TAKE NOTEApril 2020 VOLUME 13 ISSUE 8

JOHN HERSEY HIGH SCHOOL BANDS NEWSLETTER

A NEW WORLD WE LIVE IN – HOPEFULLY NOT TOO MUCH LONGER…..

I hope that everyone is being safe, healthy and practicing good hygiene to avoid the spread of this extremely dangerous virus. To say we are disappointed is a gross understatement. Seniors not able to participate in end-of-the year events, events cancelled, all of us “sheltering in place”, no music together, etc etc. I find myself listening to more music than I have in a REALLY long time and it is comforting to me – I hope that all of you will experience the healing power that artistic music (classical/jazz) can provide.

Kennedy Center Trip I am SO grateful that we were all able to experience the Kennedy Center performance together. As our lives have changed in the last week, that performance becomes more and more important to me. I hope you feel the same way. I’ve listened to it several times in the last week – what an amazing concert it was and the trip was fantastic in every way. I was SO PROUD of our students for the duration of that trip – responsible, on time, respectful and fun. A trip that I will always remember and cherish. Link to photos: https://artpittman.smugmug.com/Kennedy-Center-Concert/n-nHQmDq/

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On behalf of the Board of HIA I wish all Hersey Band Families good health and peace during this difficult time. The adversity we face will be overcome through our commitment as a community to maintain our identity and commitment to one another. Thank you all for your support of our students, the band program and one another!

I was fortunate to accompany the band as a chaperone to Washington DC and see firsthand our students take in the many sights and experiences provided to them. I am certain that the memorable performances at the Kennedy Center, the friendships and other experiences of the trip will remain with the students for years to come. Congratulations students on your amazing performances and thank you Mr. C for arranging this amazing trip! 

Congratulations also to the Concert Band for their strong performance at the District 214 Concert Band Festival at Buffalo Grove HS. 

I want to encourage our band parents to get involved and take on a volunteer role, as many of our parents “graduate” there continue to be new needs. Particularly in light of our current situation we want to be sure that we are in a good position for the fall – please reach out to me to offer your assistance in continuing in the HIA legacy. There are many opportunities ranging from no experience to nominal experience required, do not be intimidated! We are in particular need of a new treasurer to transition in as our current treasurer, Mr. Junkel, graduates out – many, many thanks Eric for your hard work these past years!

Although it needs no repeating, please stay tuned for updates via remind, text and to our google calendar.

Todd Niemiechia.boardpresident@gmail.com

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ZOOM MEETINGS AND CLASSES EVERY DAY NEXT WEEK!

Important info here for everyone.

As you know, there is no “face-to-face” school until at least after April 8, and we have to learn new ways to continue learning and moving forward playing instruments and maintaining excellence, as well as satisfying necessary class grading. I was VERY happy with our first virtual class last week and it was a good precedent for the classes to come.

https://zoom.us/

I shared this link on Remind texts and sharing it again. LOTS of good tutorial on how to use Zoom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTSJ0YDoF7o

Remember that you have an automatic Zoom account with the district by using your school email address.

Classes beginning Monday, March 30:We will hold class every day via Zoom at our normally scheduled rehearsal time (4th hour/5th hour/6th hour/8th hour. Jazz 2 and combos will meet on Tuesdays w/ Mr. Carson and on their own at a pre-designated time. Student-run combo rehearsals will be setup by Luke P and Colin S. IT IS IMPERATIVE that you are able to enable the video portion of the Zoom class and that you have your instrument and all music. I will be taking attendance. My intent with these new classes is a blend of discussion, individual practice (muted), as well as some new and different activities for everyone involved. I’m spending a lot of time investigating new online projects for everyone. Email Mr. C with any problems.

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Band FinancesThe cancellation of CICBF meant the loss of app. $20,000 in profit to our organization. In addition, In Good Taste participation and income was down a bit this year, as well, which was another financial hit. The good news is that we were able to salvage the program book income (about $9K) and we have a surplus of over $8K from the 18-19 school year which will help us in this crisis. We were anticipating a small increase in the 20-21 Band Fee, which will still happen, and I am hopeful that the surplus of 18-19 money and the CICBF band entry fees that we kept will enable us to continue to keep our band fees very low. More info on this subject to follow as things unfold in the coming weeks.

Chicagoland Band Festival 2020

The cancellation of this is, of course, disappointing in many ways. The Chicagoland band community is taking a big educational hit by our cancellation – this is so important to SO many band programs and students.

WE of course depend on this financially for just about every single aspect of our band program – keeping our band fees low, scholarships, guest clinicians, all bus travel, etc. We believe that we are lucky in that we were able to produce a program and it was sent out to every band program and each and every participating student and parent via email and text. Our coverage will actually be stronger than in the past in this manner. Normally the 750 hard copies of our program distributed will now reach over 6000 people. We make app. $10K on the program alone, so that income is intact and allowing us to cover the judge expenses already paid out (flights). I communicated with each business and no one asked for a refund. We are SO grateful for their continued support! A HUGE thank you to Karrie Tansor-Graf for creating the program book ( a herculean task….), as well as Todd Niemiec, Eric Junkel and Joanell Hoijer for ALL of their work to facilitate the program book.

A HUGE thank you to our CICBF parent committee who continued to work after the cancellation to tie up loose ends, cancel orders, etc etc. You are all SO appreciated. I am so sorry that all of our work did not come to fruition on April 4.

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Incoming Freshman (and parents) are reminded of the extremely important

Orientation MeetingThursday, April 16,

6:30-8:30pm ON ZOOM.

I will forward more information on how to join the Zoom meeting in the coming weeks. Any incoming freshman's parent that cannot attend will be asked to attend a makeup meeting later in the month, date TBA. All incoming Freshman and a parent are expected to attend this essential meeting that explains all parameters and expectations for our band program. Please contact Mr. C ASAP if you have a conflict. This is also for students (and parents) that might have older siblings in the band program. See you on the 16th!

Important Solo Ensemble Info

April 15

The Solo and Ensemble festival will be held on this date, as originally scheduled. Students not taking private lessons will turn in a full performance/entire etude of one of the etudes recently used in our February auditions. Anyone in private lessons that is seeking to do an etude, needs approval from Mr. C. We are investigating several different ways to run this event – look for more info to be shared in our upcoming virtual classes. Depending upon how we administer the event there MAY be payments due consistent with past years ($15 a solo). Students will be expected to perform with a smartmusic accompaniment if one exists.

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

APRIL MAY

4th: Chicagoland Concert Band Festival: Cancelled 4th: Concert Band concert with Thomas feeder

schools: 7pm

15th: Solo and Ensemble Contest: Online 5th: HIA General Meeting: 7:30pm

16th: Incoming Freshman Orientation: 6:30-8:30: ON ZOOM

8th: Formal Band Awards Banquet

20th: Chipotle Dine and Share: Cancelled 9th: Symphonic Band Honor Band performance at

Superstate: CANCELLED

21st: Spring Jazz Concert: Postponed/TBA 19th: Night of Jazz and Percussion: 7pm

26th: Spring Music Dept. Concert: Postponed/TBA

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A Message from the

Vice President

Julie Siegel

We had an outstanding trip to Washington DC! Thank you to Mr. C for the amazing opportunity for the students to play at the Kennedy Center. Thank you to the band families that came to the concert to support the band. Thank you to the following people who helped with the trip: Shannon Kersemeier for organizing tickets for the concert, Mark Fuller for taking the video at the concert, and thanks to Irene Gillespie, Zuly Hahn, Julie Siegel, Dave Siegel, Eric Junkel, and Todd Niemiec for chaperoning.

Thank you Reeta Chhabria and Theresa Nishimura for ordering and distributing the Scrip Cards. Thanks to Cathy Waltz for organizing our Dine N Share events.  

Julie Siegelhia.vicepresident@gmail.com

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Scrip Free Money!

Consider using this EASY and worthwhile fundraiser to put money into your student account. Free money that just requires a little organization and planning in your personal checkbook….. This is a great fundraiser for your student and

you get 80% of all profit into your student’s account this year because of the DC trip.

Order due April 1st for delivery April 8th. Get all your gift cards here and support your favorite businesses during this time.

Questions? Contact Reeta Chhabria (847) 372 - 6475 parents@dhore.com

Scrip Gift Card Fundraiser Program ● Gift cards from hundreds of national and local merchants are available for purchase (see attached list) ● The gift cards are worth face value but are purchased from Scrip at discounted price ranging from 1.5 to 30% ● HIA splits the fundraising rebates between student account (80%) and HIA general fund (20%)!

How Do I place my order?

● Create an account - www.ShopWithScrip.com and select "How to Enroll" ● Select "Join Your Existing Program" and enter HIA Code: 4DE14D6956589 ● After creating your account, you can login and place orders using Shop Tab, Express Order or Shopping Lists

When Do I place my order?

● HIA completes an order for physical cards the first Wednesday of the month:

ORDER DUE DATE DELIVERY DATE

September 4 September 11

October 2 October 9

November 6 November 13

December 4 December 11

January 8 January 15

February 5 February 12

March 4 March 11

April 1 April 8

May 6 May 13

● Orders for eCards can be placed at any time during the month and will be received in minutes

How do I pay for my gift card order?

● Write a check payable to "HIA" and place in black Scrip mailbox in band room by order date ● Enroll in Prestopay, the online payment method offered through ShopwithScrip and pay through electronic fund transfer

How and when will I receive my gift card order?

● Physical gift cards are available one week after the order after school and before marching band rehearsal ● Electronic gift cards (eCards) are delivered within minutes via email

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Attention Hersey Band Families – Do you shop at Amazon? Do you know that you can designate a portion of your Amazon purchase price to benefit Hersey Instrumental Association by using AmazonSmile every time you shop?

What is AmazonSmile? AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Hersey Instrumental Association every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Hersey Instrumental Association.

How do I shop at AmazonSmile? To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations? Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages.

Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile? Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same.

How do I select Hersey Instrumental Association to support when shopping on AmazonSmile? On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need to select Hersey Instrumental Assn Inc. to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.

How much of my purchase does Amazon donate? The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. From time to time, Amazon may offer special, limited time promotions that increase the donation amount on one or more products or services.

HIA SPONSORSHIP Jenny Stanhope and Margo Pasek: Project Co-Chairs

Thank you to the following families and friends who have sponsored the Hersey Band – your sponsorship along with your continued support of the fundraising activities contribute greatly to the growth and success of the band students and the program.

We look forward to the upcoming concerts and performances by our Jazz, Concert and Symphonic Bands. If you are not a band sponsor yet, or if you are grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins or friends who frequently attend the performances, consider the benefit of free admissions to all the band concerts at Hersey!

For more details on the Hersey Band Sponsorship Program, please see the form on the following page of this newsletter. You can also download the form from the Hersey Band website at https://herseyband.com/

Mr. and Mrs. Balut Naim & Soha Barakat Brian and Lisa Borrelli The Browning Family The Celaya Family The Church Family The DeAragon Family The Derbick Family Alex and Melissa Dimitrijevic The Downing Family The Drake Family The Esposito Family The Faley Family Jim and Heather Frankenberger The Fuller Family The Grabowski Family The Graf Family The Harb Family Lisa and Brent Johnson Eric and Julie Junkel The Kaiser Family Gus Karigan The Kersemeier Family The Klem Family The Kuhl Family

Moira and Richard Menninga The Niemiec Family The Nikolai Family Paul and Theresa Nishimura The Maraist Oremland Family The Pasek Family Marc Pittas Bojan and Maureen Podvrsan The Popp Family Kathleen E. Rodriguez, Esq. Holly Schafer The Schmidt Family Mark and Kathy Schoeffmann Bill and Anita Schroeder The Asheim Settersten Family The Siegel Family The Sklivagos Family The Slowinske Family The Spire Family Frank and Jody Stanhope Joe and Jenny Stanhope Wilvin and Antonette Valera The Waltz Family The Whalen Family Rebecca and Tony Wilhelm

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2019-2020 Hersey Band Sponsorship Program Every year, the Hersey Instrumental Association raises funds to provide scholarships, sponsor learning opportunities, host family and student social events, purchase needed equipment, allow the Marching Band program to participate in competitions, and fund other band programs. This is your opportunity to become a sponsor and participate in the growth of the Hersey Band Program. Sponsorship is open to the entire Hersey community, whether you have a student in the program or not. If you enjoy the half-time show, attend one of the concerts, or have pleasant memories of your own high school band days, please consider helping our band program. The following levels of sponsorship are available: Silver Level Sponsorship: $20.00- $49.00 Includes a listing in all band programs and one admission to all concerts including the Chicagoland Invitational Concert Band Festival (CICBF) Gold Level Sponsorship: $50.00 – $199.00 Includes a listing in all band programs and admission for all immediate family members (parents and siblings) to all band concerts including the Chicagoland Invitational Concert Band Festival (CICBF) Platinum Level Sponsorship: $200 and up Includes Gold Level Sponsorship benefits plus Platinum Level Sponsors will receive a ½ page ad in the 2019 CICBF program and will be contacted by the Festival Committee for their ad. Students who bring in Platinum Level Sponsorships will have their student account credited with 20% of the amount contributed and will fulfill their ad sale requirement for the CICBF. Name: __________________________________________________________________________

(Please print as you would like it to appear in the band programs.)

Address: ________________________________________________________________________ E-mail: _______________________________________Phone Number: _______________________ Student’s Name: ____________________ ______________________________________________ Level of Sponsorship and amount: Silver $ __________ Gold $__________ Platinum $____________ Please mail this form with a check made payable to HIA to either:

HIA Sponsorship Drive Jenny Stanhope c/o John Hersey High School 1010 West Marion Rd. 1900 E. Thomas St. or Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Forms and checks can also be dropped off in Mr. Casagrande’s lock box. If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Stanhope at 847-788-9325 or projectchair@herseyband.com. Confirmation of your donation will be e-mailed to you unless otherwise indicated: I would prefer to receive my confirmation in the mail

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Band Camp/Summer/Fall Calendar 20-21!!

Nothing has changed, so far READ CAREFULLY and plan accordingly

This year’s rehearsal schedule will be identical to last year’s summer schedule. Please mark your calendars ASAP. Next Fall, the marching band will be competing in four competitions, noted below. In July/August, particularly 7/29-8/7, we will be learning 75% of what is performed throughout the Fall season. Many of the section Olympic activities will fall on August 10-11 this year. A small portion of the June rehearsal time will be spent preparing for the July 4th parade. A majority of the June rehearsal time will be spent preparing Fall season material and fundamentals. Therefore, regardless of attendance at the July 4th parade, June/July rehearsals are EXTREMELY important. Absences from Summer dates: In the event of family vacations that conflict with June rehearsals, an explanation of conflict should be directed to Mr. C from the parents as soon as possible. Any summer music camps are also excused; notify Mr. C immediately. Students should make sure that job schedules, etc. are adjusted. August band camp rehearsals are mandatory for all. Freshman are STRONGLY encouraged to not miss June rehearsals. Most of the learning of marching technique happens in June.

Please adjust calendars and avoid conflicts with the following dates, particularly in late July/August:

(Students excused from these June/July dates in the event of family vacation, however missing these rehearsals makes August very challenging, particularly for incoming freshman)

MAY Week of May 11 6-9pm Incoming freshman 5:30-9 Section leaders (1 rehearsal) Week of May 18 6-9pm Incoming freshman 5:30-9 Section leaders (1 rehearsal) Week of May 25 6-9pm Incoming freshman 5:30-9 Section leaders (1 rehearsal)

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JUNE/JULY 16 5:30-8:30 Section Leader dinner 17 5:30-9 Section Leaders 6-9pm Freshman only 18 5:30-9 Section Leaders 6-9pm Freshman only 23 5:30-9 Section Leaders 6-9pm ALL MEMBERS 24 6-9pm Freshman Only 5:30-9 Section Leaders 25 6-9pm ALL MEMBERS 5:30-9 Section Leaders July 2 6-9pm ALL MEMBERS 5:30-9 Section Leaders July 4 9am Parade Report

AUGUST July 27 (Mon) 11-12 New Section Leaders 12-4:30pm ALL Section Leaders July 28 (Tues) 10am-5pm ALL Section Leaders 12:30-5pm ALL Freshman 7/29-7/31 11:15 Section Leaders 12PM-9PM ALL 8/3-8/7 11:15 Section Leaders 12PM-9PM ALL 10 4-10PM Rehearsal and Section Olympics 11 5-9pm ALL 12 First day of school 14 5:00pm Report 6:30pm Picnic/Parent Fall Preview 22 (Sat) 1-5pm ALL

Next Year’s Performances

Home Football Games 9/11, 10/2, 10/16, 10/23

Competitions •VJ Andrew Competition 9/19 •NIU Competition 9/26 •ISU state championships 10/17 •Bands of America Super Regional Championships October 23-24 at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN - Exact schedule TBA – may be overnight depending upon our Sat performance assignment

2019-2020 Band Calendar*Highlighted dates indicate changes to previous calendar

March 30 (Mon) Remote classes begin

April15 Solo and Ensemble Contest: Online21 Spring Jazz Concert POSTPONED/TBA26 (Sun) Spring Music Dept Concert POSTPONED/TBA

May4 Concert/Cadet Band concert with Thomas feeder schools 7pm5 HIA General Meeting 7:30 pm8 Formal Band Awards Banquet9 Symphonic Band HONOR BAND performance at Superstate CANCELLED18 Night of Percussion dress rehearsal 3:20pm-?19 (Tues) Night of JAZZ and Percussion 6pm20 (Wed) Graduation25 Memorial Day Parade 9am29 Last Day of School

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*These dates/times may change, please check herseyband.com for most current calendar

HIA Board Members 2019-2020 President: Todd Niemiec

Vice-President: Julie Siegel Treasurer: Eric Junkel

Project Chairs: Jenny Stanhope and Margo Pasek Recording Secretary: Debbie Popp

Corresponding Secretary: Jen Schmidt