GREAT job Friday night! (photos) It was exciting to have the band named as the 12th man of the game. This is a testament to the hard work that you all do. I have watched the video of your performance a few times and am very pleased with your progress. I am so happy with how everyone is learning how to learn. Marching band can be very taxing as there is SO much to learn and remember. This is a great activity to help train your brain for independence and problem-solving skills.
Let’s look ahead for the next couple of weeks. Things are ramping up to the end of our season (end of October).
This week, Oct. 11-17
This week is a bit strange due to the school schedule being different.
- Monday is a seven period day. It is most likely going to be rainy during band so we will work on music (memorization, phrasing, dynamics, etc.), visuals, horns up/down and more – INSIDE. It is not wasted time. We will still begin at 7:00a. This would be a great day to play off any music that has not been passed off yet.
- Tuesday morning will be our block time during school this week. Tuesday will be an Odd day. Morning rehearsal and then the evening rehearsal like normal. We will be learning a new piece that will be used for the dance team at our next game as well as for a recording for them in early November for a dance competition.
- Wednesday – Testing day. No early morning band.
- Thursday – Even day.
- Friday – No school – end of the quarter.
NEXT WEEK Oct. 18-23
- Monday – normal morning rehearsal and…… NIGHT rehearsal. Due to a choir concert on Tuesday, we will have our weekly night rehearsal on Monday of this week.
- Tuesday – NO REHEARSAL (day or night)
- Wednesday – Red Wheel Delivery from 2:45-5:00p.m. for those who took orders. The parents handing out the orders will have copies of your order forms so you know who gets what items. If you took orders You or a family member must pick up the orders after school because the band room does not have a freezer to keep items frozen.
- Thursday – Freshman Concert Band, Jazz Lab and Overland Express Jazz band will have a Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the West Auditorium. Admission is open to all, and BandAides parent volunteers will try to have a livestream on Facebook for the concert.
- Friday – Home Football Game. Senior Night and Light (Glow) show. Seniors will be introduced at halftime. We will march our show post game all decked out with glow sticks. We will talk about what to purchase during tomorrows rehearsal. Everyone needs to purchase their own glow sticks. You will decorate a dark T-shirt and pants (jeans) to march in after the game. Pregame will be in full regular uniform.
- Saturday – Central States Marching Festival – (K-State). A detailed schedule will come later this week, but we have our clinic with the K-State Band staff at 2:00p.m. Therefore we will most likely load the buses and truck at around 10:30a. Ratings are not announced until about 10:00p.m. or later.
- Parents please know that we will not be back to West until about 1:00a.m. Parents are encouraged to join us at the festival and cheer on your students. Our performance time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Bill Snyder Family Stadium. (Side note – did you know that the K-State Band was awarded the Suddler Trophy about four years ago designating them the best college marching band in the country? THAT’s why we go to this festival – to get to work with the K-State band staff for a short while.)
Freshman Concert Band
Is your student bring home their instrument and practicing 2-4 times per week? They need to. They have HOMEWORK in band just like other classes, it’s just not as prescribed. Your son/daughter knows better than anyone else what they can or cannot play. Anything they cannot play is homework. 🙂 With a concert coming up – it is important that every person can play every note correctly.
Marching Band
You have the same requirements AND the music needs to be memorized. Are you taking YOUR instruments home to practice? More to come – hang in there. I KNOW the schedule is becoming draining. Only a few more weeks. You’ve come SO far! We are so proud and grateful for your work!
Parents
We are so proud and grateful for your work as well! It takes an army of volunteers to put together all the details for the marching season – all year really. You too are greatly appreciated for giving of yourself for these incredible young people.
Dr. Bill Thomas, Director of Bands, Shawnee Mission West