July 19, 2015
Post date: Jul 22, 2015 2:13:39 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! This last week was VERY HOT and they were all troopers! Thanks to any parent who helped out in any way with meals for the staff. The meals were greatly appreciated by each of the staff members. I have taught many camps throughout the years and me and the entire staff our spoiled at GC and I appreciate all that you do!
Thanks to Mrs. Maureen for all the wonderful band camp pictures that can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/groups/273967556115889/287453084767336/?notif_t=group_activity. She will continue to post pictures to this site through out the marching season so check back regularly. If you have pictures that you have taken please post to this site as well so that we can use them for our end of the year memory book/video presentation at the band banquet.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the "trailer work night" on Tuesday and Thursday nights this past week! We couldn't do what we do without the great groups of parents that we have!
One of the worst things the kids 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. Use the mp3 files on the website to listen to the music! 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 Tuesday, July 28th (6:00-9:00 pm) and Thursday, July 30th (6:00-9:00 pm). Attendance is MANDATORY at BOTH rehearsals!
School starts 1/2 day on Monday, August 3rd from 7:55-11:30.
Regular after school rehearsal schedule will begin the following day (Tuesday, August 4th) with full band rehearsal (3-5) and full band rehearsal on that Thursday (3-5) of the same week. Sectional rehearsals will begin the following week (week of the 10th) with guard/percussion sectionals being on that Monday (guard 3-5 and percussion 5-8) and then hornline sectionals on Tuesday from 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 loose his/her spot in the Fall 2015 show. Check the band handbook as to what is deemed excused/unexcused. Students MUST attend rehearsals (excused or unexcused) in order to march at performances! Make sure you make every effort to make sure that your student is at EVERY rehearsal. Make all non-emergent appointments on non-rehearsal days.
Don't forget that all shirt/merchandise orders + money are due NO LATER THAN August 14th. Remember DO NOT include your 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 Tuesday, July 28th!
All guard members should have paid at least $60 toward their guard fee at this time. Additional amounts for shoes ($34), make-up, and other accessories will be due in August as we approach our first performance.
Polos ($15) and shoes ($36) have been ordered 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 20th. 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 14th deadline!
Our annual Preview Night will be held on August 20th at 6:30 in the stadium! This is your first opportunity to see the Fall 2015 production: "Reflections" 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 and a lot better than asking people to buy something!!!! 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.
PLEASE NOTE: I know that everyone wants to see and go up on the new tower but please reserve the top level during rehearsals for staff and directors ONLY! There was one night at camp that the top level got so crowded that Ms. Evans and our drill designer (Mr. Koelz) had to move down to the 2nd level in order to be able to see and hear the band. Also if you video the band at a rehearsal please do not post this on social media until after the first public performance. We always like to present our show the best we possibly can to the general public and right now the show needs A LOT of TLC so please refrain from posting videos on social media until after the first public performance.
Other Upcoming Dates:
Monday, August 10th - 1st memorization test over Part I. Students MUST memorize Part I from beginning to end with a passing grade in order to march at the Preview Show on the 20th! Memorization grades are worth 1/3 of a student's grade for the nine weeks!
Monday, August 10th - Band Booster Meeting - 7:00 pm - Band Room
Monday, August 17th - Memorization Test over Part II. Students MUST memorize Part II from beginning to end with a passing grade in order to march at the Preview Show on the 20th!
Friday, August 21st - 1st Football Game @ Zion Christian Academy (Columbia, TN area). The band will NOT travel to this game!