Week of October 26th, 2026

OTHS Bands Newsletter

Week of October 26th, 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
• Craft Fair Bake Sale Information – CLICK the Link for information

Parent Meeting Locations, Dates and Time

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

• Nov. 4th
• Dec. 2nd

*Stay tuned for more information on upcoming meetings!

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Upcoming Events/Important DateS

• Oct. 30th – Fall Band Concert – Smiley Dome
• Nov. 7th – ILMEA District 6 Jazz Festival
• Nov. 7th-8th – O’Fallon Bands Craft Fair
• Nov. 11th – Veteran’s Day Parade
• Nov. 12-14 – BOA Grand Nationals – Indianapolis, Indiana

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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

Week of October 26

Congratulations to the Marching Panthers on their outstanding performances at the BOA STL Super Regional.  The kids worked hard all weekend to deliver their best performance of the year.  This sets us up well for the final chapter of our season as we head into Grand Nationals. A big thanks to ALL our supportive parents who have been with us throughout preparation, during the performance, and at the conclusion.  In addition, it is so positive and overwhelming to walk in the stadium and hear our families and fans cheering for us.

As for my final time at the STL regional with the band, I tried to take it all in as a memory that will last a lifetime.  So proud…

Monday, October 26 – CONCERT BAND FOCUS in ALL Classes all Week

10/26– Class – Concert Band; Check Concert Band Attire; All payments need to be up to date to attend Grand Nationals

Last call for lesson sheets for Aug/Sep.

MARCHING BAND – 6pm-8pm

10/27 – Illinois Honor Society Meetings -7:40am/3:05pm

10/28 – Half Day – 

Marching Band Rehearsal – Arrive to put on Uniform 

Clinicians are in – 5:00pm-9:00pm; rehearsal is open to the public at 7:30pm

10/29 – Marching Band Rehearsal – 5:30pm-8:30pm – Clinician Rehearsal

10/30 – Dome for a concert that starts at 7pm, food trucks in front of dome

This is a schedule for the Concert on 10/30 – this concert will feature the music of all class bands and percussion.  D90 Symphonic Winds is an invited band.  We will feature marching band arranger, Carol Brittin Chambers and her music.  The marching band will showcase their music at the end of the concert.

The Band Concert on Friday, October 30th will start at 6:00 pm.  Students should arrive in concert attire. Concert Band-only students are welcome to leave after Wind Ensemble performance.  All students will receive 100 points for this performance, based on their performance and concert etiquette.

 Each band’s schedule is listed below:  

Milburn Band Schedule:

1. Perform first – Arrive at 5:00pm – warm up, performance at 6:00pm

2. Back to cafeteria/Bathroom time – instruments away -then watch SB

3. Pictures/Food trucks (during SW)

4. Watch Wind Ensemble

5. Get staged for Marching band performance

Symphonic Band Schedule:

1. Warm-up  -Band Room – arrive at 5:45pm; put cases in Cafeteria; Come out to Dome at 6:30pm

2. Perform:  6:40pm

3. Back to cafeteria (during SW)/Back to watch SW

4. Pictures/Food Trucks (during WE)

5. Get staged for Marching band performance

Symphonic Winds Schedule:

1. Get food/pictures (During Milburn) – Arrive at 5:45pm

2. Warm Up – Band Room (During SB) – MGH will warm up

3. Perform 7:20pm

4. Back to cafeteria/bathroom/Watch WE

5. Get staged for Marching band performance

Wind Ensemble Schedule:

1. Watch Milburn Band – Arrive at 5:15pm to help prepare the concert

2. Get food/pictures (During SB) & Watch SB

3. Warmup- Band Room (During SW)

4. Perform 8:00pm

5. Get staged for Marching band performance/Watch D90

Symphonic Winds D90- 8:45pm- performance time

Marching Band – 9:15pm – Perform!!

Week of Monday, November 2 – depending on facilities these rehearsal schedules may need to change back to the evening.  

Band Classes this week will be a mix of marching band music, the parade tune, and new concert band music for Christmas in O’Fallon.

The Marching Band schedule is listed below:

11/2 – 3:30pm-6:00pm

11/3 – 3:30pm-6:00pm

11/4 – 3:30pm-6:00pm – Community Performance at 6:00pm – in full uniform – Stadium

11/5 – 3:30pm-6:00pm

11/6 – Craft Fair Set up

11/7 – ILMEA Jazz – Belleville East.  ILMEA jazz students will be given permission slips with the schedule.

11/9 – 3:30pm-6:00pm

11/10  – 3:30pm-6:00pm

11/11 – 9:00am-12:30pm; students will bring a sack lunch and then prepare for the Veteran’s Day Parade.

11/12 – BOA Grand Nationals Departure Day – I will have the schedule out for this on October 28th.  

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
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. 

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 – STUDENTS

Hello band families!

First off I would like to thank all of the students and families that have participated in student fundraising so far this year. Our student fundraising will pick back up after the holidays. Check back in the general fundraising section for our Trivia night upcoming on 23 Jan!!

Perfect Pastry credits have been loaded to participating students’ CutTime accounts. Credit amounts for the Charleston Wrap fundraiser will be deposited soon. I’ll update when those credits have posted.

Please feel free to reach out to me (317-610-9863)/casiemonto@yahoo.com if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you!

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.

Drakes – November 17th

Sugarfire – Dec 15

La Casa – March 18

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