BAND DIRECTOR'S UPDATE

WOW!  Congratulations to the members of the GHMB for two fantastic performances Thursday night!  I was inspired by their enthusiasm and focus.  What a way to start off

the football season.  We’ll take the “Boy Bands” show on the road this week to Afrocentric and perform at the Ox Roast Pit Lighting after we return from the game - See Schedule Below.
This week’s update includes:

• 2019-2020 Handbook Agreements - Update
• Summer Uniform - Reminder
• Thursday Night Rehearsal Policy - Reminder
• Attendance Policy - Reminder
• 9/6 Away at Afrocentric & Ox Roast Schedule
• Upcoming Events

2019-2020 Handbook Agreements - UPDATE
All GHMB student/parent handbook agreements have been submitted.  Thank you for making sure everything was completed in a timely manner.  No additional submissions are needed!


Summer Uniform - REPEAT
The band will be performing in their Summer uniform for the first few games.  Consistency from student to student is very important.  All students are expected to follow these guidelines:

1. All members will wear their white band polo, blue band shorts, shortwhite socks, and white marching shoes.
2. Members with long hair will have their hair up in a pony tail and/or french braid(s).
3. Undershirts and/or tank tops should be white - avoid contrast colors or graphic prints.
4. If the temperatures begin to drop, students may wear a NAVY Grandview-logo long sleeve/hoodie in the stands.
5. If members received a new pair of shoes, be sure to break them in before Thursday to avoid blisters - see Mr. Herrmann for more information.

Thursday Night Rehearsals - REMINDER
There are four Thursday Night Rehearsals for this season and that number will not increase.  All four rehearsals are considered required and will be calculated into your grade.  Exceptions to the requirement are (1) for athletes who have traveling matches which return later than 9:00PM on the dates listed above, or, (2) on a case-by-case basis as needed.  Work and non-Grandview Heights activities should be scheduled around Evening Rehearsals; please submit the dates above to your work management or advisors.  
Our first night rehearsal is next Thursday, September 12th, 8:00-10:00PM 


Attendance Policy - REMINDER
Please note the following excerpt from the forthcoming 2019-2020 Bobcat Bands Handbook.
“All band members make a commitment when they join band.  These commitments extend to attending all rehearsals and performances.  The dates of such are published and made known well in advance.  Additionally, directors ensure reminders of rehearsals and performances are part of the daily rehearsal schedule.  It is expected that all members will be in attendance at all scheduled events.
Should a student be unable to make a particular rehearsal or performance, then a parent/guardian must complete the "Absence Request Form" a minimum of two weeks in advance of the requested absence.  Unlike past years where an email would suffice, there will be an online form for Excused absence requests - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSciR-gNeOxFUPPtRHfeX53ukT2sHhpW2i9lIWE7fDwiKalnkA/viewform
In the event of a medical or family emergency, the parent/guardian should contact Mr. Herrmann at a time most convenient to the family’s needs by phone or email.  Medical and/or family emergencies are automatically Excused.  This includes students who are marked ‘Excused’ absent from school on the day of a performance.
Unexcused absences can result in lowered grades and loss of permission to travel.  An unexcused performance can never be made up.  Actions or lack thereof speak louder than words.  As stated previous, band is co-curricular.  As such, work is not an excuse.  Communicate clearly with your employer and well in advance.  Missing school for work is unexcused; therefore; missing band for work is ALSO UNEXCUSED.
Alternate Performance Assessments (APA) will be assigned to all performance-based absences.  The APA will include performing, individually or in small groups, music from the missed performance. 
Marching Band Absence Maximum: Each student is limited to two Excused absences during the marching band season (August 14 through November 1).  Requests for exceptions will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.”

9/6 Away at Afrocentric - 7:00PM Kickoff
Uniform: Summer
Call: 5:25
Dress/Load Out: 5:30
Depart: 5:45
Kickoff: 7:00
Return: 11:00
Report to Stevenson for Ox Roast Pit Lighting (Time TBA)

Upcoming Events
9/6        Away at Afrocentric 
             Ox Roast (after game)
9/12      Thursday Evening Rehearsal  8-10PM
9/13      Home vs Bucyrus (Alumni Night)  7:00PM
9/19      Band Parents Association Meeting  6:30PM
             Thursday Evening Rehearsal  8-10PM
9/20      Homecoming Parade  6:00PM
             Home vs Bexley (Homecoming)  7:00PM

Lastly, please don’t hesitate to reply to any updates or contact me via email, Twitter or by phone. 
Go Bobcats!!! 
Mr. Herrmann 
-- 
Christopher Herrmann Director of Bands
Grandview Heights High School
1587 West Third Avenue | Columbus, Ohio 43212
O: (614) 485-4012
@GrandviewHtsBand (Facebook & Twitter)
www.ghcsd.org
www.grandviewhtsband.org