[BD] Band Update 8.13

Good afternoon Jaguar Band Families! Thank you for all you have done to get your students ready for this year! Thank you again to our amazing Creek Crew (Boosters) for their assistance in communication to make sure you have information needed for the week while I’m working on things for your students this first few weeks of school.

Minicamp 8.14

This Friday is the first of our Minicamps for the year. Minicamps are an extra rehearsal that is graded with a higher amount than a regular rehearsal. Unlike a regular rehearsal, if a student misses a mini camp, they will need to ask for a make up assignment for the day. Minicamps should try not to be missed as they are often our only stadium rehearsal later in the season and usually for working on things we don’t have time to work on in a regularly scheduled rehearsal.

This week’s minicamp we are sizing uniforms for the season and making sure students have all parts necessary (gloves, shoes, etc), recording their first exam (Movement 1 Memorization exam), working some pep tunes/National Anthem, incorporating back field props, and cleaning drill. If your student misses, they will need to complete the make up assignment for points and catch up with their section leader for what they missed.

Winds Visual Rehearsal 8.19 & 8.20

Next week we have our 2nd of 3 Oscar rehearsals where we learn the wind choreography for the school. This rehearsal is ONLY for Brass and Woodwind students. However, since we are in the building, percussion and guard student leaders have been encouraged to set up sectionals if available to work on something if needed (please see two sections below). This is also a special rehearsal with more weight to the grade. They learn A LOT in that time. This has been on the calendar and should also be avoided if at all possible. If it is unavoidable, students will need to get a make up assignment from Broderick and make up the missed choreography. The second day is not a repeat of the first, but rather a continuation. Students will be applying the choreography to the field. Our last Oscar rehearsal will be on September 16th and 17th.

FB Kickoff Performance 8.22

Next Saturday, August 22nd is a community event that happens annually at the Anthem Community Park. This is not a graded activity, but a program expectation. No emails are necessary for attendance, but students should plan to be at the event. All information about time, parking, locations are all in the attached itinerary. Mrs. Broderick has a personal performance that evening that was already committed to when the date was set, so Mr. Warner will be the director available to help with doors for sousa and drumline. All others meet at the park. We usually have some of the Creek Creek (Boosters) around to help guide students as well. Students are welcome to come early or stay after to take advantage of the food trucks if they wish. 

Sectional Expectations for Marching and/or Concert 

As the year has started, we are hitting a point where rehearsals (for marching at this time) is not enough for us to provide in class sectionals every time. Just like private practice in important, it is strongly recommended at the high school level for section leaders of the various ensembles to schedule sectionals on a regular basis. With the amount of activities on campus, we cannot guarantee a campus space to do this in. Some sections meet at the park, others at different houses, etc. If a section holds a sectional, these are strongly recommended for students to attend, however they are not for a grade. These sectionals however, can impact a student’s performance in the ensemble classes where grades are held. It is often found that students who regularly attend sectionals, choirs, and private lessons are better prepared for class work and assessments than those that do not.

Needs for Class – Tonal Energy, etc

Now that classes are in full swing, students need to have all class requirements every day. If you look at pages 7-8 in the handbook (syllabus), there is a list of all things needed. Students need to have a pencil every day in class. I have found over the past few years that some students don’t get these as they are on chromebooks more and more. We need pencils to mark music every day (no pens please). You can buy a pack of them and keep them in their case for the year or split a pack with another student. 

Students are also required at the high school level to have a tuner/metronome every single day as a class expectation. You are welcome to invest in a Korg tuner and/or metronome, but these often range from $15-50. Free tuner apps on their phones are not effective and often do not tune accurately. We have requested that students try to get Tonal Energy as we showed in class today needed for exams coming up in the next week or so. The app is designed effectively and is only about $5. It has an accurate tuner and metronome. More information on this is on page 8 of the handbook. 

Field Eligibility Requirements for First Performance

To be eligible to perform in the first game on Friday, August 28th, students need to meet the following requirements: 

• Booster Pass Thru/Fair Share 1 & 2 both paid to accounts OR email requesting extension with dates OR scholarship/sponsorship assistance form completed. 
• Students have all parts of the uniform required for that event (unless delayed by orders and proof of purchase provided/boosters waiting for purchase)
• Memorization exam for M1 and M2 completed and graded by Thursday Aug 27 with a grade of 80% or higher. If not passed the first time, they may only retake through Aug 27 so there is time for Broderick to review. M1 is due this weekend and M will be due Aug 23. See p 11 of handbook
• They have learned and rehearsed all sets required for that performance.
• They attended practice Thursday Aug 27. See p 11 of handbook

Students deemed ineligible for the performance still must attend the game to perform in the stands and perform the show from the sidelines in order to receive a grade for the event. If students miss a game, please see the handbook for how to handle that absence and make up assignment is needed. Please make sure your student come to Broderick in person to request it.

Flute Choir Starts Next Week!

We are excited to welcome back Michelle Stopler as our BC Flute Choir Coach! She was here in and past years and is excited to get started this coming Monday, Aug 17 from 2:20 – 3:30. This week, Flute Choir will meet in the Band room. Other groups will not start until dates listed on the board and in the calendar. 

Fair Share Due Next Week!