Week of June 15th, 2026

OTHS Bands Newsletter

Week of June 15, 2026

• We are going to launch the member hub tomorrow; We will give kids the log in information.

• Parent Pick up information link for those wanting to pick their students up after certain events out of town for marching season (link to the direct google form found within this document or later in the newsletter):
  • https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mGUlXWy3ihuRiu8jNLSQE1UzLpCld9vOxzVemsHWfGw/edit?usp=sharing

• LONDON TRIP INFO: for those that could not attend the Friends and Family meeting here is a link to the PDF for the information shared at the meeting.
  • https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pzf-WhVn_YQA6HkEMuX7gD86zlxd9_I8/view?usp=sharing

Section HyperLinks

1. Parent Meetings/Important Dates and Events
2. Directors Notes (Upcoming week, future important dates – LOTS OF DATES)
3. Student Accounts (payment #2 Due June 16; #3 due July 20^th)
4. Boutique News
5. New Fundraiser Opportunities
6. General Fundraising (Dine to Donate)
7. Important Links and Reminders (Link for parent pick up google form)
8. Communication Sources/Volunteer Opportunities  ( Medical help)
9. Continued Fundraising 
10. Band Together Leads (all sections have been updated with 2026/2027 Lead parents information) – Please be sure to join your section FB page!
11. Summer Band Opportunities 2026 (SIUE Summer Jazz Camp & other outside OTHS

Parent Meeting Locations, Dates and Time

2025/2026 – All Meetings are at 6:30 PM in the MPR unless otherwise noted.

• June 24
• July – No Meeting

*Stay tuned for more information on upcoming meetings!

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Director’s Notes

JUNE BAND REHEARSALS BEGIN!!!

*Practice TODAY!  Do not go into rehearsal without 30 minutes minimum of individual practice. Drink water today, go for a walk to get exercise, and eat healthy.  

Tomorrow with be a lot of physical motion, so please be prepared.

**Be prepared to work hard and be great!  We are emphasizing self discipline for excellence!

Items to Note:

1. Bring all the necessary items – instrument, extra supplies (reeds, valve oil)
2. Wear athletic attire.
3. Bring hat, sunscreen in case we go outside.
4. Bring a large water jug, filled with water – please label with your name
5. Bring your music in a binder with page protectors  – for winds you will need the warm-up packet and parade tune.  Percussion and guard notes will be sent out.

TOMORROW AM

• The front doors will be open and this is where attendance will be taken.  
• Any additional attendance that was not logged onto the attendance sheets at registration need to be sent to othsband@oths.us
• The OTHS Band expects good communication on attendance.

Schedules for rehearsal and initial meeting placements will be sent out today through the band app.

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Upcoming Events/Important Dates

• June 15-18^th –  7am-11am Marching rehearsal
• June 22 – 25^th – 7am-11am Marching rehearsal
• Tues June 23^rd – 6:30 Board meeting – Cafeteria
• Wed June 24^th – 6:30 Parent Booster meeting – MPR
• Sun June 28^th – Red Bud Parade

Summer Marching Band Dates

Please start planning accordingly 

Students will need to wear comfortable athletic wear, bring water bottle (name labeled), sunscreen, hat, pencil, music in binder, working instrument/guard equipment. Strict attendance will be taken at these rehearsals. 

• June 15-18 – 7am-11am – Smiley Campus 
• June 22-25 – 7am-11am- Smiley Campus 
• June 28 – Red Bud Parade

Red Bud Parade

June 28 – here is the schedule that will mirror last years

• All students need a current physical and fees paid to date to participate. Bus logistics will be presented to the student this upcoming week. 
• Eat lunch before arriving, NO DAIRY! 
• Students should arrive in attire for under uniform – black socks and black band shoes. Long hair needs to be pulled back to fit in the shakos!! 
• What to Bring: garment bag, instrument, water bottle, sunscreen, snack, gloves (these are pending weather conditions – please bring regardless) 
• We plan on wearing shakos – section leaders will help with these upon arrival for all section members. 
• Coordinators will bring additional items as need be for performance. 
• ARRIVAL TIMES: 
  • 11:00 AM – Leadership Meeting
  • 11:30 AM -12:30pm – Rehearsal
  • 12:30 PM – Quick Snack
  • 1:00 PM – Change into uniform 
  • 1:50 PM – Band meeting in gym about procedure and protocol 
  • 1:30 PM – Begin loading bus 
  • 2:00 PM – Departure (Yellow Bus) 3:00 pm – Arrival in Red Bud 
  • 4:00 PM – Parade begins 
  • 6:30 PM – Approximate arrival back to OTHS-Smiley – students will need to put away the uniform and all items before leaving for the day. Student leadership will remain until everything is orderly 

June 30, July 1, 2 – Rehearsal 7am-11am – Smiley Campus 

O’Fallon Parade

July 3 – We are excited to announce that O’Fallon will be celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States on Friday, July 3rd. The day will begin with a patriotic themed parade at 9:00 a.m., leading into O’Fallon Community Park, followed by a full day of festivities. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at the Family Sports Park. There will also be OTHS Music ensembles playing in the afternoon. 

Students will meet at school by 7am. Students need to arrive in Navy rehearsal attire, black socks, and band shoes. Depending on weather, we will wear the navy rehearsal shirt and the school bibs. Colorguard will be in the school uniform. 

We will have a light rehearsal and then walk down to the start of the parade downtown. 

After we are done with the parade, the students will remain at school for practice and notes for the competitive parade in STL the next day. Students will be dismissed at 11am. Leadership will remain to set up management for July 4th.

July 4 – America’s Parade – STL 

NEW CHANGE – Please note this is an afternoon parade this year!!! Besides the parade competition there will also be a drumline competition! 

2026 also marks the 45th anniversary of our July 4 parade. As one of the oldest Independence Day parades in the country, this event continues to showcase the pride and significance of the St. Louis region. While final details are still being confirmed, we anticipate the return of both local and national television coverage as well. 

The parade will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, with a 4:00 PM step-off time. The route has been shortened and will mirror the Thanks-for-Giving Parade from this past November, traveling west to east along Market Street, beginning at 14th Street and ending at Broadway. 

Tentative Schedule: 

• The parade will step off at 4:00PM on Saturday July 4, 2026. The parade will move west to east on Market Street. Starting location is 14th and Market. Parade ends at Broadway and Market, eight blocks in length. 
• The parade will be broadcast live on KSDK Channel 5. 
• Assembly area will be near Soldiers Memorial. 
• 1:00pm – Students will arrive at OTHS to prepare for the parade 
• 2:00pm – Departure for downtown STL and parade staging 
• 2:30pm – Arrival – unloading and warm-up 
• 3:15pm- Staging 
• 4:00pm – Parade begins 

*We do not know where we are in the parade and we do not know if there is an award ceremony afterward. Once the event concludes we will load and depart back to OTHS. 

Smily Campus Band Camp Dates & Times

*For everyone – Band and Color Guard

July 20-24; July 27-31

• 8am-noon
• Students dismissed to have lunch on their own
• 1:30pm-5pm
• 5pm (dinner provided)
• 6pm-8pm. 

There are instances where we fluctuate the times due to extreme heat. Thank you in advance for being flexible. 

THE NEW WEBSITE

Once we are fully organized, I will be sending out the member log in for everyone that will contain the full calendar and pertinent band member information. We will also house the newsletters there moving forward once we flip over to that system. 

Through the website we will be launching our new donation and support program. I will send out details on this. I will be running this program for the 26-27 school year, but will need a parent to shadow me for the 27-28 school year. 

Upcoming Dates for Fall 2026 

Non Marching Band Dates

Date	Event
August 14 & August 21	ILMEA Jazz Audition Clinic
August 19	Booster Meeting
August 28	Yard Sale Set Up
August 29	Yard Sale
August 29	Mattress Sale
September 9	General Membership Meeting
September 12	MEMC
October 30	Band Concert – Featuring Carol Brittin Chambers
November 6	Craft Fair
November 7	Craft Fair/ILMEA Jazz
November 8	Craft Fair
November 21	ILMEA District Festival
December 4,5,6	Madrigals
December 9	Christmas in O’Fallon
December 11	Band Dance

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Halpin Music

We’re excited to continue our partnership with Halpin Music, who will periodically bring their instrument repair truck right to our school this year.

This is a great opportunity for our band students to get their instruments repaired without ever leaving campus!

Students – Fill out this form to participate: https://halpinmusic.com/serv…/oths-instrument-repair-plan/

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Student Accounts

Student Account Updates:

Hi families! I’m offering an extra payment drop-off option this week in addition to the usuals. I will be at the flagpoles by the main parking lot from 6:30-7:00 Monday morning. Students can hand payments to me there as they walk to the band room, or parents/guardians can park and walk them to me as well. If anyone forgets their payment, venmo is always an option – or have your student bring their payment and drop it in the gold box in the band room Tuesday. If they don’t know where it is, just ask a returning student! 

FAQs about fees and payments 

• Q: My student worked trapshooting (or uses RaiseRight, the mattress fundraiser, etc…). Can I designate where those funds go?
  • A: It depends. If you have any outstanding unpaid feeds, CutTime automatically applies those credits to those unpaid fees. If you are all paid up, you can continue to accrue those credits for future payments OR you can ask that they go towards trip payments. I send out an email before each trip payment due date asking families to check their balances and let me know.
• Q: Can I pay my balance early?
  • A: Absolutely!
• Q: My financial situation has changed. Can I reach out at any point for a modified payment plan?
  • A: You bet! We understand that “life” happens. I only ask that you stay in communication with me so your student stays eligible to participate. I will work with you on a payment plan that works for your family. 
• Q: I have a fee/payment question that hasn’t been answered. What should I do?
  • A: Email me please! pantherbandstudentacct@gmail.com 

Thank you, and welcome to band camp week 1!

Katie 

Regular Information:

1. All payments received will be in CutTime by Wednesday. Please reach out at that time if you notice a discrepancy or have questions. 

2. All costs are entered into CutTime, and the next payment due date is June 15

($375). Please check CutTime for your student’s balance, as any credits from this

past year rolled over. 

If you have any questions, please contact me at pantherbandstudentacct@gmail.com.
Payment Options:
1. Gold drop box in the band room — label envelope with student’s name
2. Venmo: @ofallonbandtreasurer (last 4 digits: 1152)
3. Mail: Katie Stump, 704 E. 3rd St., O’Fallon, IL 62269
Cash payments: Call or text me (Katie) at 618-402-9914 to arrange a hand-off. 

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Boutique

Watch for announcements

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Fundraising

Dine to Donate

Mark your calendars now for the Band Fundraiser Dine to Donate Nights (a percent of the total sales will go back to the band. More info will be provided as it gets closer to each event): 

General Fundraising

Dine to Donate:

Thank you to everyone that braved the cold weather to dine out at Panera! We made $54.09 despite the winter weather!

Mark your calendars now for the Band Fundraiser Dine to Donate Nights (a percent of the total sales will go back to the band. More info will be provided as it gets closer to each event):

• Jan. 26 Panera Shiloh
• March 10 Texas Roadhouse
• May 12 Drakes

Continued Fundraising

Soda Cans

We collect them! They must be tied in garbage bags and dropped off in the back of smiley near the dumpsters.

Goodshop

Similar to amazonsmile but you can pick your stores to use. Follow the link to sign-up!

Does your company match gifts?

Does your company/business do match gifts? We currently have a family enrolled in a gift matching program through CarMax where if you donate time or money CarMax will match the monetary gift or hours given. So, CarMax pays $15 an hour for every hour that they volunteer up to $5000 a year for matching donations, if we donate an amount of money CarMax will match that also up to a certain amount. Check with your company and see what they offer. Every little bit helps!

Raise Right Gift Card Program

For any questions you can contact Stephanie Pierce at 618-406-7960 or email at marchingpanthersraiseright@gmail.com

                   RaiseRight Gift Card Program                  ;
EARN FUNDS THAT GO DIRECTLY BACK TO YOUR STUDENT
  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  

Sign-up for Marching Panther Earnings >> Click Here

Enrollment Code  DBAAECD217989
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Questions? Email Stephanie Pierce @ marchingpanthersraiseright@gmail.com

It’s As Easy As >>>>>

>  Purchasing Gift Cards for your daily/regular purchases and earning from 1-20% back

>  Family Members can sign-up also to add to your students account earnings

Watch these videos to learn more: The #1 Online Fundraiser | RaiseRight6 Everyday Ways to Earn with Gift Cards | RaiseRight

Physical Gift Card Orders Are Due:
15th of Every Month

TIP #1 – Order Gifts Card throughout the month to take full advantage of bonuses.
        There is no limit to your number of orders you place in a month.

TIP #2 – Download the RaiseRight App to buy eGift cards in real time as you make purchases. {Going out to eat? Wait until you get your ticket and buy the eGift card to cover the meal PLUS tip….Buying supplies for a project at Home Depot or Lowes? Buy an eGift at the checkout….Military Family shopping at Old Navy? Request the discount AND buy an eGift card to cover the cost of your purchase – big savings!)

TIP #3 – Questions on how you can make the most of your earnings? Call the Raise Right Coordinator, Stephanie Pierce 618-406-7960 or email me at marchingpanthersraiseright@gmail.com .

*****Did you know that you can earn 5% at restaurants nearby using your RaiseRight app? You do not have to have an e-card, just select “New! Discover” in the lower right hand corner of the RaiseRight app page. Select “Find a restaurant” and simply link a credit or debit card, no convenience fees apply! Your student earns 5% off the purchase, and purchases can be made throughout the United States, not just locally. See each restaurant individually to see what days they participate.*****

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Important Links and Reminders

Link to the Visual Calendar

Click here to view

Link for FamilyID

Reminders

link to the visual calendar

Medical Records

Parents please add updates to your student’s medical records for permission to give over the counter medication’s if needed during a rehearsal or competition.

*Nurse (Physicals) Bandphysicals@oths.us

School Instrument

Students using a school instrument, they will need to fill out the school instrument form and turn in $25.00 to the band office, checks made out to O’Fallon Panther Band Association. This fee covers necessary repairs during the year. Incoming students needing a school instrument will be issued that instrument on the first day of June band.

There will be information that will go out about the percussion stick fee this week during practice.

Student Pick-Up Event Form

Student Pick-Up Event Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSef084SX4sq5BpNf1k14bdaaypLiia8_YxfXNV6k1F18IUTfg/viewform?usp=header

This link can be used for any event which has parent pick-up

Pictures

Log into SmugMug to access band photos

Password (case-sensitive): Tarp

Spiritwear

O-Band Store – spirit wear not offered in our boutique

Varsity Spirit Wear Items
PIN=BAND (case sensitive) Unable to access your My Varsity account? CLICK HERE to RESET your password using your existing email.

Miscellaneous

Amazon Wish List Items

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Communication Sources

CutTime

Website Link

Marc Ellington is our POC for this program.

You can email him at: Marc.Ellington@outlook.com

Band Website

Website Link

Member Hub
Password: 25OTHSband26

Choose Current Families for: FamilyID Link / Student Music / Etc.

Band App

Get the App

Used to communicate quick messages.

Absences

**All absences need to be emailed to Dr. G at OTHSBand@oths.us from a parent/guardian email address with absence in the subject line.

This is a temporary solution. Stay tuned for further information.

Facebook

Band Booster Parents, We’d love for you to join our Band Booster Facebook Group — it’s a great space to:

• Get up-to-date information on events and rehearsals
• Ask questions and connect with other band parents
• Stay in the loop on volunteer opportunities and updates

Important Reminder:

When requesting to join, please make sure to answer all the security questions. For the safety and privacy of our students and families, we’re unable to approve requests without completed answers — they’ll be automatically declined.

We’re excited to have you involved and connected — it truly takes a village, and this group helps us stay strong and organized.

Click here to request to join

Thank you for your support! Enjoy your summer – it’s almost Marching Band Season.

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Band Together Leads

Incoming and current families of ALL bands: listed below are your Band Together Leads. They are a great source of information, and you should connect with them for all your band questions. Also, if you haven’t joined our Parent Booster Facebook page, you can access that HERE. We ask that you please answer the security questions to gain access.

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Upcoming Opportunities

Volunteers Needed

Parents with Medical Background

Notes from our Medical Team:

If you have basic CPR training, any medical certification such as nurse, AED training, EMT, medic, physician, etc and want to be on the medical team, please contact Karen Holzum at karen-nurse@hotmail.com.

Please list your name, number and medical background certification. She needs to start scheduling her medical team for our first competition of the year on September 13.

Summer Band 2026

SIUE Summer Jazz Camp 

• Camp focuses on improvisation, combo and big band performance, and jazz fundamentals for middle and high school musicians. 
• This is the time that students can look for music summer camp opportunities. 

Here is the link to the MFA summer camp opportunities 2026.