It’s time to really start planning for “Pops in the Park;” it’s just under 2 months away on May 16th.  This is one of the best events that we have each year in our band program.  This event is both a showcase of our student’s talents and a fundraiser for our program.  But in order to pull off an event of this magnitude we need the help of our parents.  A lot of you have expressed interest in helping out with something which is great but can always use more.  At our meeting a few weeks back we broke some of the responsibilities into small committees.  Each committee has someone in charge of that particular area.  What we are looking for is people that would like to volunteer to head up a certain committee as well as people willing to be on a committee. 

So many of us have different areas of expertise that we can put to use, so find one that you think suits you the best.  Here are the committees:

- Concessions- Bill and JoAnne Underwood (The crowd wants to eat, so we gotta feed ‘em)

- Advertising- open  (Publicity of the concert is what makes the crowds come)

- Equipment- open  (Moving band equipment, as well as helping set up sound equipment)

- Fundraising- open (Would like to have fundraising events for band, guard, and percussion.  This involves seeking donations, setting up basket auction and bake sale.  We’ve already got lots of great ideas for this committee.  I just need the help getting it going.)

- Hospitality- open  (We have a group of distinguished guests that come and we want them to feel welcome)

If any of these things interest you, or if you want to try anything else, please let me know.  I can’t say enough about how wonderful this event was last year and we would love to make it bigger and better this year. 

Feel free to contact me at chris.neidhardt@cowetaschools.net if you have any questions.

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Boosters, Alumni, and Future Boosters,

I want to thank everyone for all the positive responses I’ve gotten about “Pops in the Park.”  We are well on our way to having a very successful event.  All the groundwork is being laid, but now we need your help for something in which you will get a direct benefit.  One of the new ideas for this year is to make a program for the event.  This allows us to share information about our band program, the concert, our students and for local businesses to advertise.  There were a few thousand spectators at the event last year so businesses will have a large crowd to advertise for.  We are asking for you to go around the community and ask businesses if they’d be interested in purchasing an ad in our program.  Also some parents may choose to take out an ad for their child congratulating them on a great year.  This could be a great chance for a senior parent to thank their student for a great four years.  These programs are profitable for the band because it helps us raise more money.  And part of the deal is that 25% of every ad that you sell goes directly into your child’s student account.  Also if you sell more than $100 worth of ad’s then you will receive 50% of every ad that you sell.  For example, if you sell 2 full page ad’s, $75 will go directly into your student account.  All order forms are due to the band room no later than MONDAY MAY 5th!!!!!!  You can find the order forms attached to this email for your convenience.  Thanks so much and with your help both the band and your student can make money off of “Pops in the Park”

We will also be selling business card sized advertising space on the back of the t-shirts we will be making for “Pops in the Park.”   For $250 the business will have their name on the back of the t-shirts that the students will be wearing at the concert as well as the t-shirts we will sell.  We are limiting it to 10 businesses.  If you know of anyone that would be interested please contact me and I will get you more information.

Keep watching your email as more help will be needed leading into the event.

Ad Form - Page 1
Ad Form - Page 2

Chris Neidhardt
Asst. Director of Bands
East Coweta High School

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From JoAnne Underwood:
As you know on May 16, 2008 we will hold our 2nd annual “Pops in Park” concert in Senoia.  Last year was a great event and this year will be even better.  We will have many tables set up to help raise money (money raise means lower dues).   One funding raising event that will be available is a silent auction.  To make the auction successful, we are encouraging everyone to donate an item or put together a basket for the auction.

Betty Holley will be helping with the display and the silent auction on the night of the event.  If you would like to donate an item please bring it to the band room by May 12th so that we can begin putting the baskets together.   Donations ideas are listed below.

If you would like to put a basket together then please bring it to the park or leave it in the band room by Friday, May 16th at 3:00.   

Ideas for Baskets

Movie - M ovie passes, Blockbuster Gift cards, Popcorn, Candy (Dots, Raisinets, Skittles, Junior Mints), Cokes, DVD’s, Blanket, Pillow

Summer - Sunscreen, Aloe Gel, Beach Towels, Beach ball, Paddle Ball game, flip flops, sunglasses, tumbler glasses, goggles, Beach bag, sand bucket

Coffee - Mugs, Coffee, Starbucks gift card, Hot Cocoa, Tea (Flavored), Biscotti biscuits

Spa - Eye cover, bath pillow, shower gel, bubble bath, lotion, Foot lotion, foot pumice stone, nail polish, nail polish Remover, eye compress, face masks, toe separator, loofa sponge, slippers, candles

College - Notebooks, paper, back pillow, laundry detergent, laundry basket, umbrella, phone card, stamps, gum, shower tote, Pens, pencils, microwave popcorn and snacks

Car Care - Tire cleaner, leather cleaner, glass cleaner, sponges, air freshener, paper towels, tire gauge, atlas, organizer for Glove box and trunk

Chocolate - Chocolate candy, hot cocoa, Yohoo Drinks, etc.

Photo Finish - All size frames, photo albums, disposable camera, Photo stickers and markers for scrapbooks.

Gardener’s Basket - Gloves, flower seeds, knee pads, gift card to local nursery

Sports Basket - Playground balls, football, whiffle ball set, bases, Outdoor volleyball and badminton set

Stationary Basket - Note cards, stamps, pencils, pens, stickers

Coach Potato - Chips, Dip, Popcorn Bowl, popcorn, snacks

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Pops in the Park is two weeks from Friday, (May 16) so it is quickly approaching.  I am excited about the willingness of people to help and because of that we will have a good event.  A couple things I wanted to talk about it. 

1. If anybody has any ad sales for the program please start bringing them in so we can start getting them scanned for the program.  I have attached the ad sales forms for your convenience.  Also, let me know if you have been able to get ads sold, so I can get an idea of how many we have at this point.   These ad sales are a great way to make more money for your student account especially with the second band payment coming up on May 15th.  Ad’s can be taken out by businesses or by you as a way to recognize your student.  Also, contact me if you have been able to get any donations.  
   

2.      Bill Underwood will start taking volunteers for concessions at the event.  He has decided to venture into the realm of funnel cakes for so if anybody has any expertise in funnel cake making, let him know.  This is the biggest area we will need help in because this is our biggest fundraiser at Pops in the Park.  If you are interested in helping with concessions please contact Bill at uwoodb@bellsouth.net.

3.      As an added fundraiser we will be selling spirit pops where fans can vote for their favorite ensemble of the evening.  How this works is if you think the Jazz Band is your favorite, then cast your vote for them by buying a tootsie roll pop.  It should be easy if you can keep track of who votes for whom.  If you are interested in helping with the spirit pops contact Dawn McCallister at dawn.mccallister@delta.com.

4.      Lastly we will be having a silent auction again this year.  We had some great baskets last year but we want to do better this year.  Attached is a sheet that each student will get in class tomorrow. We are encouraging each section to bring in items for a specific theme of basket.  The section whose basket sells the best will get a prize.  If each student brings in just one simple thing for their basket we will have some really cool baskets to sell.  Prices range from under a dollar to more expensive for the items.  This is a fun way for the sections to participate in making “Pops in the Park” a success.

 
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available,
 
Looking forward to a great event,
 
Chris Neidhardt
Asst. Director of Bands
East Coweta High School