December 31, 2017

Post date: Dec 31, 2017 9:19:19 PM

Announcements:

  • Here's to hoping that each of you had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!

  • School starts back THIS THURSDAY! Students will receive a copy of his/her spring schedule in the gym on Thursday morning.

  • We will play in band on Thursday! All students will be expected to have his/her horn at school! Grades for concert band are based on being prepared for class each day (music, pencil, etc.), random playing tests (PRACTICE), attendance at rehearsals and attendance at performances.

  • Attached is the spring calendar for concert band members along with parade band rehearsal dates for non concert band members. Any student NOT in concert band and not involved in a MAJOR spring sport MUST return for ALL parade band rehearsals and both parades in order to attend the band banquet!

  • All-West lessons will continue with me the Thursday we start back at the scheduled times after school!

  • Mr. Congiardo will continue his lessons the day we start back as well!

  • If your student is in the Concert Band they are to be commended for registering for the class. This is where the student gets to mature as a musician hence the reason our fall marching band is so successful because of the large percentage of students who choose to do both bands and one of the main reasons I take ~90% of my student leadership from the students who choose to participate in both bands. If your student was registered for and completes both semesters in band he/she is eligible to "letter in band". Lettering is awarded at the band banquet in May. Lettering is a way to show dedication above and beyond the "normal" requirements and looks really good on a college scholarship application (band or not) so the more years a student letters the better it looks on the application. In order to letter a student must be a part of BOTH concert and marching bands, maintain a passing grade in band at all times, not miss any rehearsals for an unexcused reason, maintain a good attitude, and meet at least three (3) of the criteria that are attached to this email. Each student is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to find something (if not band) to letter in during his/her high school career! All lettering criteria for band is due NO LATER THAN APRIL 15TH!

  • Jazz Band is an opportunity for students to earn lettering credit. The jazz band will have its first rehearsal on Monday, January 8th from 3-4:30 in the band room. Rehearsal dates for the jazz band can be found on the band's website calendar (http://gchsmarchingpioneers.org). In order to receive lettering credit a student may not miss more than two (2) jazz band rehearsals! Contact myself or Mr. Bill for more information.

  • Percussion Ensemble is another opportunity for students (not just percussionists) to earn lettering credit. Percussion ensemble will being having rehearsals beginning on Tuesday, January 9th from 5-8 pm. Rehearsal dates/times are listed on the band's website calendar. In order to receive lettering credit a student may not miss more than two (2) percussion ensemble rehearsals! Contact Tico for more information.

  • Low Brass Ensemble/Woodwind Ensemble is another opportunity for students to earn lettering credit. These two ensembles will have their first rehearsal on Wednesday, January 10th from 3-4:30 in the band room/cafeteria. Rehearsal dates for the brass ensemble can be found on the band's website calendar (http://gchsmarchingpioneers.org). In order to receive lettering credit a student may not miss more than two (2) brass ensemble rehearsals! Contact Mr. Agee (low brass) or Mr. Mayhall (woodwind) for more information.

  • Brass Ensemble is another opportunity for students to earn lettering credit. The brass ensemble will have its first rehearsal on Thursday, January 11th from 3-4:30 in the band room. Rehearsal dates for the brass ensemble can be found on the band's website calendar (http://gchsmarchingpioneers.org). In order to receive lettering credit a student may not miss more than two (2) brass ensemble rehearsals! Contact Mr. Agee for more information.

  • The New York Trip is quickly approaching!!! The next to last payment for the trip is due THIS WEDNESDAY (January 3rd)! The final payment is due by February 5th! We have two final fundraisers coming up to help get your child's trip paid for and hopefully a few dollars in spending raised as well! We will begin selling drinks on Monday, January 8th. For every case of drink you child sells, he/she will receive $5 into his/her trip account. We will also be selling a NY Trip themed tshirt (both short and long sleeve) and hoodies. The artwork is attached to this email. All profits received from the sell of these shirts/hoodies will be deposited into your child's trip account. We will start selling these shirts/hoodies on the 22nd and all orders + $$$ MUST BE turned in by the 2nd in order to get that final payment out by the deadline on the 5th. I hope you are getting as excited about this GREAT TRIP as I am!!! It's a once in a lifetime trip for many of these students!

  • Any debt from this past fall that was left unpaid as of the Friday we left for Christmas break has been turned over to the office for collection. You can pay either me or the office directly your student's debt. Remember seniors will NOT receive his/her diploma until all debt has been paid and underclassmen will NOT be allowed to attend the first June rehearsal unless all debt has been paid.

  • For those of you who like to plan ahead, the dates for June rehearsals and Band Camp have already been added to the website calendar as well for your convenience.