Percussion: Week of August 25 - 31
Hello Percussionists! Great job this week. Attendance has been pretty good and everyone is making a lot of progress. Let’s keep it up!
We have our first Football game this week in addition to our final drill camp! I bet you all are excited for the 3 day weekend as we have Monday, Sept 1 off for Labor Day.
Cycle 1, Week 1 (A Week), August 25 - 31
Monday
During A1 - Pep Band Music, Part 4
After School Rehearsal from 3:30-5:30
Tuesday
During B5 - Battery will not go outside, focus will be The Bloom,
During B7 - Front Ensemble, focus will be fundamentals and cycle snare solos
No Rehearsals after school, Haley is recognized by the School Board for a 1st Division Solo at the 2025 State Solo and Ensemble Contest
Wednesday
During A1 - Truck Loading Party! Prepare to go outside
After School STADIUM Rehearsal from 4:00-7:00pm at Williams Stadium
Thursday
During B5 - Battery WILL go outside to run drill team routine, focus for the remainder of class will be The Bloom
During B7 - Front Ensemble, focus will be fundamentals and The Bloom
After School Rehearsal from 3:30-6:30 at Naaman Forest
Friday (A Day)
During A1 - Pep Band and The Bloom
Football Game - Against Grand Prairie at Williams Stadium from 3:00pm - 10:30pm
Saturday
Drill Camp from 7:00am-12:00pm
Mandatory Marching Rehearsal at Homer B Johnson (HBJ) Stadium
Sunday
Free!
Monday Sept. 1
No School - Labor Day
Weekly Band Updates + Announcements
Make sure you keep up with the weekly announcements for the whole band. You can access announcements at the top of the page, or by clicking HERE.
You can access the weekly band update by clicking HERE.
Flip Folders, Earplugs, Water Bottles and Rehearsal Attire - Updates
Please make arrangements to ensure you are set up for success for rehearsals and our upcoming performances. We still have some students that need to address the following below.
Flip Folder - A Flip folder is our way of organizing pep band music. All students need a flip folder. You can purchase your own from any music retailer or though the band for $5. UPDATE - The band has ordered new flip folders this week, if you want to purchase a flip folder from the band, we have a solution to help at this time.
Earplugs - Earplugs are required for all students during indoor battery drum rehearsals. 2 pairs of disposable foam earplugs have been provided to all students, but we encourage the purchase of a higher quality earplug. EARasers, Etymotic, Gibraltar
Water Bottles - Students must have large, reusable water bottles at every rehearsal. At this point, students should all have a 1/2 Gallon Igloo water jug. Students should not plan on using disposable water bottles.
Rehearsal Attire, hats and sunscreen - Students should continue to wear appropriate athletic clothing that is appropriate for warm weather. This includes athletic sneakers that provide plenty of cushioned support. Hats are required and sunglasses are highly recommended. Sunscreen is necessary as well. We also encourage students to consider looking into modern accessories that aid in keeping the body cool. This includes, moisture wicking shirts that provide sun protection, cooling towels, and personal fans. Front Ensemble - Please make sure you are ready to meet attire expectations as you will be going outside more often moving forward.
FanPledge Fundraiser Update
After our fundraiser kick off this past Thursday, our band has raised over $6800! Wow! Let’s keep working toward our goal of $20,000.
Share our donation site (Click Here) to your family and close contacts. Encourage the adults in your home to share this with their coworkers.
Every percussionist that has had a donation made, has raised at least $100.
Room to Grow: 7 Percussionists have not had contact make a donation.
Room to Grow: 3 Percussionists have more than 10 contacts, while 6 percussionists have 3 contacts or less. Remember, the goal is for everyone to have 20 contacts.
Congratulations to Malenah for receiving $700 in donations so far.
Truck Loading, Solo Pass Off Schedule Adjusted
We are using our band semi-trailer this week for the first time. The truck loading process takes a little bit to learn the first time. Additionally, this provides a good reason to adjust our pass-off schedule for your benefit.
On Wednesday, we will load the trailer during A1.
Students need to be prepared to be outside and work in warm conditions.
Mr. Collins will provide donuts and Gatorade as a thank you for our first practice at loading.
Our pass off schedule has been adjusted. To allow for an entire period to learn how to load the trailer. All Solo pass offs will be pushed back by one week.
The next solo pass off will be from the 2 mallet solo and will be due by the end of the day on Saturday, September 13.
Please review the Weekly Breakdown of Assignments and Performances to see our new schedule.
Pass Off Progress
Thank you all for the great work on our first round of pass offs. Some notes:
9 have successfully submitted Solo pass offs. 3 have not submitted their pass offs.
Remember - video pass offs need to include a clear view of you, the instrument, and your sticks/mallets
Everyone received an A for their Fundamentals Set 1 pass off!
The biggest struggle for show music pass offs is memorization. This is an important part of the pass-off process and do not underestimate how much work this takes.
If you miss a classes or rehearsal, you have to take individual responsibility for making up the lost rehearsal time.
Our Most Successful students are those who have the Best Attendance Rate
Our students that are the Least Successful have the Lowest Attendance Rate
Some absences are normal, but our performance dates do not change. If you miss a rehearsal, you need to plan and execute a way to make up what you missed. If you do not, you will not meet your potential and the entire group will suffer.
Upcoming Assignments and Grades
Weekly Rehearsal Attendance, Weekly Supply Check - minor grades
Supply Check - Organized Flip Folder by Friday
Fundamentals Set 2 - Due Saturday, August 23 - Minor Grade
Part 3 Pass Off (memorized at tempo) - Due Saturday, August 30 - Major Grade
Upcoming: Part 4 Pass Off - Due Friday, September 5
Upcoming: Fundamentals Set 3 - Due Friday, September 5
Upcoming: 2 Mallet Solo Pass Off 1 - Due Saturday, September 13 - Minor Grade
All Region Cut - Top - C
First Year Solo - Half of first solo
