We have had a great couple of days of mini camp this week! Band camp starts on Monday, so here are some helpful reminders for the events that will take place before the school year starts. Every member of the marching band will need to be there for band camp. Report to the band room at 8 AM for our morning announcements. This is a pretty intensive 2 week session so come prepared to spend lots of time outside – wear sneakers (with flexible soles) and socks. Everybody should bring a large container for water, sunblock and sunglasses.
Saturday, August 9 is the band family picnic. This celebration is for everybody, and it’s FREE, so bring the whole family! We will be at Youngwood Park and Pool we have it all to ourselves that evening! We hope you will all come and have a relaxing time getting to know your band family.
Band camp is in full swing during the weeks of 8/11-15 and 8/18-22. We will again begin in the band room at 8 AM, but full band camp ends at 4 PM instead of noon. Here is a breakdown of our basic schedule:
– 8 AM: Morning announcements
– 8:15 AM: Full band stretching, then stretches in sections
– 8:45 AM: Marching fundamentals
– 9:30 AM: Section competition practice
– 10:00 AM: Drill instruction (marching only) – water/restroom breaks as needed
– 12:00 PM: Lunch
– 1:00 PM: Sectionals
– 2:00 PM: Full winds/drumline in band room; Auxiliary sectionals continue
– 3:00 PM: Full band outside on the field – put together drill from morning with music/routines
– 3:55 PM: End of day announcements in band room
– 4:00 PM: Dismissal
Everybody needs to be prepared for an intensive 8 hour day during band camp. It is an outdoor activity, so we will be outside unless there is lightning or a torrential downpour. Watch the forecast and be prepared for any kind of weather. Bring an extra set of clothes – shirt, shorts, socks and shoes – the first day and put them in your band locker, because you will likely need to change your clothes completely at least once during band camp (ask a veteran about the ‘foam incident of 2012’).
You all also need to have a “dot book” – a tiny notebook for writing drill spots – pencil and drill markers (poker chips uk/playing cards/something flat) with you at all times on the field. These items, along with your sneakers, socks, sunglasses, sunblock and water, are essential for every rehearsal.
The band parents will feed us lunch in the cafeteria each day during band camp. Part of your 100 point mandatory fundraising goes toward lunch at band camp, so everybody should take advantage of the good food they will provide. Here is the menu (it’s subject to change, but we will tell you ahead of time if it does):
Aug 11– hamburgers and french fries
Aug 12 – french toast sticks, sausage, hash browns
Aug 13 – baked chicken, cheesy potatoes, veggies
Aug 14 – turkey subs, chips, cookies
Aug 15 – pizza, salad
We will have fruit, yogurt, granola bars, pudding cups, etc. every day, too.
Aug 18 – pasta, meatballs, garlic bread, salad
Aug 19 – chicken and biscuits, salad
Aug 20 – grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, tomato soup
Aug 21 – pulled pork sandwiches, corn on the cob, tater tots
Aug 22 – left overs/take out day
As of right now, we know we have a couple of students who have peanut allergies, but if there are other dietary restrictions we should be aware of, please email Danita Theis at neetz31863@aol.com. If students are planning to order out, they will need to tell Mrs. Theis in the kitchen the day before.
On Wednesday evening, 8/20, we will give our first performance of the year. It is freshmen orientation day, so we will have food available for anybody who needs to eat before our performance. We will meet at 6:30 that evening and quickly get into full uniform. Then we will march to Redstone Highlands to participate in their annual carnival, along with several other groups. We will perform our field show as a stand-still the front of the building, so family members are welcome to join us! Afterward, we will march down to our practice field (by the greenhouse) and perform pregame and halftime. Everyone is invited to come and watch what we have learned during band camp! Bring a chair or blanket and watch from the hill – it’s a great view, and our own volunteer firefighters will be there to light up the field.
Saturday, 8/23 is Kennywood Day. We will meet, wearing the new yellow band shirts, at 9 AM in the band room. This will be our first “away trip” so we will have assigned buses — the students will choose their bus earlier that week, and students with the highest number of merits will get to board the buses first. We will be performing that evening, so students will need to take their uniforms and shoes to change into before the performance. A very filling lunch is provided, as well as 3 hours of fountain drinks, but students will need spending money if they wish to purchase anything else that day. We will perform in the 8 PM parade, along with several other schools, and tickets are available to purchase if family members wish to go on their own that day. Contact Beth Stabile if you wish to purchase tickets. We will return to the school around 11 PM. If students wish to ride home with their parents, they MUST turn in a transportation form to Mrs. West 24 hours in advance.
The last rehearsal before school begins will be on Monday, 8/25, at Offutt Field. We will have a lot to work on that day, and it is our only practice on the turf, so we will begin promptly at 3:30 PM.
I hope I have answered a lot of your questions about what to expect in August. Please post a reply to this article if I have missed anything! See you all very soon!
