BAND DIRECTOR'S UPDATE

Great performance on Friday night!  We are off to a great start this season.  We will present Show 2 - “Salute to America” this Friday for Alumni Night.  We will transition to

our traditional/formal uniforms this week, please read the information below.
This week’s update includes:

• Traditional Uniform Information
• Thursday Night Rehearsal Policy - Reminder
• Attendance Policy - Reminder
• 9/13 Home vs Bucyrus - Alumni Night Game Schedule
• Upcoming Events

 Traditional Uniform
The band will transition to its ‘traditional’ or ‘formal’ uniform this week.  There are several components to the uniform:

• Jacket
• Trousers/Pants
• White Marching Shoes
• White Gloves (except percussion)
• Long White Socks
• Hat
• Row Shirt

The uniform (jacket, trousers, and hat) are stored at the high school.  Students will check out the uniform before and check in their uniform after the game.  Each student is responsible for taking care of the uniform while it is checked out.  Food and Drink spills which require cleaning will be the financial responsibility of the student.  Additionally, students are subject to inspection before each game - students must remedy any errors before they are permitted to march.  Example: no white gloves.  

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 this 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.”

9/13 Home vs Bucyrus “Alumni Night” - 7:00PM Kickoff
Uniform: Traditional
Call: 6:00
Warm Up: 6:15
March In: 6:35
Pregame: 6:50
Kick Off: 7:00

Upcoming Events
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
www.ghcsd.org
www.grandviewhtsband.org