Dear Parents, Students and our Band Family at large,
We are making changes to our band camp schedule. This was not an easy decision and we have circumstances we have never dealt with before. The directors have spent a lot of time talking with our administration and other area band directors to help guide our path forward. We have been monitoring band programs throughout the state and many have reduced their contact time and some have decided to cancel their camp entirely. We very much still want to provide an opportunity for our students to develop community and learn, but it will look a little different than previous years. We are following current guidelines and procedures to keep people safe while making a plan that will work for us.
We understand that not everyone will agree with all the decisions made. We understand and respect this and we ask that you be flexible with us as well. This has been a very difficult summer to say the least.
What can you expect?
We want to provide the band an opportunity to play again and to form bonds through music. We look forward to welcoming our new freshmen members and reuniting with our upperclassmen. Just as our athletic teams have had to make modifications to the way they do things so will we. Mr. VanStrien and Mrs. Borst have been sitting in on school scheduling meetings and the district is still in the planning stages of what the year will look like. Regardless of what the fall school schedule will look like, we will be flexible and do our best to create the best experience for our students while maintaining our traditions. Overall our goal is to provide a positive and meaningful experience for our students.
The Season
Music has been prepared this summer to be flexible to changing conditions. The music has been organized by decades and can be flexible to add and remove sections as needed. Music has been selected from our virtual learning list which was one of the band assignments this past spring. We have a roster of 125 band members but only 77 that have signed a commitment to camp that we sent out at the end of the school year. We understand that many parents may be watching and waiting to see what happens. We understand that and will be flexible. The issue that this caused however was that the drill could not be designed over the summer as usual. Once we begin the school year we will have a much clearer picture of where we are at. The drill section will begin with the school year. Our modified camp will focus on marching fundamentals and music and establishing our family culture.
Logistics and Building Use
During our time of camp we are not permitted to use the building. In a normal camp building use is essential for sectionals, breaks, lunches and having time out of the sun. We will still ask students to bring their own filled water bottles and sunblock but our day will be much shorter. Personal items should be labeled. There will be emergency use of the bathroom at the stadium but only one person will be allowed at a time.
Our first day will consist of basic logistics. We know there will be student needs for supplies and instruments. We will be setting up separate stations to make sure every student has what they need. The report time is staggered to avoid large gatherings. Please see the attached map.
We must also adhere to the 100 person limit to outdoor activities. There will be some groups rehearsing at a different campus location to match these numbers with an instructor.
Students will have to take instruments and personal belongings after each rehearsal. There will be no building storage. We will have the band trailer for the large instruments (Sousaphone, Bari Sax), drumline and pit.
Performances
We don’t what the future holds and how that would impact our performances. If we can not perform at football games we will develop our own independent show that can be recorded or showcased to a smaller audience. This will be an ongoing update as the months progress.
Uniforms
At this time we are not fitting students for uniforms as we would typically do at camp. When we have a clear picture of what the school year will look like we will reassess and develop procedures as needed.
Band Fee
We are changing our band fee to a $25 donation. Even though our camp is shortened we do still have expenses to pay. We understand that these are difficult times for many families financially, so we are asking for a donation as opposed to a fee. We will not have the opportunity for fundraising for quite some time and your donation is very much appreciated.
Again, we ask for all of your flexibility and support. We are very excited to see students again and we are doing our best to adapt to new situations. It has been a very stressful summer for teachers and it’s hard not knowing what may happen next. We will keep you informed as best as we can.
NEW SCHEDULE
*See map for arrival, check in and pick up locations
July 28th – High School Leadership Team Only (accepted members in grades 10-12)
9:00am – 11:00am
- Check in will begin at 8:40
*After check in we will move to the covered section of the tennis courts.
Aug 3 – Logistics Day – All Grades (9th – 12th) by instrument sections
- 9:00am -10:00am Woodwinds
Check in times for woodwinds
8:30 – 8:40 Woodwind Leadership Team Members
8:40 – 8:50 Flutes, Alto Saxophones
8:50 – 9:00 Clarinets, Bass Clarinets, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax - 10:45am – 11:45pm Brass
Check in times for brass
10:15 – 10:25 Brass Leadership Team Members
10:25 – 10:35 Trumpets, Sousaphones (Tubas)
10:35 – 10:45 Trombones, Mellophones ( horns), Baritone - 1:00pm – 3:00pm Percussion (Drumline & Pit) w/ Mark Lopez
Check in times for percussion
12:30 – 12:40 Percussion Leadership Team Members
12:40 – 12:50 A-K Last Names
12:50 – 1:00 L- Z Last Names
Aug 4 – 5 – Music and Marching Fundamentals
9:00am -11:00am
- Check in Times
8:30 – 8:40 Leadership Team
8:40 – 8:50 Drumline/Pit, Woodwinds
8:50 – 9:00 Brass
Aug 6 – Drumline Only
9:00am -11:00am
- Check in times
8:45 – 9:00 All Drumline
No rehearsals or meeting – July 30th, August 7th