300 band forms collected, 130 to go

Thank you so much to those of you who have returned the forms that were included in the Information Packet.  While we have nearly 300 students confirmed as being a part of the "Pride of Shaker Heights," we are still waiting to hear from 130 others! It looks as though this will be the largest marching band in Shaker history, and the largest in Ohio, but without an accurate count of how many will participating in band next year, we are not able to plan accordingly for instrument and uniform needs, or begin writing drill for our John Williams theme show. If you have not already returned your forms, please contact the band office by email or phone as soon as possible to let us know your intentions, even if you will not be participating in band next year. We want to be sure to plan for every student who will be a part of one of the largest marching bands in the country!

We're looking forward to a great year!
The Shaker Band Staff

Information Packet Forms Due Monday, July 27

The forms included in the 2015-2016 Shaker Bands Information Packet are due Monday, July 27.  They can be mailed to the High School, attn: Band Department,  or dropped off in the box labeled "Band Forms" on the front desk of the Main Office. With a band this large, it is important for us to know exactly who will be participating, so phone calls will be made next week to those who have not yet turned in forms.  If you received a packet but will not be participating in band, please call the band office at 295-4233 or email Mr. Clemens (clemens_j@shaker.org) or Mrs. Tyrrell (tyrrell_g@shaker.org) to inform us of your decision and we will remove you name from our list.

Extra forms for those who either did not receive a packet or need replacements are available on the marching band page of shakerbands.org.

2015-2016 Mailing Address Changes

We will be sending out the information packet for the 2015-2016 school year on Tuesday, 6/30.  In the band office we use a different database than the school office for addresses and other student information.  All those newly enrolled to band (either freshmen, transfers, or returning upperclassmen) have been entered into our database with the addresses on file with the school.  We ask that returning members who have either moved in the last year or who have not received band mailings in the past, or new members who know their address on record with the school is not current please contact Mr. Clemens at clemens_j@shaker.org or call the band office at (216) 295-4233 with your current address so we can update our database.

Spain Tour Update- Including Chaperone and Shadow Tour Info

Dear Shaker Band Parents, Students, and Friends,

We have had an overwhelmingly positive response for the 2016 Spain Tour registration.  We currently have over 300 people registered for the tour.  This is quickly shaping up to be one of the largest and most exciting international tours yet for the Shaker Band. As of today, GrandTours has secured enough air seats for all registered students/staff/potential chaperones and is now working to secure additional group air seats for the Family & Friends Tour.

During the month of May, Mr. Dan Crain and Mr. Bill Hughes, Shaker Band Directors, travelled to Spain on a site inspection tour.  We are happy to report that we have some incredible performance venues for the tour, including joint exchange concerts with local Spanish bands.  We took the time to ensure that all locations the band will visit are safe, appropriate, educational and of cultural significance.  While we know that we cannot cover all that Spain has to offer, we are confident that this tour will provide everyone with an authentic and enduring perspective of Spain.

Family & Friends Tour (Shadow Tour)

While registering student travelers, several adults indicated their interest in the Family & Friends tour (shadow tour).  Once GrandTours finalizes the group air space for this program, enrollment will be limited to the number of seats that can be secured.  If you have already registered and indicated that you want to be part of the Family & Friends Tour, you will eventually receive a separate e-mail indicating the final tour price and that your registration is confirmed. In order to make things easier for everyone, we have decided to use the same registration site for the Family & Friends Tour.  

The registration website is www.regonline.com/1602shaker

The passcode is 1602. 

Please check the appropriate box indicating that you are registering for the Family & Friends Tour. If you already registered as a Family & Friends Tour participant, while registering your student, then you need to take no further action as GrandTours has the information needed at this time.

NEW FAMILY & FRIENDS TOUR REGISTRATION NOTE: IF USING THE SAME E-MAIL YOU ORIGINALLY USED TO REGISTER YOUR SON/DAUGHTER, USE THE “START A NEW REGISTRATION” LINK ONCE YOU ENTER THE SYSTEM. YOU WILL THEN HAVE YOUR ABILITY TO ADD YOUR REGISTRATION TO THE EXISTING STUDENT REGISTRATION RECORD.

Family & Friends Tour Pricing: Please be advised that the Family & Friends Tour pricing will be somewhat higher than the student program due to more expensive group air space, upgraded hotels, and an anticipated smaller number of passengers on the motor coaches. GrandTours will publish a final tour price to all Family & Friends Tour participants once group air space is secured. All F&F tour invoices will be adjusted to the final price once it is published. You may choose to cancel your F&F tour registration with a full refund until September 30.

We estimate the Family & Friends Pricing to be:

·         $3495 (Payment by check)
·         $3650 (Payment by debit/credit card)
·         Land-only TBA once group air is secured
·         $395 Single Room Supplement (Payment by check)
·         $410 Single Room Supplement (Payment by debit/credit card)

Payment due dates and the cancellation policy will be published on your tour invoice.

Chaperones

We have had an equally impressive number of adults indicate that they are interested in participating as chaperones on the tour and we would like to thank everyone in advance for your willingness to help our students.  The band directors are currently in the process of reviewing chaperone needs based on the number of students registered.  If you have indicated that you are interested in being a chaperone, the band directors will contact you directly by the end of July. 

We are looking forwarding to an exciting international tour experience.  If you have any questions regarding the Spain tour, please contact Mr. Crain via e-mail at Crain_d@shaker.org, or at the high school band office (216) – 295 – 4233.  We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer. 

Sincerely,
Dan Crain & Bill Hughes
Shaker Heights Band Directors

Spain Tour 2016 Registration Deadline Approaching

We currently have 224 people registered for the 2016 Spain Trip.  Registration will close this Friday, June 12, 2015 at 10:00PM.  The initial trip deposit of $200.00 is due to Grand Tours by Friday, June 19, 2015.  Spots are filling up quickly.  If you register after the deadline, you’ll be placed on a waiting list until additional airspace becomes available and the price of your trip may increase subject to airline ticket fees.  If you have any questions regarding the Spain Trip, please contact Mr. Crain at crain_d@shaker.org or at the high school band office at 216-295-4233.

Memorial Day Parade on 5/25

"The Pride of Shaker Heights" has one final performance on Monday, 5/25, for the Shaker Heights Memorial Day Parade. Here's the timeline for the day:

8 AM- SHHS will be open for students to pick up instruments
8:30 AM- Call time at City Hall
9 AM- Ceremony at City Hall
9:30 AM- Parade steps off
10:30 AM- Parade arrives at Thornton Park

SHHS will be open briefly following the parade.

Dress for the parade is summer uniform (band polo, white pants, black socks, black shoes, and black belt). 190 band students have memorized their music for the parade! Those that have not need to have their flip folders with them.

Spain Tour Info Meeting Links

If you missed the Spain Trip Registration Kick-off Meeting, don’t worry - all is not lost.  We have posted links to all materials needed for the trip on our Shaker Bands Website.  We hope that you’ll join us on our trip to Spectacular Spain!

Spain Trip Brochure

This contains information about the price of the trip, a tentative itinerary, and registration instructions. 

Spain Trip Slideshow Presentation

This contains detailed information including information about our trip process, philosophy, tentative itinerary with high resolution photos, and detailed information about registration instructions.

Registration Website Link

All registrations for the Spain trip will be handled online.  All monies will be sent directly to our tour company GrandTours.  Please do not send any payments to Shaker Heights High School. 

Registration website: www.regonline.com/1602Shaker

The passcode is 1602

Important Dates

The registration window will close on June 12, 2015.   The initial deposit of $200.00 is due to GrandTours by June 19, 2015.  If you register after the June 12 deadline, you’ll be placed on a waiting list until additional airspace becomes available, and the price of your trip may increase depending on airline ticket fees. 

Family & Friends Tour (Shadow Tour)

The Shadow tour is a separate trip available to parents, family members, and friends who wish to share in the experience of the band’s 2016 tour to Spectacular Spain.  The tour program will mirror the band’s itinerary and participants will attend all concerts performed by the band.  If you are interested in the Shadow Tour, you’ll be able to indicate this by clicking on a box during the student registration.

Chaperone Interest Form

If you are interested in being a chaperone on the trip, please download and complete the Chaperone Interest Form found on the Shaker Bands website.  You may download, scan and e-mail the completed form to Mr. Crain at Crain_d@shaker.org, or turn it in at Shaker Heights High School Band Office.  Please turn in completed forms by June 12, 2015.