June

6/27

We are STILL RECRUITING! Candidates don't need to know how to play an instrument. We have plenty of things they can learn; cymbals in particular. Find me bodies! 

Drum line this week on Tuesday from 6-8 on the field. If it rains we will practice in the storage trailer. Bring ear protection if you have it. We will NOT have practice next Tuesday due to the holiday. 

Thursday night, full band on the field 6-9. We are continuing to work the following songs: Take Me Home Intro, God Bless America, Hail to the Varsity, Alma Mater, Rocky tag, Louie Louie, Shenandoah. We are ADDING: Take Me Home Part 2, Star Spangled Banner. 

FOURTH OF JULY PARADE info - Tuesday, July 4 - We will meet at 8:30AM at the stadium. Dress is white band shirts, black shorts and sneakers. We will move to line up at 9:00 and step off at 10:00. We will play the old cadence alternating with God Bless America. A bus will take us back to the  school/stadium from the end of the parade. If you are NOT going to be there, be sure to fill out the conflict form so we know where you are. Everyone should do this for any and all rehearsals/events they will miss. 

Field Trip forms and money are due. There is a limited number of tickets. First come, first serve. 

Please be sure ALL THE DATES are in your calendar for the fall. 

Have you practiced this week? Even a little bit helps. Find time to get your instruments out and PLAY! Remember to use this website for all the info you need. It's all here, I promise! Also be on the look out for short Remind videos from the staff starting this week. 

6/13

We are continuing to grow! Keep reaching out to friends who you think should be a part of this. There is still a whole group of kids who 'would' be in band if COVID hadn't stopped them. Let's see if we can bring them back!

Some news for next fall. We will NOT be attending away football games anymore. The cost of transportation is just to high to justify us using busses each week. I will miss playing in the stands but having funds to continue competing has to take priority. 

We are ADDING a parade. We will be marching in the Pennsville Septemberfest Parade on 9/9 at 11:00. Remember, nothing gives us more exposure to the community than parades. The calendar has been updated. 

The DCI field trip permission form  has been updated so you can order tickets for family members. We brought the cost down as well, so if you already submitted the previous amount, please see Ms Sheridan for a small refund. Someone PLEASE remind me to hand out the hard copies on Thursday. I forgot last week. In the meantime, you can print your own copy at home and turn it in as well. We will have a limited number of tickets, so first come first serve. 

We will start parade marching this week, so be sure you have a good grasp of the music to "God Bless America." It doesn't have to be memorized but it makes everything easier if it is. We will also start the Take Me Home Intro and stands tunes. 

All music from the year MUST be returned. Make this a priority this week. Don't be the missing piece of music that means we can never play that arrangement again. Also, everything must be cleaned out of the band room, including lockers. Anything left over the summer will be donated to lost and found or become the property of Woodstown Bands. 

Thank you to our seniors for the years of music they have shared with us. We are a better ensemble and community because of them. I wish you all years of adventure and continued growth. Keep feeding your soul with music. Go out and CHANGE THE WORLD! (But remember to come home too!)

6/5

Last week was a success! We had great attendance and lots of new faces learned lots of new things. Don't get overwhelmed if you are new! We have MONTHS to learn what we need to know. If we ever go too fast, be sure to let us know and we will bring the pace down a notch to make sure no one gets frustrated. If you are playing an instrument that is new to you, remember to practice at home for short periods of time, several times a day. A few short practices are more productive than one long slog. 

Congrats to our new Student Leadership Team!

Samuel Gunther - Drum Major

Jessie Bittle - Assistant Drum Major

Brandon Zukovsky - Brass Captain

Virginia Messick - Woodwind Captain

Colin Schmidt - Battery Section Captain

Edwin Quiroga - Front Ensemble Captain

Elizabeth Hitchner - Color Guard Captain

Middle School Liaison Officer - Carter Schmidt

These students have pledged their time, talent and attention to making our band better in every way. Being a leader means sometimes making sacrifices for the benefit of the group. I appreciate the desire of all of you to make us better! Remember, you can lead from inside the band as well. Auditions for next year's leaders start NOW!

If you have a friend who is interested, we will take new faces up until September. There is still lots of time to get involved. Have them see me or submit this form so we have their contact info. 

Take Me Home Intro is done and in your flip folders by instrument drive. Let's see if we can work this up in the next week or two. It's not hard nor long but there's lots of interesting features. A new version of Shenandoah (our Corps Song) is in your folders as well. If you have the 2022 version, be sure to swap it out for the 2023 version. Several parts are changed (yay for finally having an alto sax in the band!) Try to print out your own music if needed. I can also make some copies at school, but you will need to find me when I have free time and ask. Everything you need for the season will be in the Flip Folders Drive.

I will have permission slips for DCI Glassboro on Thursday but you can print your own at home, anytime and return it to me. 

Keep working on God Bless America. We have a ways to go with the music and our parade is less than a month away now. 

6/1

It's the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL Y'ALL!

Rehearsals for the 2023-2024 Woodstown Marching Wolverines begin tonight. Hopefully you have everything ready to go and we will see you at 6:00 on the football field. 

Be sure to have a water jug, music (God Bless America), instrument, sneakers and a good attitude! We will supply the rest. 

We are still looking for a piano player for this year. If you know anyone in High School who might be interested, please ask them to see me! We also still have room for percussion players. These players don't need to have any experience playing OR reading music; just a desire to be a part of something great. 

Permission forms for DCI Glassboro are available and will be due back on July 13. The cost this year is $40. It is the Wednesday of Band Camp. We will dismiss early that day and see the performance that evening. It's very inspiring and a great way to get excited about our own season. I highly recommend you try to go!

If you have a conflict for ANY rehearsal or performance (strongly discouraged), please fill out this form ahead of time so we know where you are and who will be there. 

Be sure you have joined the Marching Band Remind  and check here for weekly updates before asking questions. The calendar for the entire season is posted on this website and is updated in real time as things change. 

Let's have a great year! Go Band!