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TO : Wren High School Marching Band Members and Parents FROM : Bruce Caldwell SUBJECT : May Information Update DATE : May 19, 2008
At your convenience, please check through the information contained in this packet. Should you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Bruce Caldwell at 850-5900 or email him at caldwellb@anderson1.k12.sc.us
Thank you for your continued interest in the Wren High School Marching Band.
2008-2009 Show Our 2008-2009 show will be entitled “In the Heart” and consist of the following selections:
“Are You Lonesome Tonight” was arranged by Mr. Tom Wallace, founder and owner of the Arrangers Publishing Corporation. “What the World Needs Now” was arranged by Mr. Larry Kerchner, one of the most legendary drum corp horn arrangers in DCI history. “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “What Now My Love” were specially arranged for us by Mr. Bill Locklear. Mr. Locklear is very well known throughout the nation for his expertise in marching band arrangements, especially in the area of jazz and commercial music.
Band members will find this show to be both entertaining and exciting to perform. The combination of familiar yet technically challenging music, an easily recognizable plot, and tasteful props should produce an outstanding field show.
Band Staff Assignments Tyler Bidwell : Percussion instruction Bruce Caldwell : General instruction, Wren High David Cook : Drill design, Visual Dynamics Corporation Greg Day : Brass instruction, Southern Wesleyan University Daniel Helton : Colorguard writing & instruction, Hollywood, Florida Angela Johnson : General instruction, Wren Middle Charlie Jones : Percussion instruction Bill Lee : Videographer Jane Lee : Colorguard instruction, Wren High Bill Locklear : Music Arranger Anne McCormick : Colorguard instruction Rich Parlier : Brass instruction, Greenville, SC Leslie Phillips : Brass, Colorguard instruction, general instruction, Concrete Primary Matt Swafford : Front ensemble instruction, Clemson University Dino Wagoner : Percussion instruction Bradley Watkins : Colorguard writing & instruction, Hollywood, Florida
JUNE MINI-CAMP REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
The full band will rehearse as scheduled June 2, 3, & 4 – 1:30 – 5:30 P.M. All rehearsals will be held at Wren High School.
Band members may bring drinks and/or snacks if they so choose. Vending machines will be available during all three days of practice. DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS, STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE CAMPUS THIS YEAR DURING BREAKS. THIS POLICY WILL ALSO APPLY TO THE PRACTICES HELD DURING JULY AND AUGUST. Our June practices will primarily deal with music and guard work. We will also do some preliminary work on marching basics. Dress for practice should be comfortable and at parent/student discretion.
ALL BAND MEMBERS SHOULD NOTE THAT WE WILL TURN IN FINAL NUMBERS TO THE DRILL DESIGNER ON FRIDAY, JUNE 6. STUDENTS FAILING TO ATTEND THE JUNE REHEARSALS WITHOUT JUST CAUSE (ILLNESS, FAMILY EMERGENCY, SCHOOL TRANSFER, ETC.) WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE DRILL COUNT AND WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE ROSTER.
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING An organizational meeting for all band members and parents will be held after practice on Tuesday, June 3 at 6:00 P.M. in the high school cafeteria. The booster club will present their outline of planned activities for the year, distribute the band handbook, and answer any questions that parents might have. The band staff will also give a brief overview of the 2008-2009 field show.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS It is the intention of both the band directors and the members of the band booster club for all interested students to participate in band regardless of their financial status. Parents experiencing a financial problem should feel free to contact Greg Heyward at greg@kingasphaltinc.com and a workable solution to the problem will be found in confidence. Please be assured that both the booster club and the band staff will do everything within our power to allow all interested students to participate in band.
The Wren Band Booster Club will conduct a number of fundraising activities throughout the year that may be used for the purpose of paying fees. Students and parents should note that it is possible to completely take care of all band fees through the use of available fundraising activities.
COMMITMENT As with any worthwhile endeavor, commitment is needed from all band members in order to assure success. Although we are fortunate in the Wren Band to have an extremely low dropout rate, we still have a number of students each year who register for marching band and then simply do not show up for practice. In most cases, we do not receive a call from the parent or student and only learn of the situation after calling to check on the individual student. Please point out to your student that additional uniforms and equipment have been ordered, buses have been reserved with deposits paid, and drill design contracts signed based on the number of registration forms we received in February and March. Please provide your son/daughter with an invaluable life lesson by insuring that they honor their commitment to participate in the 2008-2009 marching band. The contributions of each band member are vitally important to the success of the band.
9TH GRADE/1ST YEAR RELUCTANCE Many 9th grade and 1st year marchers find the concept of marching band membership to be very frightening. Prior to the start of band practice, parents will begin to hear a variety of reasons for dropping out of band. In most cases, the excuses will include the following:
· “Too much work” · “Have to get up too early” · “Ruins my tan “(sock lines!) · “Band director, drum major, section leader, etc. does not like me” · “Just want to hang out with my friends”
The list goes on. Parents should be aware that the above excuses are usually a cover for the actual basis of student reluctance – most students are simply afraid of failure. They are afraid that they will not be able to play and march or march and do guard work at the same time. Please assure your student that we have never had a student failure due to lack of ability. Our teaching process will involve continual repetition of small learning tasks. As a result, our students will be able to achieve success. Parents should also be aware that the process of dropping out of band varies according to gender. Males will usually drop out of band as individuals – but in most cases at the urging of non-band member male friends. Female band members tend to drop out in groups of 2 or 3, usually based on other group plans for the year. Invariably, these groups tend to fall apart at the beginning of the school year, leaving one or more of the members without a worthwhile activity. Please emphasize to your student that participation choices should be made in conjunction with the parent and based on the best interest of the individual student. Peer pressure should not be a factor in the decision making process.
SUMMARY We are extremely excited about the prospects for the 2008-2009 Wren High School Marching Band. The combination of outstanding student personnel, an active and supportive booster club, and an excellent show package should provide a very enjoyable season for all participants. As always, we look forward to working with each student and parent during the coming year.
If I may be of service to you in the future, please do not hesitate to call. Thank you for your continued support of the Wren High School Band Program.
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