OHS Band Weekly Updates 6/22/15

Hello everyone,

Here are your announcements for the week.

Rookie Camp

Congratulations for everyone making it through Rookie Camp last week. We had three very productive days and we look forward to building on such a great start. Let’s keep up the good work.

Band Fee

We are still missing the band fee (not the band camp fee and different from the activities fee) from a handful of students. We do have scholarship opportunities for students/families in need. Please contact us if that is the case. Otherwise, please send in the fee at your earliest convenience.

Drumline Sectionals

The drumline will be holding sectionals on Tuesday, June 23 from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM. All drumline members are expected to attend these sectionals. They are in preparation for a performance at the Minier Library on Wednesday June 24 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Drumline will be responsible for getting themselves and their equipment to/from the Minier Library.

Volunteer Opportunity

On Wednesday, June 24, the OHS Drumline will be doing a presentation at the Minier Library as a part of their summer reading program. They asked us to fill 45 minutes of time. To help give variety of music, I’m looking for one or two players from each section to come in and demonstrate their instrument as part of a presentation. We already have a representative from the clarinet section. Let me know ASAP if you’re interested in representing the group.

We will meet outside the Minier Library at 11:45 and should be finished at 1. Please wear your polo and khaki shorts.

Band Polos

Band polos have been ordered for all new marchers. The cost is $27.50. Checks can be made payable to the Olympia Music Parents. Shirts will arrive the week of June 29. Payment must be collected before shirts will be given to the students.

Couch to 5K

This year we are taking a new approach to conditioning for marching band. We are utilizing the app and training program “Couch to 5K”. This program assumes the user is a couch potato and gradually works through a process to get people ready to run a 5K. It recommends that users train three days a week. Since we only have two rehearsals a week, we will have one “homework assignment” for our conditioning program. This is not for a grade and we will not be checking in on whether or not students complete this assignment. However, it is in the best interest of the students to complete the assignment because we will be moving forward in the program whether they complete it or not. More information about this program can be found here.

This week’s assignment:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Brisk five-minute cool down walk.

Parade Tune

The parade tune, “Chelsea Dagger,” should be learned for Thursday, June 18th’s rehearsal. That means notes, fingerings, articulations, dynamics, and etc should be figured out ahead of rehearsal time. Students will need to have this song memorized by the Tuesday, June 30th rehearsal. At this rehearsal, section leaders will conduct individual memorization tests. Our first parade will be July 4th, making it very important that we meet these deadlines.

Band Goals

Each year, the leadership team gets together and creates goals for the group for the upcoming season. Here are this year’s goals.

2015 OHS Leadership would like to see this year’s Marching Spartans:

• Learn from our mistakes throughout the season.

• Always have a productive rehearsal.

• Focus on technique and confidence in every rehearsal.

PARENT HELP NEEDED!

We are still in desperate need of parent help. Below is a list of immediate ways we need help this summer. Contact Mr. B if you’re interested/willing in helping out.

1. Music Boosters Co-Presidents: Helps oversee the Olympia Music Boosters organization. Split duty between two people.

2. Music Boosters Secretary: Keeps records of contacts, takes meeting minutes, posts meeting minutes.

3. Uniform Crew: Helps with fittings, alterations, and the organization of the uniforms.

4. Band Camp Food Crew: Makes the meals/dishes for the band camp staff of usually 8 people. A full meal isn’t necessary if others can coordinate entrees, sides, and desserts. An online sign up form can be found at this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b49ada92fa02-band

5. Water Crew: Walks with the band during parades and passes out water bottles to the students to keep them hydrated. An online sign up form can be found at this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b49ada92fa02-water

QotW

“Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability.”

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email or call.

Musically,

Kyle Brubaker

Director of Bands

Olympia Middle/High School

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