July 19, 2014

Post date: Jul 20, 2014 3:43:09 AM

Announcements:

• BAND CAMP IS COMPLETE! The ENTIRE SHOW is on the field both marching and playing! The kids did a fantastic job over the last 2 weeks at camp. Thanks to any parent who helped out in any way with meals for the staff. The meals were greatly appreciated by all staff members. Mr. Tate has taught many camps throughout the years and he and the entire staff are spoiled at GC and we appreciate all you do.

• Thanks to Mrs. Maureen Crews for all the wonderful band camp pictures that can be viewed athttps://www.facebook.com/groups/273967556115889/287453084767336/?notif_t=group_activity. She will continue to post pictures to this site throughout the marching season so be sure to check back regularly. If you have pictures that you have taken please post to this site as well so we can use them for our end of the year memory book/video presentation at the band banquet.

• Mr. Tate told the kids on Friday the worst thing they can do over this week off is to do nothing with the music/drill that we worked on during camp! THEY MUST PRACTICE! If they're on vacation at least take their music/dot book with them to review so they don't forget everything that we did during camp. It's going to be a great year but we must improve each rehearsal in order achieve our full potential at the end of the season!

• Our next rehearsals will be July 29th (6:00-9:00 pm), July 31st (6:00-9:00 pm), and August 5th (6:30-9:00 pm). Attendance is MANDATORY at all 3 rehearsals! The August 5th rehearsal is starting 30 minutes later due to Freshmen Orientation being held at the high school from 5:30-6:30.

• School starts with a 1/2 day August 7th from 7:55-11:30. Buses will run at 11:30- due to pictures your student will not be able to ride the bus home that day. Students will have from 11:30 until 1 to eat lunch and be back and dressed in full uniform at 1:00 for pictures. We will be done with pictures no later than 2:00 so please make arrangements for your child to get a ride home at 2:00.

• Regular after school rehearsal schedule will begin on Monday, August 11th with guard rehearsal (3-5) and percussion sectional (5-8). Full Band will meet on Tuesday/Thursday (3-5) of that week and the hornline will have sectionals on Tuesday (5-6). After school rehearsals are figured into the student's grade for the nine weeks and in the high school, band counts toward your student's GPA so never take the band grade for granted. Unexcused absences/tardies will cause a student's grade to drop which will then in turn affect their GPA which will then in turn affect scholarship opportunities down the road. 2 unexcused absences will cause a student to lose his/her spot in the Fall 2014 show. Check the band handbook as to what is deemed excused/unexcused.

  • Don't forget that all shirt/merchandise orders + money are due NO LATER THAN August 11th. Remember DO NOT include the student's free theme shirt or the polo that your student ordered during camp on your order form or you will be charged for it! This form is for additional merchandise for your child or merchandise for your friends, family, etc. A form was sent home last week with each student along with an email with the form/prices attached. I have attached it again in case you missed it.

• All percussion fees ($85) or shirt sponsors must be turned in by August 5th!

• All guard members should have paid at least $60 toward their guard fee at this time. Additional amounts for shoes, make-up, and other accessories will be due in August as we approach our first performance.

• Polos ($15) and shoes ($36) will be ordered in the coming weeks and MUST be paid for in advance BEFORE a student will receive his/her polo/shoes. Polos will be worn the first time on August 21st. Shoes will not be worn until the first of September so make plans now to get these items paid for BEFORE your student needs them.

• Unless payment arrangements were made the $125 band fee payment is considered and debt and should be taken care of ASAP! The next fee payment of $30 is due on or before September 1st!

• LAST CALL FOR TRAILER SPONSORS! Sponsorships are $50 and remain on the back of the trailer for the entire year. Send in your form (found on the website) and your money BEFORE the August 15th deadline!

• Our annual Preview Night will be held on August 22nd at 6:30 in the NEW stadium! This is your first opportunity to see the Fall 2014 production "Uninvited" followed by a hamburger/hot dog dinner. Tickets will go on sale ~2 weeks before the show for $5/each so go ahead and start inviting friends & family to this great event. In addition to the Preview Night we will once again host the "Dodge Booster Drive" from 5:00-8:00 at the main entrance of the school. This is an easy fundraiser!!!! For every person who test drives a car the band receives $20 so we need 100% participation in this event.

• ALL PERFORMANCES ARE MANDATORY! Check the band calendar for dates. Times will be given closer to each event. A student will fail band for the nine weeks if he/she misses a public performance for an unexcused reason. Check the handbook for an explanation or what is deemed excused or unexcused.

Other Upcoming Dates:

• Monday, August 18th - 1st memorization test over the opener. Students MUST memorize the opener from beginning to end with a passing grade in order to march at the Preview Show/1st Football game the following Thursday/Friday night.

• Friday, August 22nd - 1st Home Football Game