February 26 IMA Newsletter

GENERAL:

• FINAL WEEK: 2024 - 2025 Course Scheduling
• 2024 IMA Scholarship Application information
• NEW: Northampton County Band pre-sale ticket information
• DUE TUESDAY: Orchestra t-shirt money due 2/27
• Senior Recital information
• 100 years - our band program turns 100 in 2024!
  
• Private Lessons information
• 2023 - 2024 Concert Dates
  
• 2024 - 2025 Summer/Fall Calendar

MARDI GRAS (LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY!!):

• Event Flyer & Information
• Sign up geniuses

FUNDRAISING:

• May 05: IMA Designer Purse Bingo
• NEW: Leave a Legacy Campaign!
• NEXT WEEK: Sign up genius for concessions at EAHS musical
• NEW: Sign up genius for pit orchestra dinners
• Business Sponsorship Information
• RaiseRight Fundraising Opportunity

NEXT WEEK:

Monday, February 26:

• Pit Orchestra, 3:00 - 6:00p

Tuesday, February 27:

• Orchestra Council, 6:40a
• Pit Orchestra, 3:00 - 6:00p
• DUE: Orchestra t-shirt money ($15)

Wednesday, February 28:

• Chamber Strings, 6:00 - 8:00p

Thursday, February 29:

• Jazz Band, 6:00 - 9:00p

Friday, March 01:

• Pit Orchestra, 3:00 - 7:00p
• Mardi Gras set up - volunteers needed!

Saturday, March 02:

• EAHS Mardi Gras, report @ 3:30p (doors open at 5:30p) - purchase tickets here

NEXT WEEK:
Monday, March 04:

• Pit Orchestra, 3:00 - 8:00p

Tuesday, March 05:

• Pit Orchestra, 3:00 - 8:00p

Wednesday, March 06:

• Pit Orchestra, 3:00 - 8:00p

Thursday, March 07:

• EAHS Musical, 7:00p (pit orchestra report @ 5:30p)

Friday, March 08:

• EAHS Musical, 7:00p (pit orchestra report @ 5:30p)

Saturday, March 09:

• EAHS Musical, 7:00p (pit orchestra report @ 5:30p)

Sunday, March 10:

• EAHS Musical, 1:30p (pit orchestra report @ 12:00p)

Stay up to date by viewing our online calendar on our website!

Congratulations Ben, Carter, & Natalie for your performance in the PMEA Region V Band!

Due to the cancellation of the February rehearsal, we will now have rehearsal on March 16 beginning at 8:00a. We will bus to Northampton and depart EAHS at 7:00a.

Attire for the concert is full uniform (including white pants). Wear what you will wear underneath your uniform to rehearsal that day.

The schedule will be:

8:00a - Rehearsal

12:00p - Lunch

1:00p - Rehearsal

4:00p - Banquet dinner

7:00p - Concert

If you have a conflict with that morning time, please let me know by Wednesday, Feb. 28!

Thank you!

Scheduling for the 2024 - 2025 school year closes this week!. There are a few important details to go over when scheduling classes:

BAND:

• Students currently in 9th grade or Block 01 concert band should schedule BAND next year. There are no grade specific labels (Band 10, Band 11, etc.) for next year.
• Students who play both in band & orchestra should schedule two separate classes (BAND & STRING ENSEMBLE).
• Place the ensemble in the first spot under your electives.
• If you think you may have a potential scheduling conflict, let Mr. Ballentine know as there are many solutions (health 10, languages, etc.)
• Students in wind ensemble currently should schedule wind ensemble for next year. Students who wish to be considered for wind ensemble but are not currently enrolled in the course should schedule BAND. Video auditions for wind ensemble will take place in early March.

ORCHESTRA:

• Students currently in 9th grade or Block 01 symphony orchestra should schedule STRING ENSEMBLE next year.
• Place the ensemble in the first spot under your electives.
• If you think you may have a potential scheduling conflict, let Mr. Ballentine know as there are many solutions (health 10, languages, etc.)

As always, please see me with any questions!

*Attention ALL Seniors*

The IMA is proud to sponsor six $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of the instrumental music department who plan to attend a certified educational institution. To be eligible for the scholarship, the student must have participated in the instrumental music department for the entirety of their four years in high school. Graduating instrumental music department seniors are strongly encouraged to apply.

The IMA Scholarship Application will be available Tuesday, February 13, on the EAHS Scholarship Website at scholarships.eastonsd.org The application and recommendations will be submitted online this year. The deadline to return the application is Friday, April 12, 2024.

We look forward to reading and considering your application.

*Questions regarding the IMA Scholarship can be directed to Mrs. Jennifer Brunetti at scholarships@eahsmusic.org

ANY STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN NORTHAMPTON COUNTY BAND:

If you wanted to purchase pre-sale concert tickets, please give them to Mr. Ballentine by Friday, March 01.

All individuals who purchase pre-sale tickets will receive them PRIOR to the concert date.

Please submit payment for your orchestra t-shirt by 2/27.

Cash or checks made payable to EAHS orchestra. Please place payment in an envelope and label with "your name - orchestra t-shirt." Payment can be submitted in the manila envelopes on the instrumental library doors.

**Attention Seniors**

Each year, we hold a recital at the end of the school year to showcase seniors who wish to perform a piece of music literature specific to their instrument. This recital will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the high school auditorium. It is a night of honor to recognize the achievement of our seniors.

If you are interested, please click on the information document below and complete the interest form. Forms are due by March 27, 2024!

Senior Recital Information Document

Senior Recital Interest Form

The EAHS band program was founded in 2024! While the 2024 - 2025 school year is the official 100th anniversary, we will be celebrating the wonderful traditions of our band and music program throughout the next year.

Be on the lookout for the many ways in which we will celebrate and highlight our students' accomplishments over the years!

Check out this video of the band's history over the past 100 years.

With a new year, it is a great opportunity to begin private lessons! These are a wonderful chance to work individually with a teacher and work specifically on items you/your student may be wanting to focus on.

Finding the right teacher is crucial in order for this to be a success! Someone who works well with one student may not work well with another.

Take a moment to review this list of private instructors in the area. If you are interested in starting lessons, don't hesitate to reach out for more information!

Private Lesson Teacher List

Please see the document below for a listing of all concert dates for instrumental ensembles for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Hard copies will also be distributed to all students.

2023 - 2024 Concert Dates

Please see this document for a tentative listing of all summer dates for instrumental ensembles. More information will be shared as we progress through the next few months.

Join us for a fun night of food, all you can eat pie, a HUGE tricky tray, and LIVE ENTERTAINMENT by our fabulous EAHS orchestras & jazz band! You won't want to miss this event!

Our Mardi Gras is back for its second year! We had an amazing event last year with delicious food, music, and entertainment. We are looking to make the event even bigger!!

Tickets are $12/person and available online via this link. The ticket cost includes admission, all you can eat pie, live music, and refreshments. Bring extra cash to participate in a tricky tray and buy some additional concessions to complete the night!

We can't wait to see you there!

The tricky tray is HUGE this year, with over 10 high end baskets (valued at $100 or more)! Invite friends, family, neighbors, etc.! Let's pack the cafeteria for our jazz band & orchestra!

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48A5AB2EA0FBC07-47494070-volunteer#/

FOOD DONATIONS

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48A5AB2EA0FBC07-donations#/

TRICKY TRAY DONATIONS

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48A5AB2EA0FBC07-47494098-tricky#/

ATTENTION: IMA Parents!!!! Are you ready to pie your student IN THE FACE??? Yep, you read that right! At this year’s Mardi Gras event, all family, loved ones and friends (including students!) can PIE their beloved student IN THE FACE! Cost is $25 per pie. Multiple pies can be purchased per student.

IF we get to $2500, Mr. Ballentine will get SUPER PIED… by all the “pied” seniors ALL AT ONCE!

Sign up genius linked here!

Designer Purse Bingo!

Come join us for this year’s IMA Designer Purse Bingo! This important fundraiser for the IMA offers a fun time of playing bingo to win some high-quality purses while also trying your luck at some handsome door prizes and tricky tray items. Tell all your family and friends.

• Date: Sunday,May 5, 2024

• Time: Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; games begin at 12:00 p.m.

• Location: Easton Area High School cafeteria

• Tickets: $30.00 per ticket

To make this bingo fundraiser a real success, the IMA needs your help. To volunteer, contact Kathy Raub at bingo@eahsmusic.org or (610) 597-7473 to help with some of the following:

• Get sponsors; organize tricky trays, purses, and door prizes; set up for the Designer Purse Bingo; check people in on the day of the event; sell bingo boards, tricky tray tray tickets, 50/50 tickets on the day of the event

IMPORTANT LINKS:

• PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS for Designer Purse Bingo on the IMA website.
• Interested in sponsoring a purse, click here!
• Interested in sponsoring a tricky tray item, see this sign up genius!

The 2024 – 2025 school year will mark our band’s 100th anniversary! This is a momentous occasion where we can reflect on the past, but also look towards the future with both our band and orchestra. We are kicking off a fundraising campaign in the hopes that we can leave a lasting legacy and continue to be able to provide EVERY student in band and orchestra with the tools they need to be successful into the future.

Our goal is to raise $30,000 for our instrumental music program through this fundraiser. This will cover the cost of our annual scholarships, instrument maintenance, and many events planned for our band's 100th anniversary!

Dates: February 12 - June 30

To donate or to learn more information, please click here!

Also, if you know any EAHS band alumni, please spread the word about our alumni band!

Please see the sign up genius below to donate or volunteer for the IMA concession stand at the EAHS musical.

Thank you!

Sign Up Genius

Please help sign up to donate and feed our pit orchestra during the week of the musical. All donations are appreciated!

We are looking for a few volunteers & donations of items!

Check out our spring craft show on Saturday, March 23! Be on the lookout for more information about ways to help!

If you know a crafter/vendor interested in participating, please share this link with them:

https://eahsmusic.org/front-page/spring-2024-craft-show-registration/

The IMA is seeking business sponsors to help support our students! This is a NEW extension of our program and we are looking forward to the opportunity to give more to our students!

Corporate sponsorship of the IMA is integral to the financial well-being of our operating budget supporting the many opportunities afforded our students. The IMA supports over $80,000 in annual expenses, including annual scholarships, marching band operating expenses, uniform care, new instrument/ equipment purchases, maintenance costs, travel opportunities, and more.

As a corporate sponsor of the IMA, there are many benefits your organization would receive, in addition to supporting our students. We hope you consider supporting our wonderful music program. Our students work incredibly hard each year and we hope to be able to continue to support their needs through generous donations such as yours.

How it works

1. Ask local businesses to support our program by directing them to our website OR handing them this letter!
2. Businesses will complete the form at the bottom of this page.
3. Upon completion, businesses will receive email confirmation.
4. They will be contacted by our business sponsor chairperson for details re: specifics pertaining to your sponsorship level (advertisement design, etc.). Artwork requirements
5. If paying via check, mailing address is:
   Instrumental Music Association
   Attn: Business Sponsorships
   PO Box 3535
   Easton, PA 18043

PLEASE NOTE: Any business sponsorships secured by students will result in 10% of that sponsorship going towards their trip contribution!

For more information, please visit our Sponsorship Website!

An EASY & EFFECTIVE means of fundraising! 100% of the amount fundraised goes to helping offset student contributions for our upcoming travel opportunities.

WHAT IS IT?
Participants can buy gift cards at face value. There is a percentage listed that you earn for every purchase. Gift cards are either instant download and/ or physical gift cards. You can then spend the gift cards as you would normally, knowing you helped fundraise!

HOW IT WORKS:

Click here to learn more about the program, create your account & begin fundraising! Friends & family can help fundraise anywhere in the country - it is a great way to get relatives involved who may not be able to participate in our normal fundraisers.

*If ordering Giant gift cards, please ensure you look for the logo below to use at Giant. Do not use any other logos, as they will not be able to be used at Giant.

The Easton Area High School (EAHS) Instrumental Music Program has a long history of success. The program consists of nearly 380 students in grades 9 – 12 and encompasses marching band, three concert bands, three orchestras, two jazz ensembles, pep band, and pit orchestra.

Email: ballentinec@eastonsd.org
Website: www.eahsmusic.org
Location: 2601 William Penn Highway, Easton, PA, USA
Phone: (610) 250 2481
Facebook: facebook.com/eahsmusic
Twitter: @eahs_band