Final Marching Band Update!
- Mr. Blackman
- Aug 13, 2021
- 3 min read
This is my final Marching Band Update. If you need to see any of the previous updates, please visit our amazing Band Booster website at https://rhhsband.wixsite.com/boosters.
OK everyone - the time has come! We have been individually preparing all summer for this Marching Band Camp, and now we come together to work AS A BAND for the first time in a long while. I want to thank all of you for reading my updates, filling out your Google Forms, asking questions, responding to my emails, and, most of all, learning and memorizing your music. You have given yourself a huge head start on the season, and you have every reason to be comfortable and excited about our first rehearsal in two days.
Let’s go through the checklist one final time, just to be sure that everyone is prepared:
*Your music is (almost) memorized, and it is organized in plastic page protectors and placed in a 1/2-inch three-ring binder labeled clearly with your name and instrument. Please put a pencil or two in the binder as well.
*Unless you are stationary, you’ll be bringing dinner and a water bottle to Camp. You’ll also need to wear sneakers, and pants with pockets. Starting on day 2, you’ll be responsible for bringing your PPE, your dot book, and your chips (I will supply those on day 1).
*You have signed up for a uniform fitting at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D44ACA72BA2FE3-marching.
*You have placed all rehearsal and performance dates, as well as the Band parent meeting, on your family calendar
*All conflicts with athletic practice schedules have been worked out with your coach and me.
Here is your final task - some markings to add to your music with your pencil. Although these words and phrases might not have any meaning right now, they definitely will - even on the first day of Camp! Let’s save some rehearsal time by getting them written in now. Stationary percussionists “pit percussion” do NOT need to make these markings.
CANZON
measure 1: move
measure 5: hold
measure 7: move
measure 13: hold
measure 14: slow to PB
measure 15: hold PB
measure 22: turn and slow to level
measure 23: staggered move
measure 29: turn
measure 30: hold
measure 33: slow to PB
measure 35: level on 3
measure 36: staggered move
measure 39: turn
measure 43: turn
measure 52: move
measure 56: hold
measure 58: move PB
measure 62: hold level
measure 64: move
measure 69: hold PB
measure 70: down on 3
CHORALE AND SHAKER DANCE
measure 1: move
measure 8: hold
measure 11: move
measure 19: hold
measure 27: slow to PB
measure 28: move half-time PB
measure 32: level
measure 35 (count 3): slow to PB
measure 36: hold PB
measure 40: level
measure 45: move
measure 50: hold
measure 54: move 12
measure 57: hold PB
measure 59: down on 3
PARENTS - your Band Boosters are still in need of lots of help with uniform fittings (next week) and regular assistance throughout Marching Band season. If each family helps with just ONE thing, we will be in great shape! No experience required. Here are the links:
Please be on the lookout for an upcoming email from Band Boosters regarding purchase of marching shoes and gloves (necessary for every student) and Friday night dinners. This will be a time-sensitive signup, as our first game is on September 3rd!
I have uploaded the drill animation for both “Canzon” and “Chorale and Shaker Dance” (we don’t move during “I Just Want To Celebrate”). Please enjoy!
Finally, here are some important details about Monday: We have a student leader meeting in the Band Room at 3:30. Everyone else should report to the cafeteria between 3:30 and 4:00, leaving as much time as you need to find your spot (you will see name cards on the music stands), deal with your musician’s PPE (also on your stand), warm-up, and be READY TO REHEARSE by 4:00. Attendance will be taken at 4:00. The reason we are having music rehearsals in the cafeteria is that, although the county has not issued any spacing regulations for indoor playing, I want to provide a safe distance between you and your peers, and that is the only room in which I can accomplish that. Visual rehearsals are, of course, outside and we will use our PPE there too. Setting up for Monday will be a massive undertaking, and I will gladly accept help from ANYONE - parent or student - between the hours of 2:00 and 3:30. Just come on over to school and find me - I’ll be the one running back and forth between the Band Room and the cafeteria. : )
Thank you very much everyone! I can't tell you how excited I am to get started making music with you!!!!
Musically,
Mr. B.
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