Eagle Band Family Newsletter

December, 2023

Hello, and welcome back to the official newsletter of the Eagle Bands (HMS/SVMS/LNHS)!

There is a LOT of information here, yet ALL of it pertains directly to our awesome band family! Please take plenty of time to read through the entire document as there are helpful links and resources throughout!

Be on the lookout for newsletters in your inbox near the first of each month!

In this issue:

High School News (LNHS)
Middle School News (HMS, SVMS)
Boosters/Fundraising Update
Upcoming Performances/Events
Director Wish List
Senior Spotlight
Upcoming Auditions/Opportunities/Camps/etc.
Directors Do Things, Too!
Contact Information and Helpful Links

If you do not wish to receive these updates, then please click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this message.

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Getting to Know YOU!

Parents/guardians/other supportive adults--

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Please click this link to let us know a bit more about YOU and the unique skills you possess!

Do you like building or fixing things? Are you good with accounting? Do you enjoy data entry and logistics? Are you experienced in a non-profit sector? Are you an expert in website or graphic design? Are you willing simply to show up and help with whatever needs done for the students? We want to know!

The information you provide will be used to help identify individuals to contact for specific tasks we need completed for the Band Family to continue to thrive. We will NOT use your information to spam your inbox!

1. High School News (LNHS)

All-State Band Honors

Congratulations to the following LNHS students who earned All-State honors! Those who earned spots in the band will rehearse/perform at Margaritaville Resort in Osage Beach, MO, Jan. 24-27.

Seth Nickel - 16th chair clarinet

Kayla Nelson - 1st chair horn

Mason Burnett - 2nd chair trombone

Andrew McGuire - 7th chair trombone

William Kanning - 6th chair tuba

Grace Flener - 1st chair percussion

Noah Adrineda - 2nd chair percussion

Konnor Kawalke - 2nd alternate tuba

Sindhu Rao - 4th honorable mention flute

Matthew Dembski - 4th honorable mention tuba

Mason Burnett - 2nd honorable mention jazz trombone

Andrew McGuire - 1st honorable mention jazz bass trombone

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All-District Jazz Band

Congrats to Mason Burnett and Drew McGuire for their recent performance with the KC Metro All-District Jazz Band!

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Winter Guard

The LN Winter Guard has been hard at work learning their show. Dr. Doss recently stopped by for a 'sneak peek,' but has been sworn to secrecy about what he saw! The show concept/theme will be revealed soon...!

2. Middle School News (HMS/SVMS)

Winter Concerts

Congratulations to the HMS and SVMS Bands for their awesome winter concert performances! Additional applause for those involved with the Honor Symphony!

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HMS Beginning Band

Such a BIG sound after only a few weeks with instruments!

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Honor Symphony

Thanks to the HMS Bands for letting us join in on their concert!

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SVMS Combined Bands

All of the SVMS Bands combined for a final selection...including some extra "littles" helping with jingle bells!

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EIP

We have several high school students involved in the Educational Internship Program at both HMS and SVMS. Here, Alondra Valdez plays trombone/conducts and Knox Rhoad sits-in on flute (both on secondary instruments they've been learning through the process).

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And here is Grace Flener helping to warm-up the SVMS Concert Band (while also playing tuba)!

3. Band Boosters, Fundraising, and Student Financial Accounts (SFAs)

Band Boosters

The Liberty North Band Boosters are a group of parent/guardian/supportive adult volunteers, organized to:

Support the students, directors, staff, and families.
Create a sense of community and encourage parent/guardian and student engagement in band and guard activities.
Raise funds to financially support band and guard programs.
Promote the program within the community.

The Boosters support ALL of our Band Family, grades 6-12.

Please contact Booster President Amy Konkle with questions, ideas, or to find out ways to get involved! libertynorthband@gmail.com. Please see section 9 of this newsletter ("Contact Information") for information on joining their Remind messaging group!

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Meeting Dates (all at 7:00 p.m. in the LNHS Band Room)

Monday, January 8

Monday, February 5

Monday, March 4

Monday, April 1

Check the band website for updates/changes!

Fundraising

$$$$$

Student Financial Accounts (SFAs)

Also called "individual accounts," these exist to provide students and families opportunities to raise, store, and spend funds for band-related purchases/fees/trip expenditures while a student is enrolled within the Eagle Bands program at LNHS. The SFAs are still relatively new, so please be patient as we continue to work out the 'kinks.'

Click here to view a detailed explanation of the SFAs. This was the policy originally approved by the district, but currently is undergoing revision by the Boosters and Directors.

Click here to submit parent/guardian contact information for your student(s). Information submitted through this form will only be used by Band Boosters to communicate Student Financial Account (SFA) balance and reimbursement information.

Click here to access the updated form used to request usage/transfer of SFA funds.

Questions? Please contact Booster President Amy Konkle (libertynorthband@gmail.com), or one of our Co-Treasurers Julianne Hemphill or Crissy Patterson (lnbandtreasurer@gmail.com).

4. Recent/Upcoming LNHS, HMS, and/or SVMS Performances

Tues., 12/5 - HMS Band/LPS Honor Symphony Concerts at LNHS (6:30 p.m. Honor Symphony, 7:00 p.m. HMS Bands)
Wed., 12/6 - SVMS Band Concert at SVMS (7:00 p.m.)
Thurs., 12/7 - HS All-District Band rehearsal (4:30-7:00 p.m. at LSHS)
Fri., 12/8 - HS All-District Band rehearsal (4:30-9:00 p.m. at LSHS)
Sat., 12/9 - MS and HS All-District Band rehearsals and performances (all day at LSHS)
Tues., 12/12 - LNHS Band Concert at LNHS (7:00 p.m.)
Sat., 12/16 - LN Guard hosting "Bingo With the Grinch" (9-11 a.m. at LNHS)

5. Wish List

Here is a wish list from the band directors/guard coaches. If you are able to help with any of these, or if you have any contacts/leads, then please contact either Dr. Doss (Justin.Doss@lps53.org) and/or Booster President Amy Konkle libertynorthband@gmail.com!

New Eagle Band attire for the Directors/Coaches/Staff - Help us dress for success! (We cannot use our school budget money for this, so we would welcome funding for new polo shirts, matching staff jackets, hats, etc.)

Recruitment wristbands, stickers, candy, etc. - Cost varies by unit (contact Kelsee.Gardner@lps53.org to help with bracelets and/or stickers!)

Gift cards - The Boosters/Directors can always use gift cards to local stores to benefit students for trips, special events, performances, equipment, etc. (e.g., Walmart, Target, Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, Amazon, etc.)

Vending machine for LNHS band room (to include reeds, oil, marching gloves, flip folder pages, etc.) - Cost unknown

Semi trailer for transporting instruments, uniforms, etc. - Cost unknown

Scholarship funding for HMS/SVMS/LNHS students - specifically, funds for summer band camps, honor ensemble participation, private lessons fees, etc. (These are NOT currently in place, so we would be looking for someone to help create them AND acquire ongoing funding for them.)

Korg TM-60BK Tuner/Metronome Combo - approx. $30 each (goal = 25 units)

New 6' silver flag poles for the guard - approx. $500-600 for 30 poles

Two tarp carts for winter guard floor tarps - approx. $250 each

6. Senior Spotlight

Each newsletter, we will highlight some of our amazing SENIORS!

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Andrew McGuire

Instrument(s)/Equipment - Trombone and Tuba

Favorite band memory - "Spending time with my closest friends on the band trip last summer."

Something interesting/unique about me - "I play golf for the school."

Accomplishments/accolades/awards - "Made the district band 3 times, state callback 3 times, state honorable mention 1 time, state band 1 time, district jazz 1 time, and state honorable mention jazz 1 time."

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Jason Cline

Instrument(s)/Equipment - Bass Clarinet

Favorite band memory - "Playing at the Friday night football games"

Something interesting/unique about me - "I have two cousins that go to Liberty High School. My Cousin Rihanna is a junior, and my cousin James is a freshman."

Other Info - "I have grandparents who live in Hudson, FL"

7. Upcoming Auditions/Camps/Workshops/Performance Opportunities

Northwinds Symphonic Band Young Artist Concerto Competition

The Northwinds Symphonic Band has an annual Concerto Competition for students in grades 9-12. The winner of this competition not only gets to perform with this semi-professional band on one of their concerts, but they also win a cash prize of $1,000.00! (Dr. Doss has had 4 former students win this competition over the years, though I take ZERO credit for their success in this event! I say this only to let you know it is VERY possible to win!)

Information may be found here. Deadline is January 24, 2024.

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Northland Symphony Youth Orchestra and Sinfonia

www.northlandsymphony.org/youth

Youth Symphony of Kansas City

https://youthsymphonykc.org/

Fountain City Youth Brass Academy

https://fcyba.net/

8. Directors Do Things, Too!

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Cameron Municipal Band

Mr. Fuller, Ms. Gardner, and Mr. Dragen will all be performing with the Cameron Municipal Band on Dec. 17!

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A Trumpeting We Will Go...

Dr. Doss is looking forward to performing at the Second Baptist Church (Liberty), Lee's Summit Christian Church, and St. Paul's Episcopal within the next three weeks!