Dear SWS Music Families,
This roller coaster year is almost over – huzzah! Everyone is chomping at the bit to get on with summer, so we would like to take care of the SWSBA’s end-of-year business in this note rather than holding a meeting. We hope no one will be too upset that we ask for 5 minutes of your time instead of an hour! Here are some important things for you to know (and hopefully do!):
Band Association Lives On
Thanks to a small group of dedicated parents, the SWSBA accomplished its goal this year to keep the music association current and ready to go whenever Band could resume, which will be in September! We’re so glad with this announcement and are in great shape to be able to hit the ground running.
New Guitar
Introducing the newest addition to the music room…a brand-new beautiful electric guitar! It was purchased from the proceeds of the 50/50 draw and raffles at our 2019 SWSBA Winter Concert. Thanks again to all those who bought tickets and/or baskets – it really made a difference!
Band Shirts
If your band student has a uniform shirt he/she no longer needs (and doesn’t want to keep for sentimental reasons), we welcome shirt donations back to the Band program. They are sold at a reduced cost to new band students and the money is donated to the music program. If you would like to donate your shirt, please give it a good wash and send it to the school Attn: Mrs. Karla Smith. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Finances
The SWSBA has ended its fiscal year in good financial shape, primarily due to a terrific Purdy’s Chocolates campaign in December of last year. If you would like to view a copy of the association’s year-end financial report, please send us an email! We require two band parents (or former Band parents, in this year’s case) to review our 2020-21 financial records. Because of transparency, no one on the SWSBA executive can participate. If you have a knack for numbers and/or are willing to look them over, please email us. It was a simple year with few transactions, so it won’t take long.
Upcoming AGM
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in the fall (date TBA). All Executive positions will be open for election with a few vacant positions. Below is a link to the descriptions of executive duties. Please have a look to see if there’s a position you’d like to take on. It’s not a time-intensive committee and Mrs. Smith is fantastic to work with!
Association Bylaws
Our Association bylaws were reviewed this year to more accurately reflect the music program at SWS. Please have a look and email us with any feedback. We will vote on any revisions at the AGM.
Gratitude
Last but not least, we’d like to congratulate the students and their families for manoeuvring this year with grace and resiliency! Some students practiced their instruments on their own, joined SmartMusic, participated in Virtual Band (including the two great videos that were produced), took the year off but are determined to pick it up again, and others have moved on to new experiences – we are proud of all of you! To the current Grade 9s, we wish you success at your new schools and look forward to restarting the full program with Mrs. Smith in September!
Thanks again for your support this year. If you have any questions or would like to further discuss any of the association’s activities, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Have a safe and wonderful summer!
Samuel W. Shaw Band Association Executive
2020-2021
Rebecca, President
Sharmaine, Vice-President
Wendy, Treasurer
Jennifer, Secretary
