Week of July 13th, 2026

OTHS Bands Newsletter

Week of July 13th, 2026

• TRAP SHOOTING!!!
  • For those working July 23 or 24^th… if you are available to attend a specialized training since these days are different than normal please go to the Sparta complex 7/21 at 9am (meet at the bleachers). If you cannot attend the training please meet Jody at the white tent by the bleachers on the west side at 6:30am on July 23^rd for a quick training. For those working these days that attend the training one the 21^st report to the tent both days for assignments.
• We will send out a FAQ soon
• 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

Parent Meeting Locations, Dates and Time

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

• July – No Meeting
• Aug 11 Booster Board Meeting 6:30pm Cafeteria
• Aug 14 – Blue/Gold Football Game
• Aug 19 Parent Booster Meeting 6:30pm MPR
• Aug 21 – Football Game

*Stay tuned for more information on upcoming meetings!

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Upcoming Events/Important Dates

• July 20-24; July 27-31 – Band camp
• July 20 – Band Camp Dinner Donation #1 7:15-8am Front of Smiley – Trumpets, Mellos, Baritones, Contras, Guard & Drum Majors (sign ups in CutTime)
• July 27 – Band Camp Dinner Donations #2 7:15-8am Front of Smiley – Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones & percussion (sign ups in CutTime)
• July 23&24 – Experienced Trap Shooting scorers and loaders
• July 25 – 27; July 29 – Aug 8 – Trap shooting Grand Nationals (sign ups open in CutTime)
• July 29 – Band Together Parents Social 530-7pm; all walk down to watch end of band camp rehearsal. Look for more details soon.
• July 31 – Parent/Community Preview 7pm
• Aug 29 – Mattress Fundraiser (watch for more info soon)

CONCESSIONS UPDATE:

1. Band camp: Concessions will be serving a $5 lunch both on Tues. 7/21 and Mon. 7/27 of band camp. Cash or card accepted. Lunch will include peanut butter and jelly Uncrushable, bag of chips, a 20oz bottle of red, white, or blue Gatorade, a snack bag of carrots, and a .5 oz sausage stick. We will put the bags together on Monday mornings or Sunday afternoons depending on volunteer availability. Contact Christie at 618-698-5323 if you have questions, financial concerns, or would be interested in volunteering. All help is welcomed and appreciated!
2. New this year for our community event on July 31, Concessions will be offering a variety of food trucks! Iced Coffee, dirty sodas, kettle corn, barbecue, Filipino food, and more! Trucks will be in place at 5 PM so come early to get a good spot in line for the gate and have supper at the same time! If you have a food truck and would like to participate, contact Christie at 618-698-5323 to be put in touch with our food truck coordinator

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Director’s Notes

Moving forward the newsletter will post on Mondays each week on the OTHSbands website. https://othsband.com/

Website Member Hub – top righthand corner

Log-in information:

Username: bandmember

Password: 25OTHSband26

The math question will change every time

We are aware that there are currently phishing and spamming instances occurring where it appears a teacher or director has emailed you to start an email conversation followed up by a request to pay for something for them. Please be vigilant when reviewing emails.

SMILEY CAMPUS BAND CAMP DATES, Times, and information

NORMAL BAND CAMP SCHEDULE:

Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24

Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31

**Tuesday, July 21^st – due to the Drum Corps Show – this will be the revised schedule so students can attend.

7am-11am (lunch on campus) – 12:00pm-4:00pm; 5pm-7pm – Dinner is provided at 4pm

NORMAL BAND CAMP TIMES:

8am-noon, Lunch – on your own – 1:30-5pm, Dinner, 6-8:00pm 

*EXTRA LUNCH AVAILABLE – Tuesday, 7/21 and Monday 7/27

We have our band staff with us, but also several parent chaperones who will be monitoring the weather and ALL students care. We will be communicating through the BAND APP on any necessary changes that need to be made to keep our students and adults safe. Please ensure you have the BAND APP and have your notifications turned on.

HEAT SCHEDULE:  – we will revert to this schedule if needed to avoid heat.  We will notify you through the Band App of this change.

Our Heat schedule would be 7am-11am, 2pm-5pm, dinner, 6-8:30pm. Use your section Facebook groups or your Band Together Leads for carpooling needs. Please have your students start drinking water and getting some exercise (warm up video is on the BAND App) so the increased movement is not a shock to their system. Any changes in medical needs or medicine please let us know (email OTHSband@oths.us). We want to keep everyone healthy. 

➢ Things to Note:

Winds/Percussion – please practice your music for Part I before arriving to camp.  Winds need to have Part I memorized and have practiced Part 2.

Colorguard – any choreography that was taught in our summer months, please make sure it is practiced.

*Please check that you have working equipment and you have ALL your music in a binder (musicians)

Items students will need: • Instrument/Colorguard Equipment • Music – in folder/binder with page protectors • Pencil • Athletic clothes to wear – or dress up day clothes • Athletic shoes/good socks – maybe bring an extra pair • Hat • Sunscreen • WATER BOTTLE!!!!! • snacks • Backpack to put all this in!

Students will be using an app called UDB for drill learning. For students that do not have access to a device, we will provide paper copies of instructions. I will send out a message in the Band app when UDB is available for viewing. As we start learning drill, each student is assigned to a spot and a few students will share spots. No performance spot is fully decided upon until the end of August. For the entire success of the band, students need to ready to learn new spots and adjust. As a staff, we are there to assist with any changes that are needed. 

SENIORS – at this time – please double check that you have 5 academic classes on your schedule. We adhere to academic eligibility. 

Also, this upcoming week we will be double-checking that all students are enrolled in the correct classes for the fall. If students are in Wind Ensemble and/or Leadership, they need to be in lessons.

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

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 information on upcoming Boutique Stores

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New Fundraising OppORTUNITIES

General 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): 

• July 14 : Skyzone 6-730 in person tickets
• Aug 18: Sake
• Sep 15: Benny’s Pizza

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.*****

If ordering physical gift cards, please do not use Milburn campus this summer, only Smiley.

*****We highly encourage you not to purchase physical gift cards, but instead purchase E-cards. There is an $11.00 shipping charge to ship physical gift cards, and that is evenly split between RaiseRight participants who order that month. This greatly reduces or even negates your student’s profit for cards that you ordered.*****

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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

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

Amanda Partl is our POC for this program.

You can email her at: ampartl2010@gmail.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 Volunteer Events

*Watch for Cut Time donation list/volunteer opportunities.

Additional 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.

ILMEA Audition Information

Band /Wind Orchestra Auditions 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e278fMkE76s2TwD64sGwU9TC3wO0zFYnQgC_pNi6rdk/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.jr45jk2g9x2n

Jazz Auditions

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10SG2sTNhFbvowdnwimp6aJ_cZtvzFIoWrDu5gGHJ1vs/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.jr45jk2g9x2n

Composition Contest

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t1iuJdchnKfdMhLj3c5sCAbTwNKQn6grOyLGRvWm1Dc/edit?tab=t.0

FMES – students interested in music education

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a8b48df32601edf3b51de66/t/5b4e6abb03ce641364bebe95/1531865787798/2019+FMES+Instructions.pdf