October 2019

October Update #1 - 9/30/19

Thank you all for a very successful rehearsal week and Parent Preview show! We were thrilled to have such a supportive audience for our students. This week is all about getting ready to reenter the TOB stage on Saturday better than we ever have before. This weekend we have two performances - a home football game and the Absegami competition. This competition is our FINAL REGULAR SEASON COMPETITIVE PERFORMANCE. The following two competitive performances are championships! This is already the final major month of the season - buckle up!

Members, with a packed schedule for the week, it is very important to remember that school needs to come first. When you read the schedule below, be sure to start planning your time to do homework and study around everything - don't wait until Sunday night to catch up on everything! Utilize your free time to stay on top of your responsibilities. 

This Week's Schedule

Tuesday 10/1 - Rehearsal, 6-9 PM

Thursday 10/3 - Rehearsal, 6-9 PM

Friday 10/4 - Home Football vs Gateway

• 4:00 PM - Sectionals

• 5:50 PM - Dress

• 6:25 PM - Walk to stadium

• 6:30 PM - In stands/prop setup

• 6:55 PM - National Anthem

• 7:00 PM - Kick off

• 7:45 PM~ - Halftime performance

• 9:30 PM~ - Game ends

• 10:00 PM~ - Dismissal

Saturday 10/5 - Absegami Competition

• 10:00 AM - Rehearsal

• 12:00 PM - EPL

• 1:30 PM - Load bus

• 1:45 PM - Depart Woodstown

• 3:00 PM - Arrive at Absegami/restrooms/unload

• 3:30 PM - Warmup

• 5:05 PM - Walk

• 5:15 PM - Gate

• 5:30 PM - TEMPEST

• After performance - unload, change, free time/watch other bands

• 8:15 PM - Awards

• 8:45 PM~ - Depart Absegami

• 10:00 PM~ - Arrive at Woodstown/unload

• 10:20 PM~ - Dismissal when responsibilities are completed

*Please note that this is over an hour bus ride - be prepared with snacks, blankets, etc. Plan a light snack shortly before arrival to the show.

*Plenty of sleep the night before is very important to keeping energy throughout the day

Tickets

10/5 Absegami Competition (discounted!) - $10 adults, $8 students and seniors

10/26 Atlantic Coast Championships - $20 adults, $15 students and seniors (purchase deadline 10/10)

Cool Student Work

I have to credit Sammie Williams on designing the entire Marching Band and staff out of Legos! Can you find yourself? (Picture below)

Thank you,

Mike Massaro

Woodstown High School

Marching Band Director/Music Arranger

Jazz Band Director

Substitute Teacher

https://sites.google.com/woodstown.org/whsmb

Urgent Absegami/NJ States Update

Hi everyone,

Regretfully, I have to inform you that we will no longer be attending this Saturday’s competition at Absegami HS due to an error in the original paperwork for the trip. Because of timing of this occurrence, board policy will unfortunately prevent us from attending this trip.

However, I am happy to announce that in lieu of this weekend’s performance, we will now be performing at NJ STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS at Toms River High School North on 10/19! This will replace the rehearsal which was originally scheduled for that date. We will likely have an early performance time and I would anticipate us being home by 4:45 PM. Attending states will be a wonderful test for our band as our season will now consist of us being faced against the best bands in the state, region, and north east Atlantic coast.

This weekend, we will be rehearsing from 10 AM - 1 PM on Saturday. All ticket sales for the Absegami show will be refunded; please see Mrs. Nowmos following rehearsal if you purchased a ticket. I am sorry for any inconvenience that these schedule changes will create - please contact me with any questions.

Thank you,

Mike Massaro

October Update #2 - 10/7/19

Homecoming week is here! This week is a legendary tradition in Woodstown with a number of festivities taking place all week long. For us, it will be home to two of our last four rehearsals before we begin championship performances. Please read this week's schedule carefully!

A few notes regarding this week:

• Thursday's Pep Rally schedule will be sent out as soon as it is available. Anticipate reporting to the music room around Period 7 (12:56~) (will be an excused absence, but plan to make up your missed class work).

• The homecoming parade route can be found at the bottom of this update. Bring friends along to watch!

• Several have asked me if you are able to perform in a class skit on Friday. Yes, but only if the jokes are good.

This Week's Schedule

Tuesday 10/8 - Rehearsal, 6-9 PM

Thursday 10/10, PEP RALLY (during school, specific times TBD)

Thursday 10/10 - Rehearsal, 6-9 PM

Friday 10/11 - Homecoming Parade and Football vs Pennsville (no school)

• 2:45 PM - Sectionals

• 4:00 PM - Dress in uniform

• 4:30 PM - Watch class skits

• 5:05 PM - In parade block

• 5:15 PM - Parade step off

• 5:45 PM~ - Free time

• 7:00 PM - Game begins

• 7:45 PM~ - Halftime Performance/Homecoming Queen Announced

• 9:45 PM~ - Game ends

• 10:15 PM~ - Dismissal

Saturday 10/12 - Homecoming Dance

Looking Ahead

I am happy to announce that on Tuesday, 10/14, we will be visited by Dr. Adrian Barnes, head of Music Education at Rowan University. Dr. Barnes has been heavily involved with the marching arts throughout his career, which spans across Florida, Texas, Maryland, New Jersey and more. To read more about Dr. Barnes, view his bio here: https://cpa.rowan.edu/music/faculty/barnes-adrian.html 

Additionally, our currently scheduled time to perform at NJ State Championships at Toms River HS North on 10/19 is 10:30 AM, with awards at 2:30 PM. Information for Regionals ticket sales should be available next week.

October Update #3 - 10/14/19

Welcome to DOUBLE HEADER CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK! This week will be huge and every second counts. Looking ahead, Saturday and Sunday will be very packed days. It is very important for us all to stay on top of our school work, health, eating, sleep, and more. When we're healthy, we have fun.

This Week's Schedule

Tuesday 10/15 - Rehearsal, 6-9 PM

Thursday 10/17 - Rehearsal, 6-9 PM

Friday evening - load Uhaul (no football game)

*note - we will be avoiding using the band room on Saturday morning. The uniform rack will be at the stadium. At some point before Saturday morning, please make sure to have everything else that you will need from the band room with you (including your helmet).

Saturday 10/19 - NJ State Championships at Toms River North HS

• 5:40 AM - Report to stadium/load bus

• 6:00 AM - Depart Woodstown

• 7:45 AM - Arrive at TRN, restrooms, dress, unload

• 8:45 AM - Warmup

• 10:05 AM - Walk

• 10:15 AM - Gate

• 10:30 AM - TEMPEST

• After performance - talk, load, change, watch other bands

• 2:30 PM - Awards

• 3:00 PM~ - Depart TRN

• 4:45 PM~ - Arrive at Woodstown/talk (Uhaul will remain loaded)

• 5:05 PM~ Dismissal

Sunday 10/20 - Region 1 Championships at Delsea Regional HS

• 8:00 AM - Rehearsal

• 9:30 AM - EPL (dress in halves)

• 10:45 AM - Depart Woodstown

• 11:15 AM - Arrive at Delsea, restrooms, unload

• 12:00 PM - Warm up

• 1:00 PM - Walk

• 1:15 PM - Gate

• 1:30 PM - TEMPEST

• After performance - talk, load, change, watch other bands

• 6:15 PM - Awards

• 7:00 PM~ - Depart Delsea

• 7:30 PM~ - Arrive at Woodstown/talk/unload

• 8:00 PM~ - Dismissal when responsibilities are completed

Tickets

Tickets are available for Sunday's Regional Championship performance at Delsea Regional HS. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors. This is our final local competition of the season at only 25 minutes away - let's sell out!

We Fund Them

This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. You need to participate. Read all of this information.

For Students:

• Text the code D2A15F to (435) 222-2040. 

• Once you do this, you'll receive a link to register for your personal donation page - follow the link, then enter your name and email, and choose a password.

• Once you're registered, you will have your own donation page where you can promote the fundraiser to family and friends. Please enter the emails of anyone you think would be interested in supporting you and the band--parents, relatives, friends, neighbors, etc. This is a customized email written by me and is not spammy.

• If you already registered Friday before the game, please go to http://wefundthem.com, log in using your email/password, and enter emails.

As of right now, 11 students have registered, and only a few have entered contact emails. SO:

The first section to completely register with at least 10 email contacts per person will receive a voucher for free food at the Thanksgiving game!

The second section will receive $5 off per person.

The third section will receive $3 off per person.

Let the competition begin.

General Fundraising Link (parents, please share): https://wefundthem.com/donate/woodstown-high-school-marching-band 

This fundraiser is finished on December 1st and our total goal is $4,000. Remember that 40% of the profits earned can be used towards your payments to this year's music department trip in the spring.

Thank you,

Mike Massaro

Woodstown High School

Marching Band Director/Music Arranger

Jazz Band Director

Substitute Teacher

https://sites.google.com/woodstown.org/whsmb

October Update #4 - 10/21/19

ACC'S ARE HERE!

You have almost made it. Through the countless hours, many different temperatures and several bowls of chili, we have arrived at the beginning of the end. Take many moments this week to reflect on how truly special this season has been and how much you have grown. The experiences you have had will last you for a lifetime. On Saturday, our program will compete against some of the finest programs in the North East Coast. Let's do this thing one more time.

Saturday morning's rehearsal will be Parent Preview 2! Parents, whether you are planning to attend ACC's to watch or not, please feel welcomed to come out to give our students a huge home crowd send off. Run through will be at 11:20 AM.

We will need all the crowd support we can get at ACC's. Bring your cowbells and make some noise for Woodstown as the band has their last competitive performance under the lights. We hope to see you there!

This Week's Schedule

Tuesday 10/22 - Rehearsal, 6-9 PM

Thursday 10/24 - Rehearsal, 6-9 PM

Friday 10/25 - Away Football @ Schalick

• 4:00 PM - Sectionals

• 5:50 PM - Load bus 

• 6:05 PM - Depart Woodstown 

• 6:30 PM - Arrive at Schalick/unload 

• 7:00 PM - Game begins 

• 9:30 PM~ - Game ends 

• 9:50 PM~ - Depart Schalick 

• 10:15 PM~ - Arrive at Woodstown (stadium)/unload/dismissal

Saturday 10/26 - ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS at West Shore Stadium, Camp Hill, PA

• 10:00 AM - Rehearsal (Parent Preview 2)

• 11:30 AM - EPL 

• 1:05 PM - Load bus 

• 1:15 PM - Depart Woodstown 

• 3:45 PM - Arrive at West Shore/restrooms/dress/unload 

• 4:45 PM - Warmup 

• 6:15 PM - Walk 

• 6:30 PM - Gate 

• 6:45 PM - TEMPEST

• 10:45 PM - Awards 

• 11:30 PM~ - Depart West Shore 

• 1:50 AM~ - Arrive at Woodstown/unload/dismissal

Banquet Date - 12/7 at 6 PM, Masso's Red Pine Inn

Our band banquet date has been confirmed for Saturday, 12/7, 6-10 PM at Masso's Red Pine Inn in Glassboro, NJ. Save the date! The annual band banquet is where we celebrate the accomplishments of our season, eat together, and present a number of speeches and special awards. This year, we are very fortunate to be upgrading venues to Masso's to give everybody a quality experience and time to remember. All family are encouraged and welcomed to attend! Additional information is to come soon in a boosters email.

WHSMB TOB Rankings

Take pride in our improvement across this season. This spreadsheet is available for comparison across our school's years in TOB. We are currently seeded 12th in 1A going into ACC's!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10T2KSuzpwo00D9Afp0md15n5JJavdZR2HdPpnCv4tfY/edit#gid=0 

Massaro and Luis's Recitals

Please feel free to come to our recitals - there will be lots of great music. We would love to see you there!

Luis's Junior Recital - 11/6 at 8 PM in Boyd Recital Hall: https://www.facebook.com/events/1220916791413281/ 

Massaro's Senior Recital - 11/10 at 3 PM in Boyd Recital Hall: https://www.facebook.com/events/2446892348863602/ 

See you on the field.

Mike Massaro

Woodstown High School

Marching Band Director/Music Arranger

Jazz Band Director

Substitute Teacher

https://sites.google.com/woodstown.org/whsmb

October Update #5 - 10/28/19

A huge thank you is in order for ALL who made this season possible. Thank you to our parents, our pit crew, our boosters, our staff, our administration, and most of all, our students who show up day in and day out to make this all possible. I will go into much greater detail on this celebration at the banquet, but for now - every band is a miracle... and we are certainly nothing short of a great one. ACC's was an absolutely wonderful day and nobody left the field with a dry eye. Congratulations to the band on setting a school record high score!

Results: 12th/23, 86.31

This Week's Schedule

NO REHEARSAL :-(

Friday 11/1 - Away Football @ Glassboro HS (Hornline and Drumline only)

The music room will not be opened after school, but will be opened at 5 PM.

5:30 PM - Call time

6:00 PM - Depart Woodstown

6:30 PM - Arrive at Glassboro/unload

7:00 PM - Game Begins

9:30 PM~ - Game ends

9:45 PM~ - Depart Glassboro

10:15 PM~ - Arrive at Woodstown (music room)/unload/dismissed

I am anticipating receiving scheduling/location information about the first playoff football game either today or tomorrow. I will distribute this information through Remind.

I am also anticipating receiving the professional Jolesch pictures from ACC's and digital video of our performance within the next few days. I will send these out through Remind when available.

Parent Meeting

The next band parent meeting will be held on Sunday, 11/3 at 7 PM at the Woodstown Diner. Parents, please come for a post season discussion and to hear how your support has helped and can continue to help!

Alumni Thanksgiving Spectacular

This year, we will be officially welcoming back the WHSMB alumni of all generations to play in the stands with us on Thanksgiving day with the Alumni Thanksgiving Spectacular! The morning will consist of a meet and greet of past/present members (WITH DONUTS AND COFFEE!!), as well as a short stand tune rehearsal. Please send this sign up link out to any alumni you know! 

https://forms.gle/kS6k1hvzwq4MAXA78