Thursday, 22 July 2010 00:00
Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 August 2010 06:33
Written by Brandon Burr
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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