Newsletter

MAY 29, 2020

MARCHING BAND - SUMMER INFO

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR MARCHING BAND? Click here: https://forms. gle/VWrN4R5WSwttRS1V6 Registration deadline is FRIDAY, JUNE 5.
ARE WE HAVING BAND CAMP? Maybe. Hopefully. Here's what we know:
1. GHSA, which oversees high school sports in Georgia (but not band), is allowing athletes to come to school in small groups for limited workouts beginning on June 8. If all goes well, they could resume normal practice in July. Hopefully we would also be allowed to have band camp, at least in some capacity.
2. School is scheduled to start on August 3rd. No one knows for sure if we will actually start on time. But for right now, we are planning for an on-time start for school, which means band camp starts July 16.
3. It is possible that we will begin the school year with "distance learning." That means you stay at home and participate in school online or via teaching packets. In that situation, marching band would be postponed until in-person instruction can resume at school.
4. It is possible that the start of school would be delayed. If that happens, band camp would be delayed or possibly canceled.
5. UPDATE AS OF JUNE 2: Yesterday (Monday, June 1), the Georgia Department of Education released their "Path to Recovery," which outlines strategies for public schools to reopen in the fall. You can read about it here: https://www.georgiainsights.com/recovery.html
6. The bottom line: NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE.
IS BAND CAMP REQUIRED? At this time, yes. If you cannot attend ALL of band camp, you can be a part of the marching band as an alternate. Contact Mr. Carter for details.
WHAT ABOUT COLOR GUARD? I'm thrilled that so many of you have been asking about color guard. Here's what we're going to do:
1. All members of the 2019-2020 Color Guard are guaranteed a spot on this year's color guard *IF* you attend ALL of Guard Week and ALL of band camp. See the band calendar (scroll down) for details. Guard Week will take place in the morning ONLY. You must leave campus at noon; students are not allowed to linger after rehearsal.
2. I am asking each guard member to reach out to at least one friend who is not in marching band and encourage them to try color guard. We will evaluate potential new members during Guard Week. Current wind and percussion players are strongly encouraged to perform on their instrument for marching band.
WHAT ABOUT DRUMLINE? All members of the 2019-2020 drumline are guaranteed a spot for the 2020-2021 drumline *IF* you attend ALL of Percussion Week and ALL of band camp. See the band calendar (scroll down) for details. Percussion Week will take place in the afternoon ONLY. Please eat lunch before you arrive; you cannot eat on campus.
WHAT IF I NEED A SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENT? Contact Mr. Carter and we will work something out.
HOW CAN I BE READY FOR MARCHING BAND, WHENEVER IT STARTS?
1. Get outside! Go for a walk or a run. You can even practice marching in your yard.
2. We have a series of training videos coming out soon. Start working on your technique NOW.
3. PRACTICE! Set aside time each day to play your instrument for at least 30 minutes. You can work on scales, and you can start memorizing the fight song, the cheers, the Alma Mater, and the "Banner" (national anthem). All of these can be downloaded or viewed here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NciTBc-Z3svaBnkmkIQtOAv9c729AsFO?usp=sharing
WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? Ask! You can reach me via email at hank.carter@screven.k12.ga.us, or call/text the Band Hotline at (912) 549-0262.

STAY CONNECTED

via Remind, Classroom, and this page. Scroll down to the bottom for details.

Did you see our awesome "virtual band" performance? Check it out here:

BAND CALENDAR

You can view the Band Calendar on your device or computer, sync it to your phone, or even print it!

Step 1: Get on your computer, then click here: https://goo.gl/QMZ7V4 OR scroll up to the calendar above.

Step 2: Click the +Google Calendar icon in the bottom-right corner. You will have to create a Google account if you don’t already have one.

OR

If you use iCal on your iPhone or other Apple device, use this link: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/scss.screven.k12.ga.us_vjbgemi8c4dkkuovhf85se1s50%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

STAY CONNECTED

Remind – in the Remind app, use classroom code @CarterSCHS, or text @CarterSCHS to 81010
Gamecock Marching Band on Google Classroom: Join code is p6ffwat.
Join the Facebook page! Search Facebook for “Screven County High School Band!”
BAND CALENDAR: https://goo.gl/QMZ7V4
Mr. Carter’s email is hank.carter@screven.k12.ga.us
Be sure to follow our student-run officially unofficial account on Instagram: @screvencountyband