Seminole High School Band

As a group we have the opportunity to work at the UCF Arena to raise funds for your trip account. Normally these come to our attention very quickly and if you are on the e-mail list (subscribe here) you will be notified about them a few days before they occur. Some of the frequently asked questions are listed below. If you have other questions about these events you can contact Cherie Heckford at president@seminolehsband.org.

• Q: I this ALWAYS (unless otherwise stated) working in the concession stand (No walking up and down stairs)? A: Yes, always a concession stand unless advised otherwise.
• Q: Is this payment always $25 PER person working? A: Always $25 per person per event — regardless of length of event.
• Q: Are there also tips involved and shared amongst the group? A: Tips are involved and are distributed among the STUDENT accounts of the people working. If a parent works and the student did not, that portion of tips would go into the student’s trip account.
• Q: Can both a parent and their student work at the same event? A: In a lot of cases the answer is yes. However, if beer is being sold in the concession then the student must be 18 or older and that leaves out most students. The parent can still work the event without their student.
• Q: What is the required dress? A: At UCF in the arena it is black pants, black shoes, and a black visor. We have the visors. During football season, it will change to t-shirts (which we have) and visors. Pants become khaki.
• Q: Will you need to know how to count out change or run the register? A: Not everyone works the cash register. If someone has a challenge with this, DO NOT volunteer to work the register.
• Q: Is there heavy lifting involved (cases of food, soda, or beer)? A: Some moderately heavy lifting — we usually have a man or two who is capable and if not there are staff members who can help us.
• Q: Will you be on your feet with no opportunity to sit for long periods of time? A: If the event is a long one, we make sure everyone gets a quick break to rest their backs. Depends on the event and how busy we are as to whether smoke breaks are available. We try to work it out for everyone.
• Q: Do you have to pay for parking? Is there special parking for workers? A: UCF provides free parking.

Cherie will get an e-mail from UCF asking for us to work an event. She sends out an immediate e-mail asking for volunteers. First responders work. If we have the same people consistently responding first, she will change it up so everyone gets a chance.

We are working to acquire work at the Amway Arena. If we contract with them and they put us on the schedule we will let everyone know.

Hello and Happy New Year to everyone.  For those of you who were not around, we had an amazing concert last year taking us on a Journey Through Jazz.  This concert was a combination of our own Jazz Chiefs, some wonderfully talented professional jazz musicians, and some non-jazz students who were able to fill in some gaps (think Dixieland).  The evening was unforgettable.  I am very pleased to announce that we will again be privileged to bring to our auditorium the Journey Through Jazz concert for 2010.

Last year the professional musicians donated their time and talents and thoroughly enjoyed working with our students.  The students had a rare opportunity to perform on stage with professional musicians and learn from them.  The musicians promised last year to come back and they have kept their word!

So, please mark your calendars for an incredible evening of great music.  February 16, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in our own auditorium.  All proceeds from this concert will benefit the entire Seminole High School Band.  This is not a fundraiser for the London trip; it is not for the Jazz Chiefs.  This is a way for some really wonderful professional musicians to pave the way for newcomers and benefit our music program.   We would ask that you spread the word to your family, friends, co-workers, strangers you meet, and anyone else you can think of.  You will truly be doing them a favor by inviting them to this concert.  The cost will be $10 for adults and $7 for Students/Children. There is a pre-order form available on the web site which you can access here. 

To give you some incentive, I am very grateful to Dr. Sonia Bhatia for getting a DVD of last year’s concert to SGTV, who will be airing last year’s concert this month.  Two dates I am aware of are Tuesday, January 5, at 2:00 p.m., and Friday, January 8, at 9:00 p.m.  Tune in and get a feel for what will go on this year.  I bet the musicians will outdo themselves! 

More information will follow, but don’t wait.  Make plans to join us on Tuesday, February 16.  We’ll see you there!

Cherie Heckford, President
Seminole High School Band Parent Association