To view this newsletter in a browser, click here

~AFM Weekly Newsletter~

January 17th, 2025

Director's Report

It is a busy time with jazz bands preparing for festivals, honor bands in full swing, two winter guards competing next weekend, winter percussion working hard on their show and 5 concert bands preparing new music for festivals and concerts! The Amador band program is thriving this semester.

If you haven't heard, there are proposed budget cuts the school board is considering that would eliminate elementary music (classroom music and 5th grade band/strings) as well as the elimination of A/B Periods at the middle schools. PUSD has been a model for music education in the region and state. I hope you will let our district leaders know that Pleasanton is a community that values music education for all students at all grade levels.

Also, please continue to make your donations to cover expenses for the marching band season (now past) and the upcoming winter guard, winter percussion and concert/jazz seasons. We are currently at approximately 66% of our expected donations for the year to meet our budgeted expenses. Without further donations we will have to use fundraising money to cover this shortfall. Our inventory of instruments and equipment is aging and deteriorating rapidly as we look to almost $100,000 of needed replacement and repair in the next 2-5 years. Fundraising is how we make this happen. Please donate (click on here to be directed to the AFM donation page)

We are stronger together for Amador is our name,

Mr. Grantham & Mr. Fell

Campana Jazz Festival Need Your Help!

AFM is hosting the 49th Campana Jazz Festival on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Amador Valley High School!!

We need volunteers to run this amazing event, so please sign up. All volunteers will receive free admission!

Usher and clean up roles are open to non-band students for volunteer hours. All other positions are adult volunteer positions. Band students interested in volunteering should sign up on the Campana Student Volunteer sheet sent out by the band directors.

Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B45A5A72CABF94-54217263-50th#/

For schedule, visit https://campana.amadormusic.org/

Eight days until the first Winter Guard competition!

Please sign up to drive (level 3 clearance) kids, or equipment (no clearance needed).

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4DA5AE28A13-54174380-2025#/

Both varsity and JV have a great season ahead:

January 25 -- James Logan HS (evals)

February 8 -- Independence HS

March 1 -- Fremont HS

March 8 -- James Logan HS

March 21-23 -- Palm Desert HS

March 25 -- Dance & Drums (free at Dublin HS)

March 29 -- Independence HS

We invite you to come watch them perform as both groups have leveled up this year, JV in A class and V in open class.

Donations for the winter guard program are always appreciated

https://www.amadormusic.org/support/donate/winter-guard

Snack Donation Sign-Up for Winter Guard

We need your help to keep our team fueled during competitions! Please consider signing up to donate snacks using this link: http://bit.ly/3PBF1mf

Your support means so much—thank you for helping our students shine!

Make your Valentine’s Day sweeter with See’s Candies!

Support our Winter Guard and Winter Percussion programs by joining our See’s Candies fundraiser.

Proceeds will help our students with performances and competitions. Order by 1/31 for easy online shopping and delivery straight to your home!

https://www.yumraising.com/secure/amadorfom_afm__valentines23/SieLee4541/candy

Save the date for the Chipotle fundraiser on Feb. 5th!

Mark your calendar for our Chipotle Fundraiser on Wednesday, Feb. 5th 4-8pm.

Join us for a delicious meal while supporting our program-more details coming soon!

TENTATIVE DATES for MARCHING BAND 2025!

Happy New Year - which also means we are planning for the 2025 Marching Band season!! For those planning for the summer and beyond, please note the dates below. When dates are finalized, they will be published ASAP.

As always, please refer to the Band Google Calendar which is linked to amadormusic.org as it is kept current.

July 28 - August 2, 2025: Marching Band Camp (tentative)

November 1 - 2, 2025: Marching Band Bands of America Competition, SoCal (tentative)

November 22-23, 2025: Marching Band WBA Championships, Clovis (tentative)

BANDCAKE BREAKFAST! RAFFLE & AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED!

Bandcake Breakfast is Amador Band's spring fundraiser and will be on Saturday, May 10, 2025. We need items for the raffle and auction!

Toys! Gifts! Gift Cards! Unwanted Christmas gifts that you didn't have time to return!!

For drop off info, contact Soojin Hwang, president@amadormusic.org.

BANDCAKE BREAKFAST COMMITTEE HELPERS NEEDED!

We need parents to volunteer to be part of the Bandcake Breakfast Committee! Bandcake Breakfast is a morning when all the bands and jazz bands perform, breakfast is served, and funds are raised for the band through raffles, online auction, and other fun activities at the event.

Our leads from last year will help but this is their last year so WE NEED NEW PARENTS to help with Bandcake. Committee job list:

Logistics

Raffle/Auction

Publicity

Online Auction site manager

Grub Team

Decorations

Volunteer Organizer

Last year, our band directors had a surprise costume. Maybe they can have another one this year! Join the Bandcake Breakfast Committee and help decide! Email Soojin Hwang, president@amadormusic.org.

BANDCAKE BREAKFAST - AUCTION TEAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ASAP!

We need some volunteers ASAP to send emails asking for auction/raffle items for Bandcake 2025! We have last year's list. If you can help, please email Soojin Hwang, president@amadormusic.org, ASAP.

Thank you Beer Pourers!

Thank you for another fantastic beer pouring season to all that have donated their time and efforts to make this program what it is! Although the 49ers didn't make the playoffs, we still came out with a big WIN generating $16,566.02 in donation contributions! Our next season will begin in April/May with training renewals so any member that wants to pour over the summer will need to get re-trained/certified. This is also a great way to get a jump start on that donation ask! So remember to tell a friend! In addition, anyone interested in taking over this lead position, please email Susan Bowen at funbpour@gmail.com. Hope to see many old friends and lots of new faces for the 2025-2026 season!

Cheers!