May 2020

May 2020 update #1 - 5-8-2020

We're so excited to embark on another journey with the WHSMB! As of right now, the status of the 2020 season is still unknown due to COVID-19 school closures and social distancing measures, but in the hopes that we will be able to have our fall marching band season, we have begun the planning process. 

First, what you've all been waiting for: visit our 2020 Show page to read about the intriguing concept and music we are planning for our field show. We hope to have the music to give to you soon so you can begin practicing!

Next, for students interested in auditioning for leadership roles including Drum Major and Section Leaders, we will be holding an online interest meeting through Google Meet on Friday, May 15. If you would like to attend to get more information about auditioning, please complete this Google Form by 8 PM on Wednesday, May 13, to let the staff know your availability for this meeting. We will forward a definite meeting time and a meeting link to students who respond and will have the audition materials forthcoming shortly.

Also, for those who weren't aware, Mr. Ludlam is back for the 2020 season! He has healed from his surgery and is eager to take over once again as band director. Thank you so much to outgoing director Mr. Massaro, outgoing assistant director Luis Ozoria, and our other WHSMB 2019 staff who are leaving-- Abby Bernhart, Megan Cartier, Ryan Clare, Matt Kaefer, and Prashit Parikh--for their hard work, creativity, passion, and dedication to our marching band and making the program the best it can be. We will miss you and wish you the best of luck with your plans for the future. 

Finally, because we are unable to have an in-person membership info night this year, Mrs. Nowmos (with some assistance from student leaders) is preparing a virtual presentation/video that we can use to recruit new members for next year. You can share this with friends, classmates, and on social media to get the word out about how great it is to be a member of the WHS Marching Band. But don't forget that our best recruiting tool is YOU - tell your friends how amazing band is and that we need them! Mrs. Nowmos will email a link for the presentation to you when it's ready, and it will also be posted on the website. Whatever happens with the COVID-19 situation this summer and fall, we're looking forward to a fantastic WHSMB 2020!

May 2020 update #2 - 5/15/2020

A few updates for this week:

Please fill out the contact information Google form ASAP so we can make sure we have an accurate record of who is coming back for the 2020 season and up-to-date info on each student. If you will not be coming back for the 2020 season (graduating seniors excepted), please email Mrs. Nowmos at nowmos.c@woodstown.org to let us know. 

The WHSMB now has its own domain, and it's live! You can find the band's online home at http://woodstownbands.com. The web address just redirects to the home page of our Google site, but it will be a lot easier to remember than the longer web address and make it easier for people to find.

Our 2020 show music has been uploaded to the WHSMB 2020 - Members Google drive folder if you want to take a look. Note that there will probably be some changes to the music - cuts, rearrangement of parts to better fit our instrumentation, etc. - but if you want to get a jump on learning some of it, it's there for you to access any time! Please add a shortcut for this folder to your drive for easy access, as this is where we'll be sharing all music, forms, and other pertinent items throughout the season. 

We had a great turnout for our student leader information meeting today! If you are still thinking about auditioning for a student leadership role, it's not too late; take a look at the Drum Major and Section Leader Audition Packet  for what is required. The application and audition videos are due by midnight on May 31. Please contact Mrs. Nowmos if you have any questions about the audition process.

Have a great weekend!

May 2020 Update #3 - 5/26/2020

Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend with their families. Here are a few updates:

• At long last, here is our 2020 virtual membership presentation video! Please share this with your friends and classmates to get them interested in joining the band. Students who will be in grades 8-12 next fall are eligible to join. Thank you to John, Lauren, Sam, Andrew, Ben, George, Sammi, and Leah for their contributions to the presentation!

• We would like to welcome back a couple familiar faces to our staff! First, Mrs. Sheridan will be returning as Front Ensemble instructor for the 2020 season. Also, Prashit Parikh has volunteered to assist Mr. Lowden with the battery this summer when his schedule allows. We look forward to having them back!

• Those of you who sent in checks for our canceled snack fundraiser or Music in the Parks trip earlier in the year will be getting your checks returned in the mail this week. (Apologies for that taking wayyyyyy longer than it should've taken me... ~Mrs. N.)

• Please complete the band contact information form if you haven't already done so. All returning members should complete the form.

• Student leadership audition materials are due this coming Sunday, May 31. 

Have a great week!