BAND DIRECTOR's update

Several items to cover in this week’s update.  Please read the entire email carefully. 

Mark Your Calendars!!!
Below is the 2017/2018 band calendar - details regarding each event (report times, dress/uniform, etc) will be released each Monday morning in the weekly Update.  

8/8        Post Camp Rehearsal            8-10PM
8/10    Post Camp Rehearsal            8-10PM
8/13       Falco Park Concert                7PM
8/16       First Day of School
8/17    Band Parents Association Mtg    6:30PM
8/23       Evening Rehearsal                8-10PM
8/25    Home vs Centennial            Call - TBA

9/1        Away at Afrocentric            Call - TBA
9/7        Evening Rehearsal                8-10PM
9/8        Home vs North Union            Call -  TBA
        Ox Roast Performance (after game)
9/16    ‘Away’ at Bishop Ready            Call - TBA (Home game for Ready hosted by Grandview)
9/20    Evening Rehearsal                    8-10PM
9/21    Band Parents Association Mtg    6:30PM
9/22       Home vs Bexley                      Call - TBA
9/28       Away at Whitehall Yearling        Call - TBA
10/6    Away at London                Call - TBA
10/11    Evening Rehearsal                     8-10PM
10/13    Home vs Liberty Union          Call - TBA
10/17    Band Parents Association Mtg    6:30PM
10/18    Evening Rehearsal                     8-10PM
10/20    Home vs Logan Elm            Call - TBA
10/26    GHMB Season-in-Review        7:00PM
10/27    Away vs Columbus Academy        Call - TBA
11/3         OHSAA Football Playoffs (if team qualifies)
11/10      OHSAA Football Playoffs (if team qualifies)
11/16    Band Parents Association Mtg    6:30PM
11/17       OHSAA Football Playoffs (if team qualifies)
12/12       Holiday Band Concert             7PM
1/27       OMEA Solo & Ensemble Adjudicated Event (Optional)
3/13    Music in our Schools Month - High School Band Concert     7PM
4/13    Cakewalk                         6:30PM  (HS Band 8:00-9:30PM)
4/26    Spring High School Band Concert  7PM
5/3        Cabaret (Jazz Ensemble Only)
5/24       Blue Star Mothers/Memorial Ceremony  TBA
5/26       Memorial Parade     Call TBA
7/16-20        2018 Pre Camp
7/22-27        2018 Band Camp

Note: Pep Band games will be selected and released at a later date - all students are required to perform at 3 games.

You can access the band calendar at any time at http://www.grandviewhtsband.org/calendar.html.  If you want to sync the calendar automatically to your device, follow instructions on the same page.

Wednesday/Thursday Night Rehearsals
Per the list above, there are five Wednesday or Thursday Night Rehearsals for this season and that number will not increase.  All five rehearsals are considered required and will be calculated into your student’s 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.  

Attendance Policy
Please note the following excerpt from the forthcoming 2017-18 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 written note/email from the parent/guardian (not the student) is required.  This note should explain the concern prior to the event and should be sent to Mr. Herrmann two weeks in advance.


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.  Requests for exceptions will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.”

Annual Falco Park Concert - Sunday, August 13 - 7:00PM
The last summer/before school event is the Annual Falco Park Concert in Marble Cliff.  The concert is scheduled for Sunday, August 13 at 7:00PM.  Students will wear their summer uniform including white marching shoes.  Students should utilize the following schedule:

Falco Park Concert
Sunday August 13
Uniform: Summer (White Band Polo, Navy Band Shorts, White Marching Shoes, White ‘Short’ Socks)
5:30  Band Room Opens
6:00  Load Out for Equipment (Tubas & Drums)
6:30  Setup
6:45  Band Call at Falco Park
7:00  Concert Begins
8:00  Concert Ends/Tear Down
8:30  Load In for Equipment

Upcoming Events
August
8, 10    Post Camp Rehearsals - 8-10PM
13        Falco Park Concert - 7:00PM
16        School Begins
23        Evening Rehearsal - 8-10PM
25        Home vs. Centennial