July 24, 2016

Post date: Jul 24, 2016 6:55:34 PM

Announcements:

• BAND CAMP IS COMPLETE! The ENTIRE SHOW is on the field! The kids did a fantastic job over the last 2 weeks at camp! This was probably the hottest band camp in my 11 years at GC and the kids handled the heat like 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. Beth Watts 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 either of the trailer works nights over the last couple of weeks! 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. The potential for this show with this group of kids is endless but they MUST PRACTICE in order to get better each time they step on the field.

• The band room will be open this week (Monday-Thursday) from 8 until 3 for anyone who wants to come and practice with the exception of Wednesday 8:15-9:30 and Thursday 9:45-11 and 1:45-3. The band room will have meetings going on at that time but it's open all other times/days if your child wants to come and practice.

• School starts 1/2 day on Tuesday, August 2nd from 7:55-11:30.

• Regular after school rehearsal schedule will begin the next Thursday (August 4th) with full band rehearsal (3-5). Sectional rehearsals will begin the following week (week of the 8th) with guard/percussion/trumpet/mellophone sectionals being on that Monday (guard 3-5, trumpet/mellophone 3:15-4:30, and percussion 5-8) and then all other 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 2016 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.

• Your student should have received a shirt/merchandise order form this past week at camp. All orders + money are due NO LATER THAN ???. 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. I highly suggest that each student orders AT LEAST one additional theme shirt as it will part of the student's uniform on both Friday night game and Saturday competitions. A form is attached to this email for those who did not get one from their student this past week.

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

• All guard members should have paid at least $60 toward their guard fee at this time. Additional amounts for shoes ($33), 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 18th. 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 and your money BEFORE the August 19th deadline!

• Our annual Preview Night will be held on August 18th at 6:30 in the stadium! This is your first opportunity to see the Fall 2016 production: "Celestial Journey" 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.

Other Upcoming Dates:

• Monday, August 8th - 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 18th! Memorization grades are worth 1/3 of a student's grade for the nine weeks!

• Monday, August 8th - Band Booster Meeting - 7:00 pm - Band Room

• Monday, August 15th - 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 18th!

• Friday, August 19 - 1st Home Football Game vs. Zion Christian Academy @ 7. We will meet at 6:15 in the band room for this game!