I need some parents to videotape our performance tomorrow night. We will perform toward our fans (weather permitting) during halftime. I need you to get the whole group…not just your sweet young musician. We will critique this in the film room next Monday.
Thanks in advance.
Doc
I was browsing the Tiger Band Drumline Handbook and I came across some really cool quotes that I would like to paraphrase for you.
Drew Smith, the drum captain wrote this about his group: ” I am very proud of the tradition I have experienced here…but this will be a little different. It will be better.” He adds, “This season will show new levels of fun, but first there will be an enormous amount of hard work to be put in. I’ve noticed two different kinds of people…those who complain about things when they get hard and those who overcome obstacles without saying a word. I’ll leave it up to you to decide which one is better.” I totally agree. I tell people that the Warrior Band must get better each year. If we don’t, then we aren’t doing our jobs!
Yet another part of the handbook says,” everything we do is observed and noted by fellow musicians, students, alumni, and fans as well as faculty and administration. It is crucial that we set and maintain a level of professionalism while exemplifying musicianship.” Enough said. I couldn’t have put it any better.
I also found this interesting tidbit in the handbook: “THOU SHALT NOT HACK. We start together and end together as a group.”
“You are responsible for learning your own drill. Drill charts are required at EVERY rehearsal.”
and finally: ”Be on time. To arrive when rehearsal starts is to arrive 15 minutes late.” Note that Tiger Band Students get a grade too and deductions are made to their if they are tardy.
I am looking forward to a great marching season!
Doc
We’re Ready!! Tomorrow we have our first performance of the year. Our young musicians have worked very hard are are proud to present music from the acclaimed 2000 movie, “Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man.” Parents, you can help pump up our performers with applause as we present our show. Unlike a concert band performance, it IS appropriate to applaud during the band’s performance. Many parents ask me when should they applaud. You should be able to tell, but if you need help, here goes: the first opportunity is after the horn elevation (long chord-loud section) before Mary’s solo. Then next opportunity would be after Mary’s solo, and then after Joey’s solo.
Other ways you can help include helping with hydration in the stands. This is a favorite among my parents because of the good workout you will get as you travel up and down the bleachers delivering water and poweraid. It really works those glutes and hamies! LOL
We will also need help on the field to unload the “pit” percussion. We have to do this as quickly as possible and then cart everything off the field when we are done.
Finally, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to your children to just be there for them. They have worked very hard since late July and nothing can replace the pride that they feel when they know they are performing for their parents! So we hope to see all of you there!
Doc
Game Day Protocol for Band Student Supervision:
All students planning to leave campus must do so by 2:45. Students who are staying on campus until we leave for the game will be permitted to stay in (1) the band room (2) the hall directly outside the band room, (3) the quadrangle immediately behind the band room or (4) our normal practice field. If they want to purchase soft drinks or other concessions, they must do so by 2:45. They will be allowed to use the bathrooms on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building only.
As students (those who have left campus by 2:45) return, they are to join their fellow students in the above mentioned designated areas with the addition of the area immediately behind the band room where the support groups will be loading busses and the trailer with instruments for departure.
The band director will solicit help from volunteer parents to help with supervision should he have to attend to professional or “personal” needs.
Prior to departure, the band, dancers, flag corps, and cheerleaders shall assemble in the band room for final instructions and a prayer before we depart.
Upon arrival at the stadium, all support groups will unload and prepare for the game. Support groups will march into the stadium, usually, 30 minutes prior to the start of the game. Once the game has begun, students must remain with their groups until after the halftime performance. After the halftime show, students are allowed a break to attend to personal needs until there is five minutes left on the game clock in the third quarter.
At the conclusion of the game, support groups assemble and march out of the stadium to the busses. Those riding home with parents (notes received in advance 24 hours prior to the game) are dismissed at that time. Busses then return to campus. Upon arrival back on campus, students and parent volunteers help to unload the trailer. Students have 15 minutes after band director locks up to have a ride home. The last teacher/coach leaving campus locks the gates.
Remember to wear your red pep band shirt, black pants, black socks, and dinkles. If you are riding home with a parent immediately after the game, I need something in writing, 24 hours prior to the game. Email will be fine.
Please check your dates and add September 22 as a performance on campus (volleyball game-breast cancer awareness). Also, please change the date of the homecoming parade and pep-rally from Tuesday, September 15 to Wednesday, September 16.
Thanks
Doc
I have printed hard copies of the All State Registration forms for band and jazz ensemble. Interested students should see me this week to register. I will mail registration forms and checks next week.
Doc
I am pleased with the progress that our band is making thus far…in spite of the rainy afternoon rehearsals. Keep working to memorize as much music as you can so you don’t have to worry about carrying flip folders in the stands in two weeks. Songs you should have memorized by now include, the Fight Song, Boogie Fever, Movement One of the show, Hey Baby, and Neck. We hope to get Land of a Thousand Dances and NFL memorized by next week
Jazz band students need to listen to REAL JAZZ. Even if you think you know it all because you’ve been in Jazz Ensemble for three years. You can never listen to enough good music. I will try to get some of the pieces linked up to this blog in the near future.
I could use some help in the band room tomorrow morning (Saturday) at 9 AM to put some shelving in the uniform room. We’re going to get those hat boxes off the floor. If you are mechanically inclined, I sure could use your help. I will also give service hours to any students who show up to help.
Thanks, and have a good weekend.
Doc
Our 2009 camps are a thing of the past and were a thing of beauty. Congratulations to all of you for the amount of work accomplished as both camps were well attended. I especially appreciate the help of our parent volunteers who kept our students well hydrated. Also, a big “way to go!” to all of you who showed your tremendous team spirit by dressing up (or down) to help keep our daily themes. Pictures from the camp are posted on your right on my Flikr account.
Our band booster meeting was well attended too. For those parents who were not able to attend the meeting, we still need help with various committees. We cannot do what we do without your help. Please contact Band Booster President, Angie Simoneaux at scosimo@bellsouth.net if you can help serve on any of our committees.
We also need 100 percent participation from one adult family member to work our two Bingo dates. Money from these two fundraisers will go to help defray the cost of charter busses for our playoff game(s). The dates are Sunday, September 6 and Sunday, December 13. Again, please contact Angie to reserve your date. If you do not sign up for one of those dates, I will sign you up based on need. If you cannot personally work a bingo, then you should get an adult (21 or older) to sub for you.
Remember that after school rehearsals begin Monday (for percussion), August 10 and Tuesday, August 11 (for full band).
We are looking forward to a terrific year!
Doc
I got word through the grapevine that some of you still don’t know the dates of band and drum camp.
Drum camp is next week, July 20 – 24, from 9 AM until 2 PM. This is for all percussion players, including bass players (not tubas) and guitar players in Jazz Ensemble.
The rest of us have camp July 27 – 31, form 8 AM until 4 PM.
Please remember to bring you band fee of $60. This fee INCLUDES the social/meal that will be served after specified home football games.
Any questions? Refer to my post with the latest Warrior Band Newsletter.
Thanks,
Doc
Dear Band Parents and Students,
I hope your summer has been blessed, relaxing, and rewarding. I hear some of you made a great trip to Europe. I’d love to hear how that went. Miss Lisa and I are seriously thinking about going to Italy next summer. If any of you have seen me around town in filthy-looking clothes, don’t fret…I’m not homeless! I do some work during the summer for a few weeks with a good buddy of mine (yes, Austin Nola’s dad) and we do some home remodeling work. It gives me something to do (ADD people can’t sit at home and just lay out by the pool) and it’s totally stress free!
We only have a week and a half left until we start work on the 2009-2010 version of the Warrior Band. So, there are a couple of things I need from you before we get started.
1. First, make sure you have browsed the latest Warrior Band Newsletter on my blog for dates, times, etc of our percussion camp and our band camp.
2. Woodwind players especially – if your instrument needs a tune up (pads, slight adjustments, etc.) please get it to Zeagler’s Music to have the repair guys look at it BEFORE we start camp.
3. Make sure to leave July 29 free for our annual pool party/band booster meeting at my house. I will supply hot dogs. Percussionists need to bring a 2 liter drink. Woodwind players need to bring a dessert, and Brass players need to bring a bag of chips. If any parent wants to bring a veggie plate, or something more “adult oriented” (food only, no drinks) please feel free to do so.
4. Thanks in advance to all the parents who have volunteered to help with camp hydration, supervision, etc.
So, for the next week and a half, enjoy the heck out of your summer, and if you see me about in rags, don’t be alarmed. I AM working for food.
God Bless.
Doc
Oh, BTW (by the way for those of you who don’t text yet). How do you like the appearance of my blog? I think this looks a little crisper and less cluttered.
Hey gang,
Gordon Goodwin (Count Bubba fame) has a Christmas CD. I can order two charts but they are VERY DIFFICULT. Before I order any of these, I wanted your input. Go to www.jwpepper.com and search “Goodwin Christmas” There are two charts that you can listen to the MP3’s. Yo Tannenbaum and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. These are killer charts! Would love to do them. Give me your input.
Doc
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