August 20, 2017

Post date: Aug 20, 2017 6:16:12 PM

Rehearsal Schedule for the week:

• Monday - Guard Sectional (3-5); Low Brass Sectionals (3:15-4:30); Percussion Sectional (5-8)

• Tuesday - Full Band (3-5); all other Hornline Sectionals (5-6)

• Thursday - Full Band (3-5)

• Friday - Football vs. Lake County @ 7:00 (Home) - We will meet at 6:00 in the band room.

Announcements:

• A BIG THANK YOU to anyone who helped in any way with our annual Preview Night or worked in the concession stand for the middle school game this past Thursday! It was a great evening all the way around! The weather ended up being great, you (the fans) were great, and the kids had a strong performance for their first public performance!

• MEMORIZATION TEST over the closer (measures T-end) will be TOMORROW during band class time. Ballad/drum break grades should be available for you to view on PowerSchool and grades were posted by # on my office window for students to see as well.

• Don't forget to pay for your child's marching shoes ($36/pair band; $33/pair guard)! The shoes are here and will be passed out this week to those that have paid!

• Our first home FB game will be THIS FRIDAY NIGHT against Lake County @ 7:00! Students will be expected to be dressed in the same attire as they were last Thursday night for Preview Night and in their seats in the band room at 6:00. Students have certain rules that they have to follow at FB games and competitions (food in stands, drinks, talking to friends, etc.) so please check with your student as to what those rules are so that you are informed as well. They will be getting these rules verbally from their section leaders this week. We will only be marching our opener at this Friday night's game. I hope that many of you will plan to come out and support your Pioneers and Marching Pioneers this Friday night at the game!

• If you have gotten or plan to get trophy sponsors to raise money for your child's New York Trip and you want that money to go towards the September 5th payment then they need to be turned in no later than Friday, September 1st to the box in the office so that Mrs. Rhonda can get the check in the mail by the 5th. The trophy sponsorship form is attached to this email if you still need a copy. The absolute last day to get the sponsors turned in is Friday, September 15th. Any sponsors turned in after the 1st will be sent to Thomas Tours in time for the October trip payment.

• The next band fee payment of $30 is due NEXT FRIDAY (1st)! Please make all payments in a timely fashion so we can insure that all of the band's bills are paid on time!

• The next New York Trip payment of $175 is due by Tuesday, September 5th to Thomas Tours. All payments should be made directly to Thomas Tours. I have once again attached the trip manual with the payment slips included so that you can mail them in with your payment. Any questions should be directed to Thomas Tours directly at 1-800-292-0470.

• One of best ways that West TN has to recognize the BEST OF THE BEST as far as individual musicians are concerned is the All-West TN Honor Band Clinic that is held in Memphis in mid-February. The All-West audition music will become available THIS WEEK. Students have between now and January 13th to work this music up before they audition at Northside HS in Jackson. If a student auditions (make it or not), he/she will receive lettering credit. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE each student to consider auditioning. The link to the music and recordings (not yet active yet) can be found on our website under "forms and practice tools": https://sites.google.com/site/gchsmarchingpioneers/Home/fun-things. The link should be active THIS WEEK for student's to download and start practicing the music!

• I hope each of you are planning to come and help out at our marching contest that will be held on Saturday, September 30th @ GC! The contest right now is scheduled to begin some time around 11:00 am and finals awards are slated for some time around 10 pm! It will be a full day and we need your help! Contact Kim Todd at dokitodd@live.com to get plugged in for this event!

• Last year the band sold "Pioneer" umbrellas for a fundraiser. If you did not get one last year or know someone who would like one then we still have a few left over from last year. They are $25/umbrella. Simply send your money in an envelope with your child's name on it and mark it as umbrella and have them put it in the box in the band room. Your child should receive an umbrella the same day that they pay. I have attached a picture for all those interested.

Upcoming Dates:

• Regular rehearsal schedule NEXT WEEK!

• Monday, August 28th - NO SCHOOL! Professional Development Day for teachers - Guard and Percussion WILL HAVE sectionals at normal times.

• Tuesday, August 29th - Memorization Test over "Amazing Grace" for wind players during sectional time.

• Friday, September 1st - Band Fees are DUE!

• Friday, September 1st - FB vs. Halls - 7:00 (Home) - We will meet at 6:00 in polos, khaki shorts/pants, and tennis shoes.

• Monday, September 4th - Labor Day! NO SCHOOL! NO REHEARSALS!

• Tuesday, September 5th - The next New York Trip payment of $175 is due to Thomas Tours!

• Friday, September 8th - FB @ South Fulton - 7:00 - The band will travel to this game. Meet and departure times are still TBD.

• Monday, September 11th - LAST Band Booster Meeting before our contest @ GC!!! 7:00 pm - Band Room - Mark your calendars NOW to attend! We need everyone at this meeting!