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State of the FAB - April 2008
by Paula Cardelli Celebrate Good Times�Come on�it's a Celebration!
Celebrate: Parents, Staff and Community members willing to get involved-Board Members, Committee chairs, prop pushers, pit people, sewers, servers, bus parents, chaperones, cheerleaders.�
Celebrate: Ferndale School's commitment to the Fine Arts-Kindergarten to Graduation.
Celebrate: Superior and Excellent ratings of FMS Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band, Choirs and Jazz Choir, Orchestra at festivals; Honors Band/Choir/Orchestra participants; 8th graders participating in marching band.
Celebrate: State Marching Band Champion-4th year in a row, Jazz Band performance at the Detroit International Jazz Festival, Wind Ensemble's selection to perform at the prestigious Michigan Music Educators Conference, Superior and Excellent ratings of all the bands, choirs and orchestras at festivals.
Celebrate: Supporting the Fine Arts Staff (choir, band, orchestra, dance, theater) with a $750 classroom enhancement grant each.
Celebrate: Successful fundraising�Ferndale 40 that became the Ferndale 103 raising over $11,000 for the MMEC trip and Taste of Music Fund, Hosting the Ferndale Winterguard Regional to support the Marching Band, Guard and FAB @$6000, Taste of Music Capital Campaign nearing the goal of $200,000�only $5000 more to go.
Celebrate: Purchase of marching band uniforms, concert dress, sound systems for each music room, instruments, stands, chairs, Semi-trailer and the retrofit�
Celebrate: Major benefactors: Mens Wearhouse, Machpelah Cemetery, Pleasant Ridge Foundation, StoneRidge Construction Company, Spaulding & Curtin Funeral Directors�the many donors from our community�parents, businesses, friends and alumni.
Get involved, bring a friend and join in the Celebration!
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State of the FAB � April 2007
We've had a very successful year. I would say that even if we hadn't even come close to meeting our financial goals. As an organization, FAB was everywhere this year. This is just a short list of some of the things we've done:
- Partnered with the Ferndale Education Foundation to host the Fore Kids Golf Classic in June
- Sold concessions at the four "Music in the Park" concerts at the Kulick Center in June and July
- Sponsored multiple fundraisers for the music students, so that they could raise funds for Marching Band camp and their winter break trips
- Hosted a Barbeque dinner and Concert featuring Jill Jack at FHS
- Sold concessions at the Ferndale Ice Festival, where we were also recipients of donations from local businesses!
- Put on two Winterguard competitions, a local and a regional, the larger of which netted FAB $12, 000.
And, our year is not over yet! We still have the Taste of Music 2 coming up in May.
We have become really good at raising money, but we are good at spending it, too! This year we were happy to spend:
� $13,644 for a down payment on the new marching band uniforms
� $4,700 on musical instruments (a Marimba and concert toms)
� $4,500 in activity support to the marching band and Winterguard
� $3,000 in program support to FHS music teachers ($1000 each to vocal, band and orchestra)
$1,300 for additional concert dresses for choir, band and orchestra, on top of the $7,700 spent last year.
In addition, the FAB Marching Band Committee raised $28,000 to support the marching band, and the Winterguard Committee raised $5,300 to support its program.
All these statistics are amazing, and we could not have done it without all of you. Without all the amazing volunteers who donated so much of their time this year. I was the one who had to recruit all the dozens and dozens of volunteers for the WGI regional show in February, and you know what? It wasn't hard. Except for a couple of Junior Marching Band boys, everyone was very happy to help out. A lot of people said "I can be there all day, just put me where you need me." It was great!
Karen King, April 25, 2007
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After the Marching Band's first competition this year, at Novi High School, another band parent said to me, "Isn't this a great group of parents?" We had just loaded all the pit equipment, instruments, props, uniforms and flags onto the trucks after Ferndale's performance. We were enjoying a little tailgate party there in the parking lot after all our work. There were several dozen of us � all wearing blue H20 T-shirts - and I couldn't have agreed more. The happy, involved parents I saw were all great people, great volunteers, and fun to be with. There were also staff members, bus drivers, band alumni and community members! I want to thank everyone for all their hard work. It was a great day, and Ferndale even came in first in their competition!!
If you would like to come join our band volunteers, you are very welcome! But the FAB needs volunteers for our other pursuits, also. Over the summer, FAB volunteers provided concessions for the Music in the Park series at the Kulick Center, organized and hosted the Fore Kids Golf Classic, and held a benefit picnic dinner and concert at FHS featuring the singer/songwriter Jill Jack. This school year we hope to host two Color Guard Competitions at the High School. We will need many volunteers for these and other upcoming events. All the money we raise goes to support the wonderful fine arts programs in the Ferndale Schools.
We also are looking for interested parents to put together an "Orchestra Committee" to become a part of FAB. Anyone who would like to help with grant proposals would be a very welcome addition to our volunteer team. If you would like to help in any way, please e-mail me.
Go Ferndale!
Karen King
FAB President
p.s. I would like to thank our FAB officers for their hard work so far this year: Vice President Bruce Bethuy for organizing the Golf Outing and Concessions for Music in the Park (and cooking those great jumbo hot dogs!), Secretary Kathy Wiley for always being willing to take on more than her share of work, and Treasurer Joan Weidner, who puts in more time and energy than anyone. She's the one who keeps track of all our fundraisers, as well as keeping the books for both the Marching Band and the FAB! Last but not least, I would like to thank Paula Cardelli for all her hard work as Taste of Music Chairman. She is keeping us all going with her hard work and positive energy!
Notes from our Annual Meeting - April 12, 2006
Here are some of our FABulous accomplishments this year:
We raised over $21,000 with our Taste of Music Capital Campaign, and pledged an additional $6,000 of FAB funds toward the campaign.
We made the following Capital Campaign purchases:
-Over $5,000 of percussion instruments for the high school bands
-125 concert dresses, so that every girl in band, orchestra and choir is now outfitted
-Clothing racks to store these dresses as well as the tuxedos that were recently donated to the high school
We organized eight different fundraisers that helped students earn about $15,000 to help pay their fees for activities such as Marching Band, Winter Guard, and the Choir/Theater trip to New York.
We ran other fundraisers, such as the FAB General Store and concessions for Ferndale's Music in the Park series and Winter Festival, which help provide:
-$1,500 funding allocations to each high school music teacher for program related activities such as clinicians and field trip subsidies
-$3,000 in financial support to the Marching Band and Winter Guard programs
And it's only April!
Karen
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Congratulations!! Marching Band season is over, and our wonderful Golden Eagles are the State Champions once more! The kids worked so hard, but had a great time, too. I think I can say the same thing about all the adult volunteers who sewed costumes and uniforms, set up the pit, built and transported the props, chaperoned on the buses, and put in countless hours of their time this season.
What are we going to do with all our extra time, now? Don't worry, there are many choices! Drum Line and Winterguard are getting ready to start their seasons, as well as the Jazz Band. The fall/winter concert season is beginning! If you are looking for volunteer opportunities, we have many! Just e-mail me (or the group of your choice) and we will get you going.
Karen
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| From the President�.September 4, 2005 |
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Wow, it's September already! School is back in session, and music is alive in our schools!
Tag Day � our first big fundraiser for the Marching Band � was a success. On Saturday, August 27, dozens of students and many dedicated parents turned out to raise a little over $2000! Thanks especially go to Joan Weidner and Connie Jacobs for organizing and managing this event.
The Jazz Band was offered the terrific opportunity to play at the Detroit International Jazz Festival on September 4, and they were great! A fun time was had by all, as many of the families rode downtown on a packed "spectator bus" organized by Paula Cardelli. This marked the last performance for the four talented 2005 graduates in the Jazz Band � Drew Baumgartner, Bill Corrigan, Andy Hubert and Gordon Smith. They are now all off to college, where we know they will excel!
The Marching Band season is underway, with the first competition in Novi, September 10. The show is looking and sounding great!
We are happy to welcome a new staff member to the music department. Leslie Scarlett is the new Director of Orchestras, and she is an FHS alum! I know Leslie is looking for interested parents to help form an Orchestra Committee for FAB, so please contact her if you are interested.
And please join the FAB! Everyone is welcome, and we need you. It's a new school year, so please join (Or join again, if you were a member last year). This year, you get a nifty membership card, too! The membership form is available on this website, as well as in our newsletter or at any fall concerts you may attend. Also, drop by the FAB "General Store" tent at any home football game. We always have great stuff for sale.
See you at the show,
Karen
p.s. A huge thank you goes to Connie Jacobs for all her hard work as FAB President. And if you know Connie, you know she is still working hard for us this year; on the Board of Directors, in charge of the General Store, fundraising, communications, etc. We love you, Connie!!!
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| One Last Time... 7/10/2005 |
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Well, here is my last entry to the "President's Page". I can hardly believe it's been a year since I took over the role of FAB President . What a year it has been!
The students and staff of the music department truly "did themselves proud" this year. Just think back to what these kids accomplished this year: State Champion Marching Band, State Champion Winter Guard, 2nd Place Drum line (missed the championship by "this much"), all the 1's (and a few 2's) at festivals for the bands, orchestras and choirs. The Jazz band's invitation to play at the Detroit International Jazz Festival over Labor Day weekend is quite an honor.
The FAB itself has continued to grow. We received our 501c3 status (a major biggie!), added new committees (like Winterguard), and started some new "annual events" such as the FAB rummage sale, Holiday Craft Sale, and our famous (or is that infamous?) Flamingo Flocking.
We've seen a "changing of the guard" this past year. The FAB Board of Directors has some "new blood". Mr. Smith completed his final year as Marching Band Director and has passed the baton to the extremely capable hands of Mr. Jamison. We have also just said "good bye" to the class of 2005. The talent pool was pretty deep with this gang. That is one group of kids that will be sorely missed.
With all of that said, I have to give a big "THANK YOU" to all the volunteers that have worked so hard to make all this good stuff happen this year. The Fine Arts programs at Ferndale would not be as good as they are without parental and community support. As wonderful as our instructors are (and they are FABULOUS), they can't do it alone. They need your help. So, my final message as president of the FAB is: "Get Involved and Stay Involved!". Volunteering is fun (really, it truly is) AND just because your kid graduates and leaves the Ferndale schools, it doesn't mean that YOU have to go away too. The FAB is a community organization. You don't have to be a parent of a current student to support the school programs. It takes a village...
Get involved! Stay involved! The kids need you.
Connie
P.S.
My heartfelt thanks goes to Karen King for stepping up and accepting the role as president of the FAB. Karen, the floor is now yours.
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| CREATURE FROM OUTER SPACE JOINS FHS ORCHESTRA |
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02/13/05
No, there really is not an alien creature in the FHS Orchestra (although some may disagree). What really is true though is that these great Fine Arts programs need your support.
Support can be given in so many ways. Simply recognizing the value of these programs is supportive. Tell your friends and neighbors about our wonderful programs. Let the school administration know how important these programs are to your kids and your family. Encourage your friends and family to attend concerts, competitions, and the upcoming festivals. We are very lucky at Ferndale to have such great programs, let's make sure that everyone knows how much we value them.
Volunteer your time. There are so many things that parents and community members can do to help. Visit our website at www.fsfab.org to get an idea of the vast number of opportunities there are to donate your time (and in some cases, muscles) to the cause.
Support the fund raising events. As much as we all hate to admit it, these programs can't exist without cold, hard, cash. The staff and boosters are constantly working on new and creative ways to pay for things. Take a look at some of the upcoming fundraising events in this newsletter or visit the website to check out the latest and greatest events.
Finally, please don't hesitate to contact anyone on the FAB committees or Board of Directors with any new ideas, or concerns. The "FAB" is a group of people who have come together to support the Fine Arts Programs in the Ferndale School District. The "FAB" is YOU!
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10/31/2004
WOW!!
What a show.
Congratulations Ferndale Golden Eagle Marching Band!
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| I Am Soooo Proud of This Band |
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10/24/2004
As the Marching Band prepares for the State finals this week, I feel compelled to take a few minutes to express how incredibly proud we all are of this group of kids.
In Marching Band you don't sit on the bench. You don't rely on your star player to make the point. Everyone is in the game. Everyone is scoring points. Therefore, everyone has had to work incredibly hard to come this far.
Anyone who has seen "Pandora's Box" knows how good these kids are. Guard, Pit, Drumline, Winds, commanded by Gordon and Mary� they are all outstanding.
I've watched these kids over the past six months work very hard to become the class act that they are today. I'm not speaking of just their awesome job on the field; I've watched these kids off the field too. The support they give one another, the respect they show the other bands is indicative of what a great group of kids we have here. For example, at the last show, Ferndale and Harrison's changing rooms were right next to each other. The Ferndale band was finished and just about to leave, waiting outside the rooms, when a number of the Harrison kids (who had just finished competing) walked through the crowd of Ferndale kids. Do you know what our kids did? They smiled and applauded the Harrison kids! The respect that they showed the musicians from a rival school brought tears to my eyes.
To Roger, Elon, Jason, Colleen, Joe, and the rest of the staff� THANK YOU! You have led our children through an incredible experience this year. The respect and patience you show as you work with our kids is phenomenal. You have shared far more than your knowledge and experience, you have shown our kids how to be good, caring, people. You must love them because I know you certainly don't do it for the money. Ferndale is incredibly lucky to have you on our team.
Personally, I don't need a group of judges at State Finals to tell me where Ferndale ranks. The Ferndale Golden Eagle Marching Band is #1 in my book. Thank you students, staff, and volunteers. You make the whole community proud!
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| Thank you, Thank you, Thank you |
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Thanks so much to everyone that responded to our cry for help this past weekend at the Ferndale Art Fair. What a great group of people to give up their precious free time to help the FAB make some much-needed funds! I am very grateful to Bridget Maiorana, Pat Corrigan, Karen King, Mikki Kolar, Mary Korson, Bruce Bethuy, Cindy Chouinard, Vicki Brennan, Carol Olsen, Amy Jo Johnston, Jon Taisey, Amanda Jacobs, Hannah Tavalire (aka "Salsa Girl"), Cassie & Jasmine Johnston, Erinn Reeves (two shifts!), and always-to-be-counted-on Tammy Dengate. Thank you all so very, very much!!
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8/29/2004
Fundraising, fundraising, fundraising� and Interlochen Band Camp. What a great summer it has been!
Big thanks need to go out to all the "Flamingo Flockers", especially Tammy Dengate, Joan Weidner, Liz Pfleger, and Michele Podzikowski (and their "understanding" husbands). The final tally for flockings was about $2,500 for the Marching Band general fund.
The FAB concessions, headed up by Bruce Bethuy, have become a staple at the Ferndale Music in the Park series. It wouldn't be the same without a jumbo hotdog and chips from Bruce and his crew. Thanks!
The FAB booth at the Ferndale Art Fair was the "happening place" this year. Our clearance sale of old Marching Band t-shirts and sweatshirts, along with some general merchandise from the General Store brought in over $500 for the FAB. Big thanks go out to everyone who volunteered to work this two-day event: Megan Chouinard, Jene Dupuis, Mary Fraser, Andy Hubert, Amanda Jacobs, Jawan Jackson, Donna Luo, Nate Papi-Wark, Laura Podzikowski, Daina Salayon, Bruce & Judy Bethuy, Pat Corrigan, Pat Fraser, Laura Mahler, Carol Olsen, Michele Podzikowski, Laurie Scott, and Kathy Wildfong. Thanks, guys!
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6/27/2004
I finally spent some time to learn how to update the website (Thanks Tim!) and I can make my first entry (which may or may not be good news to everyone else)�
I certainly have some serious thanking to do. First and foremost, to Bruce Bethuy for his tireless efforts as President of the FAB in the first year of it's existence. As all parents know, a baby's first year can be pretty rough on Mommy and Daddy (almost as rough as those pre-teen/teenage years). "Daddy Bruce" certainly took good care of "Baby FAB".
In addition to "Daddy" we have a whole group of "Aunts" and "Uncles" that need a heartfelt thank-you! Those individual that make up our FAB Board of Directors have spent countless hours establishing the organization by developing the by-laws (that was fun!�not), filling out paperwork, heading fundraising efforts, and generally stepping in to keep the mission of the Fine Arts Boosters alive while the organization becomes a working entity. Thanks guys!
Even though school is out for the summer, it doesn't mean that the FAB is on vacation.
The Marching Band committee, chaired by Jon Taisey is just getting going. I heard the band practicing the music from the new show at their last mini camp and I couldn't believe how great they sounded� and they're just getting started. I can't wait to see "Pandora's Box" (this year's show). The Marching Band (which includes the Color Guard and Pit) has 142 members this year (last count)� that's over 10% of the entire High School!! While we're talking statistics, 7 out of the top 10 graduates in 2004 were Marching Band members. The co-valedictorians, Elise Butler-Pinkham and Nathan Wiley were both Marching Band members. Nathan, who also received the prestigious "JFK Scholarship", was one of the Marching Band Drum Majors last year (third year in a row that a Drum Major has won this award!). There just isn't enough room on this page to start listing the rest of Nathan and Elise's accomplishments, as well as the rest of the 2004 graduates. What an outstanding group of kids! We will certainly miss them all. It sure says a lot about the Fine Arts programs at Ferndale when you have this level of participation. Which is exactly why the support of these fine programs is so critical!
In addition to the Marching Band committee activities, the FAB will be operating a concession stand at the Ferndale Music in the Park series at the Kullick Community Center. The dates and performers are listed on the FAB Event Calendar. If you want to help hawk hot dogs contact Bruce Bethuy.
We'll also be having a booth at the Ferndale Art Fair in August. If you would like to be a part of that event (we're looking for fundraising ideas) please click here to drop me an email.
One final thought... getting involved is FUN! That`s true for students, parents, and community members. I joined the FAB in the first place because I thought it was important to support the Fine Arts in the Ferndale School District since my own two daughters were (are) very active in music and theatre. I stay involved with the FAB because I feel like I`m actually making a difference and having a GREAT time doing it!! Please come join in the fun. The more the merrier (and the less actual work we all do).
Connie
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