Congratulations! on your choice to continue your music education at

Waterford Mott High School!  Our bands have a long established tradition of excellence, and we are excited to welcome you to our program.  The following pages will give you all the information necessary to make your transition smooth.  Please read carefully and if you have questions, contact the band office at 248.674.7699.

Concert Band

All freshmen band members should sign up for Concert Band III, course number 1152 section 1.  This is an academic class that gives you the opportunity to continue your development on your main instrument.  Participation in a Concert Band allows you to be in jazz band, marching band, concerts, band festival and solo and ensemble festival.

Jazz Band

There will be a meeting for jazz band on the second day of school at 6:45 am.  You must be in a band class to participate.  More information on the first day of school.

Marching Band

All freshmen are encouraged to participate in the marching band.  You must be in a band class to participate.  Marching involves attending band camp in the summer and rehearsals on Monday and Wednesday evenings throughout the fall season.  As many of you know, the Mott Marching Band competes with many bands in the state, which are members of the Michigan Competitive Band Association (MCBA).  The educational and competitive nature of the marching band creates an atmosphere where students can learn team ethics, team pride, and leadership as well as independent thinking.  Please fill out the marching band form included in this letter and send it to the Mott Band Office or turn it in to Mr. Bishop, Mr. DeFauw or Mr. Gillette.

If you are going to be involved in the Mott Band Program, please attend the following meeting.

Summer Marching rehearsals

Students are expected to attend as many of these rehearsals as possible.

Pre camp  Monday, August 1  9:00 AM to 1:00 PM 

                Tuesday, August 2  9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

                Wednesday, August 3  9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

  Monday, August 8  4:00 PM to  8:00 PM

Post camp  Wednesday, August 17  6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Starting Monday, August 22, there will be regular Monday and Wednesday night

rehearsals 6-9pm.

BAND CAMP REGISTRATION DATES

Registration takes approximately 30 minutes during any of the time below (depending on fitting time).  Times are suggested by class for traffic flow and ease of uniform fitting reasons.  If you need to attend a different time or if you have more than one student that needs to be fitted, please let us know.  If you cannot attend because of vacations or other conflicts, other arrangements must be made with Mr. Braue or Miss Opatich prior to Band Camp by calling the band office:  674-7699.  Registration includes:

Uniform fitting

Order shoes and gloves

Payment for camp

Turn in health form

All questions and concerns answered before Band Camp

Tuesday, August 2, 2005  1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

  Seniors     1:00-2:00

  Juniors   2:00-3:00

Wednesday, August 3, 2005  1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

  Sophomores        1:00-2:00

  Freshmen   2:00-4:00

Monday, August 8, 2005  5:00-7:00 PM (anyone who missed his/her time)

BAND CAMP DATES

All band members must be present for camp because they learn the competition show for the year.  If you have conflicts or questions, please call the band office.  Also, you must fill out the form at the end of this newsletter and return it with your first payment.  This will assure you a position in the drill.  The drill writer will want to start writing in May to be able to have drill ready for band camp.  If your form and money are not in, you will not have a position in the drill.

Tuesday, August 9, 2005 –Sunday, August 14, 2005

Fundraisers AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

SPRING CAR WASH

Saturday, May 21, 2005 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM 

All current 8th grade students are invited to participate to give you an opportunity to get to know some upper classmen.  Please plan to attend anytime during the day to help and have some fun.  The car wash will be held at Kroger this year.  Please email Betsy Grossnickle if you plan to be there: 

mottbandboosters@aol.com.

PALACE AND D.T.E FUND RAISER DATES

As a fund-raiser, the Waterford Mott Band Boosters staff concession booths during games and concerts at the Palace of Auburn Hills and D.T.E.  In addition to the money that goes to the general Band Booster Fund, a parent that works these nights generally makes $30.00 to $40.00 each night per person which goes directly into your student’s account to pay for band camp and other future costs (including reeds and valve oil).  The schedule for this summer is being determined at this time.

SCHOLARSHIPS

A few partial scholarships are available for marching band from the Band Boosters.  If you need one, please talk to Mr. Braue or Miss Opatich as soon as possible.  Also, if you have more than one student in the marching band at the same time, you receive a discount on the older students’ account.

PAYMENT ON YOUR ACCOUNT

If a student is not in marching band, the expenses he or she may incur include reeds and valve oil which we sell through the band office.  For marching band, we have set up a payment schedule at the end of this letter to aide in your planning.  If you would like to pay more frequently in smaller amounts, this is also possible. 

You are invited to mott!

If you would like a glimpse of how things work at Mott, come to our Spring Concerts here at Mott.  Here are the dates:

Tuesday, May 17, 2005  Jazz Bands and Jazz Choir Concert

Thursday, May 19, 2005  Symphony Band

Tuesday, May 24, 2005  Concert Band and Concert Ensemble

WATERFORD MOTT HIGH SCHOOL

BAND CAMP AND MARCHING SEASON

ITEMIZED PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR 2005

All students must pay the following:

Band Camp  Cost  $310.00

Marching Season Fee  $325.00

    (music and drill design, instruction

  throughout season, meals before

  competitions)

Band T-shirt (new t-shirt each year)  $     5.00

TOTAL COST  $640.00

Extra items for first year marching members:

Hat  $      5.00

Shoes  $    20.00

Gloves  $      4.00

Music Lyre   $    10.00

  (average cost-each instrument

   is different) 

If you have credits on your account from the 2004-2005 school year, deduct that from the total. 

Make all checks payable to “Waterford Mott Band"

FEE SCHEDULE

Money from 2004-2005 school year due   IMMEDIATELY

Non-refundable First payment due   $150.00  May 20, 2005 

Second payment due  $150.00  June 13, 2005

Third payment due  $ 200.00  August 1, 2005

Final payment due  $140.00  October 7, 2005