BURLINGTON RED DEVILS vs. ARLINGTON SPY PONDERS: And Away We Go!

The Burlington High School Red Devils football team and marching band will be on the road this weekend as they come up against the Arlington High School Spy Ponders. The game will be played on Saturday evening at Pierce Field, 869 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington MA.

For directions to the field, please refer to the sidebar.

Come and enjoy the BHS Marching Red Devils as they perform "Boogie Down" and the debut of their newest song, "Sweet Georgia Brown."

Game time is 7:00 pm.

IT'S OFFICIAL: NEW MUSIC BOOSTERS ASSN. EXECUTIVE BOARD TAKES SHAPE

The Burlington High School Music Boosters Association is pleased to announce its Executive Board members for the 2010-2011 school year.

President: Donna Gregorio
Vice President for Band: Brenda Cahoon
Vice President for Chorus: Maryellen Schissler
Secretary: Vicki Kikuchi
Treasurer: Sue Frost
Members at Large: Steve Parker, Faydeen Sateriale

Committee Chairs are as follows:
Publicity and Blog: Vanessa Ovian
Fund Raising: Shirley Fong, Rebecca Cote annd Carol Sheldon
Hospitality: Shirley Fong and Phyllis Fleishman

The first general meeting for the BHS Music Boosters Association will take place on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:30 in the band room of the high school. An overview of the year will be presented and will include the upcoming Gala Benefit Concert and Silent Auction, scholarships for band and chorus members, and several other important issues.

All parents and/or guardians of BHS Marching Band, Dance Squad, Color Guard and BHS Chorus and Select Chorus students are invited to attend this meeting.

WELCOME BACK MUSIC BOOSTERS!

Photos of band camp courtesy of Shirley Fong

The BHS Music Boosters are excited to begin a new school year supporting the music program at Burlington High School. There are lots of things in store this year. Following is the welcome back letter that will be sent to all music parents. We hope to see you all at the first Music Boosters general meeting on September 14 in the Band Room of the high school.

August 28, 2010

Dear Parents:

Welcome! As the parent or guardian of a student in the Burlington High School Marching Band or Chorus, you are an automatic member of the BHS Music Boosters Association. We invite you to participate in any or all of the activities of the Association. By doing so, you support the education and well-being of your high school students.

Those of you who are new to the high school will be excited to see that BHS offers an outstanding music program of concerts, musicals, banquets, parades, and other performances throughout the year. The BHS Music Boosters is committed to providing support, financial and otherwise, to the BHS music students, and to this program of events. Through our fundraising efforts, we are the only Burlington High School association to provide a scholarship to all marching band seniors, including dance squad and color guard members, that are going on to higher education.

Participation in the Boosters is a great way to be included behind the scenes in events that your child cares about! Parents carry water at parades, help with instruments and equipment at football games, bake, build or paint sets for the stage performances, help with publicity, sell balloons, and much more.

We desperately need participation in our general meetings to make and vote on decisions that affect your students – decisions that range from candy sales to scholarship amounts. There are five general meetings a year, they will be held the second Tuesday of every other month. The first general meeting will be held Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 7:30 PM in the band practice room. We encourage you to join us for this first meeting.

Enclosed you will find a copy of the BHS Music Boosters By Laws, the Music Department Schedule for school year 2010 - 2011, and directions to “away” football games and other events. Please note that due to construction on the Burlington Varsity Field, all home games will be played at Woburn High School. The attached schedule is current as of the current date and differs from the Band Schedule that was mailed over the summer. For the latest on the football schedule, go to: http://www.highschoolsports.net/Team/Burlington-High-School-Burlington-MA/Football/Varsity/Boys/. Through additional communication and email updates, we will do our best to keep you informed of current events and happenings. If you are not already receiving email announcements, please send your email address to me at dgregorio20@gmail.com or call at 781-272-8280.

A Contact Information/Volunteer Form is also enclosed. Please update your information and indicate the activities you would enjoy helping with. Please bring it to the first meeting, or mail it to the address provided.

Thanks to all in advance. We are looking forward to a great year!

Sincerely
Donna D. Gregorio
BHS Music Boosters President

The BHS Marching Band will take part in Burlington’s annual Memorial Day commemoration beginning at 9 am with “Taps” on the Burlington Common. The morning performance will continue when the students take their place at Chestnut Hill Cemetery alongside town officials, Burlington veterans and honored guest speakers for the formal commemoration. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who died in service to the United States of America.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General John A. Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. Originally known as Decoration Day it was for the Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War. After World War I, it became a holiday to honor all men and women who died in service.

Memorial Day is a much-anticipated performance displaying the fine talents of the students while exhibiting their respect for those men and women who have given their lives to serve this country. We hope everyone will be present to observe the day.

BHS Marching Band at Disney World!

These are just a few of the many many photos that were taken at Disney World on April 21st when the band marched down Main Street at Disney World. There are several efforts underway to consolidate photos and videos into movies. In addition, Disney World photographers also took photos. Stay tuned for more information on photos and videos for your collection. If you have any that you would like to contribute to the upcoming consolidation efforts, both Lori Kashgegian and Vicki Kikuchi will be collecting these to compile into movies.

SENIORS AND PARENTS RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE AT THANKSGIVING GAME

The Burlington High School Marching Band, Color Guard and Dance Squad joined the football and cheering squad on Thanksgiving morning during a special pre-game ceremony acknowledging seniors and their parents. Although this is the first of several bittersweet acknowledgements as our seniors move towards graduation, it is also one that is heartfelt on behalf of both the Music and Athletic Boosters organizations.

Senior Marching Band students and parents acknowledged this past Thursday were: Nick Abruzzese accompanied by Michelle and Mike; Ian Drummond accompanied by Thembekile and David; Carolyn Kelly accompanied by Paula and James; Eric Leva accompanied by Diane and Dennis; David Murray accompanied by Beth and Al; Kevin Parker accompanied by Maureen and Steven; and Chelsea Rose accompanied by Tim and Marcy. Senior Color Guard members and their parents were: Ericka Bojarczuk accompanied by David and Linda; Katie Campbell accompanied by Michelle and Ken; Nichole Chilliest accompanied by Naomi and Dennis; Theresa Colella accompanied by Jean and Russell; Zeeshan Mangoob accompanied by Syeda and Syed; Chelsea Rustenberg accompanied by Barbara; Taylor Waisnor accompanied by Karen and Bill; and Barbara Wye accompanied by Felise Llano and Jonathan. Finally, senior Dance Squad members and parents were: Christina Kashgegian accompanied by Lori and Mark; and Andrea McSheehy accompanied by Beth.

Most of the BHS Marching Band, Color Guard and Dance Squad members have served the school and community for four years. They have given up their final two weeks of every summer vacation for Band Camp and have foregone many Friday night and Saturday afternoon activities. The members of this group of students have learned that sacrifice has its rewards on the performance field and beyond. It has built a sense of discipline, dignity and pride in both the students and the parents who have given their support.

The Music Boosters would also like to send a special thank you to Matt Lovell (Director, Band), Amanda Potts (Assistant Director, Band), Jen Agati (Advisor, Color Guard), Leanne Reardon (Advisor, Dance Squad) and Joe Cincotta (Advisor, Percussion) for their hours and hours of rehearsal time spent with all the students.

Congratulations to one and all for your dedication and accomplishments.

VETERAN'S DAY IN PHOTOS

The Burlington High School Marching Band, Color Guard and Dance Squad helped pay tribute to veterans of foreign wars this morning on the Burlington Common.

The events began at 9:00 am with the "Call to Colors," played by Nick Abruzzese on trumpet, as the flags were raised. The students of the band soon followed with the full program at 10:00 am, making their entrance in an approach from across the green to the rhythm of a single snare cadence.

The students stood at attention through the Pledge of Allegiance, and continued with the playing of the National Anthem. Following a variety of speeches and tributes, the performance piece was a medley of military anthems, played with the utmost of pride, a fitting tribute to all the veterans who stood at attention.