President’s Letter September 2008

I was very glad to see so many people for this year's picnic! Jean Spencer and her band of helpers fed over 260 people with Bob Fowle's award winning BBQ. It was a very enjoyable evening for all. I want to thank Jean and everyone that took part in the preparation and presentation of the picnic.

So much has been done by so many people already this season! There is still much to do as well. I encourage everyone to get involved and stay involved. The children need your support!

The band and staff have been working very hard in preparation for this week's upcoming show. The activities behind the scenes have also provided for long hours and hard work. Thanks to Charlie Roper and his helpers for the basket props for the show. There has also been much work sewing uniforms, flags and costumes. Laura Hogan has headed up this task and she and her army of sewers will have the marching band looking
terrific. We also have the folks in the uniform room under Jean Spencer's direction ensuring each student has all of the correct pieces for each performance and that each piece is cleaned and ironed. And then there is the pit crew. That band of merry men and women that load, unload, load, unload, load, unload...,well you get picture. Thanks again to Tom Kurdt for heading up this important task. Andy Hogan has ensured the scaffolding has been erected and safe for the use of the band directors. Jerry Shuck and Nick Hilton have worked to ensure the tractors we use are in good running order for the upcoming season. Thanks to the Fund Raising committee under Jen and Bruce Baker and Jean Spencer for their energy and ideas to raise money for the marching band. The board and I want to thank everyone that has ever sewn a flag, uniform, or costume, picked up a hammer or screw driver, cooked something, cleaned something, moved something, or just plain pitched to help in the various activities this year. We ask that you continue what you do so well for the sake of the award winning marching band!

The planning for the County Band Festival is well under way. The event will take place on Monday October 20, 2008. We need everyone's help to provide a top level, showcase event. If you have already signed up, TERRIFIC! If you would like to sign up, please contact Jean Spencer. She has all of the rosters and would be very happy to add you to the list. This year's activity will bolster the fund for new uniforms for the marching band in 2010. This is a VERY important task. Please remember, it was the work others from which your students have marching uniforms today! Lets keep up the tradition and the pride! There will be a meeting regarding the County Band Festival Wednesday September 24, 2008 beginning at 7:30 PM in the Chorus room.

With the Keys games fresh in our minds, I would like to request 6 to 7 volunteers for a steering committee on which decisions may be made for the participation in the 2009 season. This committee will evaluate the pros and cons of the activity and provide direction to the board to respond to Ovations' inquiry on TJ Boosters participation in 2009. The activity, once all of the receipts are counted, has raised over $21,000. Although the activity was a great deal of work, the changes contemplated by Ovations, and the amount of money raised should be considered. Please contact me if you would like to be a member of this committee.

Mr. Kibler attended the last booster meeting to emphasize the activities needed for raising money to refurbish the stadium and practice areas around GTJHS. The project features turf stadium and practice fields, redesigned stadium and concessions, and field houses for the marching band as well as the sports teams of TJ. As a school, the project will require at least $5M to complete. I am asking for three or four people to work with the sports boosters, GTJHS administration, and fund raising organizations to get this important activity off the ground. Please contact me if you would like to be a part of GTJHS history.

We are off to a great start to the 2008 Marching Band Season! I asked that you continue to be involved and work the fund raising efforts toward the new marching uniforms. This is so very important to the continued success of the program here at GTJHS!

Thank you!
Dennis