our spring concert will be held June 10.
Mr. Dion is conducting many students who have volunteered to play in the orchestra pit for the school drama club production of The Music Man to be performed on March 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14. Several of our musicians are also performing in the play. The storyline involves a marching band, so be sure to come out for a great evening of entertainment with this classic production.
Many of our students were honored for their musicianship by the Connecticut Music Educators Association. Students chosen by audition for the Northern Region Festival Band included Ryan Griffin, Elizabeth Preysner and Justin Silvestri. The Regional Orchestra included Matthew Bronson, Andrew Jylkka, Laura Morrison, Drew Niedzielski, and Gregory Perault. Some of our versatile musicians were even selected for Regional Chorus: Matthew Burke, Rose Lewis, Jane Meditz and Logan Singerman. We had six students advance to the All-State Festivals: Matthew Burke, Rose Lewis and Jane Meditz to the chorus and Ryan Griffin, Andrew Jylkka and Drew Niedzielski to the band and orchestra. Congratulations to all!
Mrs. Marie Gray, the school system administrator in charge of music and arts, visited our January Booster’s meeting. She is an enthusiastic supporter of music in our schools and plans to do everything to assure that high quality music programs continue in Wethersfield. She believes music and the arts need to sell themselves and applauds our efforts to keep music visible to the Board of Education. She anticipates no cuts to music even in these difficult budget times and will call on us for advocacy if any is needed. She is investigating a town wide “music day” to be held in the spring and also how musicians can participate in the town 375th birthday festivities in the fall. Tentatively, the band will perform in the town parade.
A winter pep band has been playing at many boys and girls varsity basketball home games on Friday nights. One game remains in the season: a boy’s varsity game scheduled for February 20, 7:00 p.m.
Boosters continue to plan and fundraise and, as always, look to you for support. Additional important dates to note and ways to volunteer for the fruit sale and advertising book are noted below. You will get guaranteed training and help from “experts” when you step up to volunteer!
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC BOOSTERS MEETING DATES 2009: Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month in the Band Room at 7:00 p.m. Please join us Feb. 12, Mar 12, April 9, May 14, June 11
UPCOMING BAND/COLOR GUARD PERFORMANCE DATES:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: March 14
Memorial Day Parade: May 23
Graduation: June 22
BAND BANQUET: The annual banquet to celebrate our music students and color guard is scheduled for the evening of Friday, May 22 at the Pitkin Center. All family members are invited. It is a potluck dinner format and includes a slide show, recognition ceremony for graduating seniors, honors and awards, and a roast of Mr. Dion! A good time is always had by all for a mere $5.00 per person. To volunteer and obtain more information contact Elia Walsh (257-3844) or Nella Szilaygi (563-2295). Watch for more information in coming months.
TRIP TO NYC TO SEE IN THE HEIGHTS: The trip is scheduled for April 22. A limited number of chaperone tickets are still available.
UNIFORMS: The uniforms will be back from the dry cleaners in time for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
SUMMER BAND CAMP: School starts Monday, August 31, 2009. Band camp will be held at Webb Elementary School from Wednesday, August 19th through Wednesday the 26th from 9 am to 4 pm. Lunch will be from 12 – 1 every day. Drum Majors, section leaders, and freshmen will report Tuesday August 18th from 9 am to 12 noon for pre-camp orientation.
COMPUTERS NEEDED: Mr. Dion would love to have two or three computers for the band room so that students can compose music. If you, your family members, or your employer are able to donate used computers, please contact Mr. Dion.
UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EVENTS FOR ORCHESTRA AND BAND:
NEW FUNDRAISING SUCCESS! Many thanks to Jerome Sauer for suggesting and coordinating a new fundraiser that netted $500 for the
Boosters. Jerome, his son, and several students went around town in his truck collecting Christmas trees curbside for a suggested donation of $10.
We will definitely continue this next year with more advance planning and advertising to increase our profit.
ROCK CATS CONCESSION STAND: WHS instrumental booster parents and students over 16 with working papers will be working at five games this spring and summer. Students earn $25 per game for their student account. Last year the Boosters made approximately $3,000 working concessions. Dates:
Sunday, May 31
Saturday, June 27
Sunday, July 12
Friday, July 31
Friday, August 14
Call Donna Rizzio (721-0873) or Charlie Epp (563-9679) for information and to volunteer.
BOTTLE & CAN DRIVE: Please save your bottles and cans and ask family and friends to do so also. Bring them to the Silas Deane Middle School on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This is a painless way to support our musical groups! Parent & student volunteers are needed to work a shift sorting the cans. Younger students who cannot yet work at the Rock Cats are expected to volunteer. Please call Charlie Dobrow (257-7795) to be on the sorting crew. Thank you to Charlie for his enthusiasm and dedication to this important fundraiser for two years. Thanks in advance to John McFarland and Jerome Sauer for agreeing to take on the job next year. Remember the goal: 500,000,000 nickels!
ADVERTISING BOOK: Dan Jylkka (257-9153) is organizing the ad book for the spring concert. He is soliciting area businesses to advertise in our spring concert program. Please patronize the local businesses that support our music program. This is Dan’s last year with band (thank you, Dan!) and a volunteer is needed to work with him to learn the ropes for running this major fundraiser next year.
FRUIT SALE: Parent volunteers are critical to making this sale a success. Call Eva Nascimento (563-0135) if you would like to get an early start working on our major fundraiser. A co-chair is needed. Many thanks to Jeanne and Greg Ruffy for their superb volunteer efforts and organizational wizardry in running our biggest fundraiser for several years. And thanks to Eva and Joe Nascimento for stepping up again as co-chairs, as well as hosting a lovely holiday party in December.
MAGNET SALE: Support Instrumental Music and the Wethersfield Eagles sports teams by purchasing a car magnet for $5.00 from Stacey Veley (257-1699).
DVD SALES: DVDs of the marching band season are available from Gail Griffin (721-9617) for $10. They make great gifts!
Your participation is vital to all these fundraising efforts!
EMAIL LIST & WEB SITE: With the cost of printing and postage rising, we are now communicating via computer as much as possible. The WHS Instrumental Boosters website is www.wimb.info. Last minute schedule changes and announcements are sent via email and posted on the website, along with minutes of booster meetings and various schedules, directions to competitions, information about upcoming fund raising events, photographs, and useful links. Please visit the website frequently!
2008-2009 OFFICERS: Please contact one of us with any questions or concerns.
Co-Presidents: Nancy Andrews (721-6108), Eva Nascimento (563-0135)
Treasurer: Mario Ciampi (257-7400)
Secretary: Nella Szilagyi (563-2295)
Communications: Yolanda Preysner (721-8854)
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