Weekly Update (9/6- 9/10)
This is your weekly MUSIC DEPARTMENT update!
Hello Folks!
I’m so happy that we finally got to see what all this work we’ve put in is all about! 😃 Now that we have one performance under our belt, we can buckle down and really begin putting in the necessary work to polish our show.
I know a lot of students were disappointed with Friday’s Night’s halftime show performance. 🤔 I think that it is perfectly healthy for us to criticize ourselves, and in a sense, I’m proud that we recognize that that run was not our best. I encourage you not to dwell on your mistakes. Be positive, focus on what's going well, and just take a mental note of the problem areas.
The key is to use this experience as a jumping board to dive into success.
Come to After School Rehearsals energized and ready to improve! On Tuesday, we will be doing some analysis of the visual components of our show during class. At our after school rehearsals, we will be focused on adding movement 2 and cleaning our product so that we can have a better halftime experience at our next game.
Regarding after school rehearsals, I want all my band parents students to understand that failing to attend rehearsal for whatever reason can pose safety concerns for other students on the field. You may miss for legit reasons. You may have your own priorities. The bottom line is, if I don’t think you can march your show without putting someone else at risk, especially moving forward, I will not let you march. Sure, we’re not a contact sport, but each child is moving expeditiously with (sometimes) thousands of dollars worth of heavy and blunt equipment. I’d hate for a student to incur a charge for damaging a band instrument, or worse, for a child to become injured because someone failed to do the proper maneuver.
That all said, regarding jobs and leaving early from rehearsal: Students need to be fully present at rehearsal to learn the material. Some students have made it a habit to leave early from rehearsal for whatever reason. Some of those students leave because of their job. The band calendar has been posted since May. I expect for my students who have jobs to work out their schedules with their employers. If their employer does not work with their schedule, they should look for another job. If the employer attempts to call in the student, the student should either ignore/ reject the phone call(s) or (if they must answer the phone) reject their employer’s request and explain that they have a prior commitment with the band. MOVING FORWARD, students who show themselves to have work related attendance issues will be alternated per the band handbook. We’ve committed to be a part of the program. Please do not fall short of this commitment.
September at- a- glance
Events:
Baker County Fair Fundraiser-- September 11th- 18th- Sign Up to Help HERE!
All State Auditions—September 11th
Letterman Jacket Fittings in Cafeteria-- October 1st- (Ask Front Office for Details)
Rehearsals:
After School Rehearsal -- September 7th- 4pm to 7pm
After School Rehearsal -- September 9th- 4pm to 7pm
After School Rehearsal -- September 14th- 4pm to 7pm
After School Rehearsal -- September 16th- 4pm to 7pm
After School Rehearsal -- September 21st- 4pm to 7pm
After School Rehearsal -- September 23rd- 4pm to 7pm
After School Rehearsal -- September 28th- 4pm to 7pm
After School Rehearsal -- September 30th- 4pm to 7pm
Performances:
AWAY vs. PONTE VEDRA HS (BAND NOT GOING)- September 10th
HOME vs. Paxon HS- September 17th- 4:30 Call Time
HOME vs. Mandarin HS- September 24th- 4:30 Call Time
AWAY vs. Bishop Kenny HS- October 1st- 4:00 Call Time
Things to Note 🎵:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE FAIR
We need parent and student volunteers to work our fair concession stand. Parents we especially are asking for your support because we can only have two students in the booth at a time, and we will get really short staffed on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday because we will not have student availability due to rehearsals and the football game. If you are able to spare a few hours, on a day, it really helps to take the work off of everyone else.
There are slots set up for 6 people per job, but the job can be done relatively comfortably with 4 people in the booth on slower days (weekdays). We cannot have any more than 6 people in the booth at a time per the fair guidelines. Students may not operate the fryer or the grill.
The money made from this fundraiser goes to pay off our Marching Show (an excess of $3000 for Music and Drill). If we want to continue to have nice productions, we need support for our County Fair Concession Stand.
You can sign up to help HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4aa4ab2fa5fe3-band
Parent Volunteers/ Chaperones
Chaperone sign-ups are available on Cut Time! You can log in to cut time using your student’s account or you can create an account and link it to your student! Volunteers are how we keep this program running so please make time to help us out where possible! Remember that to volunteer in any event that is going to have you around students for an extended amount of time, you must complete and turn in a volunteer form per the Baker County School District.
After School Activities this Week:
Monday
· No School- Happy Labor Day!
Tuesday
· After School Rehearsal – 4pm- 7pm
· Band Booster Meeting - 6:30pm @ High School Band Room
Wednesday
· No Activities Scheduled
Thursday
· After School Rehearsal – 4pm- 7pm
Friday
· Baker County Fair Concession Stand
o Click HERE to Help!
Birthday Announcements!
By the way, I base birthday announcements on what I can see on the Band App, so if you would like to be recognized for your birthday on the weekly announcements, please make sure your Birthday is set to PUBLIC on the Band App.
According to Band App, there are no birthdays this week..... 😔
Let's have a great week everyone!
And GOOOOOO WILDCATS!