Band Camp and News

Get Your Smile Ready!!

Fall Band Pictures will be Monday, August 4th at 8:45. Band members will need to bring uniform and hat. Everyone will need to wear black socks. If you do not have marching shoes, see below. Wear practice shorts and shirt under uniform, as rehearsal will follow photographs.
(10:30 am to 5:00 pm with a lunch break)

The "shoe man" will be at ACA on Monday morning. Shoes will be $28.00 and checks should be made out to James Thompson.

IF you do not have shoes from last year for pictures, it will be OK. Colorguard will be in front, so feet won't show. (We hope!) Everyone needs to wear black socks!!!

MARCHING EAGLES

PREVIEW SHOW

BAND BOOSTER MEETING/

CHICK-FIL-A SUPPER

Tuesday, August 5th

6:00 pm

ACA Football Field

and Multi-purpose Room

Our Fearless Leader!

Rehearsal Schedule:

Monday, August 4 (after pictures) 10:30-5:00

Tuesday, August 5 (show preview) 3:30-5:30
Thursday, August 7 (processing day) 3:30-6:30

Monday, August 11 (first day of school) Sectionals 2:30-4:30

Tuesday, August 12 2:45-5:45

Thursday, August 14 2:45-5:30

Remember your watercoolers!!!!

Check out the hats!

Thanks to all our lunch and supper volunteer parents!!!!

UNIFORMS

Uniforms have been distributed. Your child should have brought home a uniform (pants and jacket) in a white garment bag and a hat in a black hat box.

Please read the uniform guideline and information sheet. Please sign and return so that we will know that the uniform made it home .

Please help us protect this expensive investment, by following all the uniform guidelines.

Thanks to all who helped distribute uniforms!! While it was a little hetic at times, everything went well and we were able to finish in one lunch break!!!

Great job!

Evan needed a bigger uniform!



Guitar Hero Competition

The kids got a chance to show off their other talents!

Congratulations to

Dalton Beasley

for being the Guitar Hero Champion!

Tuesday Evening Rehearsal

Band Camp 2008

PreBand Camp was a success! See for yourself!

Band Camp Begins Monday!

Come with a great attitude and ready to work! Remember to bring all information/permission forms. Please remember sunscreen/hat and water cooler! You will also need lunch/dinner (if you are staying on campus) or money (if you are leaving campus).

Uniform Distribution
Uniform fittings will begin on Tuesday at lunch time. Uniforms will be fitted oldest to youngest. Fittings will continue on Wednesday at lunch if needed.

Marching Shoes

The "shoe man" will be at ACA on August 4th at 8:30. Shoes will be $28.00. Checks should be made out to James Thompson.

If you will be wearing shoes from last year, please bring them in before the 4th, for Mr. Morrison to check.

Show Preview/Band Booster Meeting

You should have recieved an order form for the Chick-Fil-A supper in an information packet mailed to your home. (If you did not, please contact Cecilia Porterfield at rcrmp@knology.net)

Please turn in all orders with money by Tuesday, July 29th.

Welcome to the 2008-2009 Season!

We are looking forward to a great year with our new band director, Mr. Morrison.
He has been hard at work on preparing the show.

Here are a few things you need to know:

BAND CAMP

Pre-Band camp will be July 23, 24, 25 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.

• This is for all first and second year marchers and those new to ACA.


• Please bring water jug, sunscreen/hat, instrument/supplies, music notebook, etc. to pre-band camp. Dress code will be the same as full band camp.

Band Camp will be July 28-August 1: M,T&TH will be 8:00am to 9:00pm; W&F will be 8:00am to 5:00pm.

• Each student will need a personal water jug (1/2 -1 gallon -water/ice ONLY - no gatorade or sugary drinks, please)


• Bring a hat, sunscreen, instrument supplies and black music notebook


• Wear ACA approved athletic shirts and shorts available from the uniform store and laced tennis shoes


• Healthy snacks and lunch/dinner if you will not be leaving campus


• Parents, be sure to complete all information/physical/travel forms and return on Monday, July 28th
  

Lunch break will be 11:30-1:00 and dinner break will be 5:00-6:30. If your child plans to leave campus during lunch or dinner, we must have a signed permission slip. (This will be included in a packet you will recieve in the mail prior to band camp.) For those unable to leave campus, we will have an adult there during that time. Students must bring their own lunch/dinner - We will NOT be proving lunch/dinner.

UNIFORM INFORMATION

Tuesday, July 29, we will begin distributing uniforms.

The "shoe man" will be at ACA one day during band camp - exact date/time and price of shoes will be listed as soon as it is available. IF your child can still wear shoes from last year, please bring them in so Mr. Morrison can check for wear/scuffs.

FALL BAND PICTURES

• Fall Band pictures will be Monday, August 4 at 8:45am


• Rehearsal will follow 10:30am to 5:00pm.

SHOW PREVIEW/ BAND BOOSTER MEETING

and CHICK-FIL-A SUPPER

• August 5th, 6:00pm, ACA Footbal Field


• Parents will get a chance to check out all the hard work that our kids have put in during band camp at the show preview.


• Following the show preview, please plan to join us for a Chick-Fil-A supper and our first Band Boosters Meeting. More information will be in the packet that will be mailed to you soon.

If you have any questions call Carol Matthews, Band Booster President, at 538-1284 or email mathwsgrls@yahoo.com

Patience, Please!

Please be patient with us as we begin to get new information on the blog! Check back soon for new updates!

Band Composite & Portraits

Band Portrait & Composite Viewing

I know that many of you were not able to get by the school this afternoon to view your child's proofs. It was scheduled during such a busy time, but unfortunately we were at the mercy of the portrait company.

I asked them about parents that were not able to be there today and they told me they would be mailing postcards with your child's "proofs" on them and you would be able to order them that way.

Also, if you ordered a composite photo (the entire band), they said they would be ready in a couple of weeks. I'm sure Carol Matthews, the new Booster President, will publish information once they come in (they are being sent to the school) and contact those of you who are Seniors.

Thank You from the Bottom of Our Hearts

What a wonderful evening we had tonight at the band banquet. We had some laughs and shed some tears and reminisced a little! We want you to know how much we love you and your children and how much we are going to miss you! Thank you for the gift certificate to Eastchase--we are so appreciative of your kindness. We wish you all much success in the future and we'll be sure to come back and check in on you! Thanks again!

Gift for Mr. Stough

Just wanted to send a reminder that we will do our annual "cash box" gift for Mr. Stough at the banquet. A tall, silver bag will be set-up on the ticket table designated for donations for Mr. Stough.

Please come prepared to give generously! He is leaving ACA this year and we want him to know how much we have appreciated his leadership of our band program.

If you are not coming to the banquet, but would like to contribute towards his cash gift, please send money in to the school office by Thursday afternoon in an envelope marked for "Deborah Streetman" and she will make sure it is placed in the bag for Mr. Stough!

See you at the banquet!

Announcements...

SPRING BAND CONCERT
Monday, May 12th
6:00 p.m. in the M.P.R.
Join us for a free concert as we feature the Beginner, Intermediate, Jazz and Concert Bands!

Uniform Turn-In
Monday, May 12th
Tuesday, May 13th
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
in the Band Room
Please make sure you have the following:

• Marching uniform (coat and coveralls)
• Shako (hat)
• Garment Bag
• Dry-cleaning ticket/receipt (dated April 28th or later)

If you have any questions, please email Elizabeth Staten at epoohstaten@aol.com. She and Judy Rittenour will be at the school both afternoons in charge of uniform turn-in.

TICKET DEADLINE EXTENDED!
End-of-the-Year Band Banquet
Thursday, May 15th
Landmark Life Center
Serving lines open at 5:45 p.m.
For all Beginner, Intermediate, Jazz, Concert, and Marching Bands and their families!
Students are free, all others are $5 per person.
The deadline has been extended to sell tickets at the Spring Band Concert. No tickets may be purchased at the door.

Hurry and get your banquet tickets!

DEADLINE to purchase TICKETS is THIS FRIDAY!

End of the Year Band Banquet

Thursday, May 15th

Landmark Life Center

Serving lines will open at 5:45 p.m.

Cost: $5 per person

BAND STUDENTS are free!

Attire: "Sunday dress"

Tickets MUST be purchased in ADVANCE! They will not be available at the door.
The menu will consist of grilled chicken, garlic roasted potatoes, green beans, rolls, salad, dessert and drinks. You may stop by the high school office to purchase your ticket or send money in with your child. We will be selling tickets each morning and afternoon (after school) from the coffee shop. Please see Tracey Kirksey or Deborah Streetman for tickets!

Spring Concert

Monday, May 12th

6:00 p.m. in the M.P.R.

Featuring the Beginner, Intermediate, Concert and Jazz Bands

We will also have a brief meeting to elect Booster Officers for the 2008-2009 year!

We need YOU to VOLUNTEER!

We will be electing officers for the 2008-2009 school year and we need YOU to volunteer! Here are the nominations we have to date:

President(s):

Jay & Carol Matthews

Vice-Presidents(s):

Ricky & Deborah Streetman

Secretary:

(open)

Fundraising/Ways & Means:

(open)

Treasurer:

Deborah Streetman

Staging/Maintenance/Performance (also drives the equipment truck)

(open)

Publications/Runner Coordinator:

Cecilia Porterfield

Special Events Coordinator(s):

Phil and Julie Berube

7th Grade Representative:

(open)

6th Grade Representative:

Michelle Clifton

As you can see, we still have SEVERAL positions OPEN!!! We need YOU to get involved and volunteer today! If you have any questions about any of the positions, please email me at traceykirksey@knology.net.

Talent Abounds!

We are so proud to announce that "Yesterhouse Drive" featuring our very own Taylor Cobb on drums, will be performing at this year's Jubilee CityFest!

Taylor's band, "Yesterhouse Drive" was the winner of the Montgomery Advertiser's Battle of the Bands. Here is what the advertiser had to say, "We had some great local bands all trying to get a spot onstage at Jubilee Cityfest," said Renee Durham, strategic marketing director for the Advertiser. "More than 4,000 votes were cast." Yesterhouse Drive led eight other artists from the River Region in voting on the web site, receiving an overwhelming 50% of the vote total. The five-member group will perform in the early afternoon on Saturday, May 24th.

Come on out and show your support as Taylor and his band perform at Jubilee! Taylor, we are so proud of you!

Latest Announcements...

Congratulations ACA Band, Jazz Band & Color Guard!

We had a wonderful trip to Disney World last week. Thank you, chaperones, for all of your hard work and thank you kids for doing such a great job! Here are the awards we came home with:

Jazz Band
Superior Rating and Best in Class!
Also received the Bronze trophy for overall jazz bands!

Concert Band
Superior Rating and Best in Class!

Color Guard
Superior Rating and Best in Class!
Also received the Gold trophy for overall auxillary!

Pictures taken on the trip will be included in a special slide show presentation at the banquet.

Spring Concert
Featuring the Beginner, Intermediate, Jazz & Concert Bands
Monday, May 12th
6:00 p.m. in the M.P.R.
We will also have a brief booster meeting to elect officers for the 2008-2009 school year.

It's that time of year again--time to elect new Band Booster Officers! If you are interested in volunteering or would like to nominate someone, please email me at traceykirksey@knology.net. Elections will take place at the Spring Concert during a brief Band Booster Meeting. PLEASE email me ASAP with your nominations!

Below are the Band Booster Officer Descriptions:
President(s):
Support Band Director
Implement work of the Booster Organization
Preside over General Membership Meetings
Ex-Officio member of all committees

Vice President(s):
Aide to the President(s)
Establish Phone Tree System for all sections in the Band (Contact Committees)
Treats for band @ Football games - 3rd Quarter

Ways & Means (Fundraising):
Coordinate Coke Sales
Coordinate Candy Grams
Explore and implement other fundraising ideas to be done throughout the year

Treasurer:
Handles all the money!
Keeps accurate records of receipts and expenditures
Presents Statement of Account at membership meetings

Secretary:
Takes minutes at all officer meetings and general membership meetings
Acts as liaison between the President and Publicity Committee
Keeps a copy of the Booster By-Laws

Event Planner/Coordinator:
Chick-fil-A Supper (Show Preview/1st Booster Meeting)
Senior Night Reception (following Senior Night Football Game)
Fall Cook-Out (sometime after football season and before Thanksgiving break)
Christmas Party (Coordinate with President)
Spring Banquet (Coordinate with President & Banquet Committee put in place by Event Planner)

Staging/Maintenance/Performance:
Organizes crew to help load equipment to away games and competitions
Usually drives the truck!
Oversees crew to get equipment on the field during Marching Season

Publications:
Updates the Band Web Site (blog)
Football programs for Home games
Monthly Band Calendars (includes practices, games, competitions, events, etc.)
Possible Monthly or Quarterly Newsletter
All Concert programs and Banquet program
Submit articles about the Band for the ACA EagleVision Newsletter

6th & 7th Grade Representatives:
Aide to the President(s)
Liaison between the membership and the 6th & 7th grade bands
Coordinate Contact Committees (phone tree) for 6th & 7th grade band membership





End of the Year Banquet
Thursday, May 15th
Landmark Life Center
Serving lines will open at 5:45 p.m.
Program will begin between 6:00 - 6:15 p.m.
BAND STUDENTS are free!
Cost: $5 per person
Tickets MUST be purchased in ADVANCE!
Deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, May 9th.

The menu will consist of grilled chicken, garlic roasted potatoes, green beans, rolls, salad, dessert and drinks. You may stop by the high school office to purchase your ticket or send money in with your child. We will be selling tickets each morning from the coffee shop and also at the end of 7th period band each day. Please see Tracey Kirksey or Deborah Streetman for tickets!

Last Minute Trip Announcements...

We had a meeting with the kids during 7th period band this past Friday. We discussed some last minute announcements, rules, and gave out t-shirts. Here is what we discussed:

Chaperone List/Groups

The chaperones have been assigned a group of 4 kids according to the rooming list. The kids do not have to stay in these groups of 4 throughout the day. They are allowed to hang out with whomever they would like within our group, but are not allowed to go anywhere by themselves! They have been instructed if their parent is going to Disney, but NOT as an official chaperone, they must let their assigned chaperone know they will be hanging out with their parents/family. Chaperones will be responsible for checking on their 4 assigned kids throughout the day and at roll call. It is also the responsibility of the student to let their chaperone know when they are changing parks and going to another location.

Dress Code

I received final word yesterday from administration that girls may wear two-piece bathing suits, as long as they are modest (no string bikinis). However, the staff and chaperones reserve the right to ask a girl to change or put on a t-shirt over their swimsuit.

What to Bring

Concert Band:

Make sure you have your marching uniform along with black socks and black shoes. You will NOT need your hat or gloves.

Jazz Band:

Make sure you have your vest, bow tie, dark pants, black socks and black shoes.

Instrument:

Please do not forget your instrument!

Clothes:

You will not need any dressy clothes, just shorts, etc. that you will wear in the parks.

Sunscreen:

Please don't forget to bring sunscreen---and wear it!!!

The weather report for next week in Orlando is as follows...

Wednesday

Mostly sunny with a high of 84

Evening lows 66

20% chance of rain

Thursday

Partly cloudy with a high of 85

Evening lows 67

20% chance of rain

Friday

Mostly sunny with a high of 84

Evening lows 66

20% chance of rain

Saturday

Mostly sunny with a high of 89

Evening lows 62

0% chance of rain

Optional:

Some have asked about bringing sleeping bags and pillows. If you do not want to sleep in the same beds, you are allowed to bring sleeping bags and your own pillows. We should have room to store these items in the bus luggage compartments.

Tickets

Each student will be responsible for keeping up with their 3-day park hopper ticket. Please be careful to keep it in a safe place! All tracking numbers on the back of the tickets have been recorded. If you have a problem with your ticket at any point in the trip, please let me know immediately! Tickets and dining cards will be distributed as soon as we check into the hotel.

Dining Cards

Each student will receive one dining card worth $20. This is to cover two meals. It is up to you which meals you would like to use it for (lunch or dinner). The dining cards may NOT be used at the hotel, McDonalds or the Rainforest Cafe. They may be used at any Disney property that accepts credit cards. They may not be used for souvenirs and will not be accepted at any souvenir shop.

Meals

3 breakfasts meals are included

1 dinner meal is included

2 meals on your dining card

Festival T-Shirt

Festival t-shirts were distributed on Friday. They were very tightly shrink-wrapped and require washing. They are 100% pre-shrunk cotton. Dry at your discretion. T-shirts are to be worn Saturday--this way our group will look uniform at the awards ceremony.

Please review the list of rules and regulations you received in the mail last week. If you have any questions or problems, please don't hesitate to contact me at traceykirksey@knology.net

We are looking forward to a great trip!

Updated Calendar!

ACA Band Banquet
Thursday, May 15th
Landmark Life Center
Serving lines will open at 5:30 p.m.
Program will begin at 6:00 p.m.
More information will be announced soon!

Mark Your Calendars...

We have a very busy 6 weeks of school left and I know, if you're like me, your calendars are filling up quickly! Here are some dates that are of importance, so please mark your calendars!

Chaperone Meeting
Tuesday, April 15th
5:30 p.m. in the Band Room

Spring Band Trip
April 23rd - 27th
Orlando, Florida

ACA Spring Benefit (concert and jazz band performing)
Tuesday, April 29th
6:30 p.m. at Wesley Hall
Fraser Memorial United Methodist Church
(more information will follow soon!)

Spring Band Concert
featuring Beginner, Intermediate, Jazz and Concert Bands
Monday, May 12th
6:00 p.m. in the M.P.R.

Spring Band Banquet
Tuesday, May 13th
6:00 p.m. at Landmark Life Center
(more information will follow soon!)

More detailed information will be posted soon on all of these events. Please continue to check the band web site (http://www.acaband.blogspot.com/) for the latest information!

Disney Trip Info...

Planet Hollywood Dinner

We are very close to being able to publish a full itinerary for our spring trip to Disney. Right now I can tell you that we have reservations (as a group) to eat dinner at Planet Hollywood at Downtown Disney at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24th. This is included in the package price as one of the dinner meals. The kids will receive two additional dinner vouchers and 3 breakfast vouchers. More information to follow soon!

Chaperone Meeting

Tuesday, April 15th

5:30 p.m. in the Band Room

This meeting is for CHAPERONES only! If you are on the list as an official chaperone for this trip, please attend this very important meeting as we will discuss expectations, rules and other important information.

Disney Performance Schedule

We finally received the performance schedule in the mail today from Disney! All of the performances are on Friday, April 25th and the performance times and locations are as follows:

Jazz Band:

10:15 a.m. warm-up

10:40 a.m. performance

11:05 a.m. clinic

11:15 a.m. finished

Pleasure Island Motion

Concert Band:

1:00 p.m. warm-up

1:25 p.m. performance

1:50 p.m. clinic

2:00 p.m. finished

Contemporary Resort - Ballroom of the Americas

Indoor Guard:

7:20 p.m. photo

7:30 p.m. warm-up

7:53 p.m. move to gate

8:00 p.m. step off/start

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Awards Ceremony:

Saturday, April 26th

8:00 p.m.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Lights, Motors, Action Theater

This is all the information we have to date. A more detailed itinerary will be available soon, but I hope this information helps with some of your planning.

Reminder: ALL payments are due! The final payment deadline was March 14th. If you have not sent in your final payment, please do so right away as the deposit has already been mailed to the travel company.

Band Announcements...

There have been a few mix-ups on band uniforms that need to be straightened out BEFORE we go to Disney. Everyone is asked to double check your band uniform (jacket, cover-alls and hat) and make sure the numbers match what is printed on the back of the garment bag tag.

Please email Elizabeth Staten at epoohstaten@aol.com and confirm that your items all match the tag or let her know if there is a problem. She needs to hear from each one of you by Wednesday, March 12th!

Thank you for your assistance in this matter!

FINAL Disney Payment Due!

The third and final payment of $150 for the Disney trip is due March 10th. The absolute latest deadline to send in your final payment is Friday, March 14th. All payments must be paid before Spring Break. Please email me at traceykirksey@knology.net if you need special arrangements.

2nd Disney Payment DUE!!!

2nd Disney Trip Payment was due February 8th!

Just a reminder, that if you haven't sent in your 2nd payment of $150 towards the Disney trip, it was due on February 8th. Please send it in as soon as possible as I have already had to send our 2nd deposit to the travel company.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at traceykirksey@knology.net.

Thanks!

Band Announcements...

I wanted to clear a few things up about the "grand opening" of the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center that the band played for last week. Even though the events of the day went pretty smoothly and the band did a great job, the days leading up to it were filled with "3rd party" information and a lot of confusion. I continued to relay the information just as I was receiving it, and it seems like daily that information changed.

It wasn't until we did our preliminary "walk thru" on Wednesday that I heard straight from the department head at the hotel that this was a "closed" event. The entire time we (Mr. Stough and I) were under the impression that this was an event open to the public. I'm not exactly sure where that thought process originated, but it was extremely presumptuous on our part to assume anyone was invited and I felt embarassed for having asked the direct question.

The entire event turned out to be a "kick off" celebration for the hotel staff and employees--it was not their official grand opening, nor were any dignitaries or city officials present. It was, in essence, a "pep rally" to get the employees excited about their jobs. I apologize for the conflicting announcements and wanted to clarify that this in no way was a decision of any city "official", nor did it have anything to do with the administration at ACA.

With that said, I wanted to let you all know how extremely impressed they were with our band! I spoke with the General Manager who asked if we would be open to coming back to play for other events at the hotel. He even discussed a very generous donation they would make to our band program as an "honorarium" for performing at future events. I think it's wonderful that we're developing this relationship with them, which could lead to so many fantastic opportunities in the future. Montgomery is fortunate to have such an incredible hotel, Convention Center and soon to be opening, Performing Arts Center.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS...

CandyGram Sales this week only!

CandyGram order forms are in the lobby of the high school and orders are being accepted now thru this Friday, February 8th. Judy Rittenour and Elizabeth Staten are in the lobby beginning at 7:30 a.m. to receive your order. PARENTS! Please feel free to place your own orders and send your little darlings, the office staff, or teachers CandyGrams too!!!

2nd Disney Trip Payment Due this Friday!

Don't forget that your 2nd payment of $150 is due this Friday, February 8th (for students and chaperones). Please have your student place their check in an envelope (labeled with their name) in the BAND DEPOSIT BOX in the band room. I will check it daily!