August is the beginning of our busy band season, so I thought I would give everyone some important details and reminders.
Band camp begins next week, and everybody will need to be there — including woodwinds, brasses, drumline, front ensemble, colorguard, majorettes, dance team, honor guard and managers. If you have not turned in your medical forms, you have until Monday, August 6 to do so. Remember, if the boxed section on the front is filled in, it must be endorsed by a medical professional.
Our report time for band camp is 8 AM, but please give yourselves lots of extra time to be ready and seated so that we may begin our morning announcements right at 8 AM. Early is on time, on time is late, and late is not acceptable. The band room is always open 30 minutes before report time. Start the year off right by being on time!
A large portion of band camp is spent outside, so come prepared! Wear sneakers (with flexible soles) and socks. Everybody should bring a large container for water, and wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. We will be outside in the morning and just before the end of the day. Since Marching Band is an outdoor activity, we will need to practice outside, even if the weather isn’t perfect, so be prepared!
Band camp will take place during the weeks of 8/6-10 and 8/13-17. We will again begin in the band room at 8 AM and end in the band room at 3 PM. Here is a breakdown of our basic schedule:
– 8 AM: Morning announcements and attendance
– 8:10 AM: Full band stretching, then stretches in sections
– 8:30 AM: Marching fundamentals
– 9:00 AM: Section competition practice
– 9:30 AM: Drill instruction (marching only) – water/restroom breaks as needed
– 11:00 AM: Sectionals
– 12:00 PM: Lunch
– 1:00 PM: Full winds/drumline/front ensemble in band/chorus rooms; Band front sectionals.
– 2:00 PM: Full band outside on the field – put together drill from morning (open to spectators)
– 2:55 PM: End of day announcements in band room
– 3:00 PM: Dismissal
Everybody needs to be prepared for an intensive 7 hour day during band camp. Band 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. PLEASE 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.
You all also need to have a “dot book” – a tiny notebook for writing drill spots – pencil and drill markers (some of the best poker chips you’ve been stashing away) 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!!
We have some students who have severe, life threatening, peanut allergies, so band is a PEANUT FREE zone. If you are bringing snacks or any other food, please make sure there are NO peanuts in the ingredient list. If there are other dietary restrictions we should be aware of, please email Marlene Lucas at marlene_lucas@comcast.net. If students are planning to order out, they will need to tell someone in the kitchen the day before. Parents, if you would like to volunteer to help with lunches, email Marlene OR sign up in the volunteer section on Charms.
Saturday, August 11 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 starting at 6:30 PM, and 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.
Thursday evening, August 16, is our parent performance night at our practice field (by the gravel lot) where we will perform pregame and halftime for you! 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! Students will wear brown GS band t-shirts and shorts for this performance.
Friday, August 17 is our last day of band camp, and we will celebrate by having our annual section competition at 9:30 AM. This is open to spectators, so come and cheer on your favorite section to win the golden drillmaster. The band will have a picnic lunch and ice cream social that afternoon to wrap up the week.
Saturday, August 18 is Kennywood Day. We will meet, wearing our new YELLOW band shirts, at 8 AM in the band room. 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 catered lunch is provided for all of the students by the band parents, 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 Deanne Craig at deanne.craig@comcast.net 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.
We will rehearse at Offutt field on Tuesday, August 21. 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 2 PM. Students will only be excused if there is an emergency, so please plan accordingly.
I hope I have answered a lot of your questions about what to expect before our first game. Please post a reply to this article if I have missed anything! See you all very soon! As always, I can be reached at jaime.west@gslions.net and you can find our updated calendar and other information at www.gsbands.org.
