In the Beginning...

 Instead of a Newsletter, I'm starting a Blog.  Something I've never done.  We'll see how it goes.  I may not introduce it until after Fall Break--another thing I've never done.  

My plan is to inform students & Parents of happenings in the program, plans that aren't official yet, etc.  I am committing to never make an important announcement only on the Blog.  I may not write in it everyday, but hopefully once a week.

We almost Kicked off the Wreath Fundraiser today, but ran out of time in class.   Huge thank you to Patty for running Copies of the Pricing Sheet.  The profit margins of the Wreath sale are lower than I'd like, but hopefully a lot of people will buy a wreath, raising that level.  Yesterday, I spent about 2.5 hours working on a price point that covers a Shipping cost that's 27% of the total BNI order, a Plastic Bag cost-you'd think that would be a given, and our profit margin, while not driving the cost up too much.  I quickly realized this is a special skill I have zero training in.  I also needed the profit margin to be beneficial to both the Band & IBA's.  In the end, I found a number I can live with, and should cover all factors.  

Another important communication went out about Orlando trip interest.  I need to find a way to get this to incoming BNI students before too long.  Just need to know when acceptance letters go out, and gather more Grade school director contact info, which has been elusive like my own White Whale.

I'm also doing prelimary show design/selection for next year.  I've got several Shows I'd like to do, just getting the right fit.

Ugh, I want to survey students on parade repertoire for the Hammond Veterans day parade.  I don't think we have the time to soley focus on a new Parade piece while starting Fall concert music, and establishing routines/procedures.  Maybe we'll just stay with what we've got and do Part 1 for the Hammond Holliday Parade on Dec 6. Which reminds me, I've gotta type an itinerary for that parade, I heard from them and have enough info to create an itinerary.      

Luckily walked up to the office; found our new-used trombone sitting there. with some much needed valve oils.  giong to link this blog from my e-mail sig.  Just clicked to see it pasted the wrong link.. need to check those. Shoot, e-mail didn't auto save and i didn't start in Gdocs like usual.  Lesson learned.

With as much as these kids eat (not just Band kids), I think the Chocolate sale is going to fund a new Music Building.  Just had one of the new players get their instrument to bring home!! Yea!  Hope to see more of it.  

We're going to start Tomorrow with EE etudes & pointallistic duets, we've gotta get our reading a bit better.  Hopefully i can work with Percussion alone during SRT tomorrow.  I have dreams of Percussion Ensemble.  High Voltage fits them perfectly, and I have the black lights in my basement doin' nothing.  Gotta order it too, and we need Cymbal stands of which we have none.  May need to order the Drumset hardware earlier  than anticipated.

Well, that's an entry