Greetings Trojan Band Family!
We are extremely proud of the band and the performances from this week to conclude ‘Luminosity’ – the band qualified for finals yesterday in the US Bands competition and ended 8th. We have had a great run with the show and the students have worked hard – we are proud!!!
I want to give a special thanks to all of the parents who have helped us this season. It is a small contingent that diligently rearranges their lives to hop on board with the band and make directors’ lives easier and students’ experiences great. To say we couldn’t do it without the pit crew, chaperones, catering or uniform committees would be the understatement of a lifetime. From running around yesterday to get gatorade and meals for our kids and serve them (catering) to nonstop 12 hour trips (chaperones) to driving the truck back and unloading the entire trailer for us while we waited for finals announcements (pit crew) we are so grateful to these parents. From the bottom of my heart I speak for the entire band community in saying THANK YOU for an amazing season of help and service.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO BRING CONCERT INSTRUMENTS AND CHROMEBOOKS OR LAPTOP EQUIVILANT TO EVERY BAND CLASS FROM NOW ON! We will be working on our Winter Concert Music, region music and using music software for a few minutes a day to teach theory and rhythm drills. Your Chromebook will be part of your daily participation grade.
Rehearsals this week: FRIDAY REHEARSAL ONLY! We will only Rehearse with Belles on Friday at 8am on the parking lot for the Belle Tune. We will not rehearse evenings or Thursday morning. Enjoy the conclusion of marching season, catch up on classes – and get some rest!
This week we will honor the seniors before and during the game in Senior Night Festivities. Letter Jacket ceremony will happen in the band hall at 4:50pm. PARENTS WELCOME! This is a brief but fun ceremony honoring each student and gifting them their letter jacket. Non-senior students must sign up for the senior speech they wish to give. Come see Mr. Nedley to sign up – NO MORE than 2 students per senior speech and it must be limited to 20 seconds to ensure we make it to the game in time.
At HALFTIME, we will have a ceremony that honors the senior belle, band and cheer seniors. Each student will be asked for two escorts to walk them across the field where they receive their rose. Limit (as always) is two escorts per student. Please discuss with your child who this will be.
ABBA would like to create an album of pictures that have been taken throughout the season for everyone to enjoy. If you have pictures to share, please send to Marcie Skonieczny at marcieds@sbcglobal.net
WINTERGUARD TRYOUTS are 11/13 and 11/15 in the band hall – NO EXPERIENCE necessary to try out (band students welcome too!). Talk to Ms. Gonzalez or Mr. Henry if you have questions.
JAZZ BAND AUDITION Materials will be posted on Monday!! Jazz band is open to everyone who plays a traditional jazz instrument either as their primary or secondary! Audition materials will be available in the band hall on Monday and auditions will take place on Thursday and Friday November 17 and 18. See Mr. Cleveland with questions.
REGION ORCHESTRA Auditions are THIS SATURDAY, Nov 11. Students who have signed up for region orchestra wind auditions know who they are. Auditions are held at Anderson High School (yes, home turf!!), students need to report to their room no later than 9:30am for check in and auditions begin promptly at 10am. They will play all 3 of their region etudes. Audition locations will be posted in the Cafeteria where students will warm up and gather before and after audition as they await results. Email Andrea.k.gonzalez@austinisd.org with questions.
Everyone have a great week!
Ms. Gonzalez