Percussion: Week of Sept 20 - 26

Written By Nathaniel Collins

Congratulations on your positive start to the competitive season!

As a group, we all have passed the eligibility check. Good job. Please apply the lessons learned, and remember, do the assignments in all classes when your teachers tell you to. do so. This week, the full band joins us in our first full band competitive performance, and we will have the ability to earn a “performance under the lights.”

Cycle 1, Week 7, A Week, Sept 20 - 26

  • Sunday

    • No rehearsals, free

  • Monday

    • A1 - We will stay indoors. Part 4 pass off, Learn “Dance The Night,” run the full show, Discuss Timpani pass off 1

    • A3 - Mr. Mehrafshan will lead class, expect some adjustments to parts, Timpani pass-off 1

    • After School rehearsal from 3:30 - 5:30 at Naaman Forest, Percussion plan to go outside.

  • Tuesday

    • B5 - Run Still I Wish, review “Dance The Night,” Timpani pass-off 1

    • After School rehearsal from 3:30-6:30 at Naaman Forest

  • Wednesday

    • A1 - We will be going outside. Cleaning visual to Part 2 and working on Part 4

    • A3 - Warm-Up, and work on Someday, I’ll Wish

    • No rehearsal after school

    • Meet the Teacher night + ECHS Induction night

  • Thursday

    • B5 - Start at JV Stadium to run drill team routine, rehearse Someday, I’ll Wish in class

    • After School Rehearsal from 3:30-6:30 at Naaman Forest

  • Friday (A Day)

  • Saturday

Looking Ahead

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.

NTX Drumline Contest Recap

Congratulations again on your performance at the North Texas Drumline Contest. Your performance earned 4th place in our class. We will discuss more in class/rehearsals, but here are some takeaways;

  • Judges tapes are in our google drive folder, please take the time to listen in your reflection of our show. The feedback given is fair.

  • Great job showing up and being ready for a strong performance despite the early call time. You should be proud of how you responded to the demanding schedule.

  • Our warm-up was stronger than our performance. Please reflect on how the change from a warm-up to a contest performance changed your approach.

  • Communication across the ensemble grew from last week, and we were far stronger in Part 4 than our performance at the Showcase.

  • We need to embrace musical direction and the technical tendencies that are holding us back. The number 1 feedback in our control was about a lack of musical direction.

Contest Detail - Hair

As we enter the contest season, we need to discuss expectations for hair styles during performances. We did a good job at the drumline contest, but see details for the differences in band contests.

  • Hair for contest performances should be up and completely out of our faces.

  • Our hair styles are a part of our identity, and it is understandable to want to maintain some level of individuality. However, marching band expects a high level of uniformity in performance.

  • Please take the week to experiment, discuss and find a hairstyle that keeps hair neat, off of shoulders, and out of the face.

  • Battery hair must fit under a shako (hat). Front Ensemble has permission to find a hair style that fits the expectations above, but fit the theme of our show.

All-Region/Semester Solo Project

Pass off 3 (Half of Timpani solo) is due by the end of the day on Friday, Sept 25

  • video recordings must have clear audio, with face, hands and playing surface in view.

  • videos should be uploaded to our band app chat thread or emailed to Mr. Collins if there are technical difficulties.

Drumline Jerseys

Drumline Jerseys are In! Students will be receiving their jersey on Monday. This year, they cost $59. If you ordered and are receiving a jersey this year, you will need to reimburse the band boosters for this purchase. Jerseys must be paid before Thanksgiving break. Paying in installments is acceptable, but please make at least 1 payment every month from September-November.

Click HERE for payment instructions.

2 of 10 have provided an initial payment.

More Outside Rehearsals/Classes

Now that the weather is “cooling,” we will be going outside more in class (Battery) and after school. Please take note of the schedule above to know when you need to be ready for these rehearsals.

For Your Reference: Flip Folder Selections

For this week’s game, you will need to make sure your flip folder includes the following selections:

  • Fight Song

  • Deep In the Heart of Texas (battery)

  • Cheer Riffs

  • Made You Look

  • College Favorite Time-outs 2

  • Hip Hop Stadium Blasters

  • Fireball

  • Seven Nation Army

  • You Belong With Me

  • September

  • Dance the Night

  • Bryant’s new song

Great job having music this week. Everyone needs an actual flip folder (the hard plastic part)

Reminders:

  • Mandatory Band events scheduled with at least 2 weeks are major grades

    • A parent must email Mr. Collins in advance of the event to have unavoidable conflicts be considered excused.

    • Points will be deducted for being late and/or not having necessary supplies.

  • Hats, proper shoes, athletic clothing appropriate from warm-weather, and a large, reusable water bottle are required for all rehearsals.

Weekly Supply Check:

  • Proper Hair style for our contest performance on Saturday - Minor Grade

Upcoming Performance Assignments:

  • Part 4 Pass off, Memorized at tempo, with proper mark time - September 21 - Major Grade

  • All-Region Pass off 3 - 1st half of timpani solo - due September 25 - Minor Grade

  • All-Region Pass off 4 - 1st half of 4 mallet solo. - due October 9 - Minor Grade

  • All-Region Pass off 5 - 2nd half of Snare Solo - due October 30 - Minor Grade

  • All-Region Pass off 6 - 2nd half of 2 mallet solo + 2nd half of 4 mallet solo - due November 13 - Minor Grade

  • All-Region Pass off 7 - 2nd half of timpani + All Solos learned - due November 20 - Minor Grade

  • All-Region Pass off 8 - Recorded Performance of entire Snare Solo + 4 mallet solo - due December 1 - Major Grade

  • All-Region Pass off 9 - Recorded Performance of entire Timpani Solo + 2 mallet solo - Due December 4 - Major Grade

  • Fall Band Auditions - December 9 - Major Grade

Grades may be made up or improved. Late submissions/retakes may be made up for consideration of full credit if done within 1 week of the due date. Late submissions/retakes may be made up for consideration of 90% full credit if done within 2 weeks of due date. Late submissions/retakes may be made up for consideration of up to 70% full credit if done after 2 weeks of due date. It is the student’s responsibility to set up and communicate make up assignments with Mr. Collins

Stay Connected

Things happen, please stay in contact and communicate whenever necessary. You can always contact Mr. Collins via the Band App or through email (ncollins@garlandisd.net)

Class Calendar (Print Version)
Weekly Breakdown of Assignments and Performances
Fall 2026 Google Drive
Class Expectations
Nathaniel Collins
Next

Percussion: Week of Sept 13 - 19