westernbands.net

Information for High School and Middle School MSBOA All-State Band and Orchestra is available at MSBOA's website. Students that are interested should take a look as soon as possible and we will be registering during the first week or two of school. I will also (probably) be able to get you a copy of the music, but you are welcome to purchase your own if you would prefer.

Registration materials for the 2010 Western High School Band Camp are now available in our download area. Camp begins on August 1 and finishes on August 6, 2010. All students planning to participate in the WHS Band for the 2010-2011 school year are expected to attend. Cost is $210 per student (this is $15 less than the 2009 price!). Students were also given a hard copy on Friday, March 12.

Registrations are due with your $125 non-refundable deposit by March 26, 2010. Please pay with a check or money order and make payable to Western High School.

Band Festival takes place at Western on Friday, March 5, 2010 and Saturday, March 6, 2010. Here is the performance schedule for Western's Bands:

• Seventh Grade: Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 9:50 AM
• Eighth Grade: Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 1:50 PM
• HS Concert Band: Friday, March 5, 2010 at 6:20 PM
• HS Symphonic Band: Friday, March 6 5, 2010 at 8:25 PM

Band members are typically expected to arrive approximately one hour before the performance time and typically are released approximately 1:15 hours after the performance time. All students are required to attend. Your director will provide you with complete details as the date approaches.

Bay City Public Schools is closed due to inclement weather for Friday, January 8, 2010 - this includes closing of our Community Education & Alternative Educacation programs and also our Parent Involvement Center (PIE).

Basketball Game:

The Varsity Basketball games are ON for tonight. Therefore, we will perform. Please arraive at the band room no later than 6:00 PM with your instrument and marching music. Wear your yellow band polo and jeans. Tell your ride to pick you up at 8:15. See you tonight!

The Bay City Fire Department is very close - but not quite there - to receiving a grant through this web link online fire safety quiz. They are "on the bubble" and can really use our help to have this grant opportunity from Liberty Mutual in the amount of $10,000.

In order to be successful, it requires completion of a 10-question quiz related to fire safety and then crediting the Bay City Fire Rescue. Entry is limited to one completed per email address - so an email address is required to participate. Please help them by participating in the quiz before December 21, 2009.
 
1) Go to: www.BeFireSmart.com
2) (You can skip the video if you wish.)
3) Select "Help Your Fire Department Earn $10,000 "
4) Select "Get Started"
5) Complete the 10-question quiz
6) After, "Congratulations - you completed the quiz, hit "continue"
7) Enter the requested information (including email address to receive the confirmation email)
8) Upon receipt of the confirmation email, you'll be provided a link to select the Bay City Fire Rescue
9) Connect to the link and credit the Bay City Fire Rescue
 
Any questions, you may contact Ann at the Bay City Fire Department at 892-8601.

Bay City Public Schools is closed due to inclement weather for Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - this includes closing of our Community Education & Alternative Education programs and also our Parent Involvement Center (PIE).

The MSBOA All-State Band and Orchestra Audition schedule has been posted at msboa.org

As I mentioned in class, there is problem with the original printing of that schedule for the Sunday times. The corrected version is available here.

The Michigan Department of Education has decided that students may not waive the PE credit because of participation in Marching Band or a Varsity sport. Current Freshman and Sophomores (and future HS students) must take a PE course or test out of the requirement before graduation. Current Juniors and Seniors will not be affected by the changes.

This does not mean that students have to drop band to take a PE course, nor does it mean that students must take the course immediately. Students simply must complete one term of PE before graduation. This can be done later in High School and should not interfere with a student's plan to participate in band.

Read more to view the letter sent to parents from BCPS Curriculum Director Brian Johnson.

Well, I spent a bunch of money to "upgrade" the software that I use to podcast our rehearsals and so now of course IT DOESN'T WORK.... In the meantime, I created a directory that you can open and download mp3 files of the rehearsals. >>mp3 directory<<

The previous podcasts are still right where they used to be and functional.

The High School and Middle School Bands will perform at MSBOA Band Festival according to the schedule below. The Festival will be held at Western on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7, 2009. More information about arrival times and so forth will be available as we get closer to the performances.

Please note that the Bay City St. Patrick's Day Parade has been rescheduled. It is now scheduled for March 22, 2009. Please change your calendars.

Bay City Public Schools is closed due to inclement weather for Friday, December 19, 2008 - this includes closing of our Community Education & Alternative Education programs and also our Parent Involvement Center (PIE).

Our Annual Winter Concerts are tonight. The Middle School concert (6, 7 & 8th grades) begin at 6:30 PM. 6th graders meet in the High School Band Room at 6:15 PM. 7th & 8th graders meet at the Middle School Band Room.

The High School Bands meet at 7:45 PM (ready to play, in uniform) in the High School Band Room and the Concert begins at 8:00 PM.

Both concerts should take approximately one hour each.

Bay City Public Schools is closed due to inclement weather for Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - this includes closing of our Community Education & Alternative Education programs and also our Parent Involvement Center (PIE).

NOTICE: We will be running a "Friday Schedule" for the next two days... - bring your instrument!

Bay City Public Schools is closed due to inclement weather for Tuesday, December 9, 2008 - this includes closing of our Community Education & Alternative Education programs and also our Parent Involvement Center (PIE).

The Audition Schedule for MSBOA All-State Band and Orchestra is available here (pdf). All Bay City Western students will be lited in "District 5" and begin roughly on page 16 or so. you can also search in the PDF for your name. Let your band director know if you can't find the information for some reason.

From BCPS Administration:

Re: Large Band Instruments on Buses

As some of you may know, during the last several weeks, there have been questions related to large instruments on school buses. I am sorry,for any confusion related to this matter. In keeping with safety for students first, and also knowing the importance of curricular needs, students are permitted to bring instruments on school buses. Because of the need to plan for possible accommodation of an instrument on a bus, it is requested that a student and/or parent notify the bus garage of the need for a student to transport a larger instrument.

All requests will be granted. The requests should be directed to Mr. Gwizdala, Director of Transportation at 662-4416 or gwizdalam@bcschools.net. I hope this will answer any questions related to this matter. It is important to recognize that both teachers and our school bus drivers play a very important role in our students' education.

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.

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.

Rehearsal (Saturday, July 12) :: MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND ROOM
There will be a Marching Band rehearsal Saturday, July 12 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. Meet at the MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND ROOM – enter from the West Lot. All band members receiving the letter are expected to attend. The rehearsal will be outside and students need their instrument, their copy of the Fight Song (if you have one), and a pencil. Please wear tennis shoes. We WILL be playing, marching and discussing camp issues. There will be party following this rehearsal from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Further details will be posted on the website.
In addition, Guard and Drumline will rehearse from Noon-1:00 PM

If the weather is bad, we will still have rehearsal - we will simply meet inside. We will probably have to cancel the party if it is raining, however.

Attention WHS Band Alumni! Unfortunately, due to costs (and the increasing number of band alumni), I will not be mailing my annual summer letter to alumni. I would like to keep in touch with you, however, so please do let me know what goes on in your life.

You are of course welcome to visit camp and march in the Cornfest parade every year! Please just let me know how I can help you make that happen.

Please download a copy of the 2008 Alumni Letter. (This will not be mailed).

[UPDATE: 7/7] I put the wrong date in the letter for the parade. The parade is July 13. The letter is updated.

Copies of the presentation I made to Eighth Grade Band parents are now posted in our downloads area in multiple formats. The PDF version is the most highly recommended. The information is valuable to all current band students and their parents as well as students in other fine arts related fields such as choir or art. Take a look!

The Band Festival Performance dates and times have been announced. We will be hosting again this year. The Western Bands will perform as follows:

Seventh Grade Band: Friday, March 7 @3:30 PM

Eighth Grade Band: Saturday, March 8 @9:45 AM

HS Concert Band: Friday, March 7 @7:30 PM

HS Symphonic Band: Friday, March 7 @8:45 PM

Please see the rest of the story to view the other bands performing at our site on both Friday and Saturday.

Bay City Public Schools is closed due to inclement weather for Thursday, February 7, 2008 - this includes closing of our Alternative Education program and also our Parent Involvement Center (PIE).

Bay City Public Schools is closed due to inclement weather for Friday, February 1, 2008 - this includes closing of our Alternative Education programs and also our Parent Involvement Center (PIE). ALL Bay City Public Schools EVENTS CANCELLED FOR THE EVENING, Friday, February 1, 2008.

UPDATE 11:40 AM
The Basketball game tonight has been cancelled. Band students will be required to attend two of the next three games.
I don't (and won't have) any information on the Coming Home Dance. Please don't ask me.