Decorate notes on a musical staff

Band Notes 10-25-26

Let us begin with beaming praise for your students! BRAVO to our West Pride Color Guard for placing first in their division for the Indoor Guard competition! Outstanding! While we didn’t make finals with the full band, I am still incredibly proud of everyone for their growth and work throughout the season!

Each member has grown significantly in musicianship, marching skills, and care for our band family. I have heard from so many parents, teachers, and administrators about the “family culture” we have built together. Those comments are a direct reflection of everyone involved in the program giving of themselves to help others be better!

Let me share a few specific accolades:

·       Drum Majors: Set the tone of care and dedication daily.

·       Section Leaders: Encouraged those around them every single day.

·       Roadies: Worked tirelessly no matter the temperatures or difficulties.

·       Truck Drivers: Gave of their time to pick up, drive, and deliver our vehicles with care and dedication.

·       Freshman Roadies: Took real ownership of the backdrops.

·       Tailgating Crew: Always had food and snacks ready so that no one went hungry.

·       Uniform Crew: Made sure everyone was fitted and had everything they needed for each performance.

·       Chaperones: Managed the buses and first-aid needs as they arose.

·       Social Media Team: Captured photos and videos of our awesome students, making them available for our entire band family to enjoy.

To the multitude of other people who gave of themselves to enrich the lives of our students—whom I may not have seen or heard about directly—thank you. Everything you did helped our marching band reach its full potential.

Many people only see what takes place on the field during the show, but band parents and students know and understand all of the “other things” that go into putting that show on the field. It doesn’t just happen in class or during that extra rehearsal once a week. There is so much more, and to all of those who help with the “other things,” we are incredibly grateful!

General Announcements

Emails will now transition to an every-other-week schedule now that marching season is complete. Let’s look at what is ahead of us!

  • Basketball Pep Band Info:
    • Participation: Open to any band student! Students will be divided into two bands: Black and Gold.
    • Schedule: Rehearsals take place on 1st period days from 7:00 AM–7:30 AM through the month of November.
    • Game Assignments: Bands will perform for assigned varsity boys and girls home basketball games. If students wish to attend more than their assigned games, they are welcome to do so.
    • Lettering Points: Lettering points are awarded for attendance at assigned games and practices, with additional points given for attending extra games.
  • Percussion Rehearsals (Starting Monday, Nov. 9):
    • Weekly rehearsals start on Monday, Nov. 9 from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM.
    • Focus: Preparing for the spring Percussion Concert while developing refined techniques for concert and world percussion instruments. Rehearsals are voluntary but highly encouraged for all percussion performers!

This Week’s Schedule (Oct. 26–31)

  • Monday, Oct. 26:
    • No more early morning rehearsals!
    • In class, marching band students will read through audition music for Concert Band placement into Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27: No more Tuesday night rehearsals!
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28: 7:00 AM–7:30 AM Pep Band rehearsal.
  • Friday, Oct. 30:
    • 7:00 AM–7:30 AM Pep Band rehearsal.
    • Concert Band Auditions Begin in class.

Next Week’s Schedule (Nov. 2–7)

  • Monday, Nov. 2:
    • No School for students.
    • 7:00 PM – Band-Aides West (BAW) Meeting: Meeting in the band room to wrap up marching season and begin planning our February Pasta Dinner fundraiser.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4 & Friday, Nov. 6: 7:00 AM–7:30 AM Pep Band rehearsals.
  • Saturday, Nov. 7 – District Honor Band Auditions (SM North HS):
    • District Honor Band auditions take place at Shawnee Mission North High School.
    • Transportation Note: Students must arrange their own transportation to and from auditions.

Looking Ahead: 2027 Band Camp Dates

For families looking ahead to next summer, please mark your calendars for 2027 Band Camp:

  • July 19–21, 2027: Percussion Camp
  • July 22, 2027: Section Leaders
  • July 23, 2027: Section Leaders + Rookies
  • July 26-30, 2027: FULL Marching Band Camp

Let’s go West Pride!