Summer Letter 2008
Dear Marching Band Students, Parents, & Guardians,
I know it's hard to imagine but it's time to start thinking about Band
Camp. This marching season is shaping up to be a great one. Our color
guard has grown to 19 members and with 27 incoming freshman we will
be marching over 70 students.
Band Camp is the basis for the whole year. We will begin with
one week of music rehearsals July 28th through August 1st. Report time
is 7:45am and will last until 12:00pm. The second week is August 4th
through August 8th. The morning report time is 7:45am and the morning
session ends at 12:00pm. The evening report time is 4:45pm and lasts
until 9:00pm. The second week starts with marching basics then moves
quickly to working on the show. We hope to have 3/4 of the show set
down by the time Band Camp is over. It is mandatory that everyone attends
Band Camp and be in the best physical condition possible. This especially
means getting lots of rest. If you're on that summer cycle of staying
up until 4:00 in the morning and getting up at 3:00 in the afternoon,
you had better try to change that, or that first day of camp will not
be pleasant.
For those of you who are freshmen or new to Band Camp, don't be afraid.
We work hard but the days go by quickly. And the rewards are worth it.
We try our best to make everything as fun as possible including some
surprise summer activities the first week of camp. Just do your best
and you'll be fine. The last day of camp, Friday, Aug 8th we will be
presenting our annual end of camp finale were we will demonstrate everything
the we have learned during band camp and make our first public performance
of this years show, "A Salute to Santana."
The first week of camp will be mostly inside. The second week of camp
will be predominantly outside and students must bring the following
items the second week:
· Tennis Shoes AND Socks (No sandals or flip flops)
· Water Bottle (Not an empty 20oz bottle filled with water but
a good 1 quart jug)
· Sunscreen
· Bug spray
· All items distributed the first week of camp. Flip folders,
lyres, dot books, music etc
· $10.00 for the show shirts. Shirts will be passed out on the
last day of band camp to be worn at the finale.
· $5.00 for shoe rental or $20.00 to purchase your own shoes
Color Guard: The color guard fee this year is $70 for returning
members and $100 for new members. This fee includes the show shirt,
the uniform, dance shoes, and equipment. Each guard member will be issued
for 4 - 5 poles and silks this year, one silk for each song and a practice
silk.
A quick reminder: Due to the construction at TJ, band camp will
be held at Wilson Middle School and the finale will take place in CB
Stadium.
A Note to ALL Parents/Guardians: It is strongly recommended that
in addition to the grand finale you attend the first Band Orchestra
Parent (BOP) meeting of the year on Tuesday August 12th at 7:00pm. During
this meeting we will discuss expectations for the school year, fundraising,
and many other important topics. This meeting will ensure that everyone
is well informed of current information and it is a great opportunity
for our veteran parents to meet our new parents and help them feel welcome.
New Website: Monticello's Regiment has a new home on the Internet at www.tjhsbands.com. I would also ask all of you to regularly review the calendar section of the web site. The calendar contains all of our practice and performance dates for the coming season. Please review the report times and event times prior to making doctor, dentist or other type of appointments. It is CRITICAL that everyone be at all practices and performances.
What else is new? I'm glad you asked. In addition to the new website
we are getting a state of the art renovated practice facility with in-room
recording and playback capability, an LCD video and internet projector,
new offices, a small ensemble rehearsal room, and individual locked
instrument lockers. No more open cubbies with rusty nails.
I look forward to seeing all of you soon. As always, if you have questions
please ask. I can be reached at 402-706-3771 or via email at smoore1@cbcsd.org
Stephen F Moore
Director of Bands
Thomas Jefferson High School
