Hello to all of you! As our leadership group begins our training this week, we are all excited to meet and work with everyone this coming season and year. There are many exciting things ahead of us. As we approach the first days of band camp starting next week, I just wanted to share some critical information that will help keep everyone healthy and safe, and also make our first days run smoother.
First, before we start next week, I wanted to remind everyone that we will have an introductory meeting both at the school, in person in the band room, and through Teams (see link posted below) for those that are unable to join us. This is to answer any questions for the upcoming year, and to introduce the current Boosters, fill any positions needed within the boosters, and share the ways that parents can help the band. Aid and time is, usually, minimal and as you are able. Accepting the opportunity to help the boosters, or become a booster, does not mean dedicating a lot of your time. Most of what is needed is aid for events: Football games, Festivals, Band Trips, Fundraising (Car washes), etc. None of the activities take a lot of time minus the football games, if you are a chaperone, but even the games are usually filled with fun watching your child play and watching the game itself (assuming we have a good team!).
Second, for those new to our program, and especially for those that have not really marched a season with us before, there are some basics that everyone needs to survive the heat and activity of learning the music and show for the season. First, a refillable water bottle is a must! We have many coolers filled with ice water, and we will be taking precautions due to CoVid to ensure they are used and maintained properly. Second, short sleeve shirts and shorts are recommended to deal with the heat. Third, Closed toed shoes are a Must! Sandals, or slides of any kind will not work outside on the field as injuries can occur. Fourth, Sun tan lotion, lotion, and bug spray are highly recommended as we will be outside as the weather permits.
Regarding the weather, I will be monitoring the heat index closely and am already planning on being inside for the coming heat waves. We will be outside as much as possible to learn the show, but will move inside once the heat index climbs, becoming unsafe.
Something that will speed up our processes for the first couple of days would be to go on this site under the Band Forms tab and fill out the Music Equipment Loan Agreement Form (if an instrument is needed from the school), the Student Information Form (Medical information is the most important), and the Band Handbook Form. I will go through the band handbook during band camp, but signing these forms will help speed up our process in our first days.
Currently, our band fare share fees are at $235 for the year. The breakout of the fees will be shared upon request. This is slightly higher than previous years as I am bringing in members of the Memphis Symphony and Professors from the University of Memphis to clinic the instrument sections each day during camp after lunch. This is still more than half of everyone else in the city. I am looking into going out on a band trip this year – to Dallas, Fort Worth – details to come if it comes to fruition. The uniform fees are not included in the above amount, but that will be much less than previous years. I will have more information on that as soon as I am able as well. The uniform will be less but with the option to purchase everything we have had in the past if desired. All money for the uniform will be written to the company itself, not the boosters or school!
I look forward to meeting and working with everyone and hope everyone has a cool rest of the week.
White Station High School Band 