Upcoming Events

• Past due: if you haven't already turned in your permission form for this August's Band Camp, please download the form, print it, and return it to Mrs. Klek as soon as possible with your payment ($50 for one student, $75 if you have two)
• Wednesdays starting July 8: full band rehearsals, 9 - 11 am, followed by sectionals. These are non-mandatory but they help make us stronger going into band camp
• Wednesday, August 5: mandatory rehearsal for all band members, 9 to noon
• Thursday and Friday, August 6 and 7: freshmen band members and Drum Majors pre-camp, 9 to noon
• August 10 - 14: Band Camp, all unit members (Band, Color Guard and Drill Team)
• Thursday, August 13: family picnic, 6 pm by the stands
• Friday, August 14: pizza party for students

Membership

It's time to join NMUPA for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Parents or guardians must be members each year the student is in the unit in order for the studen to apply for a scholarship as a senior. Membership costs only $7.50 per parent or guardian. (In case of hardship, please contact the President.) Here's the 2009 - 2010 membership form.

Are You Interested?

We're looking into a Trenton Thunder Student Fundraiser. The tickets must be purchased ahead of time, so we are taking a poll to see if enough people are interested. Please email Stephaney at NMUPAfundR@hotmail.com with your answers to these questions:

1. If you're interested in participating, how many tickets would you expect to purchase?
2. Would you prefer to purchase tickets for a game in May, or would you rather buy a gift certificate to use anytime during the season?

Bylaws

New Bylaws and Standing Rules for Scholarships were adopted at the May 11 meeting. Here are the new Bylaws and Standing Rules.

Hall of Fame

The Marching Unit Hall of Fame features student names painted on the walls of the music hall at Nottingham. You can have your student's name painted on a brick or block by filling out the Hall of Fame block order form. Small bricks cost $5.00, cinder blocks cost $20, and proceeds benefit the scholarship fund.

Marching Unit Videos

The highly-acclaimed 2008-2009 Marching Unit video is now on sale for $10. We also have a two-DVD set of this January's Jazz Festival -- hours of great jazz for your listening and viewing pleasure -- for $15. Contact Mrs. Klek at jklek@hamilton.k12.nj.us to order your copies.

Summer Instrumental Practices

Summer practices for band members will be on Wednesdays again, from 9 to 11 am, beginning July 8. They're not mandatory but they're fun and they'll help you master the pieces for the field show.

Band Camp

See the Band Camp dates in "Upcoming Events" at left.

Here's the 2009 Band Camp Letter and, in case you didn't turn it in yet, the 2009 Band Camp Permission Form.

Students may not leave school grounds at any time during band camp.

Band members:

• If your student hasn't received music for band camp, please contact Mrs. Klek. Students need to know the music before band camp so it can be integrated with the moves on the field
• Band Camp counts towards each student's grade. Band is an A-level class. Students receive a grade for all practices and rehearsals. Sports games and some practices are excused, but work is not an excused absence. If you work, please give your employer the schedule early so conflicts can be avoided. Festivals, competitions and Homecoming count for double grades

What to bring to Band Camp each day:

• A full stomach (eat breakfast)
• Drinks will be provided at lunch time
• Bring sunscreen, a bag lunch, and a water bottle on a lanyard for before and after lunch. Cold water will be provided for refills
• If you're in the band and don't already have band shoes, bring a check for $25 payable to "Man-How", with your name and shoe size on the memo line

What else to bring on Tuesday, August 11:

• Bring the rules and procedures information (sent home on Monday August 10), signed by a parent or guardian

What else to bring on Friday, August 14:

• Wear the new Marching Unit t-shirt (given out on Monday August 10)
• Don't bring a lunch: there will be a pizza party

Uniforms: Uniforms for new members will be issued on August 14. There's no fee for uniforms but they're very expensive. They need to be kept on a hanger when they're not being worn, and they need to be dry cleaned regularly as needed.

Band members need to provide their own black socks. More information about Drill Team and Color will be posted as soon as it's available.

Students need to wear the new Marching Unit t-shirt under their uniform during the season for ALL performances.

The Nottingham Marching Unit Parents Association (NMUPA) supports the Nottingham High School Northstar Marching Unit. The marching unit includes the band, drill team and color guard, and it performs at Nottingham varsity football games and in competitions, exhibitions, and Hamilton Township parades.

Mrs. Cusack is retiring as Drill Team Director after 14 years with the marching unit. One of the unit's biggest supporters, her enthusiasm is contagious and she always strives for excellence. She'll still be teaching at Nottingham, so thank her for her dedication when you see her.

Extra special applause to our departing officers Gary Sabik, Lynn Stout and Teresa Laurita, and our outgoing committee chairs and members. These people did an untold amount of work behind the scenes to make the unit what it is. Thank you!

And of course our graduating seniors who've done such a great job over the years ... be sure to come back and see us!

Selling old jewelry or precious metals? Contact Joe Gernhardt at 609-587-5474. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to NMUPA.