I want to thank all our students, parent volunteers, and staff for a wonderful marching band season. Although it may have ended a bit sooner than we all would have liked, that shouldn’t take away from our growth as an ensemble over the last three months. We are extremely proud of last Saturday’s performance, and strongly believe it was the best performance of the entire year. We greatly appreciate the many hours our parent volunteers have put in to help build props, feed students, fit uniforms, and all the countless other details they take care of that make a significant impact on our students. I am confident that this group of students is up to the challenges we may face ahead and will continue to grow through the rest of the school year.
As part of our continued quest for growth, I strongly encourage students to audition for region band, as preparing an audition like this is one of the best ways to improve individual musicianship. Lots of students believe the only path to success is to take private lessons. Other students believe they aren’t good enough to make the band, so they don’t even try. While lessons do help, the most significant factor is how hard a person is willing to work towards their goals. Even if someone doesn’t make a region band, they are still a better musician for taking the time to prepare their audition material.
Announcements and reminders:
- Region band auditions are on January 8! The registration deadline is coming up in early November; please register HERE no later than Monday, November 8. The registration fee is $12.00.
- Football game Friday night at D3 Stadium – We are playing Rock Hill High, but we are the visiting team and will sit on the visitor’s side.
- The call time is 6:45 pm. We will warm up in the stands at 7:00
- Dress for the game is show shirts, purple band jackets, jeans, and sneakers
- The band will be performing at all playoff games if they are at home. These performances will be mandatory. We will discuss details about the playoff games at the parent meeting Monday evening.
- Congratulations to the following students for their selection to the Winthrop Invitational Honors Band Clinic, which will be on the Winthrop campus November 18-20. The students are Cameron Adams, Gabrielle Harvey, Anderson Lampley, Kaelin King, Maggie Ross, Jackson Shaw, Derek Thompson, & Logan Tinker
- Winter Guard Auditions are next week, November 1-5, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm in the band room. Students should plan to wear black athletic gear.
- Furman University is hosting a high school band day on November 13. A detailed flyer is available by clicking here. Please get in touch with Ms. Carlson with any questions!
- The last day to turn in fruit orders is next Friday, November 5. Information about the sale and how to order online is available by clicking HERE. Brochures and order forms are also available in the band room. Please be sure to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to raise money for your child and the band program.
- We still have a few spots available for the spring trip to Colonial Williamsburg. The trip is April 8-11 and will include visits to Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens amusement park, and several other historical and educational locations throughout the weekend. Detailed information is available in the band room or on the website HERE. If you did not get your deposit mailed in, please do so ASAP.
- After school, we will have an informational meeting about jazz band on Tuesday, November 2, in the band room. If students are thinking about being a part of the jazz band this year, they should attend to get detailed information about rehearsals and performances. The meeting should be over around 4:00.
- The November booster meeting will be at 7:00 pm Monday, November 1, in the band room. Please be sure to attend as there is still plenty of things going on as we go through November. It will be available on Zoom by clicking HERE.
- Individual band pictures will take place in class on Tuesday, November 2. Band group pictures will be on Wednesday, November 3, weather permitting. Students will need band shoes and black socks for the group pictures on the 3rd.
As always, please be sure to contact me if there are any questions or concerns, and hopefully, you will be able to make it out to one of the performances this weekend. I greatly appreciate all your support, and I hope to see you Monday evening.
