2003 May Bugle

DIRECTORS NOTES...

As of this date, our competitive performances are nearly completed. It has been an exciting and rewarding year, and a year to remember. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every member of our department for their effort and energy in attaining the level of performance needed to compete nationally.

Since the last newsletter, the Color Guard finished their season with a third place finish on April 12 at Mount Carmel. The hard work of the girls and direction of the five staff members really showed as their score advanced more than 14 points inspiring them to work hard toward the WGASC championships. The Guard had a strong last performance of the season in the prelims, but unfortunately did not place high enough to make finals. We look forward in planning, practice, and performance, so that we may advance to the finals this coming 2003-04 season.

The Drum Line fulfilled their quest for a national finalist spot as they competed in the WGI World Championships in Dayton Ohio, April 11-12. Although we knew that we were the only Drum Line out of 17 that had never been to Dayton, we worked hard so that we might break into the top 11. We were pleasantly surprised to find that we placed 8^th in Prelims and we were the only California Drum Line to move up in finals competition to a 7^th place world championship finish. Congratulations!!!! What an accomplishment.

The AM Jazz Band just returned home this past weekend from the Reno Jazz Festival. The premier Jazz Festival in the western United States and one of the top festivals in the country. I am proud to announce to you that the band received a UNANIMOUS SUPERIOR rating from these international and very distinguished judges.

We have truly made an impact this year on the national scene with our national competitions. It is with great satisfaction that we should all look back at what we have accomplished this past year. At the same time, we look forward to redirecting our attention in all areas of the program so that we may work to accomplish a balance in performance from all members, and performance ensembles at this national pace.

Let me take this opportunity to announce once again, the upcoming performances of our department.

The AM and PM Jazz Bands will be competing on May 17 at the Valencia Super Jazz Festival.

The Wind Ensemble has been selected as one of three concert band ensembles to perform for the Orange County Performing Arts Center Festival on Tuesday, May 20. The Wind Ensemble will perform one of our adjudication pieces and a new selection entitled Vesuvius, written by Frank Ticheli, an adjudicator and clinician for that day’s event.

Thousand Oaks will host the All District Band Festival on May 21 at 7:30 in our Gym. The Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band will perform together as a united band and will also be the anchor ensemble for the mass production at the conclusion of the concert. The AM Jazz Band will perform at 7:00 pm as a prelude to the concert’s official start at 7:30.

On Friday, May 23, the Wind Ensemble will provide the musical entertainment as requested by the California State University – Channel Islands commencement committee for their first commencement ceremony.

We will perform our last concert of the year on Saturday, May 31 at the Gardens of the World on Thousand Oaks Boulevard from 12 to 4:00 pm. This performance will be a lighter programmed concert and will be a perfect opportunity to bring your blanket and sit in the sun while enjoying music of Broadway and Americana. We ask that you encourage family, friends and neighbors to join us that afternoon. We love performing for large crowds.

The percussion students will be performing a concert of percussion music with John Burroughs High School on the Tuesday June 3 at Burroughs and on Thursday, June 5 in our Performing Arts Center. Students and parents missing the returning member orientation meeting on June 3 will be expected to make the new member orientation held on June 10 in the cafeteria.

We conclude this year with the graduation performance on Thursday, June 12. This is a mandatory performance for all 9, 10, 11 grade students. The time commitment is roughly 5pm—8pm that night. More details to follow.

Of course we have our fundraisers, car washes, orientation meetings, booster meetings, leadership seminars for students, color guard, band council, drum major auditions and the band banquet. Our year is never over; it just turns into another season or cycle.

Speaking of leadership seminars, we are the host site for the California Leadership Academy, run by Don Gunderson Enterprises, with guest speaker, Dave Kuhns of Attitude Concepts for Today. I have asked to host one of the four clinics, as I wanted to give our students and the students of Ventura County this opportunity without traveling to another site. The cost of this event is $15 and reservations can be made directly with Don Gunderson Enterprises at (714) 522-3452.

As you may already know, the title of our 2003 Field Show is Echoes of Camelot. It is a seven movement original piece that invokes the spirit, myth, and character of this fabled time. Each piece of music will set up a particular facet of one of the main characters in the legend of King Arthur. Through interpretive dance, creative flag and equipment work, and role-playing, the audience will enjoy the passion and power of this magical time brought to life as only a band of Thousand Oaks’ caliber can create. Highlights of the show will include “Life at the Faire” a portrait of medieval life, Guinevere, “One Life, Two Hearts” and “The Battle”, a salute to Sir Lancelot.

I have made a motto for myself that “the best is yet to come”. Although I believe in that whole-heartedly, it is with regret that the cycle of our year must come to an end for a special group of young adults. I am talking about the class of 2003.

Larissa, Heather, Mario, Don, Alexis, Brian, Robert, Gabe, Ryan, Elizabeth, Ashley, Katy, Emily, J.D., Tyler, Janette, Dan, Katherine, Nick, Rachel, Jason, Amanda, Adam, Jon, Jason, Jill, Davy, Eric, Pamma, Nick, Tori, Jerry and their parents,

Thank you for your time, dedication, patience, perseverance, commitment, and performance as members of this great band program. I thank you for sticking with me as your new band director, and understanding that change is change and is something we deal with as a constant in life. We all know that there is never a constant and that we must always adjust and adapt to our environment for self-growth and the growth of team.

You were the catalyst for me to direct this program to national status in the competition arena. Typically, a four-year cycle is needed to make long-term adjustments in a high school program for future success. I believe that my experience and your energy and professionalism where that ingredients that WE needed to make the national statement for our program THIS particular year. You never gave up, and you are definitely not quitters. I hope that you now know that we (the Martones) are not either.

Although we have not completed our journey, you have made it possible along with all of the other students, to place us in a great starting position. You have created a new legacy for our program, one that now can be measured by more than the Rose Parade Performance of 1999. We ARE a NATIONAL BAND by competitive rights and we will have to live up to the standards set by all members of the 2002-2003 program and lead by the your senior class.

It is with mixed emotions that I regret to see you go into your own bright future, as I do not want you to leave, but I am so very proud of you and the accomplishments that you have made as individuals and as a group. I am proud to have been a part of your life, and I am proud to have been able to teach you life skills that will travel with you long after your performance days are done. I am confident that you will be successful in life, because of your people skills, and your commitment to excellence, no matter what the task.

In conclusion, let me quote Vince Lombardi . . .

“The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.”

Keep your heads up and keep reaching for the stars. . .

Take care,

Mr. Martone

President’s Corner

Dear Booster Families:

As we start to wind down this school year, we are already planning next year. Part of that planning includes voting on the slate for the 2003-2004 Executive Board. Please join us at the Booster meeting, Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30pm in the band room to cast your vote. This will be our last Booster meeting for the school year. We will also recognize the outgoing Executive Board and thank so many of you that have volunteered your time throughout this past year.

April continued to be busy with our spring group’s competitions. The Jazz Band started the month at Fullerton College and gave an outstanding performance. They also traveled to the Reno Jazz Festival for the last of our National Tour and earned straight superiors. Congratulations to the students and Mr. Martone on an outstanding season. Thank you to our Jazz Band VP, Gloria Paul and our Jazz Band parents for all their support.

The Emerald Guard competed in San Diego twice in April. They continued to improve their scores with every performance. They performed for the final time at their Celebration night at the end of April. It was a beautiful show and they gave a great performance. The guard had their traditional Rose ceremony from daughters to parents. It is always a touching moment. Thank you to the Color Guard parents who continually helped this season. Thanks also to Mrs. Martone and the Color Guard staff for always caring and working hard to help success be achieved. May will bring rehearsals and auditions for the Color Guard. The fall season is already in the works.

The Drum Line had a very successful trip to Dayton, Ohio as part of our National Tour. They came in 7^th place in the finals and out of the four Drum Lines from California they were second place. Mr. Martone surprised the students and arrived just in time to see their preliminary performance. Needless to say, he and the Drum Line staff were very proud of both of their performances. Everyone had a wonderful experience. Thank you to our Drum Line VP, Joanne Ragnarsson, the Drum Line parents, the Drum Line staff and the band office for their support in making this trip and their season such a huge success. The Drum Line also performed their show for the last time at the Celebration night. As usual, the crowd loved it.

Our Spring Concert that was held in the PAC was outstanding. Our students are truly impressive musicians. Thank you to Mr. Martone for bringing out the best in all of our students both musically and personally. Thank you, June Feldman, for yet another beautiful program cover. Thanks to many who were responsible for this wonderful concert, Shari Smith, Betsy Connolly, Gail Williamson, Dorothy Hatfield, Bharati Savla, Sandee Tischler, Marilyn Cole, some of our Color Guard students for handing out programs and our senior reps, Donna Chiurazzi, Pauline Pancake, and Bharati Savla for the senior flowers.

May brings Conejo Valley Days and usually sunny weather! We were doing extremely well with our Churros Booth sales until the rain hit and hit hard. We hope to regroup and finish strong with the extension of CVD. We’ll let you know how it turned out in the next newsletter. Thanks to Betsy Connolly, Diane Folsom, Dorothy Hatfield, Nancy Skewes-Cox and a host of volunteers manning the booth. Betsy has organized and reorganized to help make this booth a success. I have a new appreciation for lady carpenters. Our booth is awesome thanks to Betsy and Diane.

We are looking forward to The All District Band Festival, Wednesday, May 21 in the TOHS Gym. This is always an inspiring event. I love to see where our students once were and the goals that they have achieved now by being part of this awesome Band. We will round out the month of May with the Concert in the Park, Saturday, May 31 at the Gardens of the World. Please plan to join us for lunch, good old fashion apple pie and some true Americana Music.

It is imperative that anyone who still has outstanding expenses pays them by May 31 at the latest. You have essentially borrowed money from the Band for your students to participate this year and the Booster organization needs to be reimbursed in order to make budget. The Booster organization can no longer afford to “front” money for your students and will not do so in the future years. If your student plans to travel with the Band next year, you must bring your account current now. Thank you for your cooperation.

Musically yours,

Lynne Phillips

New Board Elected

At the Booster Meeting on May 13 a new Executive Board was elected. The following Boosters will be serving on the Board during the 2003-04 school year: President-Betsy Connolly, VP Band-Cheryl Pavell, VP Color Guard-Erin McPherson, VP Drum Line-Nancy Skewes-Cox, VP Jazz Band-Mary Tessendorf, Recording Secretary-Gail Williamson, Treasurer-Gari Ann Douglass, Auditor-Keith Smith, Financial Secretaries-Scott Fouse and Mike Sandler, Director of Membership-Penny Hunter, Director of Ways and Means-Sandee Tischler and Polly Toohey, Director of Equipment-Jim Pavell, Director of Student Support-Diane Folsom and Dorothy Hatfield, Director of Publicity-Trisha Webster. We welcome all of you to the Board and thank you for your willing to give of your time and talents to help our children and this organization. The Parliamentarian position is an appointed position and will be chosen by the new Board. The Director of Special Events position was not filled by the Nominating Committee. This position needs some refining of job duties and will be filled in the fall.

The Booster also would like to thank the out going Board. First we would like to acknowledge and thank those senior parents who are leaving and have served on this Board for at least the past two years, if not longer: Lynne Phillips, Gloria Paul, Linda Heckendorf and Judy Hightower. These ladies will truly be missed! Thanks also go Shari Smith (she will be continuing in the Band Office, thank goodness!), Melody Fouse and Joanne Ragnarsson. We certainly couldn’t have done it without you this year. All three of these ladies when above and beyond this year. Joanne had personal family medical problems, but she kept smiling all the way through the trip to Dayton. Melody chaired a position that is truly designed for two; she never gave up on presenting creative and fun fundraisers. And Shari wore so many hats this year it is hard to keep track of all she did even with the lost of her beloved mother she continued to be a source of support and encouragement for everyone else. Thanks so much to all of you for your sacrifice. Thanks also to those who will be continuing on the Board either in the same capacity or a new position: Gail Williamson, Gari Ann Douglass, Keith Smith, Diane Folsom, Scott Fouse, Nancy Skewes-Cox, Jim Pavell, Sandee Tischler, Polly Toohey and Betsy Connolly. Thank you also to our class representatives, Donna Chiurazzi, Pauline Pancake, Bharati Savla, Chris Soltow, Lisa Willcox, Mike O’Beirne and Rose Mary O’Beirne.

One last thank you goes to the Nominating Committee chaired by Parliamentarian Polly Toohey. Those who served on the committee were: Nancy Skewes-Cox, Gari Ann Douglass, Patti Fonvergne, Marilyn Cole, Gloria Paul Pauline Pancake and Mary Tessendorf. Thanks for taking the time to make sure the great traditions of the Boosters continue next year!

Save that Date

Saturday, May 17

Jazz Bands to Valencia Jazz Festival

Wednesday,

May 21

All-District Band Festival-TOHS Gym

Thursday, May 22

Baja Fresh Night

Saturday,

May 31

Concert in the Park at

Gardens of the World

12-4pm

Tuesday, June 3

Returning Students Meeting TOHS PAC

7:30pm

Friday, June 6

Band Banquet

Calabasas Inn

6-11pm

Tuesday, June 10

New Student Orientation TOHS PAC

7:30pm

Thursday, June 12

Graduation

Grades 9-11 Perform at Ceremony

Mon. & Tues., June 16 & 17

BAND CAMP

IT’S TIME TO THINK ABOUT THE ADBOOK

Penny Hunter has so graciously agree to chair the AdBook Campaign again this year. This is our biggest fundraiser and we encourage everyone to participate. This is the best way to get money into your student account. For our new freshmen, the AdBook is a compilation of ads both personal placed by family members and professional those place by local businesses (you probably received one at your school meeting). For every ad a student sells money will be put into their student account. This personal “savings account” can be used to pay band fees. (There will be more details and a complete explanation at the orientation meetings.)

Below are the guidelines for the lottery for next year (freshmen are excluded from the lottery):

1. If you are an outgoing senior all your ads will be placed in the lottery unless you have a sibling in the program. Senior ads will be placed in the lottery for equal distribution. Seniors may not give their ads to others. If seniors have a sibling that is going to receive their ads please fill out the form below.

2. If you want to participate in the lottery, please fill out the form below and return it to the White Box in the Band Office by Friday, June 6.

3. Penny Hunter will pull the lottery on June 7 or 8. She will distribute the results on June 9 or 10. AdBook solicitation forms will be distributed at both orientation meetings on June 3 and 10. As soon as you have your list, you can get selling.

4. Questions, call Penny at 495-4798.

Thanks to all of you for your support of our major fundraiser this year. And thanks too, to Penny for being willing to take on this monumental task again this year. It is appreciated more than you know!!

Student Financial Responsibility

There are many fees and reimbursable expenses associated with our program. In the hopes of eliminating some of the confusion we want to take this opportunity to clarify the different areas of financial responsibility. First there is the ASB account. This is an account held through the school office; these are fees Mr. Martone collects from students for the program. Funds for this account are usually collect through car washes and candy sales. (All campus groups raise money for their ASB account this way.) ASB funds are used for registration fees in competitions and other ongoing expenses that the Band incurs.

The second type of fees is the district fees that are required by the School District for participation in a co-curricular activity (marching band). These two fees are the district transportation fee and the uniform usage fee. If you have a financial hardship you should apply to the athletic office for a waiver of these fees. These fees are paid to the District.

The third type of fees incurred are the flow through or reimbursable fees that the Boosters incur on behalf of the students in the program. These fees include but are not limited to travel when we use private buses or fly, hotel, food and drinks, field show props and general operating expenses. When you sign a financial agreement with the Band you are saying that you are willing to maintain your part in supporting the cost to operate this program. If you apply for a financial hardship above then you may be eligible for a scholarship from the Boosters. You must apply with the athletic office first and have those fees waived before you can be considered by the Boosters for a scholarship. Students whose fees are not paid will not be able to continue to travel with the Band in the fall. The organization cannot afford to make “loans” to those who chose not to pay. We try to keep our costs to a minimum, please do your part to help by paying in a timely manner! And thanks to all of you who are diligent in keeping current, we appreciate you!!