December 30, 2016

Post date: Dec 30, 2016 8:36:36 PM

Announcements:

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

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

• We will play in band on Wednesday! 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!

• All-West lessons will continue with me this Wednesday (normal Tuesday lessons) and Thursday!

• Mr. Congiardo will continue his lessons beginning NEXT MONDAY (9th)!

• 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 9th 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 beginning on Tuesday, January 10th from 5-7 pm. 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.

• Brass Ensemble is another opportunity for students to earn lettering credit. The brass ensemble will have its first rehearsal on Thursday, January 12th from 3-4:30 in the band room. Rehearsal dates for the brass ensemble 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) brass ensemble rehearsals! Contact Mr. Bill for more information.

• University of Memphis Honor Band sign-up will begin once we return from break! This honor band will be held February 2-4. 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!

• The band has 2 big trips coming up both this semester and next year! The first trip will be the trip traveling to the St. Louis Cardinals game in late May to play the National Anthem. We will leave after the Strawberry Festival on the 12th and spend the night and perform the anthem on the 13th then return home. Band students tickets will be paid for by the school district (Be sure to tell Mr. Pruett & your board members thank you for this!). The tickets are $55/each. More information will be forth coming as to how you can purchase a tickets for you, your family and friends. We are also planning a trip to NYC for our 4 year trip which will be in the spring of 2018! The biggest thing to remember here is that students MUST register for BOTH marching and concert bands in order to attend this trip! More information with dates and pricing should be coming out this spring! Stay tuned.

• 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.