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| Welcome to the Bryan Station Band Family! Transitioning from the familiar comforts of middle school to the new adventures of high school is often an overwhelming experience. There are many things however that stay the same, like a commitment to academic excellence, positive friendships for students, and a high expectation for musicianship. Please look through this guide as a brief introduction to the first couple of months of high school band! Registration and Forms By now, your student should have filled out a schedule card at school. To enroll in band, students were to check the box for Advanced Band/Theory. Students also looking to enroll in Jazz Band should have done so. Students wishing to be in band or jazz band that did not sign up on their schedule card should contact BSHS freshman counselor Lorie Daugherty at (859) 381-3306 ext. 2032. Additionally, our band handbook (included with this packet) has several forms that need to be reviewed, signed, and sent in to the band office. Expenses necessary for band are also listed in the handbook. This should be done by May 1st so that we may know who to expect for summer band camp, a required activity for all band students. See the section about band camp for more details. Disney Trip October 2013 The Bryan Station Band will be traveling via motor coach to Walt Disney World in Florida during our fall break in October. We will visit each of Disney’s theme parks, as well as make a trip to Cocoa Beach near Cape Canaveral so that our students can enjoy time on the Atlantic Ocean. The band will also perform on a Disney movie studio sound stage with a movie conductor, performing music from their films! The total price for this optional trip is $650. A payment plan has been provided and can be found in the back of the included band handbook. First payment is due on February 25th. We shared this information at our 8th grade parent night in January, so hopefully this is not coming as a surprise. If you need to make special arrangements for payment, outside of the attached payment schedule, please notify us in the band office at (859) 381-3311. We will make sure a spot is reserved for your student. Parents and family wishing to be part of the travel party should also make payments according to the payment plan. Our current plan is to take two busses to Florida, with first priority going to students and our lead chaperones. If a third bus can be filled, we will add it. If a third bus is not added, those wishing to travel may wait on a waiting list or make separate arrangements. A detailed itinerary is available on our website, www.bryanstationband.org. Band Performances The Bryan Station Band performs much often than the typical middle school band. In addition to our 5-6 indoor concerts presented throughout the school year in the auditorium, we also perform for all home football games and other select athletic and scholastic events. Participation in all band performances is required and expected from all students. Our band program represents a proud tradition of musical excellence and achievement. We must have every student at each band rehearsal and performance. Students who are unable to meet this school requirement will need to find another activity with less commitment required. We ask all band members to be excellent musicians, students, and citizens. We cannot make this happen with poor attendance habits. The rest of the band is counting on you! Information about excused absences and athletic exemptions can be found in the included band handbook. Those needing help with transportation should contact the band office. We will help find you a ride! Lextran picks up in front of BSHS, and all practices next year will end in time for students to catch the bus if need be. Summer Band Practice (Camp) Another tradition of high school band is an annual week of summer practice, affectionately known as band camp. Despite rumors to the contrary, band camp is (mostly) painless and a lot of fun! This year, freshman will report to a special “rookie” band camp, held at school, July 24-26. These three days will consist of instruction on their instrument and students will learn how to move and dance on the football field. With over 50 new students already enrolled, this early camp will be an exciting way to get the school year started and meet new friends. Our second week of band camp, July 29-Aug 2, required for all members of the Bryan Station Band, features advanced musical instruction, including learning music for our football performances and other pep music played in the stands. Formations and precision drill moves that accompany our music will also be learned. An end of camp performance and picnic will be held the last day of camp on the band practice field. There are several evening rehearsals scheduled between the end of band camp and the start of school. Please check the website for the most up to date schedule. Color Guard Students highly skilled in dance and movement activities are encouraged to participate in the color guard. These students work harder than any other section to learn advanced choreography using their bodies, flags, rifles, etc. to increase the effect of our football performances. This group rehearses after school only, under the supervision of our color guard staff. Students do not have to be in band to participate in color guard; however separate expenses are incurred to purchase uniforms, pay instructors, etc. Auditions and practice sessions/clinics for this group will be held in beginning in May. Check the website and listen for announcements at the middle schools. We hope you find this packet informative and answers any questions you may have had. When in doubt, check the website, call the band office, or email a band director (FYI – Mr. Payne usually replies immediately to email…). 2013 looks to be an exciting year for the Bryan Station Band, and we are proud and privileged to be able to make music with you and your family. Thanks, Shaun Owens and Michael Payne
Other BSHS Band FAQ: 1. Does it cost money to be in band? There are several incidental fees, including: · $50 Class Materials Fee (most BSHS arts electives have a materials fee) · $25 instrument rental fee (if you use a school instrument) · $35 for a travel uniform (Jacket/Pants/t-shirt) · $25 for white uniform shoes · Other costs related to owning or maintaining your personal instrument (repairs/reeds/mouthpieces/music stands, etc.) The only additional expenses relate to the Disney Trip in October, which is an OPTIONAL trip for all band students. 2. Does my student have to be in the marching band? We no longer offer the option of a separate marching band program. All students enrolled in band are part of “THE BAND”. When “THE BAND” performs in public (Football games, parades, basketball games, pep rallies, etc.) we will perform as one group. Extra rehearsals after school are a part of all high school band programs. The BSHS band rehearses less than most high school bands so that our students can still maintain an active academic/social life and work a job, if they so choose. Some of these rehearsals will require students to get active outside. ALL students in the marching band are in the inside band, and vice-versa.
3. Does the band go to competitions? The 2013-14 BSHS Band will not compete as part of the KMEA State Marching Band Circuit. We will however perform an exhibition at our fundraising show, the Bluegrass Pageant of Bands and perform at the Roots and Heritage Parade. We will still go to KMEA Concert Band Festival in the spring and we expect every student to challenge themselves to audition for honor bands throughout the year, including the KMEA All State Band, the District 7 Honor Band, Bands of America Honor Band, EKU/UK/Morehead honor bands, etc. We also plan to grow our competitive winter percussion program and will field a competitive winter color guard if enough students are interested.
4. When does the band rehearse? Band Camp dates are on the band website. Other rehearsals will be posted during the summer.
5. Do I have to go to band camp? All band students are expected to attend band camp. Those who are unable to attend must notify the band directors immediately. Family vacations are not excused. Please plan ahead.
6. Is band hard? Participating in high school band is a challenge that any student can accomplish. Band itself is not hard, but it requires the time and patience to see things through to the end. Anything worth doing in life is not easy. You will be proud of your accomplishments when you are through!
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