Welcome to the band program for East River High School in Orlando, Florida. Under the leadership of Joshua Sall, Director of Bands, our performance groups include the Vanguard Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble and Winter Guard.
East River is a relatively new school, having opened in 2009, but already is earning a reputation as having one of the finest band programs in the state of Florida. Each year East River bands, ensembles and Winter Guard perform at numerous festivals and competitions across the state. In both 2010 and 2011, the Vanguard placed in the top 5 in their class at the FMBC State Marching Championship Finals in Tampa. This is a tremendous achievement for any school, especially a new one!
The East River band program is well on the way to building a legacy of excellence.
This Week's Highlights
- 6pm
- ERHS Performing Arts Center
The wonderful slide show that Mr. Palmieri put together for the Awards Night event can be purchased on DVD for just $10. This is a great deal and all proceeds go to the general band fund. To purchase a copy, please contact Mr. Sall.
Date: Thursday, May 10
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: ERHS PAC (Auditorium)
Attire: Semi-formal
Charge: $5 Ages 12 and up
Tickets: Avail. from Mr. Sall / Ms. Strawn
Send personalized messages to your friends, family, teachers, and students! Let everyone know how you feel. For a $2 donation your message will appear on the big screen during the awards ceremony! Preorder by May 1st and get 3 messages for only $5. Order forms are available in the band room. Please provide the form and money to Mr. Sall or Ms. Strawn. Happy messaging!
The chorus is hosting a Yard Sale here at ERHS. It will take place on April 21st in the parking lot. They have offered the opportunity to allow the band to fundraise with them. We have 2 ways to fundraise.
- (the best way) - Sell a spot! The cost for anyone to come in and sell their items is $25 for a parking spot. You can sell as many spots as you can and earn 100% of that $25 to your student's fair share contribution.
- Buy your own spot. You can purchase your own $25 spot in the lot and sell your own products.
We need to fully participate in every fundraiser we do. We need to participate as a TEAM. If you have already contributed your full amount, you can donate that money to the bottom line. That is what we really need. Sell those spots!
Here is the schedule for the concert and symphonic bands for the MPA performance this Saturday:
8:45am - Arrival to ERHS/Drop off
9:00am - Load Buses
9:05am - Depart for WEST ORANGE H.S.
10:30am - Concert Band Warm up
11:00am - Concert Band Performance
11:45am-2:30pm - Watch other bands
12:30pm - Warm Up Symphonic Band
1:00pm - Symphonic Band Performance
3:30pm - Load Buses/Depart for ERHS
4:30pm - Arrive at ERHS/ Parent Pick up
Upcoming dates and important changes that you need to know about:
February 28th - Concert Band Pre MPA performance - 7:00pm @ ERHS Auditorium (Symphonic band required to attend)
March 2nd - Symphonic Band Pre MPA @ University High School Auditorium. Report time 6:45pm.
March 7th - Symphonic Band rescheduling of rehearsal. March 8th is no more. The UCF associate director of bands, Scott Tobias will be in to work with our group. Rehearsal on Wednesday the 7th starts at 2:00pm and ends at 4:00pm.
Week of MPA - All rehearsals will remain in place!
It is that time to start thinking about getting physicals for next marching season! Physicals are required for ALL band members next year. To make it really easy on you, physicals can be done right here at East River HS during Physical Night.
When: Monday, April 30 at 5:30 pm
Where: ERHS gym
Cost: $20
Proceeds from Physical Night go to the ERHS sports medicine program. Don't miss this opportunity to get your required physical!
Parents:
This is a reminder that on Tuesday the 7th at 7:00pm, we will have our monthly parent meeting. At this meeting we will be accepting final nominations for board positions and voting on positions for the parent board members. Other items to be discussed are: Fundraising, Lunch cart rules, gate rules, bylaws, and shaping the parent group.
Please plan on attending. Your participation in this group is crucial in the forward progress of our program.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
February 7th is the band parent meeting where we will discuss the way we handle lunch cart and gate rules. If you have any issue with any of the below statements, please bring them to the meeting. Your input is wanted!
Parents and Students,
It seems as though my email a week or so ago drew many questions and some were most upset by the email I sent. I want to clarify some of the misunderstandings regarding Fundraising, Lunch Cart and Athletic Gate earnings.
Thank you very much for your continued assistance with fundraising. We have a long way to go though!
Best Wishes,
Mr. Sall
This misconception has led to some being very upset. Let me clarify, what was stated previously. In an attempt to be constant with rules from years past, I stated that any who worked the lunch cart and gate will not earn any money toward their account and it would all go toward the sponsor account. That was a misunderstanding on my part. Apparently, it was only the Lunch Cart that this rule was for. Please reference below for specific mandates for the lunch cart.
All gates, fundraisers, and lunch cart money earned will go toward the winterguard member's account. Once the money is earned, they will fall into the category of paid off and the Lunch Cart/Gate Rule will apply.
Here are the specific rules that will apply to each area of fundraising:
Lunch Cart: Students in debt will be given priority for signing up. Parents who would like to volunteer and work, can work lunch cart at any time. If you reach a zero balance, a parent can work still. They can earn up to $100.00 towards next year. Once that amount has been reached, that parent can still work but will then have the money transferred into the Sponsor account. Winter guard students can work lunch cart at any time and get credit towards the winter season. We make close to $15,000 each year from lunch cart. This band would not be able to afford half of what we have spent if we do not have lunch cart any more. Please help, even if you already have a zero balance. Parents, we need you.
Gate: This is for adults only. Any time an adult works, they will earn towards their student's account. If you reach a zero balance, a parent can work still. They can earn up to $100.00 towards next year. Once that amount has been reached, that parent can still work but will then have the money transferred into the Sponsor account. Winter guard students can work gate at any time and get credit towards the winter season.
All Other Fundraisers: Anything else that the band does (pizza cards, door-to-door, candy sales, etc.) goes directly towards your account. You can earn as much as you want for next year!
*Please note that the Gate and the Lunch Cart are not the property of the band. The Lunch Cart belongs to the cafeteria manager and the Gate belongs to Athletics. We are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to fundraise through these two amazing opportunities. They can be taken away at any time!
On Thursday, January 5th at 7:00pm, we will host a band parent meeting in the auditorium that I urge all of you to come to. What will be discussed is a different look at parent volunteering and a new distribution of responsibilities. It is important that if you are a volunteer or ever plan on volunteering that you attend this meeting. Your involvement in the future of our program is welcomed and very much needed!
Have a wonderful and blessed holiday break!
Musically Yours,
Joshua Sall
