Week of August 31st, 2026

OTHS Bands Newsletter

Week of August 31st, 2026

• 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=sharin

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

026-2027 OTHS Concert Band Fitting Dates and Important Information

Attention All Concert Band Students and Parents: Please read the following important information pertaining to the upcoming OTHS Concert Band Fittings. 

WHAT: All Concert Band Students need to attend their designated band’s fitting date to be fitted for a Tuxedo or Dress

WHY: The First concert of the year is October 30^th at 7 pm

WHERE: Milburn Band Room

WHEN: Concert Uniform Fittings are scheduled according to respective bands on the following dates and times:

Wind Ensemble	Tuesday, September 1st	Last Name:A-F 6-6:30pmG-O 6:30-7pmP-Z 7-7:30 pm
Symphonic Winds	Tuesday, September 8th	Last Name:A-F 6-6:30pmG-O 6:30-7pmP-Z 7-7:30 pm
Symphonic Band	Tuesday, September 15th	Last Name:A-F 6-6:30pmG-O 6:30-7pmP-Z 7-7:30 pm
Milburn Band	Tuesday, September 22nd	Last Name:A-F 6-6:30pmG-O 6:30-7pmP-Z 7-7:30 pm
All students who could not attend on their scheduled night	Tuesday, September 29th	5-6 pm

IMPORTANT INFORMATION (Please Read):

WHAT TO WEAR TO YOUR UNIFORM FITTING

To help expedite the fitting process..

• Please, ALL students should arrive wearing athletic clothing (be ready to start trying on your uniform)
• Students being fitted for tuxedos should wear athletic shorts, tennis shoes and a t-shirt
• Students being fitted for a dress should wear athletic shorts, tennis shoes tank top/t-shirt
• Bulky clothing such as sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweaters, jackets should be removed prior to entering fitting area
• Items in pockets need to be taken out prior to entering fitting area

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR FITTING:

1. Students should come with an idea of their approximate sizes (dress or pants and jacket).
2. For students only in Concert Band (students not in Marching Band/Color Guard) there will be a $100 fee (Payable via Cash, Venmo, Student Funds or Check (Payable to O’Fallon Panther Band Boosters))
3. For students wearing a tuxedo a tie will need to be purchased. Ties are available at each fitting. The cost is $5 (Payable via Cash, Venmo, Student Funds or Check (Payable to O’Fallon Panther Band Boosters))

LET’S PLAN AHEAD:  The following items need to be accomplished prior to your first concert. Please Purchase NOW!

1. Students wearing a tuxedo must purchase a long sleeve black dress shirt. Cost is ~ $25. Please use this link to order online: Amazon.com: J.VER Men’s Dress Shirts Solid Long Sleeve Stretch Wrinkle-Free Formal Shirt Business Casual Button Down Shirts Black Small
2. Students wearing a tuxedo will need to wear Long black socks
3. Students wearing a concert dress (no athletic shoes, no marching shoes, no boots are allowed) only black ballet flats (no heels allowed)

If a student is unable to attend their respective band’s scheduled fitting date/time, please contact a Concert Uniform Lead ASAP so we can make arrangements.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Concert Uniform Leads:  Ida Flores – (618) 979-5062, idqf@msn.com or Sophie Carter – (314) 485-9706, snoof25@hotmail.com

Parent Meeting Locations, Dates and Time

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

• Sept. 9th
• Oct. 14th
• Nov. 4th
• Dec. 2nd

*Stay tuned for more information on upcoming meetings!

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Upcoming Events/Important Dates

• Sept. 9th – Parent Booster Meeting – 6:30p.m.
• Sept. 12th – MEMC – Metro East Marching Band Classic (ALL DAY)
• Sept. 19th – Edwardsville Tiger Ambush Marching Band Competition (Times TBD)
• Sept. 26th – Homecoming

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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

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Fundraisers this weekend!  Special thanks to our coordinators Mrs. Gill and Mr. Gamble.  We greatly appreciate everyone’s help as we start the year!!

Great job to our pep band that played at the Maddie Best Pickleball Tournament!  And congrats to our jazz combo that played at a wedding reception in STL for an alumni member of OTHS.

*Attendance:  Mr. Roose will be coordinating all make-ups for missed attendance.  We are putting in attendance/participation points.  If you have any questions about a make-up, please email Mr. Roose.  

Marching Band – We are re-evaluating marching band spots as we go into the competition season.  Mr. Roose will be coordinating any spot changes and assignments for performances.

The first eligibility report is right around the corner.  Please check grades and stay on top of everything!

All important documents will be housed in the member hub of the website.  We are making all big performances, ANNOUNCEMENTS in the member hub.

Lesson Forms will be passed out in class on Monday.  Wind Ensemble (requirement); All other bands (extra credit).  Student Leadership (requirement)

We will also start fitting students for their “field show” costume this week.  Dates and times will be sent out in the marching band band app.

We do not have performance times for the Edwardsville contest at this time.  We will plan to have a practice prior to departure.  Our performance is usually in the evening.

Here are the events for the week of Monday, August 31st

Monday:  Marching Band Music, Part 4, and Concert Band Music:  Music Assessments start for Wind Ensemble

ILMEA Google Form check in class

Marching Band 5:30pm-7:30pm – Attire – athletic clothes of choice

Tuesday:  Concert Band Music

Illinois Music Honor Society Meetings – 7:40am and 3:05pm (10 minute meetings)

Wind Ensemble Concert Band Fittings – Milburn 6pm-8pm

Wednesday: Marching Band Music/Pregame Music/Concert Band Music – start music checks (Marching band students Brass:  Part 2 E-F; Woodwinds:  Part 2: G

Marching Band Rehearsal – 5:30-8:30pm- Attire: Rehearsal Attire

Leadership Meeting:  5:10pm – MEMC week discussion

7:00pm – MFA Meeting (Percussion of SW/WE, Woodwind Quintet))

Thursday:  Concert Band Music

Marching Band Rehearsal:  5:30-8:00pm – Athletic Attire of your choice

Friday: Marching Band Music/Pregame Music

Football Game:  4:30pm – Student Leadership Arrival; 5:00pm – Membership

*We will decide on attire for the game once we know the weather.

The Band Room will be closed after the football game for Labor Day weekend.

*MEMC Student Schedule is posted in the ANNOUNCEMENTS section of the member hub and in Cut Time!

The Friday rehearsal, September 11^th is mandatory for full eligibility to perform at MEMC on September 12th

NOTE: For all marching band rehearsals – members should arrive on campus 10 minutes early. Leadership should arrive 20 minutes early.

*The Band App will continue to be our fastest way to update Band Camp info.

ABSCENCES: If you need to report an absence from band camp, please email OTHSband@oths.us

Upcoming Dates for Fall 2026 

Non Marching Band Dates

Date	Event
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. Trapshooting credits will be in CutTime in the next 10 days. We received the check, and all screenshots of hours worked are being verified against the ATA spreadsheet to make sure students are credited correctly. 

2. For families on payment plans, please continue to review due dates in CutTime. If your financial situation has changed, please feel free to reach out to me to modify your plan. 

3. The next London trip payment is due September 15. If you’d like credits from CutTime to be used, please log into your student’s CutTime account, decide how much you want used, and email me at pantherbandstudentacct@gmail.com  by SEPTEMBER 10. 

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.

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

Stay tuned for more information!

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New Fundraising OppORTUNITIES

Perfect Pastries Fundraiser

Start date: 8/12

End date: 8/26

Delivery/Pick up date: 9/9 at Smiley Campus either before or after band rehearsal 

Hard copy order forms will be available after rehearsal on 8/12. Weather permitting they can be picked up at the football field entrance/exit or the main entrance if rehearsal is inside. 

To order online scan the QR code on the order form to set up a student account. 

For any hard copy order forms, money must be collected and turned in at the end of the fundraiser. Checks need to be made payable to O’Fallon Panther Band Boosters.

*If you have hard copy order forms/money to turn in please e-mail casiemonto@yahoo.com 

Delivery will be made on 9/9 and all orders must be picked up that evening either before or after rehearsal at the Smiley Campus. 

The percentage each seller receives depends on the amount the band sells as a whole. Past years the students have received around 40%

*Note: Online orders will incur a small convenience fee that will be charged to the buyer during checkout* 

Questions? E-mail: casiemonto@yahoo.com

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): 

• 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

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 .

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

*****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

**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.  

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

🎶 Join Our Band Booster Parent Facebook Group!

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!

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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

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