December 30, 2015

Post date: Dec 31, 2015 2:21:59 AM

Announcements:

• • Here's to hoping that each of you had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!

  • School starts back THIS TUESDAY! Students will receive a copy of his/her spring schedule in the gym on Tuesday morning.

  • We will play in band on Tuesday! All students will be expected to have his/her horn at school! Grades for concert band are based on being prepared for class each day (music, pencil, etc.), random playing tests (PRACTICE), attendance at rehearsals and attendance at performances.

  • Attached is the spring calendar for concert band members along with parade band rehearsal dates for non concert band members. Any student NOT in concert band and not involved in a MAJOR spring sport MUST return for ALL parade band rehearsals and both parades in order to attend the band banquet!

  • This spring all of the bands in Gibson County (5 bands totaling more than 400 marching members) will once again form a Mass Band that will march together in the Strawberry Festival. You can see a video of the mass band on our website from 1997 under the videos tab. Concert Band members will be required to attend the Mass Band rehearsals and of course the parade. Non-concert band members MUST attend the rehearsals and the parades in order to attend the banquet.

  • All-West lessons will continue with me this Tuesday and Thursday!

  • Mr. Congiardo will continue his lessons on Tuesday!

  • If your student is in the Concert Band they are to be commended for registering for the class. This is where the student gets to mature as a musician hence the reason our fall marching band is so successful because of the large percentage of students who choose to do both bands and one of the main reasons I take ~90% of my student leadership from the students who choose to participate in both bands. If your student was registered for and completes both semesters in band he/she is eligible to "letter in band". Lettering is awarded at the band banquet in May. Lettering is a way to show dedication above and beyond the "normal" requirements and looks really good on a college scholarship application (band or not) so the more years a student letters the better it looks on the application. In order to letter a student must be a part of BOTH concert and marching bands, maintain a passing grade in band at all times, not miss any rehearsals for an unexcused reason, maintain a good attitude, and meet at least three (3) of the criteria that are attached to this email. Each student is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to find something (if not band) to letter in during his/her high school career! All lettering criteria for band is due NO LATER THAN APRIL 15TH!

  • Jazz Band is an opportunity for students to earn lettering credit. The jazz band will have its first rehearsal on Monday, January 11th from 3-4:30 in the band room. Rehearsal dates for the jazz band can be found on the band's website calendar (http://gchsmarchingpioneers.org). In order to receive lettering credit a student may not miss more than two (2) jazz band rehearsals! Contact Mr. Brockman for more information.

  • Percussion Ensemble is another opportunity for students (not just percussionists) to earn lettering credit. Percussion ensemble will being having rehearsals NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT (12th). Rehearsal dates/times are listed on the band's website calendar. In order to receive lettering credit a student may not miss more than two (2) percussion ensemble rehearsals! Contact Tico for more information.

  • University of Memphis Honor Band Applications will be available soon! This honor band will be held February 4-6. Acceptance = lettering credit opportunity. Note: only one (1) lettering credit can be obtained by one being accepted into an honor band... I.e. If your student was accepted into the UT Martin Honor he/she can not apply (if they get accepted) and earn another lettering credit for the Memphis Honor Band Clinic.All dates listed on the spring calendar and summer rehearsal/camp dates (for those planning summer trips) have been posted to the band's website calendar. Check these out so you can plan accordingly!

  • Remember that the Concert Band will be taking a trip to Gatlinburg March 18-20! This is open to any concert band member along with family/friends of concert band members. This trip is NOT MANDATORY but an opportunity for concert band members. We must have at least 50 folks total sign up to take the trip. A $120 deposit must be paid to directly to Thomas Tours no later than January 22nd to secure your spot. See the attached trip brochure for payment information. DO NOT SEND ANY PAYMENTS TO SCHOOL!

  • Any debt from this past fall that was left unpaid as of the Friday we left for Christmas break has been turned over to the office for collection. You can pay either me or the office directly your student's debt. Remember seniors will NOT receive his/her diploma until all debt has been paid and underclassmen will NOT be allowed to attend the first June rehearsal unless all debt has been paid.