Starting this Friday, September 5th, we will be having a theme for each marching band rehearsal we have. The themes will make the rehearsals a little more interesting, but they should not distract us from our work. Each week, the themes for that week will be posted on the board. I encourage everyone to join in on this, it's a way to make rehearsals a little more fun and to see how creative everyone is.
If you would like to make a suggestion on a theme, please contact me at mandie090192@yahoo.com. The themes should be school appropriate and they should not be distracting to anybody. The themes will be approved by Mr. Heydenburg first.

Thanks,
Amanda Fegan

The Full Band dress rehearsal that is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26 from 6:00-9:00 pm has been slightly altered to now be from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. This change was made to accommodate the many athletes that we have in the band that they may attend Warrior Night from 5:30 - 6:45 pm. All athletes that are also band students are excused from their meetings and are to attend band rehearsal following your introduction rally (your parent should attend the meetings).

The band members have been invited to attend Warrior Night as well to meet the various fall teams. You may begin by attending the (free) barbecue at 4:30 pm in the pavilion at the South end of the stadium. Then Team introductions will begin around 5:30.

All band students should be IN FALL UNIFORM and on our practice field at 7:00 pm. Parents should pick up their student at 9:00 pm.

SLT - please call everyone in your sections to make sure they are aware of the change and of the expectations for DRESS rehearsal.

UPDATE 8/24: The drumline rehearsal scheduled for 8/26 from 3-5 pm is CANCELLED. The guard is still planning to rehearse.

Anyone and everyone come help move stuff from the Middle School Band Room Back to the High School Band Room.

On August 26 from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm (or until we're finished) we will be moving all our stuff back to the High School Band Room. We need your help! I will provide lunch to anyone that can help. In addition, anyone that took school instruments home for the summer should bring them back at this time.

You can even bring in your own stuff to get ready for school (or that evening's rehearsal )

Meet at the High School Band Room at 9:00 AM. You should be able to enter from the North Parking Lot! Exciting!

The photos from band camp have all been posted in our photo gallery. If you see a photo that should be removed, please send me a PM. Also, if you have photos you would like to add to the gallery, please send me a PM and I will set it up for you (please do not email me any pictures - thanks!).

All the photos are 640x480 because I need to save space on the server. If you need a larger res version of a photo, you might try Joe's photo gallery, which has slightly larger resolution versions. However, the full band photo on this site is the largest version available - just click on the photo until the photo is full size.

Also - the most fun is to leave comments or make up your own captions - so get to work!

Tone Development Through Interpretation By Bernard Goldberg
How does one go about developing this variety of expression, this armory of instrumental and physical capability? Why, form music itself! We all practice scales and arpeggios, scales in thirds, sixths, broken chords, and trills, etc., for technical ability, capped off by mountains of beautiful etudes by so many flutist-composers.

Captivate Young People With Music! by Dr. James Gholson
Given the explosion of new learning and information venues, I get excited talking about new ways to captivate youngsters with music, literature, painting and dance. I sincerely believe that students of all ages should heartily engage the arts, both as learners and patrons.

NEW RELEASE OF AUTHENTIC EDITION OF VLADIMIR BLAZHEVICH 26 SEQUENCES FOR TROMBONE by Michael Mulcahy
From time to time in my role as Professor of Trombone at Northwestern University, I admit exceptionally gifted young musicians who possess both outstanding musicianship and keen intellectual acumen into our doctoral program. Such was the case when I encountered Russian Bass Trombonist, Andrey Kharlamov. Actually, it was a re-encounter, as I first came across him as a very young and precocious man, during a masterclass at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory during the Chicago Symphony's historic tour of Russia in 1990.

Practice by Susan Younghans
The majority of our students have many outside activities. The time they have available for practice, is very limited and often scattered. Students need to know how to use their time efficiently, successfully and productively. We need to teach them how to practice by modeling and teaching valuable practice skills which are necessary at all levels, much like study skills for academic success.

THE ART OF CHOOSING A SAXOPHONE MOUTHPIECE by Eugene Rousseau
There has been a debate over the years regarding the question of materials used for manufacturing both instruments and mouthpieces. A great number of saxophonists believe that metal mouthpieces are exclusively for playing jazz, and that hard rubber mouthpieces are for playing classical performances. Actually, there are excellent mouthpieces for all genres in both materials. The great Marcel Mule for many years used a metal mouthpiece for his classical performances. It stands to reason, then, that mouthpiece design is the most influential aspect of quality, not the material.

Knowing the Score and Beyond by Dr. David Littrell
It is a given that a conductor should be able to elicit a musical response from an ensemble through precise verbal directions and the proper use of the baton. A conductor’s knowledge goes far beyond that, though, and comprises the areas of music history, biographical information about composers, stylistic awareness and the technical means of achieving it, and a formal analysis of each work.

Thanks to everyone for a great Band Camp 2008! I am so pleased and proud of everyone that was at camp. I was thankful for the help of every adult that attended. I was pleased with the leadership shown by the SLT and upper-classmen and I was very impressed by our new freshman! Amazing! I was especially proud of the students that had minor aches and pains through the week and still kept participating - inspirational! You all were awesome to work with! I'm looking forward to August 28 - our first "real" performance

I am headed out of town for a few days to visit my family, so the pictures will not be posted right away. I hope to get them on the site later in the week. In the meantime, don't forget to put the upcoming events on your family calendar! I'll see you at uniform distribution on August 26 August 14!

Also - the band room construction is coming along! The instrument storage cabinets have been installed and they look amazing It is going to be a great year.

UPDATE: I was tired. Sorry about that.

Despite what you may have heard, students have access to water at appropriate times during camp. We are very careful to ensure the health and safety of all of our students and staff.

On Monday, August 4, students were told that they could not take a bottle of water at the end of rehearsal (at 9:30 pm). Instead, they were directed to other water and kool-aid that was provided in large coolers with cups. The following morning, students were given a bottle of water for their water break at the scheduled time. Students were asked to finish each bottle and to dispose of them properly. At no time were any students denied access to water when needed. Students have the opportunity to take at least three bottles of water each day and can refill them at will.

Counselor assignments: Counselor assignments are noted on the updated Cabin list (available in the downloads section).

Medicines: Students are not allowed to self-medicate (prescription and/or non-prescription). The policy for MDI/EpiPens is - students will be able to carry them, but they must still be checked in and usage logged. All medicines (including over-the-counter) should be placed in a ziplock bag with the student's name written on it. Please leave prescriptions in their original container (with the student's name on it, etc.). In the bag, please provide written instructions on how the student should take the medication if it differs from the directions on the bottle. Please turn in the bag to the Camp Nurse (Mrs. Costello) according to the schedule below. If you have specific health concerns, you may speak with Mrs. Costello as your student boards the bus (She will be standing with Ms. Schlosser). (See Medical Policy in our downloads area).
Medication check in at camp
Sunday 8/3

• Seniors: 2:00 pm
• Freshman: 2:10 pm
• Juniors: 6:00 pm
• Sophomores: 6:15 pm

Departure: The busses will leave at 12 noon exactly FROM THE WEST PARKING LOT and will not wait for students to arrive. If a student misses the bus they should drive to camp and meet us there. Plan to assist in the loading of your own bags and instrument between 11:15 and 11:45 AM. Eat Lunch before you arrive at school!

Weather: [Weather Forecast] Please be aware that we take reasonable precautions to account for weather. We will, however, continue to work as much as appropriate.

Neckbands: Last year, students received a neckband that would help keep them cool. If you still have it, would you bring yours to camp? If you don't want it, please give it to Mrs. Schindler. For the Freshman, I believe you can buy something like this at the dollar store, or you could make something like it by wrapping a bandanna around your neck after getting it wet.

UPDATE 7/28: Please note that the uniform distribution date was changed. The correct date was sent to you in the summer letter (sent July 1). The correct date is August 14 from 5:30 - 9:00 (Distribution Schedule).

UPDATE 7/30: Alison Phelps has updated the Camp Packing list. It is in the downloads area. Take a look.

UPDATE 8/1: Students only wear their summer uniform for the pictures and performance on the last day of camp. So, they need to take it with them (pictures are at camp this year), but they should plan to wear casual clothing the rest of the time (see dress code in downloads/band camp)

Yes, that's right. For the first time in history, we have our drill available to download from the website. It is probably easiest to access them from the Band Camp Information Page. For the new students, none of this will likely make any sense, but take a look. You will need to know your rank designator (e.g. Jessica Costello is B1, etc...). Each student will receive a copy of the drill from us for camp, so you don't need to bring your copy with you, but this one will be twice the size

Thanks to Ms. Schlosser who wrote the drill this year (with a little help from Becky I understand). Mr. H wrote the pregame drill (and changed one page! - no really - check it out!). If you spot any errors, send me an email or PM. Check back in a few days for possibly yet another surprise

Hello Trumpets and Horns. There are some warm-ups and exercises that we will use at band camp now available in the downloads area. Link: Download here.

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