General Meeting – 04-11-24
Board Members in attendance – Allen Frank, Bill Lennox, Tina Martucci, Jacqui Fortsch, Cory Dailey, Jeanette Dennis and Joyce James
Tina called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone in attendance and online. She asked for the minutes from last month’s meeting to be reviewed. A motion to approve was made by Jeanette Dennis. A second was made by AnnaLisa Kelly-Cavotta. Overall vote was to approve.
Sue Testa presented the proposed changes to the bylaws which will be voted on at the May meeting. The Bylaws that were approved in March are active already, however, there were two changes which are amending only two sections. The first potential change is to the Article III membership – it would assert that the participants would be residents of Bethlehem. The second potential change is to add Section 4 describing the role for a Community Partner.
Sue then began the board elections with a breakdown of how the process of voting would work.
Shelly Hever made a motion to have Jacqui Fortsch elected president since she was running unopposed for the position. Second motion was made by Joe Testa. Overall vote was unanimous for Jacqui.
Christine D’Annabelle made a motion to have Tracy Luisser elected as Vice President of Volunteers. Since Jacqui was officially elected as President, Tracy is now running unopposed. Second motion was made by Michelle Miller. Overall vote was unanimous for Tracy.
While votes are being counted for Vice President of Student Accounts….
Cory mentioned that we will need volunteers for the pops concert as well as the flower fundraiser. She also noted that on the piano are seed packets for the volunteers as a small token of our appreciation of what they do all year.
Jacqui reminded everyone that the Salsa fundraiser pick up will be on April 27 and the spring flower pick up will be May 11.
These will be the last fundraisers of the year as Charms will be going away and will be switching to CutTime and we will need time to get that set up. Pampered Chef figures are not yet showing in Charms. Questions came about CutTime. It is a must do because Charms is not continuing with its current financial program.
Concerns and questions arose that with two trips going, how soon fill fundraising start again. Jacqui said she should have everything online by July.
Allen stated everyone in the district will be using CutTime including elementary schools.
There was a question regarding rollover funds. Jacqui stated that she doesn’t see a problem moving money from middle school. There was also a question of whether existing e-mails in Charms will be rolled over. Bill said yes, but that it will just take time.
Jacqui announced that the new Vice President of Student accounts is Stephanie Cramer
While votes are being counted for Secretary….
Jeanette presented the Treasurer’s report which was also made available in the chat. No one paid for fair share in March. Please check your accounts to make sure you have paid fair share. Remember if you have money in your account, it doesn’t automatically change to fair share. If you wanted it rolled over, send an e-mail.
The third page of the Treasurer’s report shows all of the expenses for March. The concert was technically for April but because we had the numbers available, they were included for those who were curious. They will be reflected in the April Treasurer’s report.
Allen gave a big thank you to the volunteers for their time and donations. Now that the concert has wrapped up, he mentioned just how proud he was of the way the kids performed.
Joyce announced that the new Secretary is Michelle Miller.
Sue reminded everyone that for the last vote, there needs to be two names as there are two open At-Large positions,
While votes are being counted for the At-Large positions…..
Allen listed the upcoming events
4/17 – All State Festival
4/20 – Cops N Kids
4/22 – School Board Meeting
4/24 – Dress Rehearsal for Choir / Orchestra concert
4/26 – Evening of the Arts Choir / Orchestra concert
5/1 – Senior trip to NYC
5/2 – Special Olympics (day)
5/2 – Rehearsal for the Pops concert (evening)
5/3 – Orchestra Pops concert
Six of our students are going to Erie for All-State
3 for Chorus
2 for Band
1 for Orchestra
Next week – Friday is an Evening of the Arts. There is a visual Arts display as well as Industrial, cooking, and Liberty Jams
The Orchestra Pops concert will be May 3rd at 7pm. There will be light tunes sung by the barbershop quartet. The trombones and saxophones will both be in features.
May 1 is the New York trip for the seniors. Current report time is 5:30am. Peak Performance Tours may move it back to 6am. We will be at the 9/11 memorial museum at 9am. We will be seeing the 1pm matinee of Hamilton and be back to LHS at approximately 7:30pm
The summer band schedule for next year was released on April 14. It included all the scheduled football games and such. August 5 starts summer band rehearsals. Our first game is in Penn Ridge. Our week 2 game is a Thursday night game which will lead us nicely into a 3 day weekend.
The calendar for next year is being put together but remains a work in progress. The Red Hot Chili Pipers concert will be March 6th. The Parade of Shamrocks will be back on the permanent schedule. Possibly a few other parades will be added.
This Monday, April 22, the school board will officially be voting on the Florida and London trips. They have been very supportive. It’s a great chance for a trip of this magnitude and the first since COVID.
The London Band Week staff will be here on April 28th for a parent informational meeting and will stay to talk with the students on April 29th.
Jeanette announced that the new At-Large members are Marilyn Kelly-Cavotta and Jen Roan
By having an information meeting for London now, it gives a whole year to plan ahead. We’re close to rolling out some specifics for both trips and we are aiming high on the costs in the hopes of avoiding surprises later.
Julie and Allen will be going to Florida to look at workshops and lodging options.
Out of fairness to the families, with back to back trips, we are announcing both trips at once to give families the opportunity to discuss and determine if they are able to do both trips or only one. Financial burdens and difficulties are understood. Airfare is what is currently driving the estimated price as high as it is. We want to afford everyone the opportunity to attend.
London band week is occurring in June so there won’t be any school time missed. We will be using the same travel agent we have used for 20+ years.
Estimated cost for Florida is $2,000. Estimated cost for London is $4,000.
Even though the staff from London Band week will be here soon to answer questions, Allen gave an overview of some of what goes on. They take youth bands from all over Europe and the US and make them the stars. They perform in something like a tattoo. Plus we will be doing touristy things as well.
This year the University of Tennessee participated. As well as Ohio University. Next year Rutgers will be participating.
Allen and Bill are going to be attending next year’s performances to observe.
It is a unique opportunity. It has been 20 years since the LHSGB has gone to London and it will coincide with the 100th anniversary of he LHSGB.
Fundraising will be a huge part of the success of the trip. Bill is in conversations to see how big schools fundraise for trips like this. It may mean writing proposals for company grants or hosting event here at the school. Our efforts start now and we will do all we can do to make these trips available to all.
The Florida trip dates will be Jan 16-22, 2025. It is cheaper to travel in January than it is in February. Choir goes along to Florida as well. The will be over Martin Luther King weekend. It is important to note that the musical experience is why we go, but it is also to praise and thank the kids for all they do. They earn it.
A question was asked about tag-alongs. London Band Week personnel handles travel for that. We will let you know as soon as we know the numbers. A question was also asked regarding the difference between a tag along and a chaperone. A chaperone watches the kids. Tag alongs get to come to see performances, but it is basically a whole separate trip. You travel separately, you lodge somewhere different from the band. There is usually a minimum for tag alongs, but not necessarily a maximum.
We are looking into passports and maybe setting up group passport times.
A question was asked about signing out a student to extend the trip. That will be allowed and arrangements will be made as the trip gets closer if this pertains to your family situation.
There is no itinerary yet for either trip.
Dress rehearsal for the concert will be next Wednesday at 5:30. We have to wrap up rehearsal before 7pm because of college night meeting in the auditorium.
Listing of 2024-2025 Executive Committee Board Members
Jackie Fortsch – President
Tracy Luisser – Vice President Volunteers
Stephanie Cramer – Vice President Student Accounts
Michelle Miller – Secretary
Jeanette Dennis – Treasurer
Rita Haberstumpf – At-Large
Marilyn Kelly-Cavotta – At-Large
Linda O-Brien – At-Large
Jen Roan – At-Large
A motion to close the meeting was made by Eleanor Mayer. A second motion was made by Jeanette Dennis. Overall vote was to close the meeting.