The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm. Members present included: Nancy Keefe, Erin Cronan, Dotty Cronan, Dany Abdallah, Mike Sangalang, Bebhinn O’Connell, Gigi Michalec, Siuyien Mathews & Jeff Kerr
Motion was made to approve the Oct 2025 meeting minutes. All in favor. Approved.
Fine Arts Director (Jeff Kerr) Update
- Marching Band: Congratulations to Mr. Conant, the Staff & the Marching Band for a successful season. A huge “win” literally & figuratively due to constant revision of the program, hard work and determination of the students & push to recruit younger students. Jeff is sending out a publicity packet about the USBands Division 1A State Championship 1st Place win to local newspapers, school board committee and to upper administration.
- Choral Program: The following students were accepted into the ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) East Treble Choir: Cayden Bell, Zoe Kostopoulos, Yllaena Santos & Arianna Pollawit. The concert will take place in Providence, RI next February. More information will be coming and will be asking that PMA will help support part of the financial parts of the trip.
- Madrigal Banquet: Ticket information has been shared to upper administration, students & some alumni. The program is smaller so current member families are purchasing individual tickets as opposed to entire tables. Hoping for more publicity and more alumni/guests. Jeff may open ticket sales to the general public if there are open seats available.
- Fine Arts Storage: There will be a call to all groups that share the space to come together and help organize the space more efficiently.
- Concert dates: Winter concerts coming up. Dec 11 at NHS. 3 Middle school concerts the week after: Choral, Band & Orchestra will all have their own nights. For the spring, we will have to schedule around the Norwood Town Meeting which will now take place in the Coakley Middle School auditorium.
- Fine Arts Semiformal: Hoping to revisit the idea of setting up a Photo Booth.
- Spring Music Trip: Jeff is working with Perkins Travel (company that specializes in music trips) to plan a trip to NYC. Exploring different formats for the trip (day-trip vs multi-day trip, adjudication performance?, see a show?). Decided to focus on basics – a daytrip out of town to get everyone excited to do a fun thing. Seeing a Broadway show would encompass a wide variety of learning opportunities about performance & management in the music industry. The trip would get momentum going for the department and build up to a bigger trip to Orlando, FL in the future. A day-trip will help keep the cost low, but will still run around $200 per student. The ultimate goal is to raise awareness & excitement at the student level to increase program enrollment.
Treasurer (Dany Abdallah) Update
- Summary of October 2025 finances: Ending balance slightly higher than Sept. mostly due to investment interest. The Marching Band and a bus transportation bill from Music Camp incur some expenses. The MICCA Home Show and the Humble Pie fundraiser brought in funds. There are 2 undeposited checks, working on tracking down recipients.
- MICCA Home Show: Dany provided a more detailed comparison of numbers between the 2025 show and the 2024 show. General discussion about differences in weather, number of bands, etc and ways to fine tune details for next year. Dany pointed out that the profits from the Home Show were able to cover the costs for Music Camp but we still have a large balance for Marching Band expenses. A suggestion was made that we have a Marching Band specific fundraiser.
Motion was made to approve the Oct budget report. All in favor. Approved.
Ways & Means (Gigi Michalec) update
- Humble Pie Fundraiser: 38 pies were sold, net of $156.30. Reminder that delivery is on 11/7, 5-6pm
- Top Golf Fundraiser: General discussion about when to do an event there. Maybe Spring or early Spring when we have a lull in events. Should do a weeknight (50% off on Wed) lower cost, less people, possible Wed, Feb 25th (~75-100 guests), include food as part of the fee. Top Golf gives back 20% of proceeds. We can bill it as a fundraiser for transportation of the NYC Trip. Jeff will be proposing the NYC trip to the School Board on Dec 3rd, if approved then we can proceed with booking it as a fundraiser for the trip.
- Community Concert Idea: General discussion about how to raise more awareness in the community about our music program. Clarification about logistics, purpose, etc. Do we want to bring in professional musicians to provide involvement with students? Do we want to just provide more opportunities for students to perform? Do we want audience participation? Erin and Dotty recalled a Hallelujah Chorus Sing-a-long where audience members were invited to participate. They pointed out that the alumni would be the biggest supporters of the program and we should find ways to get the alumni involved. Erin and Nancy offered to be point people for reaching out to alumni, they have a contact with the NHS Alumni Association. Jeff will work on a Google form to gain contact info for alumni for them to distribute.
Other Business
- PMA Brochure: Mike has been working on updating the brochure. Concerns about photos of students on the brochure. Students have an opt-out of photo option but someone needs to check the list. Jeff pointed out that if it’s a public performance, that may not be necessary. We would prefer to make sure photos are ok with students as a courtesy. Siuyien offered to put an opt-out clause on the Music Camp application form for anyone who has a concern.
- Social Media: Question was asked about an Instagram account. PMA has a Facebook page, but most students/alumni today probably use Instagram. Dany will look into it.
- Madrigals (Bebhinn O’Connell): Banquet setup is 12/5, 9am at the Knights of Columbus. Rehearsal is on 12/3, Ms. Hartnett will need a chaperone but probably a Madrigal parent will be available. Details are in process and progressing. Also Caroling Fundraising is 12/20, raising funds for the Madrigals jackets.
- Semi-Formal Planning: Dan Caparrotta is confirmed as DJ. Ticket info will go out after the New Year.
- Winter Concerts needs: Mike wanted clarification on his role as CMS coordinator. Discussion about needs for chaperones, etc. at concerts. We should sell merchandise at the Winter concerts and showcase PMA presence.
Other:
- Courtney McDonald will be out for maternity leave. Monique Lariviere will be retiring at the end of the year.
- VFW is booked for 11/30 for MB & CG End of Season Party, 6pm-9pm
- Question was raised if the Madrigals/Choral extra-curriculars should have an end of season event, more discussion needed.
- Suggestions were made for various types of fundraisers – Trivia night, schedule car wash, restaurants, sell merchandise or have the students do an in-school fundraiser, etc.
- Donate something to Ed Ferris for use of his trailer for MB?
Motion was made to adjourn the meeting. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned – 8:21pm.
