BAND DIRECTORS' UPDATE

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

Below is the 2018/2019 band calendar - details regarding each event (report times, dress/uniform, etc) will be released each Monday morning in the weekly Update.  

2018
8/9        Post Camp Rehearsal            8-10PM
8/10    Formal Uniform Photos Day
8/12       Falco Park Concert                7PM
8/15       First Day of School
8/16    Band Parents Association Mtg    6:30PM
8/24    Away at Centennial                Call - TBA
8/30    Evening Rehearsal                8-10PM


9/1        Home vs Afrocentric            Call - TBA
9/7        Away at Bishop Rosecrans        Call -  TBA
        Ox Roast Performance (after game)
9/13    Evening Rehearsal                8-10PM
9/14    Home vs Bishop Ready            Call - TBA
9/20    Band Parents Association Mtg    6:30PM
9/21       Away at Bexley                      Call - TBA
9/26    Evening Rehearsal                8-10PM
9/28       Home vs Whitehall Yearling        Call - TBA

10/4    Evening Rehearsal                8-10PM
10/5    Home vs London                Call - TBA
10/12    Away at Liberty Union              Call - TBA
10/17    Jazz Ensemble - Fall Concert
10/19    Away at Logan Elm                Call - TBA
10/25    GHMB Season-in-Review        7:00PM
10/26    Home vs Columbus Academy    Call - TBA

11/2         OHSAA Football Playoffs (if team qualifies)
11/9     OHSAA Football Playoffs (if team qualifies)
11/16       OHSAA Football Playoffs (if team qualifies)

12/11       Holiday BandConcert             7PM

2019
2/16       OMEA Solo & Ensemble Adjudicated Event (Optional)

3/8-9    OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event (Tentative)

3/12    Music in our Schools Month - Concert Band & Wind Ensemble     7PM

3/14    Music in our Schools Month - Jazz Ensemble    7PM

4/5        Cakewalk         6:30PM  (HS Band 8:00-9:30PM)

5/1        Spring High School Band Concert  7PM
5/9        Cabaret (Jazz Ensemble Only)
5/23       Blue Star Mothers/Memorial Ceremony  TBA
5/25       Memorial Parade     Call TBA

7/15-19        2019 Pre Camp
7/21-26        2019 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 four Wednesday or Thursday Night Rehearsals for this season and that number will not increase.  All four 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 2018-19 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.

Unlike past years where an email would suffice, there will be an online form for Excused absence requests - link to follow soon. 

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 12 - 7:00PM
The last summer/before school event is the Annual Falco Park Concert in Marble Cliff.  The concert is scheduled for this Sunday, August 12 at 7:00PM.  Students will wear their summer uniform including white marching shoes.  Students should utilize the following schedule:


Falco Park Concert
Sunday August 12
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
9        Post Camp Rehearsals - 8-10PM
10        Formal Uniform Photos
12        Falco Park Concert - 7:00PM
15        School Begins
24        Away at Centennial HS

Lastly, please don’t hesitate to reply to any updates or contact me via email, Twitter or by phone. 

Go Bobcats!!! 

Mr. Herrmann