A look at this week...
Monday: Percussion Only, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday: Winds Only, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Tuesday: Guard Only, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday: Full Ensemble, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Thursday: Full Ensemble, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Friday: Home Varsity FB Game vs Princeton, report = 3:00pm (Band Night)
Saturday: Band Competition, Bellbrook Invitational
Band Night
We have had a lot of discussions with the changes we have made to Band Night but I wanted to be sure to articulate what is different, why it is different, and what logistical changes will take place as a result.
As a staff we are constantly evaluating our common practices and examining if what we are doing best matches what is best for students in our classrooms. Last year, I personally met with a cross section of the 8th grade students to discuss Band Night in general and was pleased to hear their insight. I also shared with them my concerns with spoon feeding music to younger students at the beginning year with the added expectation of performing while standing in front of a football crowd. Additionally, administrators ask us to try an cut back the amount of time we take students out of the classroom.
What I gleaned from the conversation was this:
As 6th graders it was a mixed reaction to the performance aspect and for those students polled, none felt it was a significant experience for them.
As 7th graders, it didn't seem as special as the directors wanted it to be.
As 8th graders they wish they could be more involved with the High School Band.
* as a side note, I had the same conversation with the high school students and they mentioned they wished it could be more of a bonding experience on game night.
Moving forward Band Night will only include the 8th grade band students. By doing so:
8th grade students will be able to integrate more fully with the High School students, for example playing in the stands and watching the high school band's halftime performance.
7th grade students will pick out the band night music/ show in the new year...the 7th grade students were VERY excited about this announcement this year. Picking the music really will give those students a sense of ownership and something to look forward to their next year in band.
6th grade students will have a better start to the year by being able to really focus on reviewing material from year one and giving them a strong base and focusing on their needs.
I am very excited about these changes and believe it will also enhance our recruitment by spending more time on building relationships between the 8th grade students and the high school band students.
This shift has brought about some logistical changes. In an effort to lessen the amount of time students spend out of class for band participation we will be holding band night practice with the 8th grade students after school the day of the performance. High School students will be bused to the Junior High as they normally would, but will be practicing the Band Night show in the stadium upon arrival. Rehearsal will run from 3:30p - 5p. After, the high school students and 8th graders will bond over pizza and dessert. After the Band Night performance at pregame the 8th grade students will join us in the stands. We will obviously be larger than usual, so we may take up some of the space the band parents sit in by the student section. The 8th grade students will watch the half time performance and then will be dismissed before our high school students enjoy our time with the visiting band.
Bands Competing & Performance Times:
Star Spangled Banner 6:00 PM
Vandalia-Butler, AA 6:15 PM
Colerain, AAA 6:30 PM
Carroll, AAA 6:45 PM
Dixie Heights, AAAA 7:00 PM
Springboro, AAAA 7:15 PM
Kings, AAAA 7:30 PM
Northmont, AAAA 7:45 PM
30 Minute Break 8:00 PM
Kettering, Open 8:30 PM
Sycamore, Open 8:45 PM
Bellbrook, Ex 9:00 PM
Awards 9:30 PM
A Brief Look at Next Week
Monday: Percussion Only, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday: Winds Only, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Tuesday: Guard Only, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday: Full Ensemble, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Thursday: Full Ensemble, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Friday: Away Varsity FB Game vs Lakota West, report = 5:45pm
Saturday: Drill Camp with Bart Woodley + Movement 4 Drill