Back to School Band Newsletter, August
Dear Parent/Guardian and Student,
The approaching school year is just around the corner and here are some things you will need to know…Due to a lack of participation, band camp for 2008 is cancelled. In its place to get a jump start on the school year there will be an overnight lock-in @ WHS starting Thursday, August 14th @ 1 pm and going until Friday, August 15th @ 11:00 am. This is required for all section leaders and squad leaders. All band members are invited to attend and must RSVP by Tuesday, August 12th. Dinner and Breakfast will be provided. Along with music and marching rehearsals, there will be fun activities for all and a chance to bond with your peers. If you are a parent and wish to help supervise this event, please contact Mr. Dugan.
Beginning of the year costs
We try to provide as many things to the students as possible without cost; however there are some things we can not due to the nature of the item. Throughout the year, especially at the beginning, there are inherent costs for students participating in band. Students may need cleaning/care kits for their instrument, reeds, marching shoes, marching gloves, clothes for concert attire, ect. If you have any concerns about these costs due to financial hardship, contact Mr. Dugan to set up a meeting to discuss these so your child has all of the things they need to be successful.
Reminder: Attention Percussion Ensemble members!
You will need two pair’s of Vic Firth 5A or 5B sticks (no exceptions) as well as an 8” Remo tunable practice pad by band camp. If you already have a practice pad that is fine. If you are not sure what stick size is best for you contact Mr. Dugan. Both sticks and practice pads are in stock and can be purchased through Mrs. Embree in the main office starting August 11th. Once the members of the drum line for marching season are selected, additional sticks will need to be purchased for Snare and Quads. We will have those in stock as well. The prices on sticks and practice pads will be the best you can get, plus you will be saving time and money getting them at the school! Go over to the dowloads page to view or download a list of items and prices.
Attention all band members interested in Jazz!
We still have spots available in Jazz Band in all areas: Percussion, Guitar, Piano, Trumpet, Trombone, and Saxophone. If you have any interest at all in joining Jazz Band please contact Mr. Dugan to set up an audition time ASAP! If you are currently signed up for Jazz Band, but have not auditioned, you need to contact Mr. Dugan to set up a time to audition before school starts. You will be dropped from the class if you have not auditioned.
Music Accessories Store
Currently all percussion items are in as mentioned above. We are still waiting on all other items to be in. We hope to have most or all items in stock so you get them starting August 11th through Mrs. Embree in the main office. Check the band website for when they are available. A list of items and prices are now up on the dowloads page. Items such as marching shoes, gloves, flip folders, and lyres that your students will need will be purchased through the school once we know how many/what type your child needs.
Summer Newsletter, July
Dear Parent/Guardian and Student,
The upcoming school year is not far away and we look forward to a fantastic year as our program grows! In order to achieve a great year we need students to do their best, be responsible, and be a part of a wonderful team. In order for the students to succeed we need parents to be positive, supportive, and active in your child’s music education.
In order to achieve these goals we have set up a few things for the upcoming year to help us in these endeavors. On the student front we are creating a band council that will become a club on campus so the students can be more involved in the program as well as have greater responsibilities through leadership rolls. The squad leader positions that are available are: Drum Major, Apprentice Drum Major, Drumline Captain, President, Vice-President, Treasurer/Fundraising, Secretary, Librarian, Quartermaster, and Stage Crew. You can download a squad leader application by going to the WHS Band website or pick one up from the school. Students should know what each position entails, but if they need a refresher feel free to contact me.
On the parent front, we are always looking for positive parents to be a part of the “Band Aids” to help out at football games, chaperoning trips/competitions, organizing fundraising activities or trips, ect. The more parents can contribute the easier it will be for everyone and make your child’s experience in music greater. We have a great core group of parent, but we need more. Look for more information in the future about how you can be more involved!
A few more notes…
Band camp has returned! We will be holding band camp at the 4H camp in Yuba County. It will run from August 10th through August 13th. Departure will be in the afternoon on August 10th and we will return in the afternoon on August 13th. This is a great opportunity to get the school year under way by bonding with your peers and creating a good musical foundation for the rest of the year. We would like to see everyone that can attend to do so. More information will be coming to you soon such as exact departure/return times, cost, and things you will need to bring.
Parents, tired of driving all over town to get reeds, valve oil, cleaning kits, drum sticks and other music accessories? We are setting up a stock of musical accessories that can be purchased at the school through Mrs. Embree in the main office. This will save you a lot of time and money as you don’t have to drive to the music store. I hope this will better serve the students and make it easier to get the materials they need at competitive prices. We look to have this set up a few days before band camp so students can purchase what they need for the coming year before school starts. We will soon have a list of items along with their prices posted on the WHS Band website.
Here is a list of items we will carry:
Cleaning/Care Kits for Flute, Clarinets, Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones, and Tuba.
Reeds and ligatures for Clarinets and all Saxophones.
Valve oil, slide oil, and Trombone slide oil.
Cork grease and chop saver.
A variety of sticks and practice pads for percussionists.
Attention all band members!
We still have spots available in Jazz Band in all areas: Percussion, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Trumpet, Trombone, and Saxophone. If you have any interest at all in joining Jazz Band please contact Mr. Dugan to set up an audition time ASAP! If you are currently signed up for Jazz Band, but have not auditioned, you need to contact Mr. Dugan to set up a time to audition ASAP!
Attention Percussion Ensemble members!
You will need two pair’s of Vic Firth 5A or 5B sticks (no exceptions) as well as an 8” Remo tunable practice pad by band camp. If you already have a practice pad that is fine. If you are not sure what stick size is best for you contact Mr. Dugan. Both sticks and practice pads will be in stock at least a few days before band camp begins. Once the members of the drum line for marching season are selected, additional sticks will need to be purchased for Snare and Quads. We will have those in stock as well. The prices on sticks and practice pads will be the best you can get, plus you will be saving time and money getting them at the school!
We look forward to a wonderful year!
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