Doc’s Blog

Dear Band Parents and Students,

Each year, we all try to do something to make the Christmas season special by helping those in need and I know that most of you have your own way of doing this. I am writing with an opportunity for those of you who want to do something really special though Catholic Charities.  The fine arts department at school (band, art, and consumer sciences) will be “adopting” several  families on campus this Christmas.  First of all, this is not mandatory of your child. If your child is already doing this through the Key Club, your church, or some other organization, then you do not have to participate twice.  I am trying to get a number of responses so I can plan how big a family we want to adopt.  We can make donations of clothing, toys, gift cards, or cash.  Donations of clothing and toys should be new.  We will try to provide gifts to children and parents. Please respond to this post or give me your name at school so I can estimate how big a project this will be. Once I get some numbers in, I will accept donations until December 12.  We have to deliver everything to the Catholic Charities workshop by December 14.

Thanks,

Doc

In addition to our performance for the Bishop Friday, we have to prepare for our upcoming Christmas concert and our participation in the Jones Creek Christmas Parade.  Our Christmas concert is Sunday, December 6 at 2 PM.  As usual, there is no charge for this concert.  We will need all students to meet at school for 11 AM (which should give you all time to get to your Sunday Mass) to set up and get a sound check. We have to get the tarps down, set up a stage, chairs, stands, all percussion instruments, and the PA system.  At noon, we will get a sound check for about a half hour, after which you can leave to get lunch with your families and get changed into your performance uniform.  Concert attire for gentlemen is your school blazer, shirt, tie, and BLACK pants.  Ladies should wear black dresses or blouse/skirt combinations.

We will march in the Jones Creek Christmas Parade again this year.  This is our way of sharing our gifts with the local community.  We will depart on school busses from school at 12:30 PM on Sunday, December 13.  The parade begins at 2 PM and we should be finished no later than 3 PM. Pickup will be at school, sometime between 3 and 3:30.

Finally, I want to mention that tickets to our big band fundraiser, “Moonlight and Jazz,” make perfect Christmas gifts for the ones you love , especially grandparents of our students.  Moonlight and Jazz is a dinner/concert performed on the beautiful grounds of White Oak Plantation with a catered meal by Chef John Folse.  The professional quality entertainment is provided by our very own Jazz Ensemble.  Tickets are $70. For more information on purchasing tickets, please contact Laura Drone at dronebees@cox.net or Angie Simoneaux at scosimo@bellsouth.net

Thanks,

Doc

Dear Band Parents and students,

I am in need of a few drivers Friday, Nov. 20 to help transport stands, amps, instruments, and a P. A. system to the Catholic Life Center. We will be leaving St. Michael at 10:30 to set up for 11:00.  We will be returning to St. Michael for 2 PM.  If you can help, please email me ASAP.

Thanks,

Doc

Dear St. Michael Parents and Students,

I need to let you know about two after school rehearsals that we will have to put together our Christmas Concert.  Please note that these are the only two that we will have to prepare for the concert, so it is imperative that everyone be in attendance.

The first is Thursday, November 19.  The second is Thursday, December 3.  Both rehearsals are from 3 PM – 4:30 PM.

This is a reminder that our annual Christmas Concert is Sunday, December 6 at 2 PM.  We hope to see all of you at this festive event which will feature performances from our Percussion Ensemble, our Symphonic Winds (formerly our Concert Band) and our Jazz Ensemble.

We will be traveling to Franklinton this Friday to join our football team in their first playoff game.  Here are the details of the trip:

We will rehearse Thursday afternoon - 3:00 – 3:45.  Please be prompt in picking your child up Thursday.  I will be going home to prepare gumbo for band, dancers, flags, and cheerleaders on Friday. If any of you wants to donate cookies, brownies, or potato salad for the meal, please contact me soon.

We will all remain after school Friday.  Gumbo will be served around 3:00 PM.  We will load two charter busses at 3:30 and will leave campus for Franklinton at 4 PM

We should return to Baton Rouge somewhere between 11:30 – 12:00.

We will be wearing formals.

We will also be performing after school 2:45- 3:15 at St. Jean Vianney this Wednesday.  Thanks in advance to Scott Simoneaux for hauling the trailer Wednesday.

Doc

There will be no afterschool rehearsal this Thursday.  We will not be able to perform during halftime Friday because of senior night presentations by Glen Oaks High School.  We will be fed (free of charge) both before and after the game.

Doc

Dear Parents,

We need help with transporting equipment to the Governor’s Mansion Friday.  We will be in need of a truck to carry 18 music stands and a couple of vehicles to carry amps (three) speakers (4), a drum set, and upright bass, a keyboard, and several larger instruments (trombones, bari sax, tenor saxes).  If you can assist us, please shoot me an email.  We need to load up at noon on Friday and will be leaving campus at 12:30.  We will be finished at the Mansion at 3:30.

Thanks,

Doc

Dear Band Parents and Students,

I have attached important information about our band trip to this blog entry.  I will be sending a “hard copy” home with students Monday.  Remember that all checks must be made out to St. Michael High School. I have included a payment schedule, however, you many choose to pay the balance for your trip in one payment.

I am looking forward to this incredible trip.

St. Michael Itinerary

St. Michael Proposal 09 To go home to parents

Here are the honor band dates:  Everything will be held at Broadmoor High School

Auditions (Brass & Percussion)      Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Auditions (Woodwinds)                  Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Reading Session  6-8 PM               Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Rehearsal   6-8 PM                        Thursday, January 28, 2010

Rehearsal    7:30 AM – 2:30 PM      Friday, January 29, 2010

Concert    11:00 Am                       Saturday, January 30, 2010

We will rehearse only on Thursday next week.  I will begin teaching students interested in developmental Jazz Combo next Tuesday.  You don’t have to be currently enrolled in Jazz Ensemble to attend this.  It is designed to teach beginners the art of jazz playing, style, improvising, etc.  You don’t even have to play a traditional jazz instrument (saxes, trumpets, trombones, and rhythm section).  Actually, you don’t even need to be signed up for band this year.  We will begin class next Tuesday (Nov. 3), from 3 – 4:30.

Also, be aware that we have rescheduled “senior night” to next Wednesday, Nov. 4. in the gym for a pep rally.  We are asking parents to wear something red and black if possible.  We will have a photographer at the pep rally to take pictures with you and your senior musician. I will let you know the time when we get it.

Doc.