***Major Announcement***
The Bremen Band has moved to a more professional looking website presence that we hope you will find easy to navigate. You can find it at www.bpsband.org. We will no longer be updating this website with new information.
***Major Announcement***
Welcome to Bremen Bands
This website will be a resource for you to find any information about the band program that you might need.
News and Announcements:
Below you can find all announcements that pertain to the entire band program. If you wish to see announcements specific to a particular band, please click on the appropriate link.
6th Grade Band Announcements
7th-8th Grade Band Announcements
HS Concert Band Announcements
Bremen Band Calendar
Solo Ensemble Results
Important: Do you want to get an email every time this website is updated? Then simply click on "request access" in the upper right and side of this page and follow the instructions. Within a few days you will be receiving emails each time a new announcement is posted!
Tuesday May 1, 2012
We have a booster meeting tonight at 7 pm in the band room. If you are a parent of a band parent, we strongly encourage you to come and provide your input.
Friday April 27, 2012
You may have noticed that the calendar is no longer displaying in our website. The problem is with Google, which hosts the site, and I have been in contact with them regarding a solution. So far, there has been no solution given to me! I will work to get it put back as soon as possible, and in the meantime try to provide more dates in these announcements.
---UPDATE--- I'm not sure what I did, but somehow the calendar is working again!
Our Fan Cloth orders are almost all collected and tallied. THANK YOU to all of you that participated! We will have the shirts in a few weeks, and will send them home with the students.
Monday April 23, 2012
Congratulations to the HS Concert Band on their EXCELLENT performance on Saturday! Four judges, and four gold ratings at the highest difficulty level, Group I. Together with the middle school, this means that Bremen Band program has accomplished a clean sweep in both major contests in northern Indiana while playing at a very advanced level.
Today is the due date for our Spirit Wear fund raiser! Please make sure you return your order forms or check. All checks should be made out to Bremen Band.
Friday, April 13, 2012
We are halfway through our Spirit Wear sale, and several students have reported selling their minimum of 2 items! Please remember that it is very important for us to meet our budget that every family does their fair share and sells at least 2 items. The following link is a copy of a letter sent home with your students today outlining the nature of our expenses and why fund raising is so important. Did you know the band department costs on average approximately $180 per student to run? Many band departments charge fees of hundreds of dollars to join band, but we have managed to avoid this through successful fund raising efforts. Check out the letter for some more eye-opening information! If your family does not wish to participate in this fund raiser, please send a check to the Bremen Band for $30 to cover your fair share. Thank you so much for your help in keeping direct fees to band parents to a minimum!
Here is the letter sent home today: Where the Money Goes.pdf
Monday, April 9, 2012
Welcome back! I hope that your students found Spring Break refreshing.
Today is the beginning of our Band Spirit Wear fund raiser! This is our second and final major fund raiser for the band department. In order for this fund raiser to be successful, each band family needs to sell or purchase at least 2 items. In addition, every child that sells 20 items will be given a free item. Just as with the cheese and sausage fund raiser, every class that sells on average 10 items will receive a pizza party. Your child should be bringing home order forms today. The clothing is high quality and looks sharp-- let's spread our Bremen Band pride!
Don't forget-- tomorrow night, Tuesday April 10 at 7:00 pm in the Band room is our next Booster meeting! If you believe in the importance of music education for your child, then you should be here! Every parent of a band parent past or present is welcome to attend.
Friday, March 30, 2012
A few announcements before spring break-- yay for a week off!
All Bands will be participating in our second major fund raiser when we back from Spring Break. We will be selling Band Spirit Wear, and we will be asking each band family to sell or purchase at least 2 items. The clothing looks great and a portion of every dollar spent will go to the band program. Every student who sells at least 20 items will get a free item of their choice, and if a class averages 10 items they will be given a pizza party. This fund raiser is an experiment, and a replacement for our normal annual Fish Fry.
Marching Band numbers are in, and it is looking like it will be a great year! Keep an eye here for schedule information in the next few weeks. Band Camp will begin on August 1st, and every marching band student not already on vacation will be asked to march in the Fireman's Festival Parade at the end of June. Any other high school band student interested is welcome to march with us at the parade as well!
Jazz Band will be performing with the Swing Choir on May 5th. We will have two dress rehearsals with them on May 1st and May 3rd. Please keep these dates clear for these very important rehearsals.
HS Band Chicago trip money is due today by 4 pm. I will be making reservations based on these numbers over the next few days. This trip will include the Chicago Symphony, Ed Debevic's, the top of the Sears Tower, a performance at 6 flags along with a ticket for the rest of the day there, and a performance by the Blue Man Group. Don't let your child miss this opportunity! Applications and deposit are due today, and if you need another application you can print it out here.
Monday, March 12, 2012
It's a busy week for some students! After a great Jazz Band/Swing Choir performance last Friday, our attention now moves toward the musical. Here's a few dates to know:
Pit Band Rehearsals: Today - Thursday 5 pm - 10 pm. It's crunch time! This is when we put everything together with the students on the stage. We also have rehearsals next week on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at the same times.
HS Pep Band: Our only pep band performance this term is this Thursday. HS Band Students need to be at the band room at 6:00 pm. The pit band students will take a break from their musical duties to play along!
Pit Band Musical Performances: March 23-24 at 7:30 pm and March 25 at 2:00 pm. Students should be at the band room dressed for the performance at 7:00 pm.
MS Band Contest: Our biggest performance of the year! Open to the public, these students will be performing for several judges and will be given a rating based on their performance. Our performance is at Penn High School at 1:25 pm and students need to be at the Bremen Band Room at 11:30 am. Please have them eat lunch first! If you wish to take your child home from the performance, the band department must have a note signed by a parent or guardian. All students need to ride the bus to the performance.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Our next booster meeting is tonight at 7:00 pm in the band room. All parents of band students are encouraged to attend.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Congratulations to all the solos and ensembles that performed at Kokomo HS on Saturday! This year the band had over 120 students perform. You can see the results for all the performers by clicking here. If you see any of these students, please stop and congratulate them on their very hard work!
I would like point out a few special results-- first, we had 9 students qualify for the State Competition in Indianapolis on Saturday, February 25th. There were 5 soloists and 1 quartet:
Solos:
Jessica Tomlinson, Grade 12, Clarinet
Salvador Perez, Grade 10, Clarinet
LaurieAnne Wickens, Grade 11, Trumpet
Jack Jordan, Grade 12, Baritone
Thomas Dean, Grade 11, Violin
Ensemble:
Kristen Ahlenius, Soprano Sax
Paige Weldy, Alto Sax
Lindsey Allen, Tenor Sax
Jared Fitch, Baritone Sax
Also, I would like to recognize two ensembles that not only received Superior (Gold) ratings, but also received perfect scores!
Ensemble 1:
Brady Manns, Grade 7, Baritone
Michael Gallegos, Grade 7, Trumpet
Hudson Thornton, Grade 7, Trumpet
Trey Dumph, Grade 7, Trumpet
Ensemble 2:
Gabby Hammons, Grade 6, Trumpet
Cef Mora, Grade 6, Trombone
Seth Stine, Grade 6, Baritone
Brooke Kertai, Grade 6, Baritone
Brandon Marten, Grade 6, Baritone
Great job to everyone, and thank you to the bus drivers, adult helpers, and especially the piano accompanists for their help-- we could not do this huge event without you.
Blast Performance
This is a quick reminder that the Blast performance is coming up tomorrow! We have 69 tickets purchased, and it should be a wonderful time! Students need to meet outside the HS auditorium at 6:15 pm, and we should return at around 10:30 pm. The bus will leave promptly at 6:30 pm.
Winter Concert
Our winter concert is coming up quickly! We will be having our 6-12th grade concert on Thursday, February 23rd at 7:00 pm in the Bowen Auditorium. Students performing should be in the band room ready to play at 6:00 pm. Come and watch the band demonstrate the musical skills they have developed over the last few months. Everyone is invited, and the cost is free!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Solo/Ensemble Contest is tomorrow! Students riding the bus need to be at the school at 6:00 am outside the auditorium. Students staying for the day should bring money for concessions. We will return at approximately 5:30 pm. Parents taking their students, please be sure you arrive at Kokomo High School 1 hour before your performance time.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tonight is the MS/HS Pep band performance at the Triton/Bremen HS Basketball game! All HS students and 8th graders are required to attend, and it is optional for the 7th grade band students. Students will meet at 5 pm in their pep band / concert shirts (no specific requirements for pants) for a rehearsal, followed by a performance in the gym. We will begin performing immediately after the end of the JV game, which begins at 6:00 pm. MS students are asked to stay until halftime of the Varsity game, and are welcome to stay with the HS students to the end if they wish. We will be playing a large variety of exciting pep band music, and this should be a wonderful musical experience for all of the students.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
We have a Booster Meeting tonight at 7 pm in the Band room. Be there!
You may find a copy of the Solo Ensemble Performance Schedule by clicking on the following link:
Solo Ensemble Performance Schedule
Friday, February 3, 2012
I have received word that our annual HS Pep Band performance for the Swartzlander Fundraiser will be on Thursday, March 15th. I have added it to the calendar!
A small group of Jazz Band students will also be performing on Friday, March 9th at Argos high school with the Bremen Swing Choir. Everyone is invited to come and watch! More information to follow.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Due to the excellent work the pit band has accomplished, our rehearsal scheduled for Saturday, February 4, has been cancelled. Keep up the good work!
Keep in mind everyone that our next booster meeting is Tuesday, February 7th at 7 pm in the band room. Every parent of a band student is encouraged to attend.
Friday, January 27, 2012
A letter has been sent home today with detailed information about the Solo / Ensemble contest as well as a traveling form that we need filled out and returned by February 3rd, 2012. If your child did not bring it home, you can access and print it out here:
Solo Ensemble Letter 2012.pdf
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Please remember that your permission slips for our field trip to Blast! are due by Friday, January 27, 2012.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The following is a copy of the letter sent home with all band students today. Please return the permission slip by Friday, January 27, 2012.
Good morning, band parents and students! I write to you today to inform you of a special opportunity for you and your students to see the Emmy and Tony award winning show, “Blast!” This is an excellent chance for students to see exciting, breathtaking instrumental music performed in a way that they will never forget!
Our band program will be going on a field trip to see this show at the Morris Performing Arts center at 8:00 pm Tuesday February 14, 2012. Our bus will be departing from the Bremen Auditorium at 6:30 pm and we should return by approximately 10:30 pm. Our group priced, discount tickets for this show will be $25 per person and must be paid by Friday, January 27th.
Here is a description of the show from the theater website:
“BLAST!, winner of the 2001 Tony Award for “Best Special Theatrical Event” and the 2001 Emmy Award for “Best Choreography,” is comprised of 35 brass, percussion and visual performers brought together in a unique explosion of music and theatre. Born on athletic fields across the nation, BLAST! is a novel art form evolved from the showmanship of outdoor pageantry. According to Bruce McCabe of the Boston Globe: “Blast! is an exuberant 15-number show that doesn't falter while bridging the categories of classical, blues, jazz, rock n roll, and techno-pop music. BLAST! stands, blows, pounds, marches, and whirls with panache. It sent a full house into repeated bursts of cheering and applause.”
In addition to band students, all parents and siblings are encouraged to come.
Please fill out the form below and return with the necessary payment by Friday, January 27th.
Sincerely,
Matthew Sutton, Director of Bands
Bremen Public Schools
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please check all that would apply. Make any checks out to “Bremen Bands.”
____Yes, my child has my permission to attend this performance of Blast! on February 14, 2012.
Parent Signature: ____________________ Student Name: ___________________
____ I would like to go along as a chaperone!
Name: ______________________ Phone Number: ___________________
____ I would like to purchase additional tickets!
Number of Additional Tickets: ______ Total enclosed ($25 Per ticket) ______
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year! I hope this year your dreams are fulfilled. This year, I am thankful for the opportunity to work with your child. Music is an irreplaceable part of our culture, and music education programs help to keep that culture alive. Thank you for allowing your child the chance to be a part of this program, and thank you for your support through these last several years.
Now, for a few announcements:
- We have a booster meeting Tuesday, January 3 at 7:00 pm. All parents are encouraged to attend! We would love to see some new faces, and this is your chance to have input into the direction of the band program. If you are a band parent, then you are a part of the booster program.
- Families with school owned instruments need to make sure they are up to date on their instrument fees. If you have not done so, please make sure you send your payment for the 2nd quarter / trimester with your child when they return to school. Invoices will be sent out as reminders in the first two weeks since school got back.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
This is just a quick reminder of what has already been announced: solos for the Solo / Ensemble Competition should have their accompanists by Friday! If there is a question mark under accompanists next to your child's name at Solo Ensemble Piece Assignments , then I have not yet been told who their accompanist is.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Solo Ensemble-- the next step
Most of the students have received their solos and ensembles-- now what happens?
- Students playing solos need to find and secure a pianist to play for them on February 11th.
- If your student has a "?" in the "Accompanist" column of the table in Solo Ensemble Piece Assignments , then he or she has not yet told me who will be their pianist.
- The following pianists have already indicated they would be willing to perform for fees negotiated by them:
- Bethany Muck (618-910-1431, or bethany.muck@gmail.com)
- Louise Keck (574-209-0422, or lkeck@bps.k12.in.us)
- You are welcome to use your own family or friend as a pianist.
- I am playing for several students who are trying to qualify for the state competition. I cannot take any more.
- Please arrange for a pianist and let me know who it is before Christmas break.
- Students playing solos or ensembles may sign up for times to work with Mr. Sutton before or after school by putting their names on the sheet posted outside the band office door.
- There are not enough slots for everyone-- first come first serve!
- A student or group should only sign up for one slot at a time.
- Students should be careful to show up at their assigned time. Students who sign up and then do not show up use up a time slot that other students could have used.
- You can see available times to sign up by clicking here: After School Solo Ensemble Scheduling Sheet.pdf . This can also be found on the sidebar to the right at any time.
- Students should practice their solos and ensembles on their own every day! The goal should be to be able to play their pieces with correct rhythms, notes, and expression three weeks before the contest.
- In January, we will be making arrangements for students to ride the bus or go with their parents to Kokomo. Performances are open to the public and parents are encouraged to come, but buses will be provided for those students whose parents cannot.
Friday, December 2, 2011
We still need one more person to help at the Notre Dame Hockey Concession Stand tomorrow at 5 pm. Please email msutton@bps.k12.in.us immediately if you can help.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Don't forget to come to the band booster meeting on Tuesday, December 6th at 7 pm in the band room! All parents are encouraged to attend.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Two quick announcements:
- Solo / Ensemble forms are due today.
- We still need volunteers for the Notre Dame concession stand on Saturday, December 3rd at 5:00 pm. Please contact the band office as soon as possible if you can help or email msutton@bps.k12.in.us.
Have a great day!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Notre Dame Hockey Concession Stand
With 4 games down and 2 to do, the Notre Dame Concession Stand fund raising has gone very well! Our 2 remaining dates are Saturday, December 3rd at 5:00 pm, and Saturday, December 10th at 5:00 pm. This Saturday we still need 4 people to run the stand, and on the following Saturday we just need two more! If you have not yet signed up for a shift, please email msutton@bps.k12.in.us immediately so we can get these spots filled. Please don't assume someone else will cover; we need your help! Thank you so much for your support.
Solo/Ensemble Forms Due
Solo/Ensemble Forms are due for everyone by Wednesday, November 30th at 5 pm. As ISSMA is very strict about their due dates, so must I. I will not be able to take late forms/money. Please make sure your child has returned this form/money to me as soon as possible. For all students 7-12th grade currently enrolled in the band program, this is a required performance. If you have any questions, please look first at the Solo Ensemble Piece Assignments, then if your question isn't answered email msutton@bps.k12.in.us.
Band Booster Meeting
Our next scheduled Band Booster Meeting is for Tuesday, December 6th at 7 pm. All band parents are encouraged to attend. Please mark this on your calendars and plan to be there!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Notre Dame Hockey Concession Stand
First, I would like to thank everyone who has volunteered to help with the Notre Dame Hockey Game Concessions so far. By doing these games we are able to easily raise much needed funds to help to run the Bremen Band Program in an efficent and cost effective manner. I appreciate the hard work of every person who has donated their time so far.
Tomorrow we are signed up to run the concession stand again, and unfortunately we are short much needed help. We need at least 5 more people to help run the concession stand tomorrow evening. If you can help, please send an email to msutton@bps.k12.in.us as soon as possible, or call the band department at 574-546-3511 x3368 and offer your time. If you leave a message, be sure to leave your name, phone number, and your email address if you have one.
The Need: 5 people 16 years old or older
The Date: Tomorrow at 5:30 pm! We will meet outside the school auditorium at 4:30 pm to carpool / caravan up to the stadium.
The Game: The game will begin at 7:30 pm, and we will keep the stand open until it is over. Afterwards, we will need to clean up and do an inventory count.
The Clothing: You will need to wear black pants (not jeans) and a short sleeved white shirt or long sleeved black shirt. Notre Dame will provide a pullover shirt and visor to wear on site.
With a little over 24 hours until the game and still having a shortage of help, I am not quite begging yet. Not quite.... ok maybe a little. Please consider donating this time to help the band program meet its financial needs.
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
Solo/Ensemble Contest
Good morning! It is once again time to begin the process of signing up students for the Indiana State School Music Association's Solo/Ensemble contest in January. Each year thousands of students from all over the state perform solo and ensemble pieces for judges and receive awards on February 11. The best of these students move on to a state level performance in Indianapolis on February 25th. Last year over 120 students from Bremen participated in this important event. Being judged individually and as small groups is a wonderful tool for developing independant musicianship within students, and as such we encourage every student in the band department to participate.
Here's what you need to know:
Where: Kokomo High School. Buses will be provided for students that need it.
When: February 11th, 2012
Who: All students enrolled in the 7th-12th grade band program are expected to sign up. Students who cannot perform on that date (because of athletic or other conflicts) will be required to prepare and perform a piece for the class on the Friday before. 6th grade students may perform as well; this is an optional activity for them.
What: Students may sign up to perform a solo, an ensemble, or both.
Cost: ISSMA charges small fees to cover the cost of hiring judges and other expenses. The cost is $6 for each ensemble entry, and $12 for each solo entry.
Sign Up Information: Today students will receive small sign up forms in class. These forms will be due back to the band room by December 1st, 2011. Please turn in your fees with your form. Checks should be made out to Bremen Band. If a student wishes to do more than one performance (such as a solo and an ensemble), he or she should fill out a separate entry form for each performance.
If you wish to know if your child has signed up, or the status of his or her solo / ensemble piece, please go to Solo Ensemble Piece Assignments . You can also find a link to this page if you scroll down the Navigator window on the right.
As always, if you have any questions not answered here, please don't hesitate to email Mr. Sutton at msutton@bps.k12.in.us.
Friday, November 11, 2011
The Band Program is in need of a few more volunteers to help run the concession stand at the Notre Dame Hockey Game on Tuesday, November 15th.
Volunteers will meet outside the auditorium of Bremen High School at 4:00 pm to caravan or carpool up to the stadium. The game will finish around 10:00 pm, and we will have to clean up the stand afterwards. Volunteers need to wear black pants (not jeans), and either a long sleeved black shirt or a short sleeved white shirt. Notre Dame will provide a shirt and visor to wear over your clothes. Volunteers must be 16 years old or older to participate.
This is fast paced work in an exciting atmosphere, and your help will benefit the band program here at the school. We are running out of time to find people, so we need your help! Please email msutton@bps.k12.in.us if you can help.
Monday, November 7th, 2011
Notre Dame Hockey Concession Stand Help
We are still in need of volunteers this Friday for the Notre Dame Hockey Concession Stand. We are running out of time! If you have not yet done so, please volunteer to help us Friday evening at 5:00 pm. To volunteer, simply email me at msutton@bps.k12.in.us and let me know you are available. The game will begin at 7:00 pm, and the concession stand will remain open until the end of the game and clean up afterwards. Volunteers will need to wear long black pants (not jeans), comfortable shoes (no flip flops or sandles), and either a short sleeve white shirt or a long sleeve black shirt. Notre Dame will provide a visor and a polo shirt to wear during the game and over your shirt. Students who wish to help must be 16 years old or older.
Fall Concert
Our first major concert of the year is tomorrow night! This is a wonderful time when we first get to see the results of the students' hard work over the last several weeks since the beginning of the school year. Students should be in the band room at 6:30 pm Tuesday, November 8th, and the concert will begin in the Bowen auditorium at 7:30 pm. Please look at your handbook for proper dress requirements. If you need it, an online copy of your handbook can be found here:
High School Handbook
Middle School Handbook
As these are performance based classes and this is a major performance, attendance is required. If you have questions about our attendance policy, you can always find answers in your handbook as well.
Port-A-Pit Chicken Sale
The Port-A-Pit Chicken sale on Saturday went very well! We sold all of our chickens, and we made approximately $811 in profit. Thank you to every person and student who helped make this a success.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween!
Cheese and Sausage money is due back by tomorrow. Reported missing items will be delivered as soon as we receive them. You do not have to collect money for items not yet received. Checks should be made out to Bremen Band. Thank you for your help!
We have a Band Booster Meeting. Tomorrow night, November 1st, at 7:00 pm. Every parent of a band student is encouraged to come, and I hope to see you there!
We are still in need of volunteers for our Port-A-Pit Chicken sale on November 5th. Please email msutton@bps.k12.in.us as soon as possible if you can help. Here are the shifts and locations available:
- Marathon Station, corner of Grape and Edison Road
- Woodies Parking Lot
- 10:00 - Noon
- Noon - 2:30 pm
All Port-A-Pit presale chicken tickets are due at the Band office by Friday, November 4th.
Our first concert of the year is rapidly approaching! This concert will be held next Tuesday, November 8th at 7:30 pm in the Bowen Auditorium. Students will need to be in the band room dressed appropriately by 6:30 pm. Please refer to your student handbook for proper dress requirements; you can find a link to your handbook on the right side of this page if you no longer have yours at home. MS band shirts have not yet arrived for those that have ordered, but they will be handed out as soon as they do. Because this is a performance based class, attendance at the concert is required by all students and is a significant part of their grade. Please review the attendance policies in your handbook if you have further questions on this subject.
We are also in need of volunteers for the Notre Dame hockey game concession stands. After our first time doing it, we believe we would be better off with 12 volunteers per evening. There are still many slots available, and even more band parents that have not yet signed up. Please sign up for a single night of work to help us meet our budget for the band program by emailing msutton@bps.k12.in.us. Here are the dates and times that still need help:
- 5:30 pm Friday, October 21--- FINISHED: great job volunteers!
- 5:00 pm Friday, November 11
- 5:00 pm Tuesday, November 15--- FILLED UP. We need no more volunteers for this date.
- 5:30 pm Friday, November 18
- 5:00 pm Saturday, December 3
- 5:00 pm Saturday, December 10
Thursday, October 27th, 2011
Cheese and Sausage products have all been handed out to the students, and all money is due back to the band program by Tuesday, November 1st. Here are a few things you need to know:
- Checks should be made out to "Bremen Band."
- Products not initially received will be handed out as soon as the band receives them; you do not need to collect the money from your customers for these items until they arrive, and they will not likely arrive before Tuesday.
- All Prizes will be handed out after all money has been collected.
Comments (22)
dandjmurphy said
at 11:20 pm on Jan 27, 2012
Mr. Sutton,
What is the status of the band trip? From the report I got there are only 25 students current with payments and the trip has been shortened and the itinerary changed. Jenny Murphy
jane said
at 9:39 am on Jan 28, 2012
I beleive we all would like to know
Matthew Sutton said
at 9:57 am on Jan 28, 2012
Good morning! There is no reason to panic, as there are no plans to change the trip to Atlanta. I am looking forward to getting the chance to give your students this unforgettable experience. However because of the smaller than hoped for group that chose to go we need to make some decisions. I would love to have your input and you can be apart of the decision making process by attending our next booster meeting on February 7 at 7 pm in the band room.
D&TSpearman said
at 10:39 am on Jan 28, 2012
Is it possible to postpone the trip until next year? What money has been paid already can be applied toward that trip? If the price is going to increase, I don't know that I will be able to go as a chaperone and pay the remainder for my child. I was told that we would only be going to Atlanta now, and not to Nashville...is that correct? Do we have to make the decision to cancel still by Jan. 31? If we wait until the booster meeting, that would be too late.
Cha Cox said
at 1:49 pm on Jan 28, 2012
We are still working out the details. If we postpone the trip until next year that would mean that any current seniors will have graduated. Some of them are signed up to go on the trip now. Monday Mr. Sutton will be in contact with the company again to try and see what our options are, since it is the weekend nothing can be done at this time.
dandjmurphy said
at 4:41 pm on Jan 28, 2012
The contract indicates 61 day notice (in writing) is the min allowable for a refund. On day 60 the $ is 100% the tour company's. Monday is day 61.
jane said
at 7:31 pm on Jan 28, 2012
so what are we to do now??????????????????
dandjmurphy said
at 7:45 pm on Jan 28, 2012
Unless there is a sound plan in place already we will be delivering Regan's letter of cancellation to MTC offices on Monday. I am unwilling to bet the $850 we have on acct that we will be able to make up for a 50 student deficit and still have a trip I am willing to spend that amount of money on. I'm just thankful I heard about the problem before we were out of luck. We may find its even too late on Monday since day 61 from Monday is the actual departure day. We'll have to keep our fingers crossed.
Sabrina Wickens said
at 7:52 pm on Jan 28, 2012
Mr. Sutton, I have sent you a message. LaurieAnne has sent you two texted messages. I would greatly appreciate communication from you tonight regarding the band trip. After reading this information, I plan to check the tour company's website to verify what I am reading. I have close to $1800 sitting in the tour companies hands. I really want answers.
Cha Cox said
at 8:06 pm on Jan 28, 2012
As band booster president and someone who is also paying for 2 people to go on this trip, I can assure you everything is being done to make this trip work out. Mr. Sutton does not currently have Internet at home and it is hard for him to respond right now. He was in contact with the company Friday and options are being discussed, but since it is the weekend there isn't anything that can be done. Everyone just needs to try and be patient at this time. I think there are rumors going around that have a bit of truth to them but I think things ate getting overblown.
Cha Cox said
at 8:32 pm on Jan 28, 2012
On a side note, if you have tried to text Mr. Sutton his phone is currently blocking Verizon texts and has been for about a week. If you feel you need to speak to him you may call him at 1-574-850-2655.
jane said
at 8:40 pm on Jan 28, 2012
I think I can speak for most of us that we will be sending our letters of calcellation wheras we cannot afford to spend our hard earned dollars on a trip that is pared down from the original iternary. Hopefullly we will not be out of luck with such short notice do not believe that we have time to be patient wiMonday being day 61.
D&TSpearman said
at 9:33 pm on Jan 28, 2012
Unfortunately, I am going to have to cancel. Mr. Sutton has been trying for weeks to get Mr. Harting to respond to questions, and he finally answers them with so few answers as to what is actually happening, and with such little time for us to cancel that it just makes me not trust this travel group. I'm sure they are good, but to wait this close to our deadline, which Mark Harting had said in the meeting was Jan. 31, shows me they don't care and they need our money. By the time we get answers, if we decide to cancel we will lose our money because it will be too late. I am e-mailing him tonight with our cancellation notice so that it will be received in time. If you need his e-mail address, it is Maharting @music-travel.com.
dandjmurphy said
at 9:48 pm on Jan 28, 2012
Thanks for the email address. We are going to send an email cancellation and call Monday to verify he has received it and that it is effective. If not, we will be able to make arrangements to have a letter delivered to their offices.
Cha Cox said
at 10:03 pm on Jan 28, 2012
If Monday is indeed day 61 then wouldn't you have until the close if business on Monday, day 61 to cancel?
Matthew Sutton said
at 10:31 pm on Jan 28, 2012
Good evening! I do not have internet at home and was alerted to the alarming extent this conversation has extended. Therefore I have found Internet access to respond to your concerns and act as best as I can to calm your fears. You are right to be concerned, as many of you have made significant investments in this trip, and you would like to see that investment not be wasted.
I am here to tell you that it will not be wasted. I cannot speak for the company itself as I am not their employee, but I can tell you that I have been in contact with them about this issue on Friday. Specifically, they sent me an email letting me know that they were getting ready to pay out large sums of money to vendors and since we have fewer people in the trip they wanted to know if they should proceed. I called them and left them a message letting them know that I would like to talk to them about options before sending out the money. As this is the weekend, we have had no further conversations. I have on my to-do list for early Monday to call them and discuss those options. I have always found them to be reasonable, and I am sure that since they have likely not sent out that money that they will be open to working with us to find a solution.
Much of what has been said here is exaggerated at best and in some cases simply may not be true. I am asking that you refrain from making rash decisions based on rumors. If you want the details of the full situation, please take the step of calling me at 574-850-2655. As of yet, I have only heard from one of you. Please understand that your decision to pull out based on mostly false rumors will have a large negative effect on the other families trying to make this trip a success.
In addition, give me Monday morning to call the company and speak on all of your behalf.
Thank you very much for your concern. Despite the panic of this weekend, I continue to look forward to taking your students on a fantastic trip in April.
dandjmurphy said
at 10:35 pm on Jan 28, 2012
If it is 61 days from the DAY OF of departure. The contract, as i read it, says 61 days PRIOR to day of departure. Which, if they wish to split hairs, i supppose then Monday would be day 60 from the day prior to departure. Either way, the fact that our numbers were so far off should have been disclosed to those of us with $ on the line a LONG time ago so we would not have been in this predicament.
Matthew Sutton said
at 10:39 pm on Jan 28, 2012
By the way, I do not mind being waken up. I will soon be back at my home where I cannot see your responses, but I welcome your phone call at any time of day or evening. 574-850-2655. Please remember also that even if they hold strictly to the contract you have until the end of the day on Monday to send them an email. I will be happy to post here new information right after I get off the phone with them on Monday.
Matthew Sutton said
at 10:44 pm on Jan 28, 2012
Mr./Mrs. Murphy, the dollar numbers at 35 students were nearly the same as they were at 55. There was no reason to contact you because the numbers did not change. It is only now that it dipped just below 30 that it became a concern again.
Again I beg you, please call instead of sending these messages out. It would be much easier for me to give you information and for you to fully express your concerns to me. Every time you post here, emails are sent out to everyone in the band program, and when the posts are based on incomplete information more people may be influenced to make rash decisions without knowing what is going on.
Matthew Sutton said
at 10:46 pm on Jan 28, 2012
It will be very difficult for me to answer any more posts here tonight. I will have my phone next to me all evening and all day tomorrow if you really wish to know the situation in full. Sleep well, and I look forward to your call.
dandjmurphy said
at 12:10 am on Jan 29, 2012
I have just spoken with Mr Sutton. It seems the combination of the news from the travel company on our numbers, the lack of travel agent accessibility due to the weekend, and the approaching cancellation deadline have created a perfect storm. Mr Sutton will be contacting MTC first thing Monday to strategize our options, relay our concerns, and formulate a list of options. He will immediately post for us what our options are so that we may then make informed decisions on the future of this trip. His confidence in the integrity of the travel company has put my mind at ease and I am willing to await more information on monday before taking any action.
I expressed my regrets for the panicked response to the initial word of mouth notification and he apologized for the lack of information we had access to.
Matthew Sutton said
at 11:28 am on Jan 30, 2012
While there is far too much information to be posted here in detail, I wanted to post and let you all know that I have talked to the company and they have been very flexible. We have several options available to us that due to space I can't post here, but we will be discussing and choosing an option at the Band Booster Meeting in the band room on Tuesday, February 7th and 7:00 pm. We need as many parents as possible with students going on the trip to be there. I will be sending home a letter with your child today with details on the options available.
Please note: The company has told me directly that they will still refund ALL of your money aside from money they cannot recover from vendors, even after the meeting next week if we choose to cancel. At this point this means you will even get most of your "non-refundable" deposit back. That said we still have many options on the table and I believe we can still have a successful trip to Atlanta if the group so chooses. We have worked with this company for years and they have always gone out of their way to be helpful. I am sure we will come up with a satisfactory option at that meeting.
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