What a week! What a semester! What a year! We have surpassed all my expectations and set the bar extremely high for future Warrior band members. I haven’t had time to really digest what has just happened. I have never taken a band to district festival, much less state festival. EVERY judge that has heard us, including the three at Loyola for big band, three for combo, four at district and four at state, have given our band superior ratings! Not one excellent! One even gave us a superior + at state. UNPRECEDENTED! I am EXTREMELY PROUD of all my students. We could not have done it without the hard work and determination of all my students. It goes to show you that it’s not about the talent of the individual, but the combined efforts of ALL of you – young, old. extremely talented or just a novice. We will listen to the judges’ comments on Monday and prepare for our graduation performance and exams. Seniors, you will have to take an exam in band. Dane. you will only have to take the jazz band exam (no percussion exam).
It was good to see so many of you at the Spring Concert. The compliments are still coming in! Yes, it was long, but it was worth it. We had to feature every ensemble! Now, we clean up and prepare for next fall. I will be choosing our competition show next week. If you are interested in trying out for drum major, playing drums in the jazz band or piano in the jazz band, please let me know Monday. We have covered the parts in Jazz Band for graduating seniors on saxes and trumpet. Thanks to all the parents who brought snacks (cookies and rice krispies treats) for our state trip. We are also in the preliminary stages of preparing for our trip to Disney next Spring.
I will work on a final newsletter soon. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the year, get some rest during the summer, and let’s do it again next year!
Doc
By: dane on May 3, 2009 
