Welcome to ABOB (Alton Band and Orchestra Builders)
Alton Band and Orchestra Builders has been helping young musicians in the Alton School District for over 70 years. We have a great relationship with the School Board, Administration, and the Gifted Educators that make music possible in our district. Please take an opportunity to look around. Check back often as more info is being added all the time.
Monday – 3/2 – Getting Closer to Home!!!
Update 6:31 – we are on 255 passing 270. Final stretch! Be home soon.
Update: 3:47 – we are in Illinois! Last rest stop until the final push home.
Hi parents!
We are finishing up a late lunch in Clarksville, TN and are then going to try to push non-stop towards home. Google Maps says we are about 4.5 hours from home, so I’m shooting for a 6:30pm arrival time.
Once we’re back at the high school we will just need to unload the buses and pick up any backpacks that the students locked up in the band room – no unloading trailer or anything.
I’ll keep posting updates on abob.net or twitter – and I’ll have the kids call home when we’re about a half hour out 
We’ve had a FANTASTIC trip! Mother nature threw everything she could at us – snow…cold… rain… and the kids stepped up every time. They didn’t complain when we lost half a day driving slowly through snow in Alabama, they accepted the challenge of marching a parade in the rain – and they played well on top of it! Their resiliency, responsibility, and attitude were great the whole trip. I can’t be prouder of them.
Thanks for trusting us with your kids – they’ve had a trip they’ll remember forever.
See you soon!
Sunday, 3/1
Finally! A beautiful day in Florida!
Kids enjoyed a final day of park hopping, shopping, dinner in the American Adventure Rotunda (Epcot), and special seating for he Illuminations show.
As an added surprise, we had access to one last ride before leaving the park… Soarin’ and Test Track!!!
On buses heading home!
Good morning!
What a great looking group!!!!
Friday, 2/27
Clinic time! Current selection is “This is Halloween”
Travel updates 2/25 & 2/26
I’ll put updates on this post!
2/25
10:37pm – just crossed into Alabama. Stopping at the welcome center for a bathroom break. We’ve hit some snow but roads seem ok. All is well!!!
2/26
12:40am – passing Cullman, AL. Highway has snow on it, but we are moving. Slow but steady! Kids aren’t sleeping….
2:00am – in Birmingham for our bus driver change. Roads are getting better! We’re all good, just need some sleep.
4:55am – approaching Dothan, AL. No snow! Just rain. Finally sleeping a little too
8:03am – approaching Bainbridge, GA. Google maps puts us at Disney around 12:30, and we’ll stop to eat breakfast somewhere. Everyone is all good!
9:00am – in Tallahassee. Stopping at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Children have started singing Feliz Navidad….
11:52am – on I-10 near Madison, FL. About 3 hours away. We were approved for early check in, so we will head to All-Star Music resort to get cleaned up/settled. Plan is to head to the Magic Kingdom this evening!
2:49pm – WE HAVE DRIVEN UNDER THE DISNEY WORLD SIGN! There has been much rejoicing!!!! Pulling into the hotel lot now!!! Wooooo hoooooo!!!!!
Trip Update #1 – Clarksville, TN
Good Evening!
Just a quick trip update! We are currently stopped for dinner in Clarksville, TN. All is going very well and we haven’t hit any bad weather.
In an effort to avoid the snow in the mountains we are going to alter our route – we will take 65 south to 20 and then hit Atlanta.
Please know that the safety of the students is always our priority. We will stop if need be, and both Vandalia Bus Lines and Music Travel Consultants are keeping us updated on the weather.
On the road, it’s actually much easier for me to keep you updated via abob.net and twitter (@M100Alton), so please check those – I can’t send these mass emails from my phone.
Please don’t hesitate to email me or text the Google Voice (314-472-5538) with any questions. Thanks!
Last Minute Trip Reminders!
We’re about 24 hours away!
Final reminder about the Alton High School MARCHING 100 TRIP RULES AND EXPECTATIONS. Students must have this form signed and turned in before we load buses tomorrow. Get it in!!!!
Here’s the schedule for tomorrow:
- Wednesday morning (7:15am for Early Bird, 8am for 1st Hour) – auditorium will be open for students to drop off their bags. Any bag that is going on the trip needs to be placed in the auditorium to be checked.
- 4th Hour Wednesday:
- If you have A lunch – eat lunch A, attend all of 4th hour. Head to the auditorium when the bell rings for 5th hour.
- If you have B lunch – eat lunch B, attend all of 4th hour. Head to the auditorium when the bell rings for 5th hour.
- If you have C lunch – attend class A, B, eat lunch C. Head to the auditorium when the bell rings to go to D lunch.
- If you have D lunch – attend class, A, B, C – try to eat lunch quickly in D then head to the auditorium.
Students will have their bags checked by an administrator, then they will load onto the bus. We’re hoping this process may get us on the road quicker!
Medication: ALL medication (prescription and non-prescription/over the counter) needs to be checked in during the 4th hour bag checks. Simply send the medication (in its original packaging) in a ziploc bag with the student’s name on it. If you have a usual medication routine, feel free to put a little note with that on there. Feel free to send medications just in case (headaches, allergies, etc.) but it will need to be checked in.
Packing: Please encourage packing layers – a jacket, pair of jeans, etc. The weather looks like it’s going to fluctuate quite a bit while we’re down there.
Definite needs: black marching shoes, black calf-length socks, shorts for underneath uniform, Chutes & Ladders show shirt, black marching gloves. Instrument if it didn’t get on the trailer yesterday.
*Please pack a change of clothes, toothbrush, deodorant, etc. in the carry on – we’re heading straight to the park when we arrive into town on Thursday. *
Parents: Please arrive by 2pm if possible – if you can be here around 12:45pm to help with crowd control, that would be great! Please don’t bring your bags into the school building – leave them in your car and we’ll load them straight onto the buses when they arrive.
Parking: Please remember to park in your childs’ spot or by the tennis courts tomorrow.
Movies: We can bring DVDs for the bus ride – PG-13 or lower please! It also helps to put your name on it.
Orchestra, Make a Note! Feb. 23 – March 7
No Chamber Wed., Feb. 25
Tues., March 3
Stringsation! Rehearsal all string students
3:15 – 3:45
Wed., March 4
Chamber, 3:15 – 4:00
PIT
6:30 – 8:00
Thur., March 5
Symphonic Spring Recital
Calvary Baptist Church, 7:00 p.m.
arv. 6:30
Dress nice
Sat. March 7
IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest
Collinsville H.S.
Sat., March 14
ABOB “The Wonderful World of Music” Dinner Auction
Alton H.S. Commons
$25.00 per person
Doors open 5:30 p.m.
Dinner at 7:00; catered by Tony’s
Entertainment provided by the AHS Jazz Combo and Symphonic Orchestra
Sat., March 28
ABOB Vendor Fair
Alton H.S.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Free Admission
+ Chris Cake’s Pancake Breakfast
8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
$7.00 unlimited pancakes
ABOB Spring Butter Braid, Cookie Dough and Pizza Sale
Just in Time for Easter!
Alton Band & Orchestra Builders
Spring Butter Braid, Cookie Dough & Pizza Sale
Order Forms and Money Due Friday, March 13
Checks Payable to ABOB
Pick up Tuesday, March 31
Alton High School Music Suite (back of AHS)
3:00—5:00 p.m.
Questions? Call 474-6967
Minutes of the Meeting – January 26, 2015
ALTON BAND AND ORCHESTRA BUILDERS
Minutes of the Meeting
January 26, 2015
VOTING MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Amy Hillery-President
Vickie Schilling-Vice Pres.
Ed Gray- Financial Sec.
Cindy Kirbach-Treasurer
Greg Cash-Secretary
Mike Haynes-Communications
Dave Fritz-Hospitality
Paula Fritz-Hospitality
Cortney Frosch-Ways & Means
Tom Pullen-abob.net
GUESTS: Penny Boedeker, Alice Barnard, David Schmalbeck
TEACHERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Laura Plummer
Alyssa Cudney
Sally Pierce
President Hillery called the meeting to order at 7:04pm. The agenda was reviewed. Minutes of the December meeting were reviewed. Seeing no additions or corrections, a motion was made by Dave Fritz to accept them as presented, second by Vicki Schilling, motion carried. Cindy Kirbach presented the treasurer’s report, noting the final bill has now been received from Aramark for the Craft Fair. A motion was made by Paula Fritz to accept the report as presented, second by Mike Haynes, motion carried.
TEACHER REPORTS-Laura Plummer said things are going well for the orchestra, noting that they will be traveling to Vandercook in Chicago this year. Alyssa Cudney reported that the band has recently participated in a Marine Welcome Home event and the Saxsational Concert at LCCC. The Disney trip is just one month away and a trip meeting will be scheduled soon. Both instructors noted that Solo & Ensemble Contest is March 7, 2015 at Collinsville High School. Sally Pierce from the Middle School Orchestra reported that Schumann and Jazzios chamber groups are busily preparing for Solo & Ensemble Contest which will be March 14 and Organizational Contest which will be March 28.
REPORTS
Communications-Mike Haynes reported that the old alumni list that Cindy found is being reviewed. Tom Pullen has volunteers arranged to verify addresses.
Abob.net-Tom noted that he has added a sign up for the ABOB mailing list to the website.
Ways & Means-Cortney Frosch reported that Butter Braids sales will be coming soon.
Trip Fundraisers-Alyssa Cudney said that these are complete and that final amounts should be posted to student accounts very soon. The number of people going on the trip is still fluctuating some.
Uniform Fundraising-May 16, 2015 has been set for the next Button Day at several area businesses.
Craft Fair-neither Rose Lammers nor Kathy DeWitt was able to attend the meeting; a final report should be ready for next month’s meeting.
Vendor Fair-set for March 28, 2015. Chris Cakes will be returning this year and we will have music ensembles performing at various times. Registrations are coming in steadily.
Dinner Auction-set for March 14, 2015. Ticket prices were raised to $25 this year. Tony’s will be catering the meal. Ed Gray requested that people get auction items in as soon as possible so that Cathy will have sufficient time to prepare the descriptions for the book.
Seeing no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm. Next meeting: Feb. 23, 2015 at 7pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg Cash