Wednesday, 08 September 2010

Band News

Friday Game Day

LaJoya High School

3:30p - call time in band room, wearing: red Beatles shirt, WHITE undergarments (boxers, loose shorts, but must be WHITE!), and WHITE socks up to the calf (no ankle socks!).  Members must also bring their WHITE marching Drillmasters shoes and WHITE gloves.  Bring a snack or have someone bring you something to eat before the game. 3:35p - load instruments outside/uniforms on/write friendship mail 4:00p - grab a water bottle, depart from MdN 5:15p - approximate arrival at La Joya HS, unload instruments 5:30p - stretch, music warmup, marching warmup, full ensemble w/ pit 6:35p - march to field, perform OPENER and National Anthem 7:00p - what time is it? GAME TIME! GO PADRES! 8:00p - watch La Joya's halftime performance and meet their band! 9:15p - approximate end of game/load instruments, depart from La Joya HS 10:30p - approximate arrival at MdN, unload instruments, parents be ready to pick your child up no later than 11:00p!! La Joya High School (Tolleson, AZ) http://www.aiaonline.org/schools/school.php?id=253&x=29&y=9 1. Start out going SOUTH on S LAKESHORE DR toward E GUADALUPE RD. 2. Turn RIGHT onto E GUADALUPE RD. 0.5 mi 3. Turn RIGHT onto S RURAL RD. 1.6 mi 4. Merge onto US-60 W via the ramp on the LEFT toward I-10/PHOENIX. 1.9 mi 5. Merge onto I-10 W toward PHOENIX. 23.6 mi 6. Take the AVONDALE BLVD exit, EXIT 131. 0.4 mi 7. Turn LEFT onto N AVONDALE BLVD. 2.5 mi 8. Turn RIGHT onto W WHYMAN AVE. 0.1 mi 9. 11650 W WHYMAN AVE is on the RIGHT.

We are again registered for the Fry's Cool Cash program. It starts September 1st. For everyone who shops at Fry's, please print out & take the attached bar code to any Fry's & ask them to scan/link it with your VIP card.  You only need to have it scanned once, after that every time you use your VIP card MdN Band will be credited for your purchase.  Last year we received $500 from Fry's - we are half way to our 2nd $500 check and can make more if everyone links their card.

The sooner you get this barcode linked with your Fry's VIP card, the more money the MdN band program can make.  This helps ALL of the band students.

                       Marcos De Niza Band 2010-2011 Grocery Store Fundraisers                                                                Fry’s Cool Cash and Gift Cards

Cool Cash is one of the ways to keep our music programs thriving, is to receive support like yours throughout the year.  Please consider cutting out this Fry’s Barcode and having it scanned every time you shop at Fry’s Food Stores and MarketPlace locations. If you scan with your Fry’s key card it will automatically include the Cool Cash program when you check out each time. Fry’s will send u $500 for every $50K spent by our group. This program starts September 1, 2010 and runs through April 23, 2010. Please visit, http://tinyurl.com/FrysCoolCash for more information.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?attid=0.1&disp=emb&view=att&th=124ba9515668bcb6 

Fry’s Gift Cards are another great way to provide support to the band as well as a specific student. These are refillable Gift Cards for use at any Fry’s Grocery store. 3% will come back to the student attached to the card. Cards are purchased for $20 and will be loaded with $20. You simply ‘fill’ the card at customer service and then use the card for your purchases. (Remember to scan your Fry’s key card as it will be counted for Cool Cash also.) Todd Hopkins will take orders for cards. Fry’s sends us a check each February and August and the money from the cards for your students goes into their student account.   With your help we can keep music alive within our children. The success of these programs relies on the quantity of people participating.                                                                                  

 

Dear Padre Band Members, Parents, & Families:  

     Greetings! My name is Mr. Brandon J. Burr and let me formally welcome you to the Marcos de Niza High School Padre Band Program (and to all returning members, welcome back!)  Beyond anything else, we are a family, through and through.  I hope you share the 2010-2011 year, collectively, as an exhilarating, quality musical experience with vitality for learning and a vision of excellence.  Each band member should feel a deep sense of pride in him/herself and our band family, for we are ONE program. We are looking forward to a great year in the quintessential world of musical excellence and success! We will continue Marcos de Niza High School’s tradition of exceeding high standards and expectations through diversity and distinction. 

     This year, the Padre Pride Marching band will present their marching show entitled Here Comes The Sun: A Tribute To The Beatles. We will take the audience on a “blast to the past” journey, inspired by music of the most revolutionary band in the history of music.  Come support us on Friday evenings in the stadium and at our competitions (check the online calendar!) Please also mark your calendars for each Wind Band concert series throughout this scholastic year.  I have prepared and outstanding variety of music repertoire for the students and I believe it has the potential of being the best performance year yet! 

“A Stroll in the Park”      Wednesday, September 29, 2010        7:00p      MdN Aud. 

“JV Holiday Pops”           Tuesday, December 7, 2010                   7:00p            MdN Aud. 

“Varsity Holiday Pops”               Thursday, December 9, 2010                 7:00p            MdN Aud.

“Feeder Fabulous”                       Wednesday, January 19, 2011               7:00p            MdN Aud. 

“Night of Symphonic Ensembles”  Tuesday, February 1, 2011        7:00p            McClintock HS 

“Evening of Jazz”                           Tuesday, February 8, 2011                      7:00p            MdN Aud.

“Mid-Spring Concert”                   Wednesday, February 16, 2011      7:00p             MdN Aud.

“Springtide”                                                 Thursday, March 31, 2011          7:00p                  MdN Aud.

“A Night to Remember”              Wednesday, May 11, 2011                      7:00p            MdN Aud. 

     In addition to the Wind Band core of the band program, many other activities and ensembles will be offered to each student.  Expect your child to participate in solo/ensemble playing in the spring, or perhaps partake in the Regionals/All-State audition experience.  This year will mark the return of the “medal-placing” 2010 Winter Drumline, invigorated for another season of compassion, hard work, and competition.  Jazz Band will be in full swing come the month of January, as well as the renowned Marcos de Niza High School Theatre Arts musical production (and legendary Pit Orchestra!).  Finally, the participation in AREA concert festivals, honor bands, symphony orchestra events, and band booster activities will round out the year of splendid celebration.  Keep an eye out for performances/events on our online calendar. The band professional staff is dedicated to helping, teaching, motivating, inspiring, and providing the most positive opportunity for you to be successful. 

     We want you to experience the music on the highest level possible.  One of my highest expectations of you during your time here is to do the very best that you can at all times, for “all we can do, is all we can do.”  I promise you will find success in many activities and ensembles we have to offer; but, only if you commit to giving your very best to achieve it.  Don’t give yourself an excuse or a way out; commit and you will achieve; achieve and you will succeed! 

     Once again, welcome!  Please feel free to contact me with questions and concerns regarding the 2010-2011 Padre Band season.  For the quickest and most effective communication, please write an email.  I am working with nearly 100 students and that many more parents on a daily basis.  I do not intentionally forget to check my phone messages, but I do maintain a steady eye on my inbox all day long. Also, please also don't forget to keep checking here, www.padrebands.com, for all information regarding band.

 

   

     As one UNIFIED band program, we will strive for the highest through FIRST CLASS!

Dear Padre Pride Marching Band Members & Parents:  

Welcome to our family!  We are looking forward to a great year in the quintessential world of musical excellence and success! We will continue Marcos de Niza High School’s tradition of exceeding high standards and expectations through diversity and distinction.  If you have any questions about this coming fall, please contact me by email.  PLEASE – make sure you check here, the band website, for information on a regular basis.  Most of the information needed is available on this website – www.padrebands.com 

This year will be the start of a slightly new and improved marching band rehearsal schedule.  Since marching band at Marcos de Niza is an extra-curricular activity, it meets outside of school hours.  However, all attendance policies, eligibility policies, and classroom rules are in effect as a regular class and expected of each member. Required rehearsal times are: 

Monday - 6:00 to 9:00 PM

Tuesday - 3:00 to 4:00 PM (winds/percussion/colorguard sectionals with captains)

Wednesday – 6:30 to 7:45 AM (Percussion 3:00 - 5:00 PM)

Thursday - 6:30 to 7:45 AM (Colorguard 6:00 - 7:30 PM)

Friday - 6:30 to 7:45 AM  

Just like a normal class, if for some reason, like a doctor’s appointment or illness, your student will not be in a rehearsal or a performance, you will need to submit an ‘Excusal Form’ located on the band website.  My policy is if it is on the calendar of events for the season, you must fill out and send an excusal form at least TWO weeks in advance.  If it is an emergency, notification at least 24 hours in advance is sufficient.  Additionally, when the marching band handbook is sent home in August, please refer to it for exact attendance and excusal policies (appropriate vs. non-appropriate excuses). 

This year’s marching show is entitled Here Comes The Sun: A Tribute To The Beatles.  This year, the Padre Pride will be inspired by music of most revolutionary band in the history of music. 

Our fall marching schedule is located inside the official 1st Edition Marching Band Manual.  All dates and times, with the exception of a few ‘TBA’ events, are accurate. These are all the performances and rehearsals that your student is required to attend for the season. With the attached schedule is an attendance contract. Please fill out the form and return it with your participation agreement. I hope to alleviate any confusion as soon as possible so we can plan next season accurately; so, sit down with your personal calendar and find anything that will conflict.  We try to get all the information as accurate as possible; however, please be aware that some changes may still occur based on the discretion of the Director.   The Participation Agreement, Attendance Contract, Media Release Form, Zero Tolerance Form, & T-shirt Order Form are due: Friday, July 23, 2010. The cost for whole season, including band camp, has been broken down into a payment schedule of four installments.  The payment schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, April 19 $100 (past due)

Tuesday, May 17 $100 (past due)

Tuesday, June 22 $100 (past due)

Friday, July 23 $125 (past due)

Please send checks (payable to “MdN Band) to Todd Hopkins at 236 E. Paseo Way, Tempe, AZ 85283.  You may also put it in an envelope and drop it in the slit in Mr. Burr’s black box on his office door. Please note the 2010 marching band schedule and mark these dates on your family’s calendar.

As with sport teams, marching band competitions and festivals do not follow the Marcos de Niza school calendar as these events are scheduled with many other school districts in mind. Please note that we try to schedule around the district calendar, but in some cases that is not possible. During the summer months, in addition to any individual section gatherings that your son or daughter is asked to attend, the entire band gets together on Tuesday nights (beginning June 15).  We rehearse and begin to memorize new warm-ups, chorales, and this year’s marching show music (including music we play in the stands and visual/movement techniques that will accompany the field show).  This is a fabulous chance for members to meet each other, for rookies to meet their section leader, and for you meet the Drum Majors of the band.  We call these gatherings “Reading Bands” and they occur each Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Band Room.  The first Reading Band is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15.  It is not mandatory, but is highly recommended. If you are in town, you should plan on attending.  See you there! 

Band Camp will be held here in Tempe on the Marcos de Niza campus.  It will be Saturday, July 24 through Saturday, July 31. Marching band camp is MANDATORY. The complete opener music and drill are learned this week as well as all of the warm-ups and marching technique. 

Make sure you dress properly for band camp and bring any necessary items.  Students must follow school dress code while in rehearsals.  I recommend shorts and a normal, unaltered t-shirt, hat, sunglasses, tennis shoes and sunscreen.  Tennis shoes that lace or tie are required; in addition, tennis shoes must SUPPORT your feet – therefore, “skater” shoes that are completely flat will not benefit your marching, and so are prohibited.  Purchase a nice, sturdy pair of TENNIS shoes.  No flip-flops, sandals, or unlaced shoes will be allowed at rehearsals.  Proper marching technique can only be learned with the proper footwear. 

Parents and students must sign and return the attached participation agreement acknowledging they understand the commitment and financial responsibilities associated with the Padre Pride Marching Band.  As per district policy, your student must have some form of health or accident insurance to participate in band. If a student does not have the proper coverage, insurance may be purchased from the school for a minimal cost.  Insurance is required!  Please ask Mr. Burr any questions pertaining to the non-athletic clearance packet when you fill it out. 

Please note: Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or better and must not have a failing grade in any class in order to participate in competitions and festivals.  Any student who has these deficiencies at the end of the previous spring semester will be placed on the alternate list.  Any student who acquires these deficiencies during the season will be withheld from field trips and competitions per AIA, SCSBOA, WBA, & BOA regulations. Important! – You are responsible for all of the fees associated with the marching band even if your student becomes ineligible and is not able to participate in field trips and/or competitions.  Please make sure to check the online grading program on a regular basis to keep track of your child's grades.  I know this is a lot of new information for students and parents.  Please feel free to contact me with questions and concerns with the 2010 marching season.  For the quickest and most effective communication, please write an email.  I am working with nearly 100 students and that many more parents on a daily basis.  I do not intentionally forget to check my phone messages, but I maintain a steady eye for emails all day long. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at our Friday, July 23rd MANDATORY marching band meeting for all parents and students. 

Brandon J. Burr

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