November 2017
The Friends of Music met in the Elementary Music Room on November 15, 2017.  Members present were Joyce Bretz, Ms. Cardiff, and Amy Rose.

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m.  Joyce gave the Treasurer's report.  Senior choir students will receive the same personalized blankets the pep band seniors received.  The choir students will receive them at the Winter Concert when all of the seniors are recognized.  Joyce will get cupcakes for all 12 seniors and their parents.  We will also have soda and water to drink for the senior reception after the concert.

The FOM scholarship needs to be defined and finalized for Mr. Sims.  Since only 3 members were present, that will be tabled until the next meeting.

Ms. Cardiff reported that we have not yet renewed our Tri-M charter for this year.  The Winter Concerts will be on December 5th and 6th.  K-5 is on the 5th and Jr./Sr. ensembles on the 6th.

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

October 2017
The Friends of Music met in the Elementary Music Room on October 2nd.  Members present were Dawn Fulk, Joyce Bretz, Juli Jobe, Ms. Cardiff, Amy Rose, Nicole Kneer, Kelsey Sears, Christian Hunter, and Ashley Hunter.
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.  

The Fall Fundraiser profited approximately $879.  We will get a list of which students sold just online so that everyone who sold can get profit into their trip accounts.

LOVC festival will be here at VG on November 9th.  The students from all 6 schools will have the option to purchase a Jimmy John's lunch for $5 that they must order in advance.  VG students involved will be released from class at noon so they can start greeting the other schools at 12:30.  We will have concessions at 3:30 in the cafeteria.  We need donations for the concession stand, as well as parents and students to help work that day.  Ms. Cardiff will send out a list for people to sign up to help or donate.  Dawn will give a list of ingredients needed, and then will make the dinner for the directors lounge.

Variety Show is the 27th.  Set up is on the 26th at 5:30 p.m.  Concessions will be open, and baked goods are needed for this event.  All donations must be nut free.  Dawn and Amy will run the Variety Show concessions.

The band will ride in a trailer to perform for the Homecoming Parade.  The HS choir will sing the National Anthem at the Homecoming game, and band will play pep band.

Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.


September 2017

The Friends of Music met in the Elementary Music Room on Sept. 12th.  Members present were Dawn Fulk, Ms. Cardiff, Amy Rose, Nicole Kneer, and Ashley Hunter.

Friends of Music voted to continue the scholarships for students who attended summer music camps.  Hannah and Abi were the two who went this past summer.  Amy made the motion and Dawn seconded. All voted in favor.

We have concessions on the 25th and 26th of this month. Ms. Cardiff cannot attend, but parents and students have already signed up to help.

HS music students will attend Beef and Boards on Sept. 28th.

Joyce gave the Treasurer's report via email due to illness.  All accounts are in good standing.  Checks were sent to Beef and Boards.

5th grade band instrument rental night is the 13th.

We will host LOVC choir festival in November.  Discussion on what foods and concessions to serve were started and will be finished at the next meeting.

Students are signing up for Variety Show auditions.  We will serve nut free concessions that night with donations from parents.

Sr. Night- gifts have arrived and we will do a reception for all music department seniors after the Winter Concert.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.  Next meeting is October 2nd.

July 2017

The Friends of Music met at The Griddell on July 9th.  Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.  Members present were Amy Rose, Ms. Cardiff, Joyce Bretz, Nicole Kneer, Scott Leon, Ashley Fulk, and Dawn Fulk.

Director's report- Letters are going to all students next week to see who is able to attend Band camp and march in the Ag Days parade.  Band camp is Aug.2-4 from 9:00 until Noon each day.

Pep band and marching at games is up in the air until the schedule is settled.  The Board will have to wait until the 1st day of school to consider getting a second director.

Nov. 9th LOVC choir will be hosted at VG.  There should be approximately 75 students from the schools.  We will need to have a menu for supper, water, soda, small concession stand.  Dawn will talk to Dan.

HS will go to Beef and Boards in the Fall for their field trip.  We need to start fundraising for the Chicago trip in May of 2019.

Joyce gave the Treasurer's report.  The only activity was paying for sending flowers to the Connor family for Caitlin's visitation.

Fundraising ideas- Spaghetti dinner with a trivia night, coffee house dinner theatre, add concessions to the Variety Show evening performance, chili supper before football game.  Decisions will be made at a coming meeting.

Next meeting will be August 15th at 7:00 p.m.  Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.



May 2017

The Friends of Music met in the Music Room on May 9th.  Meeting was called to order at 7:04p.m.  Members present were Amy Rose, Dawn Fulk, Ms. Cardiff, Rebekah Hopkins, Jen Mahannah, Joyce Bretz, Nicole Kneer, and Ashley Fulk.

Ms. Cardiff shared the schedule for the end of the year- Choir concert the 11th, Baccalaureate the 21st, Promotion the 25th, and Graduation the 26th.

We received donations at both the Elementary Concert and the Band Concert.  Ms. Cardiff also shared that FOM received a sizable donation from Victory Church after the Elementary Concert.  We will send a thank you from the students.

Ms. Cardiff requested that FOM help pay for the accompanists and end of the year trophies for the students due to extra expenses in the music budget this year.  All members voted in favor.

Mrs. Fulk discussed the possibility of a FOM scholarship on Awards night in years to come.  All members present were in favor.  Details will be discussed at a future meeting.

Ms. Bretz gave the Treasurer's report.  We had a few checks go out last month and deposits from the concert donations.  

HS students will be taking a trip to Chicago in the Spring of 2019.  Preliminary ideas and details were discussed on where to go, stay,etc.  Instead of service hours, students or parents will have to help at a certain number of events.  Putting a full schedule on Google docs where students can sign up was suggested.  There will be deadlines for participation once more details are in place, as well as other specific requirements.  More details to come!

Ideas for music advocacy were discussed.  A plan of action became more detailed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

April 2017

The Friends of Music met in the Music Room on April 3rd.  Meeting was called to order at 7:04p.m.  Members present were Amy Rose, Dawn Fulk, Ms. Cardiff, and Ashley Fulk.

Students will be preparing a thank you for Mr. King.

Tri-M members will be manning the donation buckets and programs at all of the Spring music events.

Ms. Cardiff will do awards during the concerts this year instead of doing a separate awards night.  Members agreed they prefer the students have a more public recognition for their achievements.

Ms. Cardiff has put out an email to see if we can get any donations of bell sets, alto saxes, bass clarinets, or flutes.  Our school instruments are older and we don't always have enough for students in need.

Officer elections will happen in August.  Discussion was had on officers and on how to further plans for supporting the music department.

Next meeting is set for May 9th at 7:00 p.m.  Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

March 2017

The Friends of Music met in the Band Room on March 6th.  Meeting was called to order at 7:00p.m.  Members present were Amy Rose, Dawn Fulk, Ms. Cardiff, Joyce Bretz, and Ashley Fulk.

Solo and Ensemble Contest was this past Saturday.  All of our students received a I or II rating, and had a very successful day!

Tri-M members will be performing for the Rotary luncheon on the 30th.

Ms. Cardiff requested a check for Mrs. Malin, who did a great job with the flag squad as their coach this year.  This request had been approved in a previous meeting.

Members agreed to recognize Mr. King for his assistance this year at the Spring Band Concert.

Ms. Cardiff reported that the sound system pieces have been received and the new system will be installed before the April 25th Elementary Concert.

Ms. Cardiff reported that she will be asking approval for a 2 day Chicago trip for the HS Music Department in May of 2019.  All details and plans will come at a later date, after approval has been received.

Discussion was had on how to further support the Music program as changes are coming in the future.  Ideas are welcomed and appreciated.

Next meeting will be April 3rd.

Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.


February 2017

The Friends of Music met in the Band Room on February 13th.  Meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m.  Members present were Amy Rose, Dawn Fulk, Ms. Cardiff, Lori Beeson, Nicole Kneer.

Ms. Cardiff reported on behalf of the Treasurer that Fannie May made a profit of $3,714 and the money refund from Metra has been received.  Refund checks will be written this coming week by Ms. Bretz.

All State was exceptional and both students had a great time.  FOM has paid half of the students' room expense, with thanks to FOM from the students' parents.  

Calendar dates:  March 4 is HS Solo and Ensemble in Broadlands, March 8 is HS field trip to Beef and Boards, March 16 is LOVC for HS Band in Hutsonville, April 1 is Jr. High Solo and Ensemble, April 25 is the K-3 Spring Concert, May 3 is the 5-12 Band Concert, and May 11 is Jr. High/HS Choir Concert.

Pictures and videos of all music events this year can be sent to Jim Kestner at jkestner@yahoo.com for the Commemorative DVDs.

Ideas for future fundraisers were discussed.

Ms. Cardiff reported that Mark King has been doing repairs for the band all year, free of charge.  Members present voted to thank him publicly at a later date.

Ms. Cardiff asked if FOM would pay accompanist fees for the Spring Concert, as well as purchase a rental alto sax for the band program.  All members voted in favor on both accounts.

Motion to adjourn at 7:56 p.m. by Dawn Fulk.  Amy Rose seconded.  Motion passed.

January 2017

The Friends of Music met in the Band Room on January 9th.  Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.  Members present were Amy Rose, Dawn Fulk, Ms. Cardiff, Ginger Campbell, Ashley Fulk, Nicole Kneer.

Ms. Cardiff reported on the Winter Concerts for all age groups.  All concerts were a great success by our students.  Tri-M students collected FOM donations at all concerts.  DVD pre-orders have also started to come in from parents.

The pep band will have 2 more performances this quarter.  

The money from the cancelled Chicago trip will be refunded in full as soon as we receive the refund checks from the 3 venues.

2 students will be attending All State- Rachel Watson and Abi Hopkins.  Ms. Cardiff asked if FOM would pay the difference of their rooms so their parents didn't have to.  All members present voted in favor.  Ms. Cardiff will get the amount from the bookkeeper after returning from All State.

Ginger gave the details of the Fannie May fundraiser.  The sale will end on January 30th, so it can be back to the company by Feb. 2nd.  The kickoff will be Jan. 17th at 2:30 p.m.  Delivery will be on February 10th.

Amy proposed that brainstorming begin for how FOM can advocate to have a band director position again next year.  All members discussed possibilities, and agree it is better to do so sooner rather than later

Tony Hooker has brought up a possibility of a music trivia night fundraiser.  This is a time of year where that could be a great moneymaker for us.  All spoke positively of the idea. No date was set at this time.

Ms. Cardiff proposed that we find a second parent who could be added as another parent on the FOM bank accounts in case we need access to checks during the day when the treasurer may not be available.  All members were in favor.  We will table the discussion until parents who are interested can be found.

The next meeting is set for Feb. 13th at 7:00 p.m.  Dawn voted to adjourn at 7:39 p.m.



November 2016

The Friends of Music met in the Band Room on November 21st.  Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.  Members present were Amy Rose, Dawn Fulk, Ms. Cardiff, Juli Jobe, Joyce Bretz, Ashley Fulk, Nicole Kneer.

Ms. Cardiff read a thank you note from Hannah Hudson for her music camp scholarship from FOM.  She also reported that the HS choir wants to sing Carols in December.  They may possibly go to a nursing home, or the elementary classes.

Ms. Cardiff reported on the Jr. high band Fall Festival, and District 5 performances for all ensembles.  All State Results should be posted on December 5th.  She also shared the concert dates for December's concerts.  The Tri-M induction will be held during the Jr. high/ High school concert.  Dawn will collect the donation money from the concerts that the Tri-M members collect before the concerts.  

There are 3 tickets left for the Chicago trip.  Ms. Cardiff asked if we could offer one to the bus driver at a discount so she doesn't have to sit for 12 hours.  FOM voted to comp the ticket for the bus driver.  Amy suggested asking the foreign exchange students if they would like to attend.  All members present voted for the idea.  Ms. Cardiff has to give a headcount to Metra by 11/26 and payment by 12/3.

Ms. Cardiff reported that the FOM parent t-shirts require a minimum of 12 shirts to order. Dawn asked for a jpeg of the shirt so she can print color flyers.  Then we will pre-sell the shirts.

FOM will have concessions on 12/1, 1/6, and 2/6.  
Next meeting will be Monday, January 9th.
Meeting adjourned 7:28 p.m.

September 2016

The Friends of Music met in the Music room on September 13th.  Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.  Members present were Amy Rose, Dawn Fulk, Ashley Fulk, Ms. Cardiff, Joyce Bretz, Juli Jobe, Ginger Campbell, Rebekah Hopkins, Abigail Hopkins, Carrie Freeze, and Libby Spannagel.

Ms. Cardiff reviewed the schedule for the upcoming Homecoming Parade and Homecoming game activities for HS Band and HS Choir.

The Chicago trip transportation will be from VG to University Park on a school bus, and then on the Metra to the Millenium Station that is 10 minutes from the theatre.  The cost for the Metra is $3.50 for students and $7.26 for parent chaperones.  Ms. Cardiff was able to reduce the number of tickets for the show with no penalty.  We will only need one bus.  We will eat at the Italian Village.  Total cost for the trip will be announced as soon as Ms. Cardiff hears back from them.

Senior night is this week.  Discussion was held on what to do for the seniors.  It was decided that a reception will be held in the music room after the game. Mrs. Freeze will bring cupcakes, and Mrs. Spannagel will bring soda and cups.  Mrs. Rose will buy the music mugs and Mrs. Fulk will get gift cards for the seniors.  

Ms Cardiff is judging at District 5 auditions, so we may need a parent chaperone (preferably a school employee) to go with the band and choir students auditioning on Oct. 10 in Effingham.  

Ms. Bretz gave the Treasurer's report.  All accounts are doing well, and Ms. Bretz updated student trip accounts.

Cheesecake sales will be Oct. 5-19, with orders being delivered on Oct. 26th.  Mrs. Fulk is in charge of the fundraiser, and will schedule parents to help for the delivery day.  No younger siblings will be able to be there during the delivery, as we had some confusion last year.

Mrs. Campbell was able to schedule the Fannie May fundraiser before Valentine's Day so that we can get the sales for Valentine's and Easter.

We will project the videos of last year's performance DVDs before the concerts this year (without sound) and pre-sell the DVDs all year. Mr. Kestner will organize getting high quality videos of all music concerts and we will deliver them to those who purchased the DVDs sometime in May after all of the concerts.  

A concern was raised that the FOM donation buckets haven't been utilized well in the past couple of years before the concerts.  Tri-M students will now be assigned to be at concerts one hour early with the donation buckets and programs at both entrances to help increase donations for the music program.

The position of FOM secretary was opened.  Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs. Freeze volunteered to share the responsibility.   Mrs. Rose motioned for them to be co-secretaries.  Mrs. Spannagel seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Motion to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.


August 2016

The Friends of Music met in the Music room on August 16th.  Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.  Members present were Ms. Cardiff, Dawn Fulk, Ashley Fulk, Amy Rose, Joyce Bretz, Juli Jobe, Rebekah Hopkins, Tish Gulick.

Ms. Cardiff sent an email to Amtrak about the HS trip to Chicago.  The Union Station is a 15 minute walk from the theatre.  She is waiting to hear back to see if they can accommodate us and what the price would be.  We would need to take buses to the station in Champaign.

FOM needs a new secretary.  Members present voted to wait until the September meeting to elect a new secretary.

Band camp and the parade went very well.  Mr. Bowers did an amazing job with the percussion line, and Mrs. Malin did great work with the flag squad.  Ms. Cardiff asked if Mrs. Malin could be paid $500 for the year, which is what the coaches were paid last year.  Vote was unanimously in favor.

The car wash at Ag Days was not as profitable as in the past, but was still successful.

The Jr. High band and choir will go to Beef and Boards in November.  Since we do not have the capability to take 2 buses during a school day, we will need to charter buses for the day.

The students will be designing their t-shirts for this year.  They wondered if the FOM parents wanted t-shirts as well.  The vote was overwhelmingly yes, and that since the students have done such a great job of designing shirts in the past, the parents would like for them to design the shirts.

Camp scholarships went to the Hudson and Hopkins families.  If any other students went to a music camp over the summer, they may turn in their receipt to receive the $100 scholarship reimbursement.

Ms. Cardiff was reimbursed for the flower arrangement for Dede's family.

Mr. Kestner has offered to do a DVD fundraiser for the performances this year.  FOM will ask him for his costs up front so we can tell students the profit for their accounts before we sell them.  We will wait to sell until closer to the Winter concerts.

Ms. Cardiff has 17 FOM car magnets left that we can sell this year.  They are $10 each.  

There will be no Fall concert this year due to Ms. Cardiff preparing all of the band and choir students for IMEA, Fall Festival, and the Variety Show within a short time period when the Fall concert is normally held.

We will do concessions as a fundraiser again this year.  Cheesecake sales will be Oct. 5-19, orders due Oct. 21, and delivery Oct. 26th.


Meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

July 2016

The Friends of Music met in the Band room on July 12th.  Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.  Members present were Ms. Cardiff, Dawn Fulk, Ashley Fulk, Amy Rose, Ginger Campbell, Rebekah Hopkins, Tish Gulick.

 Ms. Cardiff read a thank you note from the family of Dede Eversole.  FOM sent a flower arrangement for the services.

 The band polos for incoming freshmen have been ordered.  The band students will get their polos at Band camp, and will be responsible for them through the end of the school year, when they'll be turned back in.

 Band Camp will be from August 1-5 from 9:00 a.m. until noon each day for all high school band students.  Students need to bring sunscreen as well as their instruments.  Clothing is t-shirts, shorts, and tennis shoes. No sandals!  Ginger and Dawn will bring bottles of water and Tish will bring a cooler to put them in.  There will be ice to keep the water cold.  Music for band camp will be available in the main office starting Monday, July 25.  Students need to pick it up and have all four pieces in working order by band camp.  We will have the pieces memorized before the Ag Days parade.  We will march in polos and khakis with tennis shoes.  We will have lunch on Friday when camp is over.  Band parents who would like to donate, please contact Dawn Fulk for details.

 A vote was taken to approve continuing the $100 scholarship for students who attend music camps over the summer.  Vote was unanimously in favor.  The checks will not be written until next month, when parents have had time to turn in their receipts of payment for their child's music camp.

 We will continue the cheesecake and Fannie May fundraisers.  Dawn will be in charge of the cheesecake fundraiser, and Ginger will be in charge of Fannie May.

 FOM will do a car wash for Ag Days at Monical's.  It will be from 7-11 a.m.  Choir students will run the car wash with Scott Leon and Dawn from 7-9 a.m.  Band students will work from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.  Students may not work for more than 2 hours.  We still need 2 parents to work the 9-11 a.m. shift.  Please contact Dawn Fulk if you can help.  Jr. high band students, we need you to work this since HS will be marching!

 Band will march at Ag days and Homecoming this year, as well as home football games.

 HS Band members need to get their phone numbers to Ms. C for a Remind app group.  This will be the easiest and best way for us all to keep in touch.  Parents are welcome to be in the group as well.  Ms. C doesn't have access to the private FB page that was set up, and does not use FB messenger, so the best way to contact her is the Remind app, or jcardiff@vg302.org

 Chicago trip- Due to unforeseeable changes to the Dance team schedule, the trip will be on the same day as the dancer's competition.  We need to know the number of students that effects ASAP.  We will try to reduce the ticket number, but only if that doesn't raise the price.  If we can't reduce the number, we will sell the extra tickets to the public, but will keep our group to the students and a few chaperones.  We can't sell tickets on FB, but we can privately spread the word on FB if needed.  Instead of an overnight trip, we will take a train to Chicago the day of the trip.  The permission clip (for head count) will be due September 1st.  The final money will be due Sept. 30th.  Any student not meeting deadlines will have their ticket sold (or ticket number reduced).

 Next meeting will be August 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Band room.

• Band has taken on two more concessions to help raise money for uniforms.
• Band has raised $2,000 for uniforms so far.

• Choir robes are here!  Robes can be washed and hung dry.
• LOVC choral festival is this Thursday in Oakland. EIU's director Dr. Rossi is the guest conductor.  Students need to bring dress clothes and either money or a sack lunch for supper.
• District 5 Jazz was a great success!  
• District 5 Concert ensembles will be held Nov. 21st.

• Mr. Mueller reports that football pep band and marching are over. They will have a parade in Chrisman on December 2nd.  There is a possiblity of a Christmas parade in Tuscola, or perhaps a Villa Grove Christmas with band and carolers from the choir. 
• The Tri-M induction went well, and those members will do a Winter recital in January.  The Fall Concert included 4 college students to cover illnesses in the band and our kids enjoyed having them there.  
• Jr. High Fall Band Festival in Arcola will be on 11/5/15.  They will practice from 12-6 and the concert for the public is at 7:00 p.m.
• The Winter Holiday Concert for Jr. High and High School bands and choir will be on Dec. 11th at 7:00 p.m.
• Prototypes for the marching band uniform have arrived.
• On 10/26, two band students have been chosen to be in Milliken Honor Band.  They are Jake Gulick and Jessica Rose.  The guest conductor is the composer of "Moscow 1941" that the band played last week.

• Choir robes will ship on Oct. 26th.
• District V ensembles- All three band students who auditioned were chosen and 7 of the 9 choir students were chosen.  Jazz Fest will be Nov. 2 for Mary Elam and Mytchel Freeze, and Nov.21st will be Honors Fest for Sam Reno, Juli Jobe, Daniel Olson, Abi Hopkins, Jessica Rose, Rachel Watson, Lexi Vandeventer, and Jake Gulick.
• Nov. 12 is LOVC Choral Festival in Oakland all day.  Dr. Rossi from EIU is the guest conductor.  There will be a concert in the evening for the public.
• The Variety Show is next week.  Set up will be at 6:00 p.m. on the 28th and the shows are at 1:30 and 7:00 p.m. on the 29th.  Anyone who can help set up would be appreciated.
• Cheesecake orders are due the 21st.