Marching Band Camp Preparation
All cast members who play an instrument should have access to all of their show music now. Brass and woodwinds, your music has been updated to include proper rehearsal letters and the title of the show. Go to Google Classroom to gain access. Check the BAND app for posts about Google Classroom join codes using the hashtag, #classroom.
I really urge all of our students to work with the practice recordings, the show recordings and to try and learn as much as you can about your show music before August 15th. Even if you just work on clapping rhythms, penciling in tricky fingers or stickings, or smartly circling the spots you already have questions about. Brass and woodwind players will be provided a curriculum book that has exercises that help build your foundations and also piece the show music together in a logical progression so it becomes very clear as quickly as possible.
Secondly, we are really hoping you spend these next two weeks getting physically prepared. At the very least you should be going on daily walks in the cooler evening and mornings. I'd also encourage some basic strength training at home for all winds, percussion and colorguard.
Here are some really simple ideas for home workouts that can be done in just 15 - 20 minutes with no equipment:
- Walking 60 minutes at a brisk pace
- Jogging for 10 - 15 minutes
- Push Ups
- find a number you can do and then try two or three sets a day
- get to four sets a day before camp, or increase the reps per set
- Planks
- lay flat on the floor then create a triangle from your clasped fingers/wrists through your elbows and lift your hips off the ground, making a long straight line from shoulders to toes.
- can you do four - 20 second reps for 4 days straight?
- can you add 10 seconds every four days? that would be one minute reps by camp!
- planks are REALLY helpful for marching band posture and holding flags and horns up
- if you were to focus on just one exercise before camp: P.L.A.N.K.S.!
- Squats
- just stand with your feet shoulder width apart and dip your hips down
- don't go too low, and keep your head above center
- find what works for you, and do three sets a day
- your butt is going to be one of the most important muscles for your body to do what you need to do on the stage/field
- Build that booty!
- Stretch
- another invaluable and underutilized tool
- try to relax your body and stretch after you've done a little activity - don't stretch cold muscle
- focus on big muscle groups
- listen to music - make it about you!
Please read below to for more interesting topics about the upcoming camp including a message from our Percussion Coordinator, Nate Hunt and his story. There is also a repeat of the invaluable information to get Final Forms start (opens August 1st, due August 12). And don't forget to review the CONFIRMED STUDENT ROSTER, it has information if you or your student have an eligible PHYSICIANS PHYSICAL. You cannot attend camp with Final Forms and your PHYSICAL!
Happy reading!
HYDRATION
Drink today to hydrate for tomorrow! Start getting your body ready to drink more water. PRACTICE drinking water at home. Check hydration when you use the restroom.
SUNSCREEN
Protect your most important organ, the organ that protects all your other organs! You don't need to get tanner; protect the skin that makes you beautiful!
Hello everyone my name is Nate Hunt and I serve as the percussion composer and coordinator for the Ridgeline Regiment. Though I grew up all over Eastern Washington, my family moved to Spokane when I was a Sophomore and I ended up graduating from Central Valley High School in 2008. Almost immediately after joining High School Band as a Freshman I knew that I had found something truly special, and I've never really left since.
I took a position as a drumline instructor at University High School in 2010 and taught there for 2 years before accepting a job in 2012 with the Central Valley Marching Band where I worked until Ridgeline High School opened last year. I'm also the Drumline Instructor for Eastern Washington University as well as a private lesson teacher through my small business "Hunt Percussion Studios." Apart from marching band stuff I really like marching band, so I also work as an composer/consultant for several other high school bands in the area.
As a freshman in high school I was--to put it delicately--a terrible musician. I still remember feeling completely overwhelmed at the sudden jump in difficulty from 8th grade to 9th grade, especially for percussionists. There were many times when I honestly just wanted to quit. I was fortunate enough however, to be part of a section that encouraged my growth and a section leader that really inspired in me the need to improve. Although I played pretty easy support instruments that first year, I worked my butt off practicing, taking private lessons, and doing everything in my power to grow as a musician (including convincing a few upper-classmen to take pity on me and help me out after school every single day). When my family moved to Spokane I auditioned for the Snare Drum section at Central Valley and made it.
I found my true home in the Central Valley Drumline, and ever since, I've done what I can to try and provide those same experiences for my students. Marching Band teaches us that no matter where we start from, everyone can be a part of something truly great, if we're willing to put in the work. Commit 100% effort to yourself, your peers, and your program and you just might find your place with us.
PHYSICALS and FINAL FORMS
We have three steps to become eligible for our members in the marching band.
STEP ONE
Complete the April Registration Process which you likely did if you are receiving this. We have a confirmation list, but we know who the 100 students are that are marching. CONFIRMED STUDENTS
STEP TWO
Get an updated Physicians Sports Physical signed. A sports physical is good for 2 years in the CVSD. However, you cannot join the marching band until you have one on file that will be good through November 1st, 2022. This CONFIRMED LIST does include student Physical Status. If your name is in red, you will need a physical updated before you can come to camp. If your name is in yellow, we are looking in to an issue with your status. If you have a question about your status, email lwilson@cvsd.org. Lori Wilson, our activities coordinator won't be back in the office for a bit, but an email and some patience should get your questions answered.
SCHEDULE YOUR SPORTS PHYSICAL NOW, DO NOT WAIT
bring this to have your physician sign PHYSICIANS PHYSICAL FORM (CVSD)
- Like sports, students need insurance, a current physical that will NOT expire before the season is over and all forms must have a parent/guardian and student digital signature.
- If you cannot upload your physical in a PDF document , please bring an actual copy to the RHS main office (M-TH 8am-1pm). If you bring in the physical we will make a copy for our records and give you back the original for your records.
- Those who registered for summer camp (colorguard/percussion) thinking that is good for MB: IT IS NOT. August 1st is a new school year and a new registration year.
Complete a NEW Final Forms for the 2022-2023 school year. Final Forms will go live on August 1st. You need to re-do from last year (even colorguard and percussion) all of the medical treatment forms, listing allergies, and giving us permission to treat in the unfortunate case of any injuries or accidents that require medical attention immediately. Here is the link: FINAL FORMS (again it will not go live until August 1st).
CHECK EMAILS
Brass and Woodwinds can check their registered email, and their 356 email for the show music very soon. It will direct you to our Google Classroom (JOIN CODE, fovybqw).
PRACTICE
A little bit of practice during this next month can shake some of the cob webs off. Percussion and Colorguard have lots of concepts to develop over the summer through their mini-camps schedule, winds you'll have the show music first! Get ready to be successful by planning a little bit of effort, even just 2 hours ALL week could make you that much better for the first day.
BAND APP
Students should all join, parents can optional join the REGIMENT BAND app by clicking here:
REGIMENT APP (click link)
Parents should definitely join at least the PARENT BAND app.
BAND PARENT APP (click link)
This a a great way to communicate. You can turn off notification so you only engage the conversation on your terms. It does not text your phone, it's communication when you want communication.
One of the best parts of marching band is the freedom to work with composers and designers from our local arts community and even with people from the broader region of artists. We loved starting off last year by celebrating the opening of Ridgeline HS with "Green With Envy." It was as mysterious and exciting as opening a new high school would come to be. Every year we get to tell a new story, with the choices to honor our student cast members and the community at large with not just excellence but something that celebrates that which is nearest and dearest to our collective hearts!
This year we celebrate what it means to take flight and become birds. We will transform stadiums across the Pacific Northwest this fall with eclectic music, vibrant colors and stages to show the majesty, mischief and thrill as we journey together, learning to fly.
Ultimately this is our first swan song to building our Ridgeline Heritage. For the first time in our school's history, students will graduate! We think about the incredible journey, the joys and perils of these last four years for the class of 2023. All they have learned and endured. These remarkable young people, and their families and friends can hold their breathe with every second as the Ridgeline Regiment helps celebrate and honor all of our students as they grow and flourish:
like a Bird Set Free!
We have two awesome parents who started our Falcon Couture committee: Kristina Kripaitis and Tiffany Thompson. They will fit all brass, woodwind, and percussion students for uniforms during the second week of camp, before the 1pm start.
Please be on time and note that if your sections assigned time for fitting doesn't work; they do have a make-up time slot.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23rd
11:00am - 11:45am, Trumpet and Mellophones (11)
11:45am - 12:30pm, Baritones and Sousaphones (7)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24th
11:00am - 11:45am, Flutes and Clarinets (13)
11:45am - 12:30pm, Saxophones (10)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25th
11:00am - 11:45am, Snares, Tenors and Bass Drums (12)
11:45am - 12:30pm, Front Ensemble (13)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26th
11:30am - 12:30pm, Make Ups if you couldn't make your assigned time