It is time for camp! For some, this may be the first time while others may feel this is a continuous routine that occurs when a new year begins. Whether veteran or newbie, there will be several changes in the two weeks of band camp.
The biggest change that the "Pirate Pride" will go through is a change in priority and focus. Since the construction of the Freshmen Center, this band has been focused on marching in parade competitions. The reason for this was the separation of our 9th graders from the rest of the band. It is easier to combine the sections of the band in a parade format rather than field marching.
Change will occur this year. Due to the lower numbers enrolled in high school band, it is crucial for the freshmen to join the high school for drill on the football field. The one problem still stands: Two different rehearsal times.
That means that band camp is critical to the success of the fall. Each student (minus pit percussion) will be assigned a number. There are no alternate players. Each number MUST be covered and learned during our two weeks of camp. The whole drill must be learned during camp because, again, we will not meet as a full group during school time.
During the school year, thursday night rehearsals will be used for the whole group to meet- to refresh memory, and to clean the drill.
Lastly, I love that we have band students that are so involved in other school events. I will never punish nor discourage them from those activities. However, I don't want band to be placed as a lower priority. To put it in sports terms- every participant in band are ALL starters. Practice is a waste of time if we can't have nearly 99% participation.
This blog has gone on long enough. I will try to post again before the camp begins. In the meantime, please visit the high school portion of this website for dates and times of camp. Thanks for reading!
-CS
The biggest change that the "Pirate Pride" will go through is a change in priority and focus. Since the construction of the Freshmen Center, this band has been focused on marching in parade competitions. The reason for this was the separation of our 9th graders from the rest of the band. It is easier to combine the sections of the band in a parade format rather than field marching.
Change will occur this year. Due to the lower numbers enrolled in high school band, it is crucial for the freshmen to join the high school for drill on the football field. The one problem still stands: Two different rehearsal times.
That means that band camp is critical to the success of the fall. Each student (minus pit percussion) will be assigned a number. There are no alternate players. Each number MUST be covered and learned during our two weeks of camp. The whole drill must be learned during camp because, again, we will not meet as a full group during school time.
During the school year, thursday night rehearsals will be used for the whole group to meet- to refresh memory, and to clean the drill.
Lastly, I love that we have band students that are so involved in other school events. I will never punish nor discourage them from those activities. However, I don't want band to be placed as a lower priority. To put it in sports terms- every participant in band are ALL starters. Practice is a waste of time if we can't have nearly 99% participation.
This blog has gone on long enough. I will try to post again before the camp begins. In the meantime, please visit the high school portion of this website for dates and times of camp. Thanks for reading!
-CS
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